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 Bench
Located in Houston, TX
French Directoire Style Bench.
This lovely French Directoire bench or stool painted a gray/green color with dark blue accents with swan handle ...
Category
1920s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Velvet
Late 18th Century Directoire Provençal Oak Commode
Located in High Point, NC
Wonderful late 18th century Director commode in oak.
This commode is of excellent scale. the top is made from three planks, and follows down to raised paneled sides for added desig...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French antique Architect
s Table, Directoire Period 1780-1800
Located in Belmont, MA
Explore a stunning late eighteenth-century Directoire Period architect’s desk crafted from figured mahogany. This exquisite piece features an adjustable green leather-lined writing surface with a hidden double rising system. Flanked by a pair of convenient pull-out slides and one long drawer, the desk opens to reveal an additional writing surface and sliding pen tray. Elevated on round tapering legs, this architect's table, also known as "table à la Tronchin...
Category
1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$12,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Schumacher Four Yards of Vintage Chintz, Original Chandler Price Tag
By Schumacher
Located in Sharon, CT
Rare Schumacher vintage Chintz. Gorgeous flowers in vases patterned chintz. Retains the original Chandler, Boston price tag. Four yards. Signed on the s...
Category
Early 20th Century American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fabric
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 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
Grand French Marble Top Carved Louis XVI Directoire Silver Leaf Console Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This grand French Louis XVI Directoire style console table is an exquisite example of refined neoclassical elegance and craftsmanship. Featuring a stunning marble top with natural ve...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble
$2,396 Sale Price
20% Off
French Louis XVI Directoire Inlaid Satinwood Marquetry and Bronze End Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This French Louis XVI Directoire inlaid satinwood marquetry and bronze end table is a refined example of 18th-century inspired craftsmanship, blending neoclassical elegance with exce...
Category
1930s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
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
A Pair of French Directoire painted open armchairs C 1800.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Pair of French Directoire painted open armchairs C 1800. The chairs have a subtle two-tone paint and have been upholstered in a raw silk-like material. The fabric on the seats and ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
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
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
Pair of Solid Brass or Bronze Patinated Gueridons by Century Furniture Company
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This pair of solid brass or bronze patinated gueridons by the renowned Century Furniture Company reflects superior craftsmanship and timeless mid-century elegance. Featuring round to...
Category
1990s American Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$3,196 Sale Price / set
46% 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
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
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
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
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
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
$5,745 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Pair of French Directoire Late 18th Century Lidded Apothecary Jars with Labels
By Deroche
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Directoire period ceramic lidded apothecary jars from the late 18th century, with hand-painted foliage motifs, labeled Tamarind and Ext. Cicutæ A:F, from the Deroche...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Set of Six Directoire Dining Chairs, France, Early 19th Century
Located in Greven, DE
Set of six antique chairs
France
mahogany
early 19th century
Dimensions: H x W x D: 88 x 47 x 44 cm, seat height: 48 cm
Description:
Set o...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
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 Directoire Carved Wood and Red Upholstered Daybed
Located in Queens, NY
French Directoire daybed with a carved wooden frame a finial top on each end and an urn engraved in to the frame of the bed
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Neoclassical Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine French early 19th century walnut neoclassical console or pier table, the top with wooden gallery edge with ebonized molded edge over two drawer...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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 Fine
Rare Louis XVI Mahogany Dining Table by Claude Messier, 18th Century
By Claude Messier
Located in Sheffield, MA
A Fine & Rare Louis XVI Mahogany Dining Table
18th Century
By Claude Messier
Maitre 1792
Active in Paris at the end of the 18th Cen...
Category
18th Century and Earlier French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair Antique French Directoire Neoclassical End Tables with Carrara Marble
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair Antique French Directoire Neoclassical End Tables with Carrara Marble are ideal companions for any setting. Hand-crafted from exotic imported mahogany, each has been given a fi...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
French Pair of Directoire Style Armchairs with Incredible Patina c1900
Located in BENSENVILLE, 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
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
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
Extraordinary Solid Bronze French Marble Top Directoire Sideboard with Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Introduce timeless sophistication and impeccable craftsmanship to your space with this Extraordinary Solid Bronze French Marble Top Directoire Sideboard with Mirror. A rare and opule...
Category
1890s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$7,196 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of 18th Century Italian Directoire Painted and Parcel Gilt Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 18th century Italian Directoire painted and parcel gilt chairs.
This stunning pair of 18th century Italian Directoire chairs are pain...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mohair, Wood
Louis XVI Walnut Rafraichissoir or Wine Table
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a charming late 18th century/early 19th century Rafraichissoir or wine/champagne coolert that has retained its original surface and basins. The table is in good overall condi...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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, convenien...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
Maison Jansen Directoire Style Black Lacquer Dining Table, 20th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A refined Maison Jansen Directoire style dining table with brass mounts, inspired by the Hepplewhite aesthetic. This elegant dining table features a versatile design with two extensi...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$6,405 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Directoire Style Night Stand with Marble Lining
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Antique Directoire Style Night Stand with Marble Lining. Beautiful piece purchased in France. Has minor scratching on the marble top. Age appropriate wear. Message us with any questi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble
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
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
Finest Quality French Directoire Steel and Glass Shallow Depth Console Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This French Directoire style console table exemplifies refined simplicity and timeless elegance, making it a perfect addition to both classic and contemporary interiors. Crafted from...
Category
1970s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Steel
$1,960 Sale Price
20% Off
Signed, Three Maison Jansen Tufted Benches
Located in New York, NY
Signed, three Maison Jansen Tufted benches. The benches have tufted velvet cushions, black ebonized tapered legs with gold trim.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood, Velvet
$24,000 / set
French Directoire Unique Fireplace Split Canape
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautifully designed French Directoire canape highlighted with paint and water gilding.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$8,900 / set
18th c. French Directoire Period Set of Six Bleached Beechwood Chairs
Located in Wichita, KS
A very charming set of six French dining chairs from the Directoire period. The frames are solid bleached beechwood nicely patinated with pegged mortise
tenon joinery. Scrolled...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Beech
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
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
French Directoire style desk in oak
Located in Landivy, FR
This computer desk is proposed here in solid oak from France and is also available in cherry.
A black leather desk pad equips the top.
The top is sli...
Category
2010s French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Oak
$3,219 / item
18th Century Tuscan Direttorio Dormeuse, Daybed, Italia
Located in Prato, IT
Toscana, end of '700 beginning '800
In walnut
Legs in the typical shape of the Tuscan direttorio with carved and gilded wood flower
Restored
Dimensions: cm L194 x D63 x H96
Sea...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
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
Eight walnut Direttorio chairs, Tuscany, Lucca circa 1795
Located in Prato, IT
Eight walnut Direttorio Chairs with banded backs and floral pattern carving.
Paws with carved frames typical of Lucca.
Entirely hand-sewn straw seat.
Tuscany, late 18th century
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
Pair of Italian Directoire Carved and Painted Console Tables, circa 1810
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Italian Directoire console tables; the carved, fluted and tapered legs support an apron with silvered motif of rosettes and fanciful carving on all sides. The whole supports...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
French Directoire Round Giltwood and Ebonized Wall Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This French Directoire round giltwood and ebonized wall mirror is a striking example of neoclassical elegance blended with timeless French craftsmanship. Featuring a beautifully bala...
Category
1970s Unknown Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mirror
$1,036 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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
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
French 18th-19th Century Copper Overlaid Relief Medallion of Antoine Lavoisier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large and Rare French 18th-19th century Copper Overlaid Portrayal Relief Medallion of The Renown French Chemist ANTOINE LAVOISIER (1743-1794). The ...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Copper
$13,850 Sale Price
60% Off
Brass Steel and Glass Top French Maison Jansen Style Directoire End Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Elevate your living space with this exquisite Brass, Steel, and Glass Top French Maison Jansen Style Directoire End Table—a true masterpiece of design and craftsmanship. This elegant...
Category
1970s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
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
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
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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