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
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 Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Cherry
French Liftable "dinette" table in solid cherry - storage for bottles glasses
Located in Landivy, FR
This liftable coffee table is part of our MELANIE collection, which is a modernized interpretation of a French Directoire style coffee table at the e...
Category
2010s Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Cherry, Oak
Elegant Antique Italian Directoire Fruitwood Side Table with Octagonal Top
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Superb antique Italian fruitwood side table having 3 tiers including an elongated octagonal top, two oval shelves below and a very elegant refined silouette.
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
French Carved Walnut Panel Commemorating The French Revolution
Located in Essex, MA
Possibly made to be used as a model or mold to cast an iron fireback. Depicting the Bastille and a woman with the sword and the scales. Also cannons, flags, cannon balls.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Louis XVI Style Marble Top Console Server Patinated Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
ChatGPT said:
This Louis XVI Style Marble Top Console Server with Patinated Mirror exudes timeless sophistication and French neoclassical elegance. Featuring a luxurious marble top ...
Category
1960s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
$3,996 Sale Price
20% Off
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
19th Century Walnut Directoire Table
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exquisite 19th Century Walnut Directoire Table embodies the elegance and refinement of the French Directoire period. With its clean lines, subtle detailing, and timeless craftsm...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pair of 20th Century French Corner Cupboards
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Pair of 20th Century French simulated mahogany corner cupboards.
Of lovely scale and proportions, these cupboards exhibit the most wonderful original rich patina.
The top section fea...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$7,854 / set
Rare Pair Maison Style Cylindrical Metal Brass Glass Two Tier End Tables
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This rare pair of cylindrical metal and brass two-tier end tables reflects a refined Maison-style design that seamlessly combines elegance and modernity. Each table is crafted with a...
Category
1950s European Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
$2,316 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Fine Quaity Walnut French Louis XVI Directoire Brass Trimmed Marble Top Dresser
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This fine quality French Louis XVI Directoire style dresser, crafted from walnut and accented with brass trim, is a sophisticated example of late 18th-century inspired design. Topped...
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
$2,396 Sale Price
20% Off
A Pair of Elegant Silver Candlesticks – Directoire, Late 18th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
A Pair of Elegant Silver Candlesticks – Directoire, Late 18th Century
A pair of classic and characteristic candlesticks in hallmarked silver from Central Europe, dating from the la...
Category
1790s European Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Silver
Gorgeous Oval Steel and Glass Maison Bagues Style Faux Bamboo Coffee Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This oval steel and glass Maison Baguès style faux bamboo coffee table is a striking example of refined French-inspired design that combines elegance with timeless craftsmanship. Fea...
Category
1980s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Steel
$1,356 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique French Directoire Style Mahogany Cabinet with Carrara Marble
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Directoire Style Mahogany Cabinet with Carrara Marble features a tailored, classic look that will never go out of style! Crafted from exotic imported mahogany, it fea...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
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 Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Maison Jansen Style Directoire Style Marble Top Two Door Cabinet Commode Buffet
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This Maison Jansen style Directoire marble top commode buffet is a fine example of understated French elegance and timeless versatility. The cabinet features a beautifully veined ori...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Breccia Marble
Pair of Candelabras "Aux Sphinges", Directoire Period
Located in Paris, FR
A pair of Directoire period gilt and patinated bronze and black and white marble candelabras. They present a decoration of winged sphinxes in patinated bronze carrying on their heads...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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 Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$1,356 Sale Price
20% Off
French 18th century Directoire Period Mahogany, Marble, and Ormolu center table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most unique French late 18th century Directoire Period Flame Mahogany, Ebony, white Carrara marble and Ormolu center table. This wonderful circular table is raised on ...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Directoire Painted Cane Daybed/Settee, C 1880
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A late 19th century French Directoire painted cane daybed/settee. C 1880. Very decorative item with original patina.
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Cane, Wood
Single Brass and Steel Glass Top Guerdion or End Table Maison Jansen Style
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This elegant brass and steel gueridon table reflects the refined design sensibilities of the Maison Jansen style, blending neoclassical inspiration with modern sophistication. Featur...
Category
1990s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
$1,356 Sale Price
20% Off
Period Antique Directoire French Louis XVI Walnut Armchair
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This Period Antique Directoire French Louis XVI Walnut Armchair is a superb example of late 18th-century French design, capturing the refined neoclassical elegance that defines the L...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$1,036 Sale Price
20% Off
Unique Greek Key John Vesey Style Marble Top Steel Demilune Console Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This unique demilune console table in the style of John Vesey exemplifies timeless elegance with a blend of neoclassical motifs and modern sophistication. The table features a striki...
Category
Early 2000s European Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Metal
$1,276 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Maison Jansen Style Brass and Steel Floor Lamps
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exquisite pair of Maison Jansen style brass and steel floor lamps beautifully embodies the timeless elegance and refined craftsmanship for which the Parisian design house is ren...
Category
1980s European Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
$1,996 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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
French Directoire Heavily Brass Inlaid Ebonized Commode Circa 1940 Jansen
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This striking French Directoire style commode, circa 1940, is a masterful work of craftsmanship attributed to Maison Jansen, one of the most renowned Parisian design firms of the 20t...
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Beautiful Pair of 19th Century Directoire Walnut Commodes
Located in Houston, TX
An exceptionally stylish pair of early 19th Century three drawer chest of drawers with good use of matching walnut to fronts. Having original marbles on top. The drawers having eboni...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble
19th c. Venetian Painted Secretary
Located in New Orleans, LA
Fantastic Italian Venetian Painted secretary/cabinet. This piece has a wonderful color palette but I believe that was done in the early 20th...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Pair of 19th Century French Directoire Carved Painted Demilune Console Tables
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate an entryway with this elegant pair of antique painted consoles. Crafted in northern France, circa 1880 and shaped as half moon, each style table stands on four tapered and r...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Oak, Paint
18th Century Limestone Antique Fireplace Mantle
Located in Beervelde, BE
This is an original antique fireplace surround in burgundy hard stone with remains of the original wax. This was built in the Directoire period.
Measures:
126 cm EW 49,60".
...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Limestone
Pair of Directoire Style Ebonized Tables with Gold Gilt Glass Tops, circa 1950
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A pair of Directoire style ebonized tables with gold gilt glass tops and supported by four round tapering legs ending in brass casters, circa 1950.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Circle of François Boucher – "Venus and Cupid" – Oil on canvas – 18th century
Located in Madrid, ES
An elegant 18th-century oil on canvas, attributable to the circle of François Boucher, depicting Venus, goddess of love and beauty, accompanied by Cupid (Amore). Seated on clouds, cr...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Canvas
18th Century Original Antique Fireplace Mantel
Located in Beervelde, BE
Phenomenal fireplace surround from the free mason compagnon in bicolor burgundy hard stone. The carving is very fine and very unusual.
Measures:
142.5 cm EW 56.10",
112 cm EH...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Stone
A set of six French Directoire style painted dining room chairs, 19th C.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Comprised of six side chairs all painted and of pegged construction. Having rosette and diamond carved crests above pierced splats and upholstered seats, all supported by turned tape...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
19th C. French Directoire Carved Walnut Armchair with Gold Velvet Upholstery
Located in Chicago, IL
19th Century French Directoire carved walnut armchair with white paint and gold velvet upholstery.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Walnut, Paint
Directoire Style Blood Tomato Red Lacquer Super Heavy Solid Brass Pulls Dresser
By Maslow Freen
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Outstanding quality directoire style painted dresser with very heavy solid brass hardware. Six deep drawers dresser with a narrow door compartment in the m...
Category
20th Century American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Oak
Fine Quality Tambor Door Breche D
Alep Marble Walnut Directoire Sideboard
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This fine quality French Directoire sideboard showcases the timeless elegance and craftsmanship of late 18th to early 19th-century design. Constructed from rich walnut, the piece fea...
Category
1920s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Breccia Marble, Bronze
French Mid-20th Century Directoire Buffet
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Very interesting, small cabinet with inlay and brass. Elegant with a lot of character.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Gorgeous French Carved Beveled Glass Rectangular Wall Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This French carved wall mirror showcases timeless elegance and refined craftsmanship, making it a perfect addition to both traditional and transitional interiors. The mirror features...
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$1,036 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage Italian Directoire X-Back Wrought Iron Acorn Finial Dining Set - 7 Pcs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Italian Directoire X-Back Wrought Iron Acorn Finial Dining Set - 7 Pc Set. Listing includes (6) side chairs, (1) rectangular table with faux marble gray laminated top. Set ha...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
French Directoire Inlaid Marquetry Side Table or Desk with Meticulous Inlay
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Antique Directoire table is adorned with intricate diamond marquetry details on the top and skillfully sculpted ring patterns on the sides. T...
Category
1910s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Satinwood, Walnut
Pair of Directoire Gilt Bronze Allegorical Sculptures of Children
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Each child seated on an oval tasseled and draped plinth in the shape of a stool, one reading a book, the other thinking, symbolizing knowledge and philosophy.
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Directoire Fruit Wood Demi Lune Games Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Continental Directoire fruit wood demi lune games table, early 19th century. Having a demi lune top which when opened becomes a round top, a fruit wood...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Directoire Style Verre Églomisé Glass Barometer
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Directoire style verre églomisé glass barometer, 19th century. Barometer is not functional it is purely decorative.
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
French Chest of Drawers, Directoire Period, Carved and Patinated Wood
Located in Madrid, ES
A French Directoire chest of drawers, late 18th or early 19th century, in carved, painted and patinated wood, with a grey marble top, fluted carving decoration on the sides and geome...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Faux Bamboo Bagues Style Solid Brass Hexangonal End Tables Circa 1970
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This stylish pair of vintage brass end tables embodies the timeless elegance of French Maison Baguès design, circa 1970. Crafted in a sophisticated faux bamboo motif, the frames are ...
Category
1970s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$1,196 Sale Price / set
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 Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$1,356 Sale Price
20% Off
Fine Bronze Mounted Satinwood and Kingwood Center Table in The manner Weisweiler
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This fine bronze-mounted satinwood and kingwood center table in the manner of Adam Weisweiler is a superb example of late 19th to early 20th-century craftsmanship inspired by one of ...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$2,396 Sale Price
20% Off
French Directoire Style Gold Gilt Rectangle Wall Hanging Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions- H: 45 1/4in W: 36in D: 1in
This French Directoire style gold gilt rectangle wall hanging mirror is a prime example of luxury decor! This piece is made of the highest qua...
Category
Late 20th Century American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
$1,400 Sale Price
20% Off
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
19th Century French Ebonised Three Drawer Commode
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A Louis XV ebonised, three drawer commode.
With marble top and brass gallery.
France, Circa 1850.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Fine SHALLOW DEPTH Maison Jansen Style Directoire Marble Top Mahogany Sideboard
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Elegant Maison Jansen Style Bronze-Mounted Mahogany and Marble-Top Sideboard – 20th Century Neoclassical Excellence
This superb Maison Jansen–style sideboard is a masterclass in ref...
Category
1960s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
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 Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
French Handcrafted Directoire Style 2-Door Cabinet in solid-cherry wood
Located in Landivy, FR
This 2-door small sideboard ( "mini-bahut") is a handcrafted reproduction of the French Directoire Style at the end of the 18th century.
This period style is remarkable with its str...
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century French Maison Jansen Bronze, Steel and Glass Cocktail Coffee Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1950, this mid-century coffee table by Maison Jansen exemplifies the firm’s signature blend of neoclassical elegance and modern restraint. The rectangular fra...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Steel
French 19th Century Set of 8 Dining Room Chairs
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Beautiful set of 8 dining room chairs, they are made of walnut and mahogany wood and black paint inside the curve along the legs and the top. They have a large seat and nicely curved...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Walnut
$12,580 / set
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 Furniture
Materials
Metal
$1,356 Sale Price
20% Off
18th Century Directoire Gilded Mirror
Located in New Orleans, LA
Infuse your home with the refined elegance of the late 18th century with this exquisite 18th Century Directoire Mirror. A stunning exam...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood, Mirror
Antique French Directoire Style Mahogany Dining Arm Desk Chair Needlepoint Seat
Located in Dayton, OH
An early 20th Century French Directoire style dining chair. Made from solid mahogany with a contoured crest rail over vase shaped splat. Features scrolled arms, a pink needlepoint ...
Category
Early 20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Tapestry, Mahogany
$700 Sale Price
30% Off
French Louis XVI Style Gold Gilt Octagonal Beveled Glass Wall Hanging Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions- H: 40 1/4in W: 28 1/4in D: 1in
This French Louis XVI Style Gold Gilt Octagonal Beveled Glass Wall Hanging Mirror is truly exceptional! If you take a look at the photos provided you'll see the exceptional attention to detail within the carved gilt frame. One dead give away that this piece is quality is by looking at the beveled mirror. Beveled mirror is much more expensive than plain mirror lower end furniture companies did not bother to put higher end materials into their product as it would cost them more money. This mirror is perfect to be used as a vanity mirror, Bathroom Mirror, Bedroom mirror, entryway mirror, or kitchen mirror...
Category
Late 20th Century American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Composition
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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