Directoire Furniture
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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Item Ships From: New York
Style: Directoire
Pair of Italian Directoire Carved and Painted Console Tables, circa 1810
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Italian Directoire console tables; the carved, fluted and tapered legs support an apron with silvered motif of rosettes and fanciful carving on all sides. The whole supports...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
Antique French Directoire Style Painted Sofa in Blue Velvet
Located in Astoria, NY
An elegant late 19th century French Directoire style sofa, sourced in Provence. The rectilinear frame showcases the clean neoclassical lines and restrained ornamentation of the Direc...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Hardwood, Paint
Wonderful Pair Directoire French Bronze Gueridon Side Tables Black Marble Tops
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Pair Of French Neoclassical Louis XVI Style Bronze Gueridon Directoire Side Tables With Black Marble / Granite Inset Tops Leading To Paw Feet.
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Granite, Marble, Bronze
Vintage Ebonized Leather-top French Bureau Plat Faux-Partner
s Desk
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Ebonized French Bureau Plat Faux-Partner's Desk with Tooled Red Leather Top and Tapered Legs on Brass Sabots.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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 Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
$11,000 / set
Large French Directoire Style Armchair
Located in Buchanan, NY
An exceptional 19th century French Directoire style armchair. This large Directoire style fauteuil is a timeless piece of French design. Featuring a beautiful white-distressed wooden...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Directoire Style Étagères
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Directoire style mahogany étagères or bookcases. Has brass pineapple finials at the top.
Category
1960s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$11,500 / set
Round Glass Top Silver and Gold Gilt Directoire Style Dining Table c 1970/80
s
Located in New York, NY
Voguish Directiore style round glass top dining table with silver and gold gilt paint finish on a heavy wrought iron base. The table features its' original tempered beveled glass top...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Maison Jansen Style Brass Ram
s Head Gueridon or Side Table
Located in New York, NY
Brass ram's head Maison Jansen style two-tier side table, smoked glass top.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Directoire Bronze Marble Top End Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Directoire-style (20th Century) dark bronze brazier design square shaped gueridon end table with rouge marble top and cross leg supports
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair of French Directoire Bronze Andirons
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of French Directoire-style bronze andirons with filigree connector (PRICED AS PAIR)
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$1,850 / set
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 Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
French Directoire Mahogany and Brass Inlaid Leather Top Desk
Located in Queens, NY
French Directoire (Late 18th Century) mahogany and bronze trim desk with a black leather top having 2 extending side surfaces surrounded by a shallow reticulated brass gallery, havin...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
French Directoire Mahogany and Glass 3 Panel Screen
Located in Queens, NY
English Sheraton style (19/20th Century) 3-panel mahogany screen with applied carved molding and small roSettes below 9 pane glass windows in each panel.
Each panel 17.75" W. Wear t...
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood, Mahogany
Maison Jansen Style Chrome and Brass Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
Maison Jansen French style coffee table. Table has X-stretcher to the sides, with brass and chrome frame. Top and bottom tiers have two pairs...
Category
1950s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Pair Directoire Ormolu
Bronze Figural Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
Fine Pair Directoire Period Ormolu and Bronze candelabras with dark patinated cast bronze Neoclassical figures wearing draped robes, each holding a gil...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Directoire Style Gilt Bronze and Black Marble Gueridons
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of 1890-1900 Directoire Style Gilt Bronze and Black Marble Gueridons. Each with very fine ormolu mounts as well as hand-carved marble tops. Exceptional details on the ormolu i...
Category
1890s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Swedish Late 18th Century Gustavian Period Commode / Chest of Drawers
Located in New York, NY
An elegant and sober late 18th century/very early 19th century Swedish dresser or chest of drawers of good proportion and handsome appearance. Late Gustavian pieces are reminiscent o...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Directoire Furniture
$6,890 Sale Price
29% Off
Directoire Style Thick Marble-Top Coffee Table With Matching Faux Marble Base
Located in Manhasset, NY
A beautiful marble-top coffee table with matching faux marble base. The coffee table is in a Directoire style, attributed to Maison Jansen.
Category
20th Century Directoire Furniture
Period French Directior Leather Topped Writing Table.
Located in Hudson, NY
This beautiful period writing table was constructed in France circa 1790 to 1800 of rich imported mahogany and the woods have been carefully selected to create an overall pattern of ...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
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 Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany, Silk
$14,000 / set
French Directoire-style Hexagonal Black and Gilt Leather Pedestal Center Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Directoire-style hexagonal top center table with ebonized finish, gilt trim and details, gilt embossed leather top, and bronze decorative drawer pulls...
Category
20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Leather
French Bronze and Onyx Side Table
Located in New York, NY
French bronze and onyx side table. The table has an ornate frame with an onyx top.
Category
1940s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Bronze
French Bronze and Marble Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
French bronze and marble coffee table. The table has a marble top with floral style bronze legs. Stamped made in France under one of the legs.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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 Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of French Gilded Iron Corner Tables
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French gilded iron corner tables. Two-tiered glass tops.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Iron
$7,650 / set
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 Furniture
Materials
Suede
Vintage Early 20th Century French Mahogany Desk with Aubergine Leather Top
Located in Buchanan, NY
This vintage French mahogany desk will add a touch of sophistication to your work environment. It features a sleek aubergine leather top that complements the original art deco hardware...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Directoire Mahogany Trestle Table, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
Directoire mahogany trestle table, early 19th century. An octagonal top with lower shelf table.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$3,500 Sale Price
30% Off
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 Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
$19,000 / set
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 Furniture
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
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 Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Iron
Italian, Bronze and Marble Pedestal
Located in New York, NY
Italian, bronze and marble two-tier pedestal. The pedestal has a very decorative bronze frame. The top marble is beveled.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
rare Olivewood side table with decorative hardware.
Located in Bronx, NY
This wonderful french side table is wonderfully craffed with details and moulures to add class and elegance. The bale is made of rare olive wood with an impressive patern on the top....
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Gorgeous, rare French Olivewood commode
Located in Bronx, NY
A rare French riviera olive wood Commode with stuning wood patern and amazing craft, Fully restaured by french nicoisse restauration artisan.
Amazing quality and condition. Oilded b...
Category
1930s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$3,992 Sale Price
57% Off
French Directoire Style Pedestal
Located in New York, NY
French Directoire style pedestal. Pedestal has a white marble top with a steel and decorative brass frame.
Category
1970s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass, Steel
Pair of Round Faux Iron Accent Tables
Located in Hudson, NY
The pair of vintage French gueridon-style iron pedestal base tables, shown here, are distinguished by their faux tortoise ringed surface finish. Sized for use as end tables or occas...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Iron
$3,600 / set
French Directoire style gueridon / end table having round marble top
Located in Queens, NY
French Directoire style (1920s) gueridon / end table having a round marble top inset into a pierced rim and supported on three cast filigree bronze legs with flower stalks joined by ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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 Furniture
Materials
Gold
$6,500 / set
Vintage French Ebonized Marble-Top Commode in the Directoire Manner
Located in New York, NY
Vintage French ebonized marble-top commode in the Directoire manner.
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Early 19th c French Marble Topped Directoire Sewing Table With Isle of Man Feet
Located in valatie, NY
Early 19th c French Marble Topped Directoire Sewing Table With Isle of Man Feet, c1800. The octangular inset marble topped shelf has a conforming wooden surround and gallery surround...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair Louis XVI Ormolu Bronze Horse Handled Urn Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Pair Louis XVI Ormolu Bronze Horse Handled Urn Candlesticks. French Empire-Directoire Period patinated urn form candlesticks with ormolu mounts, Ottoman influenced horsehead handles...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Zabihi Collection Vintage Turkish Anatolian Eclectic Runner
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Turkish Runner with an unusual motif and colors.
1'9'' x 10'4''
Category
20th Century Turkish Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wool
Italian Brass Glass Nesting End Tables Directoire Maison Jansen Style, Set
Located in New York, NY
A versatile and substantial set/pair of Italian brass and glass nesting tables in the Directoire style, in the style of design h...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Zabihi Collection Ivory Antique Hadji Jal Li Tabriz Rug
Located in New York, NY
Timeless best describes this magnificent early 20th century antique Persian Hadji jali Tabriz rug.
size 8'11'' x 12'
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wool
Ormolu and Patinated Bronze French Directoire Striking Clock, c1790
Located in valatie, NY
This graceful gilt bronze striking clock is from France’s Directoire period. The clocks white enameled face has black Roman numerals and is framed with ...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Directoire-Style Commode with Marble Top
Located in New York, NY
Directoire- style commode with marble top on tapered legs.
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
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 Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
$1,250
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 Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Set of Four Wedgwood Directoire Yellow Banded Creamware Cups and Saucers
By Wedgwood
Located in New York, NY
Set of four Wedgwood Directoire pattern yellow banded cream cups and saucers. Cups and saucers in the Directoire pattern and style with characteristic handles of the post Revolutionary six year period of the French Directory...
Category
20th Century English Directoire Furniture
Materials
Creamware
$100 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Set Three (3) French Directoire Style Bronze and Marble Pedestals
Located in New York, NY
Set of three large very fine quality and rare French Directoire style Pedestals or plant stands with verdigris and gilt patina, with circular marble tops attributed to Caldwell. ...
Category
Early 20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Directoire Boot Scrape
Located in New York, NY
French Directoire boot scrape. Iron boot scrape on winged paw feet, France late 18th century.
Dimension: 11" H x 10" D x 13" W.
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Iron
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 Furniture
Materials
Gold
$6,500 / set
French Directoire Carved Wood and Red Upholstered Daybed
Located in Queens, NY
French Directoire daybed with a carved wooden frame a finial top on each end and an urn engraved in to the frame of the bed
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Maison Jansen Style French Bronze Rope Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful solid bronze stylized rope base with a glass top. Manner of Maison Jansen.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Wrought Iron and Tufted Bench Style of Maison Ramsay
Located in New York, NY
Wrought iron and tufted bench style of Maison Ramsay.
Category
1950s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Large Pair of French Gilt Dore Bronze Figural Bow Top Four-Light Wall Sconces
Located in Roslyn, NY
A palatial pair of French doré bronze four-light bow top and tassle wall sconces, newly wired.
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Art Deco Mid Century Modern Hollywood Regency French Directoire Lounge Armchairs
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous Pair of curved bent open arm chairs from the forties. Created from beech, chairs have a clean, simple and elegant pleasing look. Large seats that are very comfortable, recen...
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Beech
Italian Directoire Carved and Painted Console Table, circa 1810
Located in New York, NY
Italian Directoire console table; the carved, fluted and tapered legs support an apron with silvered motif of rosettes and fanciful carving on all sides. The whole supports the origi...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
Maison Jansen Rare Stamped Silver Leaf Settee in Black Raw Silk
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite and elegant Directoire style silver leaf settee with black raw silk upholstery on tufted back, seat and padded arms, France, 1950s. This settee was likely designed as a spe...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Silk, Wood
Directoire furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Directoire furniture 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 furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, case pieces and storage cabinets, seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Directoire furniture 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 furniture, popular names associated with this style include Maison Jansen, Baker Furniture Company, Gherardo Degli Albizzi, and Century Furniture. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $100 and tops out at $91,647 while the average work can sell for $4,519.
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