Directoire Dining Room Chairs
DIRECTOIRE STYLE
Formed in the wake of the Jacobin Reign of Terror’s bloody guillotine, the Directoire was established to lead France into order through the leadership of a five-member council of directors. It was brief, lasting only from 1795 to 1799, ending with Napoléon Bonaparte’s coup d’état, and was economically tumultuous. Yet it was an essential bridge between the era of Louis XVI and the elaborate Empire style that followed, with Directoire furniture and decorative arts shaped by a royal passion for classical design and an enthusiasm for postrevolutionary France.
Much of the country’s furniture production had halted during the French Revolution when the furniture guilds system was abolished, but during the Directoire period, the cabinetmakers restarted their businesses, such as François-Honoré-Georges and Jacob-Desmalter who established a new workshop called Jacob-Frères. Pieces made in walnut, elm, mahogany and other inexpensive materials incorporated influences ranging from Egypt to Pompeii, with popular forms including the curule armchair based on an ancient Roman design. The aesthetics of the transitional style were more austere than during the monarchy, with court cabinetmaker Jean-Baptiste Sené, for instance, reimagining his workshop’s neoclassical-style furniture with ungilded surfaces and a reduction of ornamentation.
Symbols referencing the revolutionary tenets of liberty, equality and fraternity were frequently carved into Directoire furnishings, such as the Phrygian cap, clasped hands and the fasces, which is an image of a bound bundle of sticks adopted from the Roman Republic, where it was seen as an emblem of strength through unity.
Elements of the French Directoire style continued through Empire style. Designers Charles Percier and Pierre-François-Léonard Fontaine are credited today as major proponents of both movements. The classically inspired furniture design is represented in pieces such as the boat-shaped daybed and the klismos chair, which endured in French interiors as well as in styles abroad, including American Directoire.
Find a collection of antique Directoire chairs, tables, daybeds, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.
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Style: Directoire
Set of 8 Maison Jansen Style French Louis XVI Dining Chairs Circa 1950s
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Elevate your dining space with this exquisite set of eight French Louis XVI / Directoire–style dining chairs, crafted in the sophisticated tradition of Maison Jansen. Finished in a w...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Faux Leather, Walnut
8 Alfonso Marina Ebonized and Gilt Regency Style Dining Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 35 1/4 in W: 23 1/4 in D: 23 3/4 in SH: 20 1/2 in
Seat height w/out cushion - 16 1/2 in
Elevate your dining experience with this stunning and sophisticated set of ...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Directoire Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
19th Century Set of Six Directoire Style Mahogany Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Opulent set of six mahogany French dining chairs made in the transitional directoire pre-Empire taste. The chairs feature gracefully curv...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
Six painted and gilt upholstered directoire style dining chairs circa 1940
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Six painted and gilt upholstered directoire style dining chairs circa 1940 with recent fabric.
Category
1940s Vintage Directoire Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
French 19th Century Set of 8 Dining Room Chairs
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Beautiful set of 8 dining room chairs, they are made of walnut and mahogany wood and black paint inside the curve along the legs and the top. They have a large seat and nicely curved...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Mahogany, Walnut
$12,580 / set
Set of Nine 18th Century French Directoire Dining Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of Nine 18th Century French Directoire Dining Chairs is a relatively rare find, especially with this level of quality and preservation! The diamond pattern mohair is of the best...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Sycamore
Rare set of 6 Directoire Dining Chairs with Elaborate Carved Backs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This elegant set of six French Louis XVI style dining chairs exudes classical refinement and timeless sophistication. Crafted with carved and painted frames in a soft antique white f...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Beech
Fine Set of 8 French Directoire Louis XVI Style Paint Decorated Dining Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This fine set of 8 French Directoire Louis XVI style dining chairs beautifully captures the elegance and refinement of neoclassical French design. Each chair features a delicately pa...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Set of Four Samuel Copelon Swan
Lyre Back Dining Chairs
Located in Peabody, MA
A set of four wrought iron lyre-back chairs in the French style by the Samuel Copelon Company of New York, one with original label. They feature art deco bronze swan finials and padd...
Category
1950s American Vintage Directoire Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Set of Ten French Mahogany Directoire St. Dining Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and complete set of ten French turn of the century Directoire st. mahogany dining chairs. Each chair is raised by elegant lightly curved square tapered legs below the ...
Category
20th Century French Directoire Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
Set of Eight French 19th Century Directoire St. Patinated Wood Dining Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and very unique complete set of eight French 19th century Directoire st. patinated wood dining chairs. Each chair is raised by lovely turned circular legs at the front wit...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Wood
Directoire Antique French Dining Chairs
Located in Austin, TX
Directoire style antique French chairs made with solid wood construction that has been finished with a lustrous French polish of museum quality. We love the elegant stylized acanthus...
Category
1920s French Vintage Directoire Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
$4,350 / set
1950s French Iron and Brass Dining Chairs
Located in New York, NY
1950s French iron and brass dining chairs. The chairs have iron frames, are black vinyl, with brass finials to the top and brass ball feet. The chairs also have sloping arms and fold...
Category
1950s Vintage Directoire Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Brass, Iron
$11,000 / set
Directoire Side Chairs (Sets of 2)
Located in Westwood, NJ
Large mahogany side chairs, with an over scroll padded back and seat above floral capital carved and paneled sabre legs. Inspired by a 19th-century French original.
Dimensions: 23" W...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Directoire Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Wood
$5,754 / set
Set of Six Directoire Dining Chairs, France, Early 19th Century
Located in Greven, DE
Set of six antique chairs
France
mahogany
early 19th century
Dimensions: H x W x D: 88 x 47 x 44 cm, seat height: 48 cm
Description:
Set o...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Wood
French 18th Century Directoire Mahogany Chairs with Silk Blend Upholster Fabric
Located in Firenze, IT
This beautiful set of four late 18th-early 19th century European Directoire period mahogany gondola chairs will be the perfect addition to your dining room or living room as they can be used as dining room chairs or side side chairs...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Cotton, Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany, Giltwood
18th c. French Directoire Period Set of Six Bleached Beechwood Chairs
Located in Wichita, KS
A very charming set of six French dining chairs from the Directoire period. The frames are solid bleached beechwood nicely patinated with pegged mortise
tenon joinery. Scrolled...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Directoire Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Beech
A set of six French Directoire style painted dining room chairs, 19th C.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Comprised of six side chairs all painted and of pegged construction. Having rosette and diamond carved crests above pierced splats and upholstered seats, all supported by turned tape...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
French Pair of Period Directoire Side Chairs
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A regal pair of French side chairs from the Directoire period (circa 1795-1800). The chairs have chalk-white painted frames now patinated to fine craquelure texture softening the sym...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Velvet, Wood, Paint
$1,895 / set
Directoire Armchairs
Located in Westwood, NJ
Two mahogany armchairs, with an over scroll padded back and seat between open scroll arms and above floral capital carved and paneled sabre legs. Inspired by a 19th-century French or...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Directoire Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Wood
$6,114 / set
Set of Six Vintage Directoire Style Black
Gold Dining Chairs Modern Chic
Located in Palm Springs, CA
We have admired this style of chairs for years, but it took 13 years in business to find this set. Custom made in the early 1960s by Indianapolis Chair...
Category
1960s American Vintage Directoire Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Wood
Fine Set of 12 Brass Inlaid Rosewood French Regency Style Dining Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This fine set of 12 brass inlaid rosewood French Regency style dining chairs represents the perfect balance of craftsmanship, elegance, and functionality. Expertly made, each chair f...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Brass
$6,360 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Set of 6 Maison Jansen Attributed Balloon Back Circular Directoire Dining Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This set of six Maison Jansen attributed Directoire dining chairs exemplifies refined French craftsmanship and timeless neoclassical design. Featuring elegant balloon backrests with ...
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Walnut
$3,719 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Fine Italian Dining Room Set of Eight Chairs and a Pair of Armchairs, 1790
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant set of Nord-Italian walnut chairs (8) and a pair of armchairs,
Covered in ivory color silk in perfect condition.
Lombardy Nord Italy, last quarter of the 18th century.
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Walnut
1950s French Iron and Brass Dining Table and Chairs
Located in New York, NY
1950s French iron and brass dining table and chairs. The set has iron frames, chairs are black vinyl, with brass finials to the top and b...
Category
1950s Vintage Directoire Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Brass, Iron
$19,000 / set
Dining Room Set of Eight Italian Chairs and a Pair of Armchairs, 1790
Located in Rome, IT
A fine set of Nord-Italian walnut chairs (8) and a pair of armchairs,
Covered in ivory color silk in perfect condition.
Lombardy Nord Italy, last quarter of the 18th century.
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Walnut
$17,279 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Dining Room Set of Eight Italian Chairs and a Pair of Armchairs, 1790
Located in Rome, IT
A fine set of Nord-Italian walnut chairs (8) and a pair of armchairs,
Covered in ivory color silk in perfect condition.
Lombardy Nord Italy, last quarter of the 18th century.
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Walnut
$17,279 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Fine Italian Dining Room Set of Eight Chairs and a Pair of Armchairs, 1790
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant set of Nord-Italian walnut chairs (8) and a pair of armchairs,
Covered in ivory color silk in perfect condition.
Lombardy Nord Italy, last quarter of the 18th century.
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Walnut
An Exceptional Set of Six Inlaid Directoire Period Mahogany Dining Chairs
By Charles Percier
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
All six frames featuring swan shaped brass inlaid motifs strikingly silhouetted against ebonized panels within brass moldings, over hand carved lyre-shaped splats replete with brass 'strings'. The frames also featuring brass strung stiles, front seat rails & sabre-leg front supports. All are in exceptionally sound condition due to the classical construction method of using oak as the secondary wood for added strength & durability.
The swan motif was highly favored by cabinetmakers & mount makers during the Directoire Period and was associated with Napoleons consort Josephine, by interpreting her protective nature towards her children like that of a swan towards it's cygnets).
For comparative examples see works by Charles Percier...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Brass
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Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A
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Fabric, Wood
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Located in Hopewell, NJ
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Fine Set 8 Maison Jansen Distressed Paint Decorated Balloon Back Dining Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
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Directoire Side Chairs
Located in Westwood, NJ
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Directoire dining room chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Directoire dining room chairs for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage dining room chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, walnut and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Directoire dining room chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original dining room chairs, popular names associated with this style include and Hickory Chair Furniture Company. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for dining room chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $895 and tops out at $27,900 while the average work can sell for $6,621.
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