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
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 Furniture
Materials
Wood
$2,850 Sale Price
24% Off
Pair Ebonized Black Cane Back French Directoire Bergere Chairs Brass Accents
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This pair of French Directoire bergère chairs combines neoclassical elegance with timeless sophistication, featuring finely crafted ebonized black frames accented with brass details....
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$1,996 Sale Price / set
20% Off
The Collection of H.R.H. The Princess Margaret (1930-2002) Set Of Bergere Chairs
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Formerly Owned By The Late Sister Of Queen Elizabeth II.The Collection of H.R.H. The Princess Margaret (1930-2002), Kensington Palace.
A Pair of Early 19th Century French Walnut Fau...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$18,545 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Pair 18th Century Directoire Gold Parcel Gilt Painted Bergéres
Located in Houston, TX
Exquisite pair of late 18th Century Directoire bergères featuring parcel gilt detailing, faded sea green paint and upholstered in Velluto Sforza Venetian velvet fabric with outside b...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Wood, Giltwood
20th C. Sophisticated French Credenza by M. Hirsch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sophisticated French Credenza, Signed Hirsch, Paris.
This 4 door credenza/buffet is ebonized, and is made in Directoire style.
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
A Pair Of Gilt Bronze And White Marble Guèridon Tables
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of Gilt Bronze With White Marble Guèridon Tables. The set features small round tables with the marble top raised on three in-curved supports joined by a marble inset undershelf ...
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
18th Century French Mahogany Sofa, George Jacob Manner, Circa 1796-1825
By Jacob-Desmalter
Located in Firenze, IT
This magnificent French sofa, crafted in the late 18th to early 19th century (circa 1796-1825), evokes the esteemed style of Jacob-Desmalter, the renowned chairmaker and cabinetmaker...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Upholstery, Wood
$7,631 Sale Price
20% Off
Mid Century Lacquered Louis XVI Style Dressing Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
White lacquered mid century Louis XVI style dressing table outlined in lime green accent.
Category
20th Century Italian Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair French Directoire Bronze and Marble Neo-Classical Figural Candelabra
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This amazing pair of Louis XVI / Directoire period candelabra are of the finest quality.
The figures are modeled as Roman Vestal Virgins issuing three scrolling acanthus leaf candle ...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Early 19th Century French Directoire Period Painted Side Chairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant pair of late 19th century French Directoire period painted side chairs with their original patina. Lovely curved seat backs are detailed with a hand carved urn at each back t...
Category
1860s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of French Curule Directoire Side Tables
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of side tables from France made with a solid wood construction, primarily cherry wood. Each table is finished with a lustrous French polish of museum quality. The tables showcas...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
$3,150 / set
Large Blonde Window Seat Banquette Bench Daybed Neoclassical Directoire Antique
Located in London, GB
A large and strikingly attractive Neoclassical blonde window seat bench in lovely antique condition. Likely made in the early 20th Century, in the manner of the late 18th Century Fre...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Pine
French Directoire Crackle Lacquer Gueridon Swan Pedestal Table Sculpture Stand
Located in Dayton, OH
Stately French Directoire and Empire inspired Pedestal or Sculpture Stand. Made from hardwood with a crackle lacquer finish. Features three intricate downswept swan supports leading to an acanthus scrolled foot over a tripod base. Finish is a reddish brown with black crackle lines. The tables large stature allows for use as a pub bar table...
Category
Late 20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Lacquer
$1,645 Sale Price
30% Off
French Directoire Pendule, Black Marble, Firegilded Bronze, circa 1800
Located in Greven, DE
Antique portal clock
France
marble, bronze, enamel
Directoire around 1800
Dimensions: H x W x D: 46 x 28 x 14 cm
Description:
Antique portal c...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Pair of Chinoiserie Maison Jansen Attributed French Directoire Commodes
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This rare and elegant pair of French Directoire commodes, attributed to the esteemed design house Maison Jansen, exemplifies the refined artistry of early 20th-century European furni...
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Late 18th Century French Trumeau Mirror
Located in San Francisco, CA
Absolutely beautiful example of an original French trumeau mirror with painting of what appears to depict a scene from the famous o...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Paint, Canvas, Mirror, Wood
Antique 18th C Side Chairs W Tapestry Textile
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique 18th C Side Chairs W Flemish Tapestry Textile
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Textile, Wood
$1,800 Sale Price
25% Off
Pair Of Directoire Style Bronze And Granite Gueridon Tables
Located in Essex, MA
Each with circular inset black granite tops with metal banded edge and three curved legs and conforming small shelf, all ending on paw feet.
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Granite, Bronze
Large Italian Bureau 18th Century Inlayed Walnut Chest of Drawers with Flap
Located in Milano, MI
An Italian monumental sized bureau with flap dating back to the second half of 18th century. Three deep drawers and a fall-front opening to reveal a fitted interior with six small dr...
Category
1770s Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Cherry, Maple, Walnut
$7,751 Sale Price
50% Off
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 Furniture
Materials
Linen, Upholstery, Giltwood
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 Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Pair of Antique Directoire Style Painted Armchairs
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Pair of Antique Directoire style painted armchairs, circa 1900. With triangular shaped crest rails flanked by acorn finials, down swept arms, elongated vase shaped arm supports, turn...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Pair Antique French Directoire Mahogany End Tables with Carrara Marble
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair Antique French Directoire Mahogany End Tables with Carrara Marble will make a delightful addition to your room, providing storage, display, perhaps a place for a lamp, three con...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
Antique Directoire Style Brass Mounted Mahogany Gueridon
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Directoire style brass mounted mahogany gueridon, circa 1920's. With a flame mahogany top with brass banding on the outer edge, a fluted pedestal and 3 down swept legs with b...
Category
1920s European Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
18th Century French Pair of Directoire Chairs
Located in Bradenton, FL
Beautiful pair of French original Directoire - Louis XVI chairs, France, 18th century. Original painted French Greenish gray with blue accents. All pegged construction, these came ou...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$1,800 Sale Price / set
47% Off
French Pair of Directoire Style Armchairs with Incredible Patina c1900
Located in Chicago, 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 Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Upholstery
Directoire Side Table
Located in Austin, TX
Side table from France in the Directoire style. This piece is made of solid wood construction, primarily cherry wood. It has been finished with a lustrous French polish of museum qua...
Category
1880s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$2,150
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 Furniture
Materials
Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair of Round French Directoire Style Bronze Colored Steel Marble Top Gueridons
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This elegant pair of French Directoire style guéridons combines timeless neoclassical design with modern versatility. Each table features a round marble top with natural veining, off...
Category
Early 2000s Unknown Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Steel
$1,596 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Directoire Style Fruit Wood Coffee Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Directoire style fruit wood coffee table, 19th century. With an overhanging 3 board top, 3 frieze drawers with wood knobs, resting on square tapered legs. Mortise, tenon and ...
Category
19th Century European Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
$875 Sale Price
61% Off
19th Century French Directoire Large Gilded, Scalloped Antique Mirror
Located in New Orleans, LA
A striking large French Directoire mirror with a scalloped gilded frame, combining neoclassical symmetry with subtle curves—offering understated elegance and a luminous focal point.
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
19th century French Louis XVI Style Marble Top Commode by Maison Carlihian
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exquisite 19th century French Louis XVI style commode by renowned maker Maison Carlihian embodies timeless elegance and superior craftsmanship. Featuring a finely grained mahoga...
Category
1880s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Breccia Marble, Bronze
Late 18th Century Settee in Directoire Style, done in walnut and brass inlay
By Jacob Frères
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a spectacular and extraordinary piece of furniture that will add a touch of luxury and style to any corner you place it into. A fine late eighteenth cen...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Metal Cabinet with Antique French Directoire Period Doors
Located in Sheffield, MA
These Directoire period metal doors were once window shutters on an 18th century French chateau that now have been repurposed and made into doors for this cabinet which can lend itse...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Iron
Custom Made Old Plank Directoire Style Bookcase in Stock Floor Model Reduced
Located in Chicago, IL
Handmade Country French style glazed bookcase, display cabinet or china cabinet. Our Directoire style bookcase or china cabinet was hand-crafted right here in our Old Plank workshop....
Category
2010s American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paint
Large Giltwood Dark Framed French Directoire Wall MIrror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This impressive French Directoire style wall mirror is a striking statement piece that blends classical elegance with timeless craftsmanship. Featuring a bold dark wood frame accente...
Category
1980s European Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$796 Sale Price
20% Off
Maison Jansen-style Guéridon Marble and Gilt Bronze Table
Located in San Francisco, CA
The “ancestor” of this piece, a guéridon, was a small and typically round table that originated in mid-17th century France for holding a candelabrum to light the room or a vase. Even...
Category
Early 1800s Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
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 Furniture
Materials
Wood
$5,754 / set
Directoire Gilt-Bronze Marble Mounted Chariot Clock, Late 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine and delicate directoire style gilt-bronze marble mounted chariot clock. Exquisite bronze work depicting a winged charioteer guiding a pair of...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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 Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Directoire Louis XVI Demilune Shape Marble Top Marble Top Console Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This elegant French Directoire Louis XVI demilune console table embodies the refined neoclassical style of the late 18th to early 19th century. Crafted with precision, the piece feat...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
$3,000 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Signed Maison Jansen Carrara Shallow Marble Top Flame Mahogany Sideboard Buffet
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This signed Maison Jansen Carrara marble top sideboard buffet is a refined example of French craftsmanship, seamlessly blending neoclassical elegance with timeless modern appeal. Des...
Category
1950s Argentine Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
Pair of French Provencal Directoire Style Commodes
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A rustic yet handsome pair of 1950s Italian fruitwood chests crafted in the French Provincial Directoire style. With their clean lines, tapering legs, and restrained neoclassical det...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
$6,375 Sale Price / set
25% Off
Antique Directoire Fauteuil Arm Chair W Scalamandre Tigre Silk Velvet
By Scalamandre
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Directoire Fauteuil Arm Chair W Scalamandre Tigre Silk Velvet
Provenance: Joanne Carson Estate
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Simple and Sophisticated French Travertine Marble Metal and Brass Gueridon Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Elevate your space with the simple yet sophisticated charm of this French Travertine Marble, Metal, and Brass Gueridon Table. A perfect blend of timeless materials and elegant design...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Travertine, Brass, Steel
A Diminutive Camelback Settee for Reupholstery
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A diminutive camelback upholstered settee with serpentine back, rolled arms, resting on 5 paint decorated fluted legs with gold accents.
Dimensions: 50 1/4" L, 21" D, 20" seat heigh...
Category
20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
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 fruitwood marquetry top writing table, 1950’s
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Academic Revival rectangular bureau plat in the French Directoire taste. The fruitwood marquetry top is mounted on a conforming apron fitted with a divided long drawer. Each drawer f...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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 Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Directoire Coffee Work Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
1830s rustic French country Directoire style coffee table is from Provence. Once a worktable for bread making, now with legs cut down and used as coffee table. The rounded dough knea...
Category
1820s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Oak
Pair of Directoire Style Caned Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Lovely pair of Directoire style caned armchairs with swan heads. Cushion done in a whimsical fabric with different breeds of dogs in canopy beds, etc.
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Cane, Wood
$2,950 / set
French 19th Century Directoire Walnut Rafraichissoir
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This handsome Directoire-style rafraichissoir table adds a unique touch to any space. The small table is used to chill and serve champagne or any other wines that are best served col...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Stone, Marble, Brass, Steel
French Directoire Style Painted Bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Lovely painted Directoire style French window bench. Nicely carved and painted bench with light blue upholstered seat. Very versatile.
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Fine Quality 6 Drawer French Brass Bound Marble Top Louis XVI Tall Dresser
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This fine quality French Louis XVI style tall dresser showcases timeless elegance and superior craftsmanship. Featuring a six-drawer design, this stately piece provides ample storage...
Category
1920s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
Pair of Demilune Cabinets, France 1800
Located in Belmont, MA
Elegant Pair of Demilune Cabinets, 1800
Discover this beautifully refinished pair of Demilune cabinets, crafted in France around 1800. These rare, matching cabinets feature mahogany ...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble
$22,000 / set
Diminutive Antique Directoire Bookcase Secretary
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A finely constructed bookcase secretary with a chest. The tall cabinet has a pierced brass 3/4 gallery around the marble top with cookie corners. The bookcase has a frieze drawer ove...
Category
19th Century Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
French 18th century Mahogany, Ormolu and marble console, circa 1795
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and high quality French 18th century Directoire Period Mahogany, Ormolu and Gris St. Anne marble console, circa 1795. This stunning console is raised on toupie shaped feet...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
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
Antique French Directoire Style Eglomise Gilt Coffee Table Attributed to Jansen
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 15in W: 48 1/2in D: 21 3/4in
This Antique French Directoire Style Eglomise Gilt Coffee Table Attributed to Jansen is truly a showstopper and is made of the highest ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Argentine Directoire Furniture
Materials
Silver Leaf
$3,000 Sale Price
20% Off
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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