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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Style: Directoire
Maison Baguès Style Gueridon Table
Located in New York, NY
Maison Baguès style French gueridon table.
Has a smoked glass top.
Category
1960s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Directoire Style Fauteuils with Matching Ottoman
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of painted Directoire style fauteuils with matching foot stool all upholstered in a needlepoint tapestry.
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
French Gilt Bronze Floor Lamp after Maison Charles
Located in New York, NY
French gilded bronze floor lamp after Maison Charles.
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
18th Century Directoire Deux-Corps
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Cupboard or sideboard in two parts, dating from the Directoire period. The doors with losange motifs. The lower section has a small central drawer. Elegant cornice.
A beautiful and ...
Category
18th Century and Earlier French Antique Directoire Furniture
French Directoire Marble Pillar Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
A Directoire Ormolu with black marble French pillar clock, three and a half inch enamel dial with Roman numerals signed ‘Viven Fils a Epernay’ with...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of French 19th Century Tole Wall Jardinieres Wired as Wall Sconces
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of French 19th century painted and parcel-gilt tole wall jardinieres wired as wall sconces.
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Tôle
Veneto sideboard late 1700s walnut
By A. Manzoni
Located in Villa Verucchio, Emilia-Romagna
Elegant Late 18th century Venetian Sideboard in Walnut
A jewel of Veneto craftsmanship that enriches any room with historic charm and timeless elegance. This sideboard, made in the l...
Category
1760s Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Nutwood
Pair of David Duncan Studio Sage Boissy II Light Sconces
By David Duncan
Located in New York, NY
A directoire-inspired hand-carved, diamond shaped backplate in mahogany available with wood, painted or guilt finishes. The eight point star-shaped backplate designed for single or d...
Category
2010s Directoire Furniture
Materials
Blown Glass, Wood
French 19th Century Brass and Mahogany veneered Directoire Style Cylinder Bureau
Located in Berlin, DE
French 19th Century Brass Inlaid and Mahogany veneered Directoire Style Cylinder Bureau
A 19th century mahogany cylinder bureau with the rectangular top surrounded by a pierced brass gallery, above two mirrored panelled doors, the roll-top opening to reveal a sliding leather writing surface surmounted by three drawers and a shelf, above two frieze drawers, on fluted circular tapering legs headed by asperges and terminated by cast sabot. The mirrored paneled doors, and the roll top are distinguished by its brass inlays that beautifully frame and outline the design of the item. Together with the brass handles, the brass gallery and the brass toupie feet this cylinder bureau displays...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Set of Six Directoire Mahogany Dining Chairs Attributed to Georges Jacob
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A set of six period Directoire dining chairs carved in Honduras mahogany. Identical chairs are shown in the reference book "Ebenists of the 18th century". While unstamped, this set comes with written documentation and attribution to George Jacob by a leading antique dealer in Paris from where they were purchased.
Georges Jacob (6 July 1739 – 5 July 1814) the most prominent furniture maker in 18th century Paris. He produced carved, painted and gilded beds and seat furniture and upholstery work for the French royal châteaux, in the Neoclassical style that is associated with Louis XVI furniture. In his workshop he employed numerous specialist carvers and gilders. In 1785, Jacob produced the first mahogany chairs à l'anglaise, for the Comte de Provence similar in many ways to the ones on offer here.
When he retired in 1796, Georges Jacob left his workshop in the hands of his two sons, one of whom was François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter who went on to become a leading French Empire Furniture...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Portico Clock, Directoire Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Portico clock in chiseled and gilt bronze composed of a rectangular base in white marble. Architecture with two columns topped by griffins holding the di...
Category
1790s European Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century, French Louis XVI Style Six Wood Chairs and Two Wood Armchairs
Located in IT
19th century, French Louis XVI style six wood chairs and two wood armchairs
France, late 19th century
Size: chairs, cm H back 90, seat height 46 x...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Directoire Period Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock Signed Maniere
By C. Maniere
Located in London, GB
French Directoire period ormolu and patinated bronze mantel clock signed Maniere a Paris. A magnificent antique French Directoire mantel clock in patinated bronze and finest ormolu signed Maniere a Paris for Charles-Guillaume Maniere who was working in the Rue...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Table Tier English Mahogany Brass Marble 19th Century England
Located in New York, NY
Table tier English mahogany brass marble, 19th century England. A side table made during the end of 18th century / beginning of 19th century in England. Tiers from white marble trimmed with a brass edge. Tripod with the shapes of human legs...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
$2,100 Sale Price
40% Off
Maison Jansen, Pair of Directoire Style Wall Sconces Gilt and Silver Brass 1970s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Maison Jansen, in the taste of.
Pair of Directoire style gilt and silver brass wall sconces with four arm lights. Chandelle shaft topped by an ancient covered vase and finished by...
Category
1970s European Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Suite of 5 engravings of Antique scenes after Moitte by Janinet
By Jean François Janinet
Located in Paris, FR
Suite of 5 Directoire-period etchings and aquatint engravings depicting scenes from antiquity, after drawings by Jean-Guillaume MOITTE (1746-1810), author, and by the engraver Jean F...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Paper
Tripod Table with Verdigris Stone Top
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Fine Karelian wood tri-pod table with brass mounts in the Directoire taste with polished verdigris stone top.
Category
20th Century Directoire Furniture
Pair of French Directoire Period Fauteuils
Located in Pembroke, MA
Pair of French painted fauteuils, period Directoire, newly-upholstered in museum reproduction cotton toile fabric. Paint appears original.
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
$11,750 / set
French Directoire Style Armchair
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
19th C French Directoire style armchair. 1880.
Seat is 22" w x 22.5" d x 16.5" h.
Internal reference: JG11
Reference: 8063
Dimensions
28 inches (71 cms) Wide
30.5 inches (77 cms)...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Oak
Pair of French 19th Century Directoire St. Mahogany and Marble Consoles
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very elegant pair of French 19th century Directoire st. Mahogany, ebonized Fruitwood, and Vert Maurin marble consoles. Each freestanding console is raised by slender square tapered...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique French Pair Silver Plated Bouillotte Lamps
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Antique French Pair Silver Plated Bouillotte Lamps. Beautiful pair purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Silver
Mid-19th Century Bouliotte Lamp, Three Socket Candle Cluster and Tole Shade
Located in San Francisco, CA
Mid-19th century French bouliotte lamp. Painted tole shade. Excellent scale and design, circa 1840-1860 in the Directoire style
The open work basket form base was used to retain the...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Tin
18th Century Pair Directoire Bergeres Detached Columns
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
18th Century Pair Directoire Bergeres Detached Columns
Unique pair purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$5,200 Sale Price / set
20% Off
19th Century, French Center Cabinet with Marble Top
Located in IT
19th century, French center cabinet with marble top
This central cabinet was made in France, during the Directoire period, between the late eighteenth and the beginning of the ninet...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Claude Galle (1759-1815) Pair of French Directoire Urns or Vases Bronze Ormolu
By Claude Galle
Located in Pistoia, IT
Pair of bronze and marble urns from the Directory period attributed to Claude Galle (1759-1815).
The two ovoid urns are cast in alternating patinated bronze and mercury-gilt bronze...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French, Directoire Marble Top Demi-Lune Table
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
This stunning example of late neoclassical furniture will bring a touch of grace and elegance to any interior. At only 11" deep, this demi-lune table will fit in many spaces. And while diminutive in size, it's big in style.
Its all metal legs and base are topped with a stunning piece of green marble and the subtle details in the legs create continued visual interest.
This table is a quintessential piece of directoire style furniture...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Metal, Iron
Pair of Hand Carved Cherrywood Directoire Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of elegant French Directoire style armchairs made of solid cherry. The lines, straight in the front view, give the armchairs an unmistakable and almost modern character. The sli...
Category
Late 20th Century European Directoire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Cherry
Directoire Armchair, France 1800-10
Located in Leimen, DE
Discover the elegance and historical charm of this Directoire armchair, originating from France around 1800. This piece showcases a meticulously carved walnut frame, reflecting the r...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Directoire Lyre Back Settee, circa 1880s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Rare and elegant Directoire style lyre-back settee. Original black paint. Newly reupholstered with vintage fabric. Horsehair-filled cushion.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Early 19th Century Directoire Four-Light Sconces
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Superb Pair of Directoire Sconces, Early 19th century.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Directoire Style Chair, circa 1930
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Directoire style chair circa 1930
patina and coating to redo.
Category
1930s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Beech
19th Century Pair of French Directoire Bronze Dore Bird and Arrow Wall Sconces
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Directoire-style (19th Century) bronze dore wall scoces with two arms, a double wreath design, and bird head and arrow details. (PRICED AS Pa...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Set of Six Italian 19th Century Directoire Style Olive Wood Dining Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional complete set of six Italian 19th century Directoire st. olive wood dining chairs. Each chair is raised by elegant lightly curved square legs below the straight apron. ...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Olive
Italian Walnut High Chair
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Italian walnut high chair: sturdy, simple, comfortable with the rounded backrest. If you want a cushion, no problem: there are many ones, easily was...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Late 18th Century Mahogany Directoire Server
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Original condition with a beautiful natural patina.
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$4,400 Sale Price
20% Off
French Directoire Terracotta Frieze
Located in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire
A carved frieze of three terracotta panels of dancing maidens: French Directoire
From the frieze of a rotunda.
Repaired breaks
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
$6,823 / set
Zinc Urns
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exceptional pair of antique French zinc vases originates from the heart of Paris, France. Crafted in the style of the Directoire period (1770–1790), these urns showcase the elegance and craftsmanship of the era. These timeless antiques are a testament to both functional design and aesthetic appeal from a celebrated period in European history.
The Rich Heritage of Antique Urns
Throughout history, antique urns and vases have been cherished across Europe for their exquisite craftsmanship and multifaceted functionality. Often serving as symbols of status and artistry, they were used to adorn gardens, courtyards, and stately homes. Made by skilled artisans, these pieces combined durability with intricate design, ensuring they could withstand the elements while remaining visually captivating. Today, their historical value and timeless appeal make them sought-after garden antiques.
Transforming Spaces with Antique Urns
These antique garden planters...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Zinc
$2,880 / set
Pair Of Directorial Armchairs - Patina In Green Tones
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair Of Directorial Armchairs - Patina In Green Tones
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Silk, Wood
Pair of French Directoire Fauteuil Armchairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
These delicately proportioned 18th-century fauteuil armchairs exemplify the French Directoire style, each with a barreled back, and rosette finials a...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
$25,000 / set
Continental mid 19th century Directoire st. Carrara and Belgian marble mantel
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and most handsome Continental mid 19th century Directoire st. white Carrara and black Belgian marble mantel. This beautiful mantel is elevated by stepped Black Belgian mar...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Carrara Marble
French 18th Century Directoire Period Mahogany, Ormolu and Brass Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely elegant French 18th century Directoire period mahogany, ormolu and brass side table. The table is raised by three lightly scrolled legs with fine ormolu mounts with beau...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
Directoire Armchair in Cherrywood with light blue coating, Italy, 19th Century
Located in Prato, IT
Tuscany, Early 19th Century
In solid cherry. New padding and light blue coating.
Dimensions: cm H 100 x D 60 Seat height approx. 49 cm
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
19th Century French Directoire Mirror
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century French Directoire Mirror. Gorgeous striking piece for any wall.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$2,800 Sale Price
56% Off
Bronze Dore and Cobalt Chandelier
Located in Stamford, CT
A doré bronze and cobalt chandelier with a three-feather, circular design in the Russian or Directoire style.
Category
Late 20th Century European Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Directoire Style Side/Center Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and most decorative French 19th century Directoire style flamed mahogany, rosewood, maplewood and ormolu side/center table. The table is raised by its original casters...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Napoleon III Etagere
Japonism ALPHONSE GIROUX PARIS
Located in Madrid, ES
A Napoleon III Etagere 'japonism' in ormolu and grave glass
Modeled as rods of bamboo mounted with bamboo leaves on the legs, the top suspended with four handles and with three circular tiers each engraved with floral and ivy designs and surrounded by a three-quarter pierced gallery, the upper tier signed 'ALPH. GIROUX PARIS...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Unusual Directoire Style Cast Iron, Aluminum and Stone Top Table
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Rare and elegant Directoire style round coffee table. The table is raised on tapered cast aluminum legs with ring detail. The cast iron apron is adorned with X-shape and star motifs and has traces of original paint. Grey stone top. Unique piece. One of the earliest examples of cast aluminum furniture.
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Pair of French 19th Century Directoire St. Limoges Porcelain and Ormolu Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most elegant pair of French 19th century Directoire st. Limoges porcelain and ormolu lamps. Each lamp is raised by a fine square ormolu base with a lovely beaded wrap around band. ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Writing Table, Pull-Out Gilt-Tooled Leather Top
Located in Montreal, Quebec
An elegant desk from 20th century France. This writing table features a pull-out black leather top adorned with gold tooling, creating a beautiful contrast with the warm brown wood o...
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Directoire Style Gilt Bronze Two-Light Sconce by Gherardo degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Directoire style sconce features top-quality chiselled bronze, with many vivid details typical of the end of the 18th century. At the top, there is a staple, a typical el...
Category
2010s Italian Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Set Of 6 Directoire Style Armchairs , Wood and Fabric, Belgium
Located in Brussels, BE
Set Of 6 Directoire Style Armchairs , Wood and Fabric, Belgium
Category
2010s Belgian Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French 19th century Directorate st. patinated Bronze and Ormolu chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and most decorative French 19th century Directorate st. patinated Bronze and Ormolu chandelier. This beautiful six arm chandelier is centered by an Ormolu acorn bottom fin...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
18th Century Directoire Commode, Mahogany, Walnut and Sycamore
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
18th Century Directoire Commode, Mahogany, Walnut and Sycamore with Original hardware. has CHAPNIS stamped. Piece is gorgeous and pr...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Sycamore, Walnut
Directoire Diminutive Walnut Secrétaire à Abattant and a Similar Diminutive
Located in Buchanan, MI
A 19th century Directoire diminutive walnut Secrétaire a' Abattant and a similar diminutive five-drawer chest. Great small drinks table or jewelry chest. Great attention paid to deta...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
French 19th Century Directoire St. Mahogany Dessert Console
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning French late 19th century Directoire st. mahogany dessert console. The console is raised on tapered legs with ormolu sabots joined by a mahogany tier. At the apron is a cen...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble
1950s Directoire Style Brass and Iron Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
1950s Directoire style iron and brass trim coffee table. Has a smoked glass inserted to the top and arrow formed leg.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Iron
Set of Four 1940s Directoire Style Mirrors, France
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Chic and understatedly elegant set of four Directoire-style rectangular walnut mirrors, from the 1940s. The corners are embellished with a simple diamond-shape ebonized wood cabochon...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Faux Bamboo Bronze Shelf in the Style of Maison Baguès
Located in New York, NY
Faux bamboo bronze shelf in the style of Maison Baguès. Has three glass shelves and a nice greenish patina to the bronze.
Category
1950s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Sober, 18th Century French Provincial Country Dining Table
Located in New York, NY
An expandable French country dining table from the Directoire period (1795-1803) that combines warmth with sobriety with it's chic tapered legs and stretchers. Two pullout leaves and...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Oak
Directoire Style Gilt Bronze Three-Light Sconce by Gherardo degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Directoire style sconce features top-quality chiselled bronze, with many vivid details typical of the end of the 18th century. At the top, there is a staple, a typical el...
Category
2010s Italian Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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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