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.
Italian, Torino, Pair of Walnut Demilune Console Tables, 1st Quarter 19th Cent.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Italian Directoire period demi-lune consoles in warm-toned walnut, generously scaled with broad, rounded tops and clean, tapering legs. The form is restrained and architect...
Walnut
$3,000Sale Price|20% Off
French Directoire Louis XVI Demilune Shape Marble Top Marble Top Console Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This elegant French Directoire Louis XVI demilune console table embodies the refined neoclassical style of the late 18th to early 19th century. Crafted with precision, the piece feat...
Carrara Marble, Brass
19th Century Walnut Directoire Table
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exquisite 19th Century Walnut Directoire Table embodies the elegance and refinement of the French Directoire period. With its clean lines, subtle detailing, and timeless craftsm...
Walnut
Pair of 19th Century French Directoire Painted Demi-Lune Console Tables
Located in Dallas, TX
Elegant and exceptionally versatile, this pair of antique demi-lune console tables was crafted in northern France circa 1880 in the restrained neoclassical Directoire style. Each half-moon table features a molded wooden top above a gently curved apron enriched with carved diamond-shaped reserves centered by floral rosettes. Vertical panels decorated with stylized leaf motifs divide the apron, while a delicate dentil border beneath the top adds architectural definition. The consoles stand on four slender, tapered legs with ring-turned details and petite feet, creating a refined silhouette that is both graceful and visually light. A layered, timeworn painted finish in soft gray and off-white tones highlights the carvings and gives the tables an authentic aged patina. Designed as a complementary pair, the tables may be positioned separately as narrow entry consoles...
Oak, Paint
19th Century Italian Directoire Demilune Console
Located in New Orleans, LA
Exceptional Italian walnut or marble demilune console.
French, Directoire Marble Top Demi-Lune Table
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
This stunning example of late neoclassical furniture will bring a touch of grace and elegance to any interior. At only 11" deep, this demi-lune table will fit in many spaces. And while diminutive in size, it's big in style. Its all metal legs and base are topped with a stunning piece of green marble and the subtle details in the legs create continued visual interest. This table is a quintessential piece of directoire style furniture...
Marble, Metal, Iron
Table Game Directoire 19th French Mahogany Brass Leather Top France
Located in New York, NY
Table game Directoire 19th century French mahogany brass leather top, France. A game table made during the 19th century in France. Demi lune opens up to a round table. Channeled and ...
Wood
$1,325Sale Price|20% Off
H 35.04 in W 31.89 in D 14.18 in
French Demilune Hand Painted White Wooden Console with White Marble Top
Located in London, GB
A very pretty French 19th century original hand painted wooden demilune with original marble top. The paintwork is original and has a distressed look but this only adds to the beauty.
Marble
$5,700Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 33 in W 53.5 in D 24.5 in
Pair of 19th Century Italian Painted and Gilt Marble-Top Console Tables
Located in Bradenton, FL
Fine pair of 19th century Italian rococo console tables, fine breche marble tops over scalloped sides and molded edge with carved gilt shell in center of aprons, which each have a si...
Marble
$1,440Sale Price|30% Off
H 26.38 in W 40.95 in D 18.12 in
Antique early 19th Century inlaid mahogany demi-lune console table
Located in Wisbech, England
Antique early 19th Century inlaid mahogany demi-lune console table. This table is a delightful piece, exuding age, charm, and character—a very rare decorative find. Featuring a cen...
Mahogany
$8,000
H 36.25 in W 27 in D 12.25 in
Louis XV Mahogany Demi Lune Console with Marble Top, Italy, 1770s
Located in New York, NY
Louis XV mahogany demi lune marble top console. Italian mahogany Luigi XV small console dessert table with very fine cabriole legs and original hardwa...
Marble
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Demilunes or Center Table
Located in San Angelo, TX
Here is a beautiful pair of 19th century Swedish Gustavian demilune tables with carved detail above each leg. These are perfect to flank a f...
Wood, Pine, Paint
$1,695Sale Price|55% Off
H 29.34 in Dm 44.89 in
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Demilune Tables Rococo style
Located in Kvidinge, SE
A pair of Swedish Rococo style painted wood demi lune console tables with cabriole legs Made of solid pine in sweden in the 19th century Painted in a beautiful shade of grey/white w...
Pine
$3,495 / set
H 31 in W 46.75 in D 23 in
Late 19th Century Painted Swedish Demilune Console Tables - Pair
Located in Troy, MI
Found in Sweden, this pair of painted demilune console tables dates from the 1880s. The softly worn, creamy white bases are adorned with faux-painted dentil molding along the aprons....
Pine, Paint
Pair Of 19th Century Swedish Demi Lune Console Tables
Located in Charleston, SC
19th century Swedish Demi lune tables with deeply angled straight apron and turned, tapered legs scraped back to traces of it's original color. Demi lunes can be joined to form a pe...
Wood, Pine, Paint
Vintage 19th Century Swedish Pine Demilune Console Table
Located in Memphis, TN
A Swedish demilune table, likely late 19th to early 20th century, defined by its restrained form and quiet, utilitarian character. Crafted in solid wood, the piece retains a warm, ti...
Pine
Rustic 18th/19th Century Country Continental Oak Side Table
Located in Forney, TX
A charming rustic antique country European side table with beautifully aged warm patina. Hand-crafted of solid oak in Continental Europe in the late 18th / early 19th century, Fr...
Oak
Pair of Vineyard Demilune Console Tables
Located in Westwood, NJ
The Vineyard demilune console table is a stunning piece that brings a touch of nature into your home. Made from pine, it has a natural and rustic look that will instantly warm up any space. The flaky pine finish gives it a one-of-a-kind texture and depth, while the half-round demilune top...
Wood
Louis XVI Style Carved Wooden Demilune Console Table
Located in Redding, CT
Louis XVI Style Carved Wooden Demilune Console Table. Most likely Italian but no marks. This Louis XVI style demilune will add color and style to any entryway or hallway . The carve...
Wood, Paint
Sold
H 31.25 in W 22.25 in D 58 in
Pair Very Large French Directoire Brass Bound Mahogany Demilune Console Tables
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous paid of beautiful mahogany and brass bound and ormolu demilune consoles. They each measures 58 wide x 22.25 deep x 31.25 tall. The tables are in good original cond...
Brass
Directoire Dining Table
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a great uncommonly large folder-over demilune dining table. The table is crafted of solid beautifully grained pearwood. The shaped legs termina...
Brass
French 19th Century Directoire Console Game Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Made in 1830s France, this wonderful antique can play double duty. This demilune console table sits wonderfully against a wall or the top flips open to a round felt-top game table. B...
Brass
Sold
H 30.25 in W 35.5 in D 15 in
French Directoire Inspired Cherry and Bronze Demi Lune Console Table, 20th C
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This Maison Jansen style cherry and bronze demi lune console table is designed in a modernized Directoire fashion with a polished and brass stringed cherry top above a wonderfully de...
Bronze
Continental Directoire Walnut Demi-Lune Games Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Continental Directoire walnut demi-lune games table, circa 1800.
Walnut
Sold
H 30.52 in W 45.28 in D 21.86 in
Circa 1780 Fully Restored French Directorie Demi Lune Extending Card Games Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely exquisite fully restored circa 1760-1780 French Directorie Demi Lune Extending games card table This is a truly very high qualit...
Brass
French Directoire Style Demilune Fold-Over Console Table
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
French solid mahogany demilune fold over console table with brass trim details and raised on turned tapering fluted legs with brass-capped feet. The tabl...
Mahogany
Directoire Fruit Wood Games Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Directoire fruitwood demilune games table, early 19th century. Your choice of two playing surfaces when opened, wood or leather.
Brass
Sold
H 29.53 in W 51.19 in D 25.6 in
19th Century Demi-Lune Directoire Oak Wood and Veneer Dining Room Table
Located in Madrid, ES
Elegant French demilune Directoire dining room table. Made in oak wood and veneer the legs end in bronze sabot, when the table is open they are 130 cm in diameter.
Bronze
Sold
H 30 in W 42.5 in D 17.5 in
Ebonized French Empire Demilune Sofa Console Table Attributed Maison Jansen
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Vintage midcentury Classic table with gilt bronze banded ebonized top. The demilune apron is fitted with bronze mounts. There are four column legs with bronze chased capitals and bas...
Bronze
French Directoire Style Cherrywood Demilune Table
Located in San Francisco, CA
Custom made in France about 30 years ago, Directoire style cherrywood demilune table with brass accent. When the table is open the diameter is 43.5 inches. Height of the table when o...
Cherry
Sold
H 31 in W 29.5 in D 14.5 in
French Directoire Style Mahogany Demilune Table with Marble Top and Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Directoire style mahogany demilune console table from the early 20th century, with marble top, brass gallery, two unusual unfolding drawers and tapered legs. Born in France ...
Marble, Brass