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
Fine Italian Dining Room Set of Eight Chairs and a Pair of Armchairs, 1790
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant set of Nord-Italian walnut chairs (8) and a pair of armchairs,
Covered in ivory color silk in perfect condition.
Lombardy Nord Italy, last quarter of the 18th century.
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Directoire-Style Bureau Plat Desk
Located in Chicago, US
Directoire/Napoleon III style desk composed of one large center and two side dovetailed drawers. The right drawer has a divided back section with an inset tray and a horizontal panel...
Category
Early 20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Maison Charles Style Brass Horse and Steel Verdi Marble Console Table circa 1970
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This Maison Charles Style Brass Horse and Steel Verdi Marble Console Table, circa 1970, is a striking example of mid-20th century French design that perfectly blends luxury with mode...
Category
1970s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass, Steel
$1,996 Sale Price
20% Off
French Directoire style handcrafted lacquered desk with solid wood
leather pad
Located in Landivy, FR
This desk is a craft-handed reproduction of the French Directoire style at the end of the 18th century. The design of this period is remarkable with its straight, classical and timel...
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Cherry, Wood, Oak, Lacquer
French Directoire Armchair Beech Gold
White Upholstery France 19th
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very pretty beech armchair with a pretty tapestry in shades of gold and white in the Directoire style - 19th century
The very luminous white and gold upholstery makes it an elegant ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
$958 Sale Price
20% Off
Neoclassical Italian Center Table with Imperial Porphyry Marble Tabletop
Located in Rome, IT
Very fine and important center table with square shaped Egyptian porphyry veneered tabletop.
Base in walnut and ebonized wood of the Directoire period of the late 18th century, made with special care and 'original choice of the Radica and marquetry.
Provenance from an aristocratic family descendant of Parma.
Measurements: cm 120 x 120
This particular Imperial grade of porphyry came from a quarry in the Eastern Desert of Egypt.
The term "porphyry" is from Latin and means "purple". Purple was the color of royalty, and the "Imperial Porphyry...
Category
1790s Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Porphyry
Fine Quality Maison Jansen Style Directoire Tall Dresser Wardrobe
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This Maison Jansen style Directoire tall dresser wardrobe exemplifies the refined elegance and superior craftsmanship for which the renowned Parisian design house is celebrated. Insp...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$2,600 Sale Price
20% Off
French Painted Antique Style Dresser
Located in Westwood, NJ
In a painted antique finish with a molded edge rectangular top, nine paneled drawers with lozenge detailing motifs, antiqued pewter handles, with a fluted base and raised on square t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$6,927 / item
Large French Directoire Period Traveling Secretary Desk
Located in Pembroke, MA
This French Directoire traveling secretary is made of walnut. Its large size is unusual and would make an impressive statement in a study. The top sec...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Gilt Metal Bagues Faux Bois Tree Branch Asymetric Form Smoked Glass Coffee Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Introduce organic elegance and sculptural sophistication to your living space with this Gilt Metal Baguès Faux Bois Tree Branch Asymmetric Form Smoked Glass Coffee Table. Inspired by...
Category
1970s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Gold Leaf
$2,396 Sale Price
20% Off
18th Century Directoire Gueridon
Located in New Orleans, LA
18th century Directoire gueridon with original paint.
Category
18th Century and Earlier French Antique Directoire Furniture
Maison Baguès Steel and Brass Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
Steel and brass Maison Baguès coffee table with a rectangular shaped glass top.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
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
Directoire Sofa in Fruitwood with Paw Feet, France, ca. 1800
Located in Atlanta, GA
Directoire period fruitwood sofa with carved paw feet, France, circa 1800,
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Fruitwood
Two Story Mahogany Side Table
By Loyzaga
Located in Mexico, Ciudad de México
This two story side table is made from mahogany wood with border inlays in a lighter colored wood.
The inspiration for this piece comes from Directorie Style, a 15 year period in la...
Category
2010s Mexican Directoire Furniture
Materials
Oak
Antique French Directoire Mahogany End Table with Carrara Marble
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Directoire Mahogany End Table with Carrara Marble will make a delightful addition to your room, providing storage, display, perhaps a place for a lamp, convenient draw...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
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
French Directoire Mahogany and Brass Mounted Floor Lamp with Shelves
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Enhance your home décor with this stunning French Directoire Mahogany and Brass Mounted Floor Lamp with Shelves, a timeless blend of elegance and functionality. Crafted during the Directoire period, this exquisite floor lamp features a rich mahogany body complemented by beautifully detailed brass mounts that highlight its sophisticated design. The lamp showcases a unique tiered structure with three spacious round shelves, perfect for displaying decorative items, books, or plants while adding a touch of classic French charm to any room.
The lamp is fitted with dual bulb sockets at the top, ensuring ample lighting and enhancing the ambiance in your living space. Its fluted mahogany columns and finely turned legs exemplify the exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail characteristic of French Directoire furniture...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$1,196 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair French Directoire Style Lion Mask X Form Vintage Planters Jardinieres
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This pair of French Directoire style jardinieres embodies elegance, strength, and refined craftsmanship, making them a standout addition to any collection or interior design. Each pl...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Metal
$1,996 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Antique French Directoire Neoclassical End Table with Carrara Marble
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Directoire Neoclassical End Table with Carrara Marble will make the perfect addition to any room. Hand-crafted from exotic imported mahogany, it has been given a fini...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
Fine Quality French Mahogany Bronze Mounted Secretary Desk Bookcase Top
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This fine French mahogany bronze mounted secretary desk with bookcase top exemplifies the elegance and craftsmanship of late 19th to early 20th century French furniture. Constructed ...
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Bronze
$3,196 Sale Price
20% Off
Large Pair of French Directoire over Door Panels
Located in Dallas, TX
A large pair of French Directoire over door panels depicting two cherubs and a swan.
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Paint, Plaster, Wood
$16,000 / set
Pair of Directoire French Open Arms Painted Frames Arm Chairs
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Directoire French Open Arms Painted Frames Arm Chairs
Category
20th Century American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Hardwood
Beautiful Maison Jansen Style French Directoire Creme Painted X Bench Circa 1960
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This Maison Jansen style French Directoire crème painted X-bench, circa 1960, is a stunning example of neoclassical revival design that combines elegance with functional charm. Beaut...
Category
1960s Unknown Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$1,196 Sale Price
20% Off
Exceptional 18th Century French Mahogany Stools
Located in Allerum, SE
Exceptional 18th / early 19th century French mahogany stools. Ca 1800. Signed by Henry Jacob, master in Paris (1753 - 1824).
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Late 18th Century Painted Directoire Chair
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A late 18th century French side chair from the Directoire Period with a carved and parcel gilt cream painted frame. The backsplat with a carved classical urn. Upholstered in green Empire...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French 18th Century Directoire Mahogany Chairs with Silk Blend Upholster Fabric
Located in Firenze, IT
This beautiful set of four late 18th-early 19th century European Directoire period mahogany gondola chairs will be the perfect addition to your dining room or living room as they can be used as dining room chairs or side side chairs...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Cotton, Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany, Giltwood
19th Century French Directoire Style Gilt Arm Chair
Located in Queens, NY
French Directoire white painted open arm chair with gilt foliate decoration and shaped fluted arms, legs, and open fluted columns on back.
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Bronze Coffee Table by Maison Ramsay
Located in New York, NY
French bronze coffee table with thick glass top by Maison Ramsay.
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Large Directoire Mahogany Jardinière by Jacob Freres
By Jacob Frères
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Of rectangular shape, with a tôle liner and bronze gallery and raised on an integral plinth with wooden roulettes, stamped to one side on the interior JACOB FRERES RUE MESLEE. Jacob ...
Category
Late 18th Century European Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$22,500 Sale Price
40% Off
Pair of Directoire Cream-Painted Slipper Chairs
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Each with a rectangular carved panelled top rail above a pierced vertical splat and an upholstered seat, raised on front tapering circular legs and saber back legs.
The exquisite qu...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Silk, Wood
$7,750 / set
Pair of Exceptional Consulate Armchairs
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautifully carved and painted period consulate chairs.
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
$15,500 / set
French Directoire Style 19th Century Walnut Commode with Grey Marble Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Directoire style walnut commode from the 19th century, with three drawers, grey marble top, brass accents and fluted posts. Created in France during the 19th century, this w...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
19th Century French Directoire Mirror and Console with Ebony Columns
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Stunning two piece French Directoire mirror over matching console, perfect for an entryway or important hallway. Mirror has original stunning ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Walnut
$2,850 Sale Price
25% Off
Four Directoire Armchairs, France, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Four French armchairs made of solid mahogany with elegantly curved legs and a slightly rounded upholstered seat. The armrests slope down in a gentle curve and end on the extended leg...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Painted French Directoire Style Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
These French Directoire style open arm chairs from around 1910 are a charming and elegant pair. With gently curved arms and delicate carved details, these chairs exude a timeless app...
Category
Early 20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$2,560 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Small French Empire Style Bench
Located in Buchanan, NY
A small Empire style bench upholstered in blue velvet. Add a touch of classic beauty and elegance to any space with this small Empire style bench. B...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Beech
$640 / item
Early 19th Century French Fruitwood Candlestand Table with Marble Top
Located in Charlottesville, VA
An early 19th C French candlestand table in fruitwood, featuring a circular white marble top with subtle veining and a pierced brass gallery surround. The tapering stem is supported ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
French Directoire Ebonized Dolphins Armchair
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below.
Shipping Quote Information
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Offering one of our recent Palm Beach Estate fine furniture acquisitions of a
French regency Italian style with Ebonized arms & carved dolphins desk...
Category
1980s American Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Cotton, Wood
$580 Sale Price
27% Off
Decca French Neoclassical Louis XVI Style Cream
Gold Bar Cabinet Buffet (B)
By Decca
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Neoclassical Louis XVI Style Cream & Gold Painted Bar Cabinet by Decca (B). Item features a heavy two part construction with crackle distres...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Directoire Furniture
Materials
Masonite, Paint
Pinwheel Portico Clock
Located in Stamford, CT
A French Empire pinwheel portico clock with figured amboyna wood. Signed Rieussec, Horlogier du Roi.
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Amboyna
$14,800
French Directoire Style 1880s Guéridon Table of Ebonized Wood with Swan Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French ebonized wood Directoire style guéridon side table with grey marble top and swan motifs from the late 19th century. This French table features a round variegated grey marble...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair of Antique French Painted Directoire Style Armchairs, Circa 1900
Located in Dallas, TX
The period of French history known as Directoire was a difficult time, as it arrived at the end of the Revolutionary War. Furnishings in this style, such as our pair of painted armch...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Textile, Upholstery, Wood, Paint
An Exceptional Set of Six Inlaid Directoire Period Mahogany Dining Chairs
By Charles Percier
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
All six frames featuring swan shaped brass inlaid motifs strikingly silhouetted against ebonized panels within brass moldings, over hand carved lyre-shaped splats replete with brass 'strings'. The frames also featuring brass strung stiles, front seat rails & sabre-leg front supports. All are in exceptionally sound condition due to the classical construction method of using oak as the secondary wood for added strength & durability.
The swan motif was highly favored by cabinetmakers & mount makers during the Directoire Period and was associated with Napoleons consort Josephine, by interpreting her protective nature towards her children like that of a swan towards it's cygnets).
For comparative examples see works by Charles Percier...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Set of Four Directoire Mahogany Armchairs by Jacob Freres
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Each upholstered backrest with backscrolled top rail above an upholstered seat flanked by arm rests, raised on ring-turned legs; each stamped JACOB FRERES / RUE MESLEE on back rail, three with old inked inscription M Julien...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
Directoire Mahogany And Brass Mounted Commode
Located in Essex, MA
With a rectangular white marble top with rounded corners over a conforming case with three smaller top drawers over two long drawers each with brass moldings...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Pair of 18th Century Italian Demi Lune Console Tables
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Handsome pair of 18th Century Italian demi-lune consoles.
Of blond walnut construction with hand-carved legs, hand-carved stretchers and a beautiful patina to the tops.
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Directoire French Golden Ocher Color Tole Tray
Located in Houston, TX
Directoire French golden ocher color tole tray adorned in original painted decoration, early 19th century.
Note: Original/early finish on antique an...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Tôle
Early 19th Century French Directoire Gilt Bronze and Marble Clock by Deverberie
By Deverberrie
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
This is a classic Directoire period clock by the famous clock maker Deverberie. The drum-shaped clock is surmounted by an ormolu basket of flowers with festoons of foliage and flower...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Russian Gilt Figural and Ebonized Marble Top Pedestals, Circa 1790
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Russian Gilt figural and ebonized marble top pedestals terminating on tripod winged hoof feet. Late 18th Century
Category
1790s Russian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Antique French Burl Elmwood Consulat Style Commode, Circa 1880
Located in Dallas, TX
The Consulat style is a subset of the Directoire period, coinciding with the initial consolidation of power by Napoleon Bonaparte (roughly 1799-1804). Both historically and culturall...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Chrome and Brass Console after Jansen
Located in New York, NY
Jansen chrome and glass console table with brass feet.
Category
1960s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Chrome
French Directoire Green Diamond Pattern Upholstered Mahogany Bergere Armchair
Located in Queens, NY
"French Directoire bergere armchair with pale green diamond patterned upholstery and walnut frame with curved backrest and padded armrests on balust...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Mahogany
Antique Directoire Style Mahogany Petite Vitrine with Carrara Marble
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique Directoire Style Mahogany Petite Vitrine with Carrara Marble was hand-crafted in the mid-1900s out of exotic imported mahogany, then trimmed in brass and fitted with brass dr...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
Maison Jansen Polished Steel and Brass Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
Maison Jansen polished steel and brass coffee table.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
French Antique Style Dresser
Located in Westwood, NJ
In a dark walnut finish with a molded edge rectangular top, nine paneled drawers with lozenge detailing motifs, antiqued pewter handles, with a fluted base and raised on square taper...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$6,927 / item
French Directoire Gilt Bronze End Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Directoire-style (20th Century) gilt bronze end table with 3 scroll legs and inset round pink and black speckled marble top and shelf.
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Monumental French Directoire Style Ebonized Mirror Beveled With Brass Accents
Located in Manhasset, NY
A Monumental French Ebonized and parcel-gilt mirror in the style of Directoire, circa 1950s, the rectangular beveled looking glass with a panelled frame decorated by brass accents.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$2,660 Sale Price
30% Off
French Consulat Mahogany Period Commode with Paw Feet and Fossil Marble Top
Located in Pembroke, MA
French Consulat period mahogany commode with three-drawers, ebonized griffin feet and pilasters, and black fossil marble top. Gilt bronze escutcheons i...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, 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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