Directoire Lighting
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
Pair of French Directoire Style Crystal Two-Light Sconces with Rosette Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Directoire style two-light wall sconces from the 20th century with bronze armature, crystal rosettes and obelisk motifs. This exquisite pair of French Directoire sty...
Category
20th Century French Directoire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Fine Quality Bronze Brass Metal Tole Painted Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Measures 26.5 tall x 13 in diameter. Good used condition. No major issues. Dates to the 1920-30s era and is French.
Category
1930s French Vintage Directoire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass, Bronze
Fine Quality Aged Brass French Table or Bouillotte Lamp with shades
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous time-wron aged bronze or brass lamp with an arrow quiver and push button at the base. The lamp is in good condition and worked when tested. The lamp is in the Dire...
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
19th Century French Directoire Hand Painted Green and White Tole Table Lamp
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a table or a buffet with this elegant antique tole lamp; crafted in France, circa 1840, the lamp sits on a square base, and features hand painted decor with soldiers and dec...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Directoire Lighting
Materials
Tôle
French Directoire Mahogany and Brass Mounted Floor Lamp with Shelves
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superb and very rare Directoire style brass mounted fluted floor lamp. The lamp is French and is in good antique condition. Measures 57.75 tall x 18.5 wide x 18.5 deep. Dat...
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Lighting
Materials
Brass
1960s Montgolfier Tole Toleware Chandelier (Two Available)
Located in London, GB
1960s Montgolfier tole chandelier (two available).
Gorgeous hand-painted, three-arm Italian ceiling light based on the Montgolfier Brothers' hot-air balloon design. Decorated in the...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Directoire Lighting
Materials
Tôle
French antique chandelier quinquet 5 lights painted tole 19th directoire empire
Located in Den Haag, NL
Antique French Empire Directoire green tole paint Four lights chandelier.
Great color and detail with gold plated stencils.
Dating from the middle of the 20th century
Category
1950s French Vintage Directoire Lighting
Materials
Sheet Metal
Pair of Gustavian Girandoles, 3 Lights, Faceted Blue Crystal. , Sweden 19th
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of Swedish Gustavian style girandoles with three lights.
The large crystal dagger cut with scratches bears at its top an arrow surmounted by a very luminous lens. It rests on a...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Directoire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Large Neoclassic Chandelier in Ostankino Palace style, blue crystal , 18 lights
By Johann Zech
Located in Paris, FR
One of the most elegant exemple of Baltic-style large Palace Chandelier. Fountains crystal falls respond harmoniously to fire gilt bronze leaves and graceful cobalt blue central vase...
Category
1790s Baltic Antique Directoire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Venini Murano Chandelier/Pendant
By Paolo Venini
Located in Austin, TX
Designed by the venerable Paulo Venini in the 1940's, this rare brass and Murano glass lantern in the Directoire Revival style is a show stopper. Clear Mu...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Directoire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Early 20th Century French Brass & Painted Tole Four-Light Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a lady's desk with this elegant and colorful antique "Lampe Bouillotte". Created in France, circa 1920 and oval in shape, the table lamp sits on an oval brass base decorated...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Lighting
Materials
Brass, Tôle
A pair of large green Lanterns , Classic Baltic style crystal and gilt bronze
By C. Rossi 1
Located in Paris, FR
A pair of large Neo classical Lanterns in Baltic Directoire style, 4 lights, clear crystal bowl, overcome by a green crystal disc , gilt bronze fixings with foliage and grapes moti...
Category
1990s Baltic Directoire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
Italian Tole Hand Painted Three Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Tole painted three light chandelier. Hand painted metal frame with three metal attached shades. 35" long with chain and original ceiling cap x 18" diameter. x 14" long without chain...
Category
20th Century Italian Directoire Lighting
Materials
Metal
Maison Jansen Style Brass Arrow Directoire Lamp
Located in Stamford, CT
1960s Maison Jansen style brass Directorie style lamp. Brass retains overall unpolished patina. No makers mark or signature.
Newly rewired with brown silk braided cord. Original dou...
Category
1960s French Vintage Directoire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of Maison Jansen Style Brass and Steel Floor Lamps
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is beautiful paid of steel and brass floor lamps in the style of Andre Arbus or Maison Janse with arrows and brass ormolu. Measures 66.75 tall x 21 x 21 and dates to the 1980s era.
Category
1980s European Vintage Directoire Lighting
Materials
Brass, Steel
French Empire Style Bronze Chandelier With Arrows
Located in Houston, TX
French Empire Style Bronze Chandelier With Arrows.
This stunning French Empire style or Directoire style gilt bronze and patinated bronze quive...
Category
1920s French Vintage Directoire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Directoire Style Crystal Chandelier
Located in Houston, TX
The 19th-century Directoire Style Crystal Chandelier is a masterpiece of elegance and opulence, epitomizing the design sensibilities of the era. Suspended from a gilded bronze canopy...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Metal
Pair of David Duncan Studio Sage Boissy II Light Sconces
By David Duncan
Located in New York, NY
A directoire-inspired hand-carved, diamond shaped backplate in mahogany available with wood, painted or guilt finishes. The eight point star-shaped backplate designed for single or d...
Category
2010s Directoire Lighting
Materials
Blown Glass, Wood
Antique French Bouillotte Directoire 2 Light Tole Candelabra Parlor Lamp
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique French Neoclassical Bouillotte / Directoire / Hot Water Bottle silver plate three light table lamp, featuring a fluted column with round dish ...
Category
Early 20th Century Directoire Lighting
Materials
Metal
Antique French Bouillotte Directoire 3 Light Pierced Tole Candelabra Lamp
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique French Neoclassical Bouillotte / Directoire / Hot Water Bottle silver plate three light table lamp, featuring a pierced / reticulated base wit...
Category
Early 20th Century Directoire Lighting
Materials
Metal
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 Lighting
Materials
Metal
French Directoire Style Gilt and Patina Bronze Chandelier W/ Arrows, Early 20th
Located in Charleston, SC
Regal Directoire style chandelier was made in France in the Early 20th Century. The Classical Bronze Chandelier has an open work cylinder cage made out of eight two-tone Arrows with Patinated Shafts mounted with Gilt Quills and Arrowheads mounted to two Gilt Reeded Bronze Rings. There are eight two-tone S-curved Candelabra Arms mounted in between each Arrow. The S-curved two-tone Foliated Candelabra Arms are mounted to the lower gilt reeded ring...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Directoire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Lights
Located in Essex, MA
Each with four arms with a classical bacchus like head backplate. Finely cast.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Directoire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French 19th Century Directoire St. Limoges Porcelain and Ormolu Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most elegant pair of French 19th century Directoire st. Limoges porcelain and ormolu lamps. Each lamp is raised by a fine square ormolu base with a lovely beaded wrap around band. ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
Philippe Barbier Travertine and Gilt Table Lamp
Located in Hastings, GB
A beautiful and striking, 1970's French travertine and gilt metal table lamp, designed by Philippe Barbier.
The lamp has been fitted with a new ne...
Category
1970s French Vintage Directoire Lighting
Materials
Travertine
Set of 4 French Mid-Century Brass Mirrored Two Arm Wall Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Set of 4 French Directoire style (mid-20th Century) bronze wall sconces with fleur-de-lis motif, central circular mirror, and two electrified lights with bronze colored fabric and th...
Category
20th Century Unknown Directoire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Pair of French Directoire Style Brass Lyre Wall Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Directoire-style (20th century) brass wall sconces with three arms, lyre design, and eagle head details (priced as pair).
Category
20th Century Directoire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Directoire Style Gilt Bronze Sconce by Gherardo degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Directoire style sconce features top-quality chiselled bronze, with many vivid details. On the top of this sconce, there is a trident sided by two swan's wings. The body ...
Category
2010s Italian Directoire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Pair of French Directoire Bronze Dore Bird and Arrow Wall Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Directoire-style (19th Century) bronze dore wall scoces with two arms, a double wreath design, and bird head and arrow details. (PRICED AS Pa...
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Directoire Style Gilt Bronze Two-Light Sconce by Gherardo degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Directoire style sconce features top-quality chiselled bronze, with many vivid details typical of the end of the 18th century. At the top, there is a staple, a typical el...
Category
2010s Italian Directoire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1900s Austrian Ceiling Chandelier 14 Lights, Burnished Bronze Swarovsky Crystal
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Important Austrian ceiling chandelier with 14 lights in burnished bronze and gilded, with original Swarovsky pendants, late 19th century.
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Directoire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Directoire Style Gilt Bronze Three-Light Sconce by Gherardo degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Directoire style sconce features top-quality chiselled bronze, with many vivid details typical of the end of the 18th century. At the top, there is a staple, a typical el...
Category
2010s Italian Directoire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Small Directoire Style Candlestick in Silvered Metal, circa 1900
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Small Directoire style candlestick in silvered metal mounted in lamp. Baluster shape shaft adorned with rings. Circular molded base.
Work realized,...
Category
1890s European Antique Directoire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Directoire Style Lamp in Glass and Gilt Bronze, 1950s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Directoire style lamp in large candleholder shape in glass and gilt bronze. Fluted baluster shape shaft in polished transparent glass topped by a capital in braided basket shape. It ...
Category
1950s European Vintage Directoire Lighting
Materials
Glass
French Directoire Green Tole Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Directoire style green tole and gilt decorated column table lamps with decorated shade 20th century.
Category
20th Century Directoire Lighting
Materials
Metal
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 Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
French Gilt Bronze Floor Lamp after Maison Charles
Located in New York, NY
French gilded bronze floor lamp after Maison Charles.
Category
1940s French Vintage Directoire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Directoire Style Brass Lyre Wall Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Directoire style brass lyre design 3-arm wall sconces with 2 eagle heads, 20th century.
Category
Mid-20th Century Directoire Lighting
Materials
Brass
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 Lighting
Materials
Tôle
French Vintage Directoire Steel Floor Lamp with Feather Shade
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Fantastic floor lamp having a sleek Directoire steel base on 3 elegant legs and a handmade one of a kind shade dreamily adorned with authentic brown a...
Category
1910s French Vintage Directoire Lighting
Materials
Steel
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 Lighting
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Directoire Style Green Tole and Gilt Lyre Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
French Directoire (20th Century) style green tole and gilt trimmed 4 arm chandelier with shades and lyre top.
Category
20th Century French Directoire Lighting
Materials
Tôle
French 19th Century Green Painted Metal And Brass Table Lamp For Candlestick
Located in Copenhagen, K
French 19th Century Green Painted Metal And Brass Table Lamp With Candle Holder
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Maison Jansen, Pair of Directoire Style Wall Sconces Gilt and Silver Brass 1970s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Maison Jansen, in the taste of.
Pair of Directoire style gilt and silver brass wall sconces with four arm lights. Chandelle shaft topped by an ancient covered vase and finished by...
Category
1970s European Vintage Directoire Lighting
Materials
Brass
French Directoire Style Tole and Gilt Lyre Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
French Directoire-Style (20th Century) mustard tole and gilt trimmed 4 arm chandelier with lyre top and shades.
Category
20th Century French Directoire Lighting
Late 18th Century French Metal Lamp
By Maison de L'Aluminium
Located in Copenhagen, K
Converted oil lamp from "Maison de Laluminium" in Paris. Very nice ornamented bronze, brass and metal lamp.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Lighting
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Metal
Mid-19th Century Bouliotte Lamp, Three Socket Candle Cluster and Tole Shade
Located in San Francisco, CA
Mid-19th century French bouliotte lamp. Painted tole shade. Excellent scale and design, circa 1840-1860 in the Directoire style
The open work basket form base was used to retain the...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Directoire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Tin
Pair of Directoire-Style Bronze Two Light Applique
Located in Vista, CA
Pair of Directoire-style two light appligues, each backplate molded with a bowknot and tassels.
Category
20th Century European Directoire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Three-Light Russian Neoclassical Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Spectacular Russian gilt and patinated bronze three-light chandelier ornamented with arrows, laurel wreaths, anthemion crown, and flame finial; the three candle cups sit atop the gilt bronze arrows.
Category
Late 18th Century Russian Antique Directoire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Early 19th Century Directoire Four-Light Sconces
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Superb Pair of Directoire Sconces, Early 19th century.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Directoire Sconces
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Beautiful Pair of French Directoire Sconces, they are in metal, painted dark green with bronze and prisms. Early 20th Century. Provenance : P...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Metal
French Directoire Style Iron and Crystal Chandelier with Blue Crystal Feathers
Located in Dallas, TX
A French Directoire style iron and crystal chandelier with blue feather shaped crystals. This chandelier is very decorative and a nice scale.
Category
20th Century French Directoire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Iron
Bronze Dore and Cobalt Chandelier
Located in Stamford, CT
A doré bronze and cobalt chandelier with a three-feather, circular design in the Russian or Directoire style.
Category
Late 20th Century European Directoire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French 19th Century Tole Wall Jardinieres Wired as Wall Sconces
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of French 19th century painted and parcel-gilt tole wall jardinieres wired as wall sconces.
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Lighting
Materials
Tôle
Pair of Directoire Lion Mask Sconces of Bronze
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Very fine pair of sconces, of gilt bronze and partial painted finish, each concave hexagonal backplate divided by a vertical arrow, and centered by a lion mask, its teeth holding two...
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Large Pair of French Gilt Dore Bronze Figural Bow Top Four-Light Wall Sconces
Located in Roslyn, NY
A palatial pair of French doré bronze four-light bow top and tassle wall sconces, newly wired.
Category
19th Century French Antique Directoire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French chandelier made around year 1800
Located in Stockholm, SE
A high quality Directoire chandelier. All arms, candleholders and central stem are cast in bronze and then gilt. The quality of the craftsmanship is of the highest level. The crystal...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Directoire Style Antico Verde Marble and Gilt Bronze Table Lamps
Located in Essex, MA
With good quality shades. With single socket and tapered urn with handles and lion masks. Square base with bronze toupie feet. These are very good quality. Great condition.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Directoire lighting for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Directoire lighting 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 lighting created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Directoire lighting 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 lighting, popular names associated with this style include Gherardo Degli Albizzi, Maison de L'Aluminium, and Philippe Barbier. 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 lighting differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $431 and tops out at $61,889 while the average work can sell for $3,850.
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