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
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 Bronze Andirons
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of French Directoire-style bronze andirons with filigree connector (PRICED AS PAIR)
Category
20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$1,850 / set
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
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
Antique Brass Candlesticks 18th century - Baroque
By France"
Located in DELFT, NL
Franco-Flemish, so Dutch or French Baroque period 18th century brass Candlesticks.
Each with an octagonal base supporting baluster stems and candle cups.
(Each candle cup has a hol...
Category
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
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
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
Antique French Directoire Neoclassical Mahogany Console with Carrara Marble
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Directoire Neoclassical Mahogany Console with Carrara Marble is ideal for the efficient floorplan, or for adding a nice finishing touch to any room, including hallways...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
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
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
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
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
Fine Pair French 19th/20th Century Directoire Style Ormolu
Marble Side Tables
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Very Fine Pair of French 19th/20th Century Directoire Style Ormolu and Rouge Griotte Marble Gueridon Side-Tables. The finely executed mercury gilt-bronze rectangular frames, each w...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
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
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
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
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
19th Century French Directoire Chest of Drawers, Cherry
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century French Directoire Chest of Drawers,
1810, France
Cherrywood
Directoire chest of drawers rests on conical feet. Straight, simple body, slightly protruding cover plate. ...
Category
1810s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
French Directoire Period Bergere
Located in Pembroke, MA
French Directoire period blue-gray painted bergere, newly-upholstered in lovely blue and gold toile fabric based on a museum-archived pattern....
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
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 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
French Bronze and Marble Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
French bronze and marble coffee table. The table has a marble top with floral style bronze legs. Stamped made in France under one of the legs.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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
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
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
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
Pair of Solid Cherry Maison Jansen Attributed Brass Directoire Three Tier Tables
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Introduce refined Parisian sophistication into your home with this exceptional pair of Maison Jansen–attributed three-tier Directoire-style tables, crafted in the 1940s with the impe...
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage Early 20th Century French Mahogany Desk with Aubergine Leather Top
Located in Buchanan, NY
This vintage French mahogany desk will add a touch of sophistication to your work environment. It features a sleek aubergine leather top that complements the original art deco hardware...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
18th Century French Directoire Satinwood Mahogany Marble Top Commode
Located in Essex, MA
Beautiful Directoire or Late Louis XVI Commode or Chest of Drawers. Satinwood panels and drawer fronts. Original hardware. Original White Marble Top with Bronze Gallery. Toupe Fe...
Category
18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Antique French Directoire Glazed Cabinet with Crossed Water-Gilded Arrows
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
About as original as can be, this stellar antique only received a minimal amount of conservation in our highly regarded workshop. Constructed of exotic rosewood, the case packs quite...
Category
1860s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Gold
A Large Directoire Period Painted Seven- fold Screen, French Late 18th century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Large Directoire Period Painted Seven- fold Screen, French Late 18th century
Height: 175 cm Width: 420 cm fully extended Depth: 3 cm each panel
Provenance: Private Australian Col...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Hardwood
19th Century French Directoire Hand Painted Green and Black Tole Table Lamp
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a table with this elegant antique tole lamp. Crafted in France circa 1840, the light fixture with new wiring sits on a square base over a ta...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Tôle
Pair of French Gilded Iron Corner Tables
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French gilded iron corner tables. Two-tiered glass tops.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Iron
$7,650 / set
19th Century French Directoire Style Giltwood Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century French Directoire Style Giltwood Mirror.
Stunning 19th century French Directoire style / Louis XVI style gilt wood fluted design mirror.
This versatile mirror can be use...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Early 19th Century Italian Painted Buffet
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautiful 18th century Italian Tuscan Buffet. The Painted Images and the Vibrant Colors make this piece a standout. It is a very large storage piece...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Wrought Iron Bench
Located in New York, NY
Brown-burgundy leatherette top with a decorative wrought iron and brass frame.
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Directoire Armchairs
Located in Westwood, NJ
Two mahogany armchairs, with an over scroll padded back and seat between open scroll arms and above floral capital carved and paneled sabre legs. Inspired by a 19th-century French or...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$6,114 / set
French Directoire-style Hexagonal Black and Gilt Leather Pedestal Center Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Directoire-style hexagonal top center table with ebonized finish, gilt trim and details, gilt embossed leather top, and bronze decorative drawer pulls...
Category
20th Century Directoire Furniture
Materials
Leather
20th C. Directoire Style Painted and Floral Crewelwork Upholstered Bregere
Located in Morristown, NJ
Mid 20th C. Directoire style crewelwork bergere with a cream painted wood frame decorated with bands of carved rope and draped swags. The crewelwork upholstery is accented with a com...
Category
1980s American Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Silk, Wood
Baker French Directoire Style Walnut and Marble Top Canted Corners Sideboard
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This refined Baker Furniture French Directoire style sideboard exemplifies timeless elegance and craftsmanship. Constructed from fine walnut, the cabinet features clean neoclassical ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Late 19th Century Directoire Style Armchair
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful 19th century Directoire style armchair with pegged construction. Newly upholstered in textured purple/white fabric with plum linen back. Shell details carved to back with s...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Wood
White Marble Small Size Brass and Walnut Maison Jansen Style Console Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exquisite French Directoire style console table, crafted in Italy and inspired by Maison Jansen, radiates refined neoclassical elegance. The table features a beautiful white mar...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
French late 19th century Directoire st. patinated, Gilt Metal, and Glass lantern
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A unique and wonderfully decorative French late 19th century Directoire st. patinated, Gilt Metal, and Glass lantern. This wonderful hexagonal frosted glass lantern is centered at th...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Metal
French Pair of Period Directoire Side Chairs
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A regal pair of French side chairs from the Directoire period (circa 1795-1800). The chairs have chalk-white painted frames now patinated to fine craquelure texture softening the sym...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Wood, Paint
$1,895 / set
Very Fine Directoire Style French Gilt Bronze and Marble Mantel Clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine French Directoire style gilt bronze and marble (Rosso Levanto) Mantel Clock. 19th Century.
movement stamped 1075.
Measures: height 16 1/2" x width 18" x depth 5 1/2"
C...
Category
1860s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
1950s French Iron and Brass Dining Table and Chairs
Located in New York, NY
1950s French iron and brass dining table and chairs. The set has iron frames, chairs are black vinyl, with brass finials to the top and b...
Category
1950s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
$19,000 / set
A Directoire Marble Pastry Table - All Original
Located in Washington, DC
A Directoire Marble Pastry Table with bronze and cast iron base. Original Top.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Iron
Directoire Mahogany Trestle Table, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
Directoire mahogany trestle table, early 19th century. An octagonal top with lower shelf table.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$3,500 Sale Price
30% Off
Directoire Chest of Drawers, France 1790-1800
Located in Belmont, MA
Directoire Chest of Drawers, France, circa 1790
Elegant French Directoire chest of drawers dating to circa 1790, crafted in rich mahogany and topped with a marble top. A refined open...
Category
1790s Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Directoire Antique French Candlesticks
By France"
Located in DELFT, NL
French Directoire Period brass Candlesticks.
The detachable socles set within urn shaped holders, baluster-shaped stems, terminating on circular bases.
Some rubbing and wear.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Italian, Bronze and Marble Pedestal
Located in New York, NY
Italian, bronze and marble two-tier pedestal. The pedestal has a very decorative bronze frame. The top marble is beveled.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Three Tier Side Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French Directoire style three-tier lamp table, each elongated octagonal tier with a three-quarter pierced brass gallery, on shaped end supports with lozenge ornaments, terminating ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$2,397 / item
French 19th Century Directoire St. Walnut Stool
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most elegant French 19th century Directoire st. Walnut stool. The circular stool is raised by lovely lightly curved square tapered legs below the straight wrap around frieze.
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
20th-Century Maison Jansen Directoire Style Off-White Lacquered Dining Table
Located in Lisbon, PT
A refined Maison Jansen Directoire-style dining table accented with elegant brass mounts and inspired by the Hepplewhite aesthetic. This sophisticated piece has been professionally r...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$6,637 Sale Price
20% Off
Directoire Style Thick Marble-Top Coffee Table With Matching Faux Marble Base
Located in Manhasset, NY
A beautiful marble-top coffee table with matching faux marble base. The coffee table is in a Directoire style, attributed to Maison Jansen.
Category
20th Century Directoire Furniture
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
Maison Jansen Style Chrome and Brass Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
Maison Jansen French style coffee table. Table has X-stretcher to the sides, with brass and chrome frame. Top and bottom tiers have two pairs...
Category
1950s Vintage Directoire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Chrome
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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