Directoire Seating
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.
to
37
133
50
188
3
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
95
57
4
16
2
20
1
10
1
6
1
7
39,977
21,189
8,385
4,079
1,650
1,490
1,221
1,123
990
979
907
867
730
680
487
457
344
290
51
57
80
3
15
42
12
1
4
2
7
21
7
3
2
169
78
40
37
27
156
127
22
12
11
191
190
190
2
2
1
1
1
Style: Directoire
Pair of 19th Century French Directoire Upholstered Bergères with Twisted Columns
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Directoire style painted wood bergères chairs from the 19th century with twisted columns and new custom upholstery. This elegant pair of French Directoire style berg...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Pair Of Directoire Armchairs In White Lacquered Wood
Located in BARSAC, FR
Beautiful pair of Directore armchairs in lacquered wood bench, trapezoidal backrest and jacob style legs, Seats covered with a beautiful bottle gr...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Lacquer
Dark Green Paint Decorated Tufted French Directoire Footstool Window bench
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Add a touch of timeless elegance to your interior with this stunning Dark Green Paint Decorated Tufted French Directoire Footstool Window Bench. Inspired by the refined aesthetics of...
Category
1960s Unknown Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Walnut
$1,196 Sale Price
20% Off
1950s Maison Jansen Steel and Brass Daybed
Located in New York, NY
1950s Maison Jansen Steel and Brass Daybed. Original fabric.
Category
1950s Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Brass, Steel
French Directoire Style Bench
Located in Houston, TX
French Directoire Style Bench.
This lovely French Directoire bench or stool painted a gray/green color with dark blue accents with swan handle ...
Category
1920s French Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Wood, Velvet
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 Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
$4,350 / set
Fine Duchesse Brisée, French, Directoire, c. 1800
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Fine Duchesse Brisée, or recamier, French, Directoire, c. 1800. Comprising two bergères, this form emerged in the late 18th century as a modular chaise alternative. Carved mahogany...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany
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 Seating
Materials
Wood
French Directoire Unique Fireplace Split Canape
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautifully designed French Directoire canape highlighted with paint and water gilding.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Wood
$8,900 / set
French Pair of Directoire Style Armchairs with Incredible Patina c1900
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Matched pair of French Directoire Armchairs. Incredible finish, or should I say lack of finish, whatever you preference the patination is wo...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Seating
Materials
Hardwood, Upholstery
Pair of 18th Century Italian Directoire Painted and Parcel Gilt Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 18th century Italian Directoire painted and parcel gilt chairs.
This stunning pair of 18th century Italian Directoire chairs are pain...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Mohair, Wood
French Directoire Period Bergere
Located in Pembroke, MA
French Directoire period blue-gray painted bergere, newly-upholstered in lovely blue and gold toile fabric based on a museum-archived pattern....
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Set of Six French Early 19th Century Directoire Period Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most handsome and complete set of six French early 19th century Directoire period armchairs. Each armchair is raised by elegant square ta...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Stunning Carved Antique Creme Painted Finish Directoire Style Bench Stool
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exquisite antique Directoire style bench stool showcases the refined elegance and neoclassical artistry of the late 18th to early 19th century aesthetic. Expertly hand-carved, t...
Category
1960s Unknown Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Walnut
$1,356 Sale Price
20% Off
French Directoire Style Loveseat Sofa
Located in Southampton, NJ
A French Directoire style solid Cherry sofa loveseat with subtle scrolled arms and tapered front / splayed back legs. Uniquely transitional suitable for placement in a variety of set...
Category
20th Century Italian Directoire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Cherry
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 Seating
Materials
Fabric, Cotton, Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany, Giltwood
Pair of French Directoire Style Midcentury Giltwood Stools with New Upholstery
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French vintage Directoire style giltwood stools from the mid 20th century with carved rosettes, fluted accents, saber legs and new linen upholstery. This handsome pair of F...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Seating
Materials
Linen, Upholstery, 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 Seating
Materials
Fabric, Beech
Petite Bagues Style Gilt Upholstered bench in needlepoint
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This petite Baguès style gilt upholstered bench in needlepoint is a charming and elegant accent piece that reflects the timeless sophistication of French design. Inspired by the reno...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Metal
$1,356 Sale Price
20% Off
Maison Jansen Style White Painted Upholstered French Directoire Desk Armchair
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This Maison Jansen style French Directoire desk armchair exudes timeless sophistication with its elegant white painted frame and refined proport...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Walnut
$1,356 Sale Price
20% Off
Fine Pair Quality Paint Decorated French 1920s Era Directoire Louis XVI Armchair
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Introduce timeless Parisian sophistication into your home with this exquisite pair of French Louis XVI paint-decorated armchairs, a beautiful example of neoclassical elegance and fin...
Category
1920s French Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Beech
1940s French Lounge Chairs Pair
Located in New York, NY
1940s pair of French lounge chairs that are nicely upholstered in silk with rolled arms and loose down filled seat cushions. The chairs have flared mahogany legs.
Category
1940s Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany, Silk
$14,000 / 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 Seating
Materials
Wood
$6,594 / set
French 19th Century Directoire St. Walnut Stool
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most elegant French 19th century Directoire st. Walnut stool. The circular stool is raised by lovely lightly curved square tapered legs below the straight wrap around frieze.
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Walnut
20th C. Directoire Style Painted and Floral Crewelwork Upholstered Bregere
Located in Morristown, NJ
Mid 20th C. Directoire style crewelwork bergere with a cream painted wood frame decorated with bands of carved rope and draped swags. The crewelwork upholstery is accented with a com...
Category
1980s American Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Silk, Wood
French Wrought Iron Bench
Located in New York, NY
Brown-burgundy leatherette top with a decorative wrought iron and brass frame.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Late 19th Century Directoire Style Armchair
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful 19th century Directoire style armchair with pegged construction. Newly upholstered in textured purple/white fabric with plum linen back. Shell details carved to back with s...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Wood
Faux Suede Directoire Style Bergere
Located in New York, NY
Elegant faux suede Directoire style bergere with fluted and tapered legs and curved columnar arm details. Natural colored wood showing great a...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Suede
Pair of Early 19th Century Directoire Chairs, in the manner of Bellange Frères
By Henri Jacob
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of early 19th century mahogany side chairs in the manner of Bellange Frères. Raised on turned tapering front legs and sabre rear legs, carved with pierced splades in the shape o...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
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 Seating
Materials
Brass, Iron
$19,000 / set
Set Of Four French Early 19th Century Directoire St. Patinated Wood Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant set of four French early 19th century Directoire st. Patinated wood armchairs. Each wonderful chair is raised by circular tapered front legs with two mottled bands and end...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Wood
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 Seating
Materials
Velvet, Wood, Paint
$1,895 / 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 Seating
Materials
Wood
Maison Baguès Iron and Bronze Tufted Mohair Fabric Bench
Located in New York, NY
Maison Baguès iron and bronze tufted bench. Base is steel with brass hoof feet. Newly upholstered in mohair fabric.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Bronze, Iron
Charles Pollack Custom Ottoman
Located in Dallas, TX
Custom ottoman by Charles Pollack with semi attached boxed seat cushion covered in Bergamo fabric.
Category
Late 20th Century American Directoire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Ebonized Open Armchairs French Directoire in the Manner of Andre Arbus
By André Arbus
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of ebonized open armchairs French Directoire style in the manner of Andre Arbus. Upholstered back and seat cushion. Measure: Seat height 17.5".
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Wood
Pair of Exceptional Consulate Armchairs
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautifully carved and painted period consulate chairs.
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
$15,500 / set
French Late 18th Century Painted Directoire Chair
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A late 18th century French side chair from the Directoire Period with a carved and parcel gilt cream painted frame. The backsplat with a carved classical urn. Upholstered in green Empire...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Wood
Pair of French Directoire Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Side Tables
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful pair of French Directoire style gilt bronze and marble side tables. These tables are extremely fine quality and a gorgeous finish. Creates a very polished look!.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Seating
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of 19th Century French Directoire Armchairs
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Pair of 19th Century French armchairs in the Directoire style.
Re-upholstered later in beautiful black leather hide.
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood
$4,535 / set
18th Century Pair French Consulate Chairs Signed Jacob
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
18th Century Pair French Consulate Chairs Signed Jacob
Beautiful chairs purchased in France.
Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Oak
$5,520 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Directoire Period Painted Armchairs after a Model by Jacob Desmalter
Located in Montreal, QC
Pair of Directoire period: gray painted armchairs after a model by Jacob Desmalter . France: circa 1800 Seat height: 17 in.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Wood
French Country Directoire Style Banquette Bench with Yellow Velvet Cushion
Located in Montreal, Quebec
A beautiful French country Directoire style banquette bench with yellow velvet cushion
Made from sturdy sculpted wood, with the Classic lozenge and flower motif typical of the Direc...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Seating
Materials
Wood
$2,880 Sale Price
40% Off
Set of 4 French Directoire Curled Armchairs
Located in Queens, NY
SET of 4 French Directoire (19th Century) mahogany armchairs with scroll form arms and gold upholstered seat and back (PRICED AS SET)
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Gold
$6,500 / set
Pair of Jansen Directoire
Style Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Fine pair of STAMPED Jansen Directoire' armchairs. The wood has carvings and are painted in beautiful crème patina with green details along the borders of the wood. The chairs are up...
Category
20th Century French Directoire Seating
Materials
Wood
$3,950 / set
Pair Maison Jansen Attributed Mahogany French Directoire Footstools, Circa 1960s
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This pair of Maison Jansen attributed mahogany French Directoire footstools, circa 1960s, captures the timeless elegance and neoclassical refinement that the renowned Parisian design...
Category
1960s French Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
$2,156 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Fine Paint Decorated Gilt Over Red Bole Green Silk Maison Jansen Attr. Settee
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
**Maison Jansen (Attributed) French Directoire Style Painted and Gilt Settee, Circa 1920s**
This exquisite **paint-decorated and gilt-accented French Directoire style settee** is attributed to the legendary Parisian design house **Maison Jansen**, founded in 1880 by Jean-Henri Jansen. Elegantly proportioned, the piece features a beautifully carved beechwood frame with subtle **gilded detailing**, fluted legs, and neoclassical motifs emblematic of the Directoire period. The frame is finished in a refined cream paint with warm gilt highlights and red accents, while the upholstery—**luxurious pale green and ivory striped silk**—evokes timeless sophistication.
The settee’s straight lines, scroll arm supports, and finely carved floral rosettes perfectly capture the **neoclassical symmetry and understated grandeur** that define both Directoire design and the Maison Jansen aesthetic. Renowned for blending classical elegance with modern refinement, **Maison Jansen** created interiors for the world’s elite, including **Elsie de Wolfe, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and Jacqueline Kennedy for the White House**.
This remarkable settee embodies the grace, quality, and artistry for which **Maison Jansen** became synonymous, making it a statement piece for any collector or connoisseur of fine French furniture. Cushion may be goose down filled. Split in upholstery can be repaired by an upholsterer.
Measures 55.5 wide x 38 tall x 33.25 deep x seat height of 21 tall
**Keywords:** Maison Jansen settee, French Directoire furniture...
Category
1920s French Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Silk, Walnut, Giltwood
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 Seating
Materials
Walnut
Late 18th Century Italian Directoire Solid Walnut and Vienna Sraw Armchairs
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this fantastic pair of armchairs from the Directoire period, late 18th century.
The armchairs are made of solid walnut wood with a characteristic seat in Vienna straw wov...
Category
1790s Italian Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Walnut, Straw
$2,855 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Italy 19th Century Walnut Directory "Gondola" Chair Restored new-Upholstered
Located in Vigonza, Padua
A nice 19th century walnut directory Gondola chair from Italy restored and re-upholstered
Measure cm: H 76\40 W 53 D 51.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Directoire Style Acorn Finials Solid Cherry Open Arm Lounge Chairs MINT!
By Columbus Hickory Furniture Co.
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Directoire Style Acorn Finials Solid Cherry Open Arm Lounge Chairs MINT!
Category
20th Century Italian Directoire Seating
Materials
Cherry
Pair of Directoire Style Mahogany Floral Brocade Silk Upholstered Armchairs
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of Directoire Style Mahogany Floral Brocade Silk Upholstered Armchairs
Measures 23" in width , 24" in width, 37.5" in height. Seat height is 19" and low arm height is 21".
Category
Late 20th Century American Directoire Seating
Materials
Mahogany, Silk
18th Century French Directoire Bergere
Located in Houston, TX
18th century French Directoire Bergere.
This stunning 18th century period French Directoire chair or bergère is the perfect side chair, ...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Wood
1960s French Brass Stool
By Gio Ponti
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1960s French Brass Stool With Scrolls
Legs bend in per the design
Needs refinishing and reupholstery
Category
1960s Vintage Directoire Seating
Materials
Brass, Bronze
$1,250
Late 18th Century Italian Directoire Solid Walnut Armchair
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful late 18th century of the period Directoire Italian antique armchair in solid walnut wood. The armchair is very elegant. The backrest decorated with a carved in wood is beau...
Category
1790s Italian Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Walnut
$1,040 Sale Price
23% Off
Directoire Sofa in Fruitwood with Paw Feet, France, ca. 1800
Located in Atlanta, GA
Directoire period fruitwood sofa with carved paw feet, France, circa 1800,
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Fruitwood
French Directoire Child
s Armchair
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century French Directoire Child's Armchair. Chair is finely carved and painted in soft tones with a timeworn patina that beautifully reflects its age. The armchair features eleg...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th C Carved and Painted French Directoire Style Chairs in Linen, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of early 20th century carved French bergère chairs. The frames are sage green paint with almost deep russet painted details. The floral linen upholstery is recently do...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Seating
Materials
Linen, 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 Seating
Materials
Brass
$6,360 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Neoclassical Consulate Fauteuil or Armchair, Italy, circa 1800
Located in Kinderhook, NY
Elegant Italian, French Consulate style and period carved walnut fauteuil having Klismos style tablet form backrest above central X-form open splat, a...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Directoire seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Directoire seating 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 seating created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, more furniture and collectibles, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Directoire seating 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 seating, popular names associated with this style include Maison Jansen, Baker Furniture Company, Century Furniture, and Georges Jacob. 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 seating differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $476 and tops out at $37,900 while the average work can sell for $3,917.
Still Thinking About These?
All Recently ViewedMore Ways To Browse
Hutton Wilkinson
Iron Round Chairs
Le Tigre
Liberty Elephant
Limed White Oak
Ralph Pucci
Small Barrels
Tatami Chair
Thayer Coggin Parsons
Wendell Black
1960 Early American
1970 Outdoor Chairs
Alvaro Siza Vieira
Antique Camel Seat
Antique Oak Childs Chair
Antique Wood Yoke
Antique Zebra Print
Artistic Frame Furniture