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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
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

Antique 17th C. French Directoire Gilt Wood Fretwork Fireplace Tapestry Screen
Located in Dayton, OH
Extremely rare late 17th century museum quality giltwood fireplace screen. Features exceptional interlaced fretwork between ornately fluted columns mounted by pinecone finials. Inc...
Category

Late 17th Century Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

rare Olivewood side table with decorative hardware.
Located in Bronx, NY
This wonderful french side table is wonderfully craffed with details and moulures to add class and elegance. The bale is made of rare olive wood with an impressive patern on the top....
Category

1940s French Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

Gorgeous, rare French Olivewood commode
Located in Bronx, NY
A rare French riviera olive wood Commode with stuning wood patern and amazing craft, Fully restaured by french nicoisse restauration artisan. Amazing quality and condition. Oilded b...
Category

1930s French Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Wood

French Directoire Trumeau Mirror with a Painted Green, Purple and Gold Finish.
Located in Dallas, TX
A small scale French Directoire trumeau mirror with a gilded and painted green, purple and gold finish. This Etruscan style mirror, depicting Phaedrus is a lovey size and has wonder...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

French 19th Century Directoire St. Cherry Buffet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely attractive and elegant French 19th century Directoire st. cherry and ebonized fruitwood inlaid buffet. The buffet is raised by eight square tapered legs with conforming ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble

Pair of French Directoire Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Side Tables
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful pair of French Directoire style gilt bronze and marble side tables. These tables are extremely fine quality and a gorgeous finish. Creates a very polished look!.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Fine Pair Quality Paint Decorated French 1920s Era Directoire Louis XVI Armchair
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Introduce timeless Parisian sophistication into your home with this exquisite pair of French Louis XVI paint-decorated armchairs, a beautiful example of neoclassical elegance and fin...
Category

1920s French Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Beech

Maison Jansen-style Guéridon Marble and Gilt Bronze Table
Located in San Francisco, CA
The “ancestor” of this piece, a guéridon, was a small and typically round table that originated in mid-17th century France for holding a candelabrum to light the room or a vase. Even...
Category

Early 1800s Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

19th Century French Directoire Mahogany Commode
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Directoire mahogany Commode exudes the understated elegance for which the style is world renowned! Crafted from exotic mahogany imported from the Americas during ...
Category

1890s French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Brass

French Bronze and Onyx Side Table
Located in New York, NY
French bronze and onyx side table. The table has an ornate frame with an onyx top.
Category

1940s Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Onyx, Bronze

1940s French Lounge Chairs Pair
Located in New York, NY
1940s pair of French lounge chairs that are nicely upholstered in silk with rolled arms and loose down filled seat cushions. The chairs have flared mahogany legs.
Category

1940s Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany, Silk

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

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

18th Century French Directoire Mahogany Wine Table with Gray Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
A French Directoire wine tasting table in mahogany with a gray marble top and brass inserts to hold wine bottles. This table dates from the late 18th century and is still very funct...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Pair of Directoire Style Gilt Bronze and Black Marble Gueridons
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of 1890-1900 Directoire Style Gilt Bronze and Black Marble Gueridons. Each with very fine ormolu mounts as well as hand-carved marble tops. Exceptional details on the ormolu i...
Category

1890s French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Bronze

French Country Directoire Style Banquette Bench with Yellow Velvet Cushion
Located in Montreal, Quebec
A beautiful French country Directoire style banquette bench with yellow velvet cushion Made from sturdy sculpted wood, with the Classic lozenge and flower motif typical of the Direc...
Category

Early 20th Century French Directoire Furniture

Materials

Wood

French Directoire Style Pedestal
Located in New York, NY
French Directoire style pedestal. Pedestal has a white marble top with a steel and decorative brass frame.
Category

1970s Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass, Steel

Set of Four French Directoire Period Painted Side Chairs
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A fine set of four late 18thC period Directoire painted side chairs. Each chair has a different carved back splat painted black and in the full neo-classic taste including a dolphin...
Category

Late 18th Century Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of French Directoire Candlesticks Made in the 1790s
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of French candlesticks in a wonderful condition. White marble mounted with bronze ornaments. The quality of the castings and chiseling is high. the design is romantic and beau...
Category

Late 18th Century European Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair Of Silver Candlesticks – Antwerp, 1792 – Late Louis XVI / Directoire Style
Located in Bilzen, BE
Pair of Silver Candlesticks – Antwerp, 1792 – Late Louis XVI / Directoire Style Elegant pair of antique solid silver candlesticks, hallmarked in Antwerp, 1792, during the early years...
Category

Late 18th Century Belgian Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Silver

Pair of Directoire Style Bronze Tables with Pietra Dura Marble Top, French
Located in El Monte, CA
Outstanding pair of French Directoire style bronze round tables with semi precious gemstone (malachite, lapis lazuli, carnelian, agate, etc.) inlaid ...
Category

Late 20th Century Directoire Furniture

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Marble, Bronze

English Oak Directoire Style Tall Work Table w/ Chippendale Pull Tapered Legs
Located in Germantown, MD
An English Oak Directoire Style Tall Work Table with Chippendale Pull and Tapered Legs. Dimensions: 22.5" in width, 15" in depth and 35.75 inches in height.
Category

20th Century Directoire Furniture

Materials

Oak

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

19th Century French Oval Mahogany Dressing Mirror
Located in London, GB
A large mid 19th century French oval mahogany dressing table Mirror surmounted by urn, supported by carved & scrolled eagle heads with central paterae, ending on possibly replaced pl...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Fine Pair of Creme Painted French Directoire Style Commodes
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Bring timeless European elegance into your home with this stunning pair of French Directoire–style commodes, beautifully finished in a soft cream painted patina that highlights their...
Category

1950s American Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Brass

18th Century Breccia Marble Statement Chimney Piece For Bespoke Luxury Design
Located in Beervelde, BE
Phenomenal Brêche marble fireplace surround. This magnificent fireplace mantel showcases the timeless elegance of white marble, adorned with intricate veining in hues of violet, brow...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Breccia Marble, Statuary Marble

19th C. French Directoire Trumeau Mirror, 7 Ft Tall
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Directoire style trumeau mirror from the 19th century. This antique mirror from France features a classic trumeau design with woode...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Antique Italian Silver Gilt Metal Chandelier, 1920s
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Italian silver gilt metal chandelier. It includes 4 lights with Austrian crystal bobeches and prisms. Additional information: Materials: crystal, lights, silver Color: s...
Category

20th Century Directoire Furniture

Materials

Metal

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

Pair of Early 19th Century Directoire Chairs, in the manner of Bellange Frères
By Henri Jacob
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of early 19th century mahogany side chairs in the manner of Bellange Frères. Raised on turned tapering front legs and sabre rear legs, carved with pierced splades in the shape o...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

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

Pair of Directoire Period Painted Armchairs after a Model by Jacob Desmalter
Located in Montreal, QC
Pair of Directoire period: gray painted armchairs after a model by Jacob Desmalter . France: circa 1800 Seat height: 17 in.
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Wood

18th Century Pair French Consulate Chairs Signed Jacob
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
18th Century Pair French Consulate Chairs Signed Jacob Beautiful chairs purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Category

18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Oak

Pair of Jansen Directoire Style Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Fine pair of STAMPED Jansen Directoire' armchairs. The wood has carvings and are painted in beautiful crème patina with green details along the borders of the wood. The chairs are up...
Category

20th Century French Directoire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Hunting Lodge Accent - French Antique Stone Fireplace Mantel With Patina
Located in Beervelde, BE
Bring the charm of the French countryside into your home with this authentic early 19th‑century limestone mantel, beautifully weathered and lovingly restored by a first-class stonema...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Limestone

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

Pair of Round Faux Iron Accent Tables
Located in Hudson, NY
The pair of vintage French gueridon-style iron pedestal base tables, shown here, are distinguished by their faux tortoise ringed surface finish. Sized for use as end tables or occas...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Iron

18th Century Directoire Cast Iron Fireback
Located in Houston, TX
18th Century Directoire Cast Iron Fireback. Handsome 18th century French Directoire cast iron fireback or fireplace back or fireplace screen with two columns. Can be used in the back...
Category

18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Iron

18th Century Directoire Deux-Corps
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Cupboard or sideboard in two parts, dating from the Directoire period. The doors with losange motifs. The lower section has a small central drawer. Elegant cornice. A beautiful and ...
Category

18th Century and Earlier French Antique Directoire Furniture

Pair Maison Jansen Attributed Mahogany French Directoire Footstools, Circa 1960s
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This pair of Maison Jansen attributed mahogany French Directoire footstools, circa 1960s, captures the timeless elegance and neoclassical refinement that the renowned Parisian design...
Category

1960s French Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Late 18th Century Gilt Bronze and Marble Candelabra
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of gilded and sculpted bronze candelabra with four branches each. The branches curve to form trumpets and foliated scrollwork on one end and sockets on the other end. The socket...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French 19th Century Pair of Beds
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Those pair of frame beds wears the original paint, the inside dimensions for a spring box are 35.75 x 74.5
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Directoire Mahogany Boulliotte Tables
Located in Dallas, TX
The product is a set of two 19th Century French Directoire Mahogany Boulliotte Tables, exuding a classic elegance. Made from high-quality mahogany, with brass details and marble to...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Antique Brass Candlesticks 18th century - Baroque
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

Set of Six French Early 19th Century Directoire Period Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most handsome and complete set of six French early 19th century Directoire period armchairs. Each armchair is raised by elegant square ta...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Century Furniture Directoire Style Walnut Upholstered seat Cane Back Armchair
Located in Germantown, MD
A Century Furniture Directoire Style Walnut with Upholstered seat with Cane Back Armchair in great vintage condition. Measures 23" in width, 24" in depth and stands 36.5z" tall. Sea...
Category

Late 20th Century American Directoire Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Cane, Walnut

Fine Paint Decorated Gilt Over Red Bole Green Silk Maison Jansen Attr. Settee
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
**Maison Jansen (Attributed) French Directoire Style Painted and Gilt Settee, Circa 1920s** This exquisite **paint-decorated and gilt-accented French Directoire style settee** is attributed to the legendary Parisian design house **Maison Jansen**, founded in 1880 by Jean-Henri Jansen. Elegantly proportioned, the piece features a beautifully carved beechwood frame with subtle **gilded detailing**, fluted legs, and neoclassical motifs emblematic of the Directoire period. The frame is finished in a refined cream paint with warm gilt highlights and red accents, while the upholstery—**luxurious pale green and ivory striped silk**—evokes timeless sophistication. The settee’s straight lines, scroll arm supports, and finely carved floral rosettes perfectly capture the **neoclassical symmetry and understated grandeur** that define both Directoire design and the Maison Jansen aesthetic. Renowned for blending classical elegance with modern refinement, **Maison Jansen** created interiors for the world’s elite, including **Elsie de Wolfe, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and Jacqueline Kennedy for the White House**. This remarkable settee embodies the grace, quality, and artistry for which **Maison Jansen** became synonymous, making it a statement piece for any collector or connoisseur of fine French furniture. Cushion may be goose down filled. Split in upholstery can be repaired by an upholsterer. Measures 55.5 wide x 38 tall x 33.25 deep x seat height of 21 tall **Keywords:** Maison Jansen settee, French Directoire furniture...
Category

1920s French Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Silk, Walnut, Giltwood

French Early 19th Century Directoire St. Mahogany And Ormolu Jardiniere Planter
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and most decorative French early 19th century Directoire st. Mahogany and ormolu jardiniere planter circa 1805. The planter is raised by an elegant bottom tier with fi...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Antique French Directoire Stripped Buffet with Carrara Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Directoire Stripped Buffet with Carrara Marble Top is of superb scale and proportion, yet adds a lighter toned visual presence to the room, thanks to our proprietary s...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Directoire Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble, Brass

Pair of Gilt and Patinated Bronze Candlesticks. Directoire, Late 18th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
A Pair of Gilt and Dark-Patinated Bronze Candlesticks – French Directoire, Late 18th Century An exquisite pair of French gilt and dark-patinated bronze candlesticks, crafted during ...
Category

1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French 18th Century Ormolu and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Florence, Tuscany
Exquisite French Directoire period, chandelier dated to the end of 18th century. The lower Montgolfier is centered by a richly chased acorn finial amidst foliate. Main band, supporti...
Category

1790s French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Ormolu

French 18th Century Directoire Period Mahogany and Marble Tilt Top Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most attractive French 18th century Directoire period mahogany and Brèche marble tilt top side table. The table is raised by three elegantly scrolled legs with their original caste...
Category

18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

French 19th Century Directoire Red Marble Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This fruitwood occasional table is topped with an inset piece of stunning red Rosso Francia marble and surrounded by a 3/4th gallery over an apron with a single drawer. The drawer co...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Stone, Marble, Metal, Brass

Portal of the Directoire Period
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Directoire period wrought iron gate with two panels, divided into two sections by a horizontal band. The upper part is composed of vertical rods ending in spearheads. They rest on a ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Signed Maison Jansen Bronze Mounted Marble Top Directoire Commode Dresser
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This Signed Maison Jansen Bronze Mounted Marble Top Directoire Commode Dresser is a fine example of the Parisian atelier’s legendary craftsmanship and timeless design. With its elega...
Category

1950s French Vintage Directoire Furniture

Materials

Griotte Marble, Bronze

Early 19th c French Marble Topped Directoire Sewing Table With Isle of Man Feet
Located in valatie, NY
Early 19th c French Marble Topped Directoire Sewing Table With Isle of Man Feet, c1800. The octangular inset marble topped shelf has a conforming wooden surround and gallery surround...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Marble

French Directoire Period Four Poster Bed, France 18th Century
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Very rare Directoire period four poster bed. Headboard and footboard are original - including paint. The tops curve gracefully outward. The friezes at either end feature beaut...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Skeleton Clock of Ormolu and Marble from Directoire Period
Located in London, GB
A symbolic skeleton clock from the French Directoire period. A rectangular Carrara marble plinth with bronze toupie feet with knurled decoration supports an ormolu 'arc-de-ciel', wi...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble, 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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