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Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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
Superb Decorative Crafts Italian-made Flame Mahogany Directoire Demilune Commode
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superb Decorative Crafts Italian-made flame mahogany bronze and brass adorned demilune Louis XVI or Directoire commode. The quality is breathtaking and this is a in good co...
Category

1990s Italian Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Fine Quality 19th Century Bronze Mounted Directoire Jansen Style Marble Commode
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a spectacular Maison Jansen style French-made Directoire commode in very good condition with its original finish and superbly cast bronze mounts. The commode has a gorgeous s...
Category

1880s French Antique Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Directoire French Antique Chest of Drawers
Located in Austin, TX
Petite chest of drawers from France in the Directoire style. This piece is made of solid wood construction, primarily mahogany. It has been ebonized and finished with a lustrous Fren...
Category

1910s French Vintage Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

French Paint Decorated Directoire Petite Commode Jewelry Chest by Lewis Mittman
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Lewis Mittman 3-drawer petite commode with a distressed finish and ebonized accents.
Category

20th Century American Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Pair of French Directoire Chest of Drawers / Side Tables
Located in Westport, CT
A beautiful pair of Directoire chests in solid walnut and comprised of three drawers with brass angular handles and shield-shaped escutcheons,...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Signed Maison Jansen Directoire Bronze Mounted 3 Drawer Mahogany Commode
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic, entirely original, stamped Maison Jansen commode in very good condition for its age. This 1940-50s era features gorgeous bronze ormolu and a beautiful slab of va...
Category

1940s French Vintage Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Vintage French Ebonized Marble-Top Commode in the Directoire Manner
Located in New York, NY
Vintage French ebonized marble-top commode in the Directoire manner.
Category

20th Century French Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Large Italian Bureau 18th Century Inlayed Walnut Chest of Drawers with Flap
Located in Milano, MI
An Italian monumental sized bureau with flap dating back to the second half of 18th century. Three deep drawers and a fall-front opening to reveal a fitted interior with six small dr...
Category

1770s Italian Antique Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cherry, Maple, Walnut

Signed Maison Jansen Mahogany Louis XVI Directoire Marble Top Commode Dresser
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic signed Maison Jansen 9 drawer marble top dresser or commode. The piece features superb cast bronze and brass ormolu and a white carara marble top. The mahogany ca...
Category

1950s French Vintage Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Brass

Directoire Commode In Mahogany With A Grey Marble Top
Located in London, GB
A French mahogany, three drawer Directoire commode, with brass mounts and inlay and a shaped variegated pale grey marble top.
Category

1790s French Antique Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze

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 Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of Neoclassical Demilune Commodes
Located in Greenwich, CT
A very fine pair of early 19th Century Northern European neoclassical demilune commodes, the original shaped marble tops over two brass molded door...
Category

Early 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

French Directoire Style 4-Drawer Chest in Solid Cherry Wood - Commodinette
Located in Landivy, FR
This 4-drawer chest is a handmade reproduction of the French Directoire style at the end of the 18th century. It is offered in solid French cherry and is also available in oak. The...
Category

2010s French Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Late 18th Century French Directoire Commode
Located in Charlottesville, VA
One of the prettiest commodes we have had. Beautiful walnut with burl panels
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Theodore Alexander English Style Demilune Commode Chest of Drawers
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 36 in W: 54 in D: 24 in Elevate your interior with the timeless elegance of this Theodore Alexander English Style Commode or Chest of Drawers—a luxurious blend of classic design, superior craftsmanship, and practical storage. Expertly handcrafted, this exquisite piece reflects the rich heritage of English furniture, making it a standout addition to any traditional, transitional, or vintage-inspired space. This heirloom-quality commode features a single upper drawer, ideal for storing smaller essentials such as keys, cutlery, or accessories. Below, three doored storage compartments offer generous space for organizing larger items like linens, books, or household necessities—perfect for enhancing organization in your living room, dining room, bedroom, or entryway. The piece is adorned with solid brass hardware, elegantly aged for an authentic antique look. The brass pulls and hinges not only add a refined touch but also ensure long-lasting durability and smooth functionality. Adding to its unique versatility, the commode includes convenient side pullout trays—perfect for use as additional serving space, a writing surface, or for displaying décor when needed. These trays slide neatly back into the body of the chest, preserving its sleek, classic silhouette when not in use. Crafted from the finest materials and finished in a hand-rubbed wood tone that highlights its natural grain, this Theodore Alexander chest...
Category

Late 20th Century Philippine Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Neoclassical Fruitwood Directoire Chest of Drawers
Located in Hopewell, NJ
An exquisite, early 19th century Louis XVI two drawer Neoclassical commode in the Directoire style. The chest is adorned with original lion head pulls on each of the drawers, along w...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Directoire-Style Commode with Marble Top
Located in New York, NY
Directoire- style commode with marble top on tapered legs.
Category

20th Century French Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Carrara Marble

Fine Quality 6 Drawer French Brass Bound Marble Top Louis XVI Tall Dresser
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superb Maison Jansen style Directoire semanier which usually has seven drawers but this has six. each drawer is painstakingly trimmed in brass and the top features a fine q...
Category

1920s French Vintage Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Carrara Marble, Brass

19th Century French Ebonised Three Drawer Commode
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A Louis XV ebonised, three drawer commode. With marble top and brass gallery. France, Circa 1850.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Brass

French Directoire Style 19th Century Walnut Commode with Grey Marble Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Directoire style walnut commode from the 19th century, with three drawers, grey marble top, brass accents and fluted posts. Created in France during the 19th century, this w...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Brass

Elegant Country Directoire Commode
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine French walnut, ebonized fruitwood and brass-mounted neoclassical commode, the simple top over three drawers, having elegant hip molding between the first and second, all with eb...
Category

1790s French Antique Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

French Directoire Louis XVI Demilune Shape Marble Top Marble Top Console Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your delive...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Carrara Marble, Brass

French Directoire style 4 Drawer Chest in cherry and a white-cream finish
Located in Landivy, FR
This 4 drawer chest is a handmade reproduction of the French Directoire style at the end of the 18th century. This period is remarkable for its straight, classical and timeless lines...
Category

2010s French Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

French Directoire Style 4-drawer Chest - Commode in solid oak
Located in Landivy, FR
This chest of drawers is part of the DIRECTOIRE collection, based on the world-renowned DIRECTOIRE style of the late 18th century in France. This range is characterized by straight, ...
Category

2010s French Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair Ebonized Directoire Style Maison Jansen Style Marble Top Gilded Commodes
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous pair of ebonized Louis XVI or Directoire commodes. Perfect for a foyer, a dining room, even a living room. The commodes are designed in the Maison Jansen style and...
Category

1990s Unknown Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Brass

French Directoire style handcrafted 6-Drawer Chiffonier in solid cherry wood
Located in Landivy, FR
This Chiffonnier 6-drawer chest is a free hand crafted and modernized interpretation of the French Directoire style at the end of the 18th century. This period style is remarkable wi...
Category

2010s French Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Cherry, Oak

Late 18th Century French Directoire Chest
Located in Bradenton, FL
Late 18th century French Directoire or Louis XVI Chest. Three drawers across top, two large drawers under, for a total of five drawers. inset brass fluted columns ,the sides ...
Category

18th Century French Antique Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

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 Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Ebonized Mahogany Directoire Style Nightstand
Located in Chicago, IL
Custom-made in our Old Plank workshop, this authentic French Directoire style nightstand can be produced in any size or finish. Note the or...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century French Directoire Black Lacquered Chest with Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
This item is a gorgeous 19th Century French Directoire Black Lacquered Chest with Marble. The chest showcases a French style with a black color and a marble top, adding elegance and ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Custom Black Lacquer Commodes or Chests Gunmetal Hardware in Any Dimension
Located in Chicago, IL
Handmade Classic style chest of drawers or commodes with gunmetal hardware. These dressers are handmade to the highest standards in the Old Plank workshop and can be customized in size, finish and hardware. The finish on this particular pair is black lacquer. Price listed is for the pair of commodes...
Category

2010s American Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Nickel

Directoire Mahogany And Brass Mounted Commode
Located in Essex, MA
With a rectangular white marble top with rounded corners over a conforming case with three smaller top drawers over two long drawers each with brass moldings...
Category

1790s French Antique Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Brass

Pair of French Provencal Directoire Style Commodes
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
Stylish pair of 1950's Italian fruitwood chests made in the French Provencal Directoire style. Nice clean construction, hand printed paper lined drawers highly detailed cast hardware...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Fruitwood

White Marble Top Mahogany Maison Jansen Style Directoire Commode
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your delive...
Category

1940s European Vintage Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Carrara Marble

French 1900s Directoire Style Walnut Three-Drawer Commode with Banding
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Directoire style walnut commode from the early 20th century, with three drawers, banding and tapered legs. Born in France during the early years of the 20th century, this Di...
Category

Early 20th Century French Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Antique French Burl Elmwood Consulat Style Commode, Circa 1880
Located in Dallas, TX
The Consulat style is a subset of the Directoire period, coinciding with the initial consolidation of power by Napoleon Bonaparte (roughly 1799-1804). Both historically and culturall...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal

Directoire Style Ebonized Chest of Drawers
Located in Austin, TX
Chest of drawers, French, made of mahogany that has been ebonized and finished with a lustrous French polish. This piece has three dovetailed drawers and gilt brass handles. The clea...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

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 Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

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 Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

18th-century Direttorio dresser from Vicenza in walnut and cherry inlays
By A. Manzoni
Located in Villa Verucchio, Emilia-Romagna
18th-century Direttorio dresser from Vicenza in walnut and cherry inlays The 18th-century Direttorio Dresser from Vicenza represents a precious example of antique craftsmanship, expe...
Category

1780s Italian Antique Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Cherry, Nutwood

19th Century French Directoire Commode or Chest of Drawers
Located in Winter Park, FL
An early 19th Century French Directoire Period commode made of solid cherry wood with yellow pine as a secondary wood. Unusual form with serpentine sides. Rounded fluted front corner...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Chests of Drawers Walnut & Tulipwood, Bespoke
Located in Uppingham, GB
Two Drawer Chest of Drawers. Modern design two drawer chest with simple lines, matching 'Stripey' Walnut Grained tops, Two finely Beaded drawers resting on slender tapering legs. Mad...
Category

2010s British Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Tulipwood, Walnut

19th Century French Directoire Style Stripped Chiffoniere
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Directoire Style Chiffoniere was crafted from solid sycamore, and features a lovely soft visual effect thanks to our proprietary stripping process. With six full ...
Category

1870s French Antique Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Directoire Style Blood Tomato Red Lacquer Super Heavy Solid Brass Pulls Dresser
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 Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

A French Directoire Gilt Bronze Mounted Commode with Marble Top, 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A French Directoire Gilt Bronze Mounted Parquetry Commode With Marble Top, 19th Century Provenance: Private Australian Collection Acquired in 1...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French Consulat Mahogany Period Commode with Paw Feet and Fossil Marble Top
Located in Pembroke, MA
French Consulat period mahogany commode with three-drawers, ebonized griffin feet and pilasters, and black fossil marble top. Gilt bronze escutcheons i...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Directoire Fruitwood Commode
Located in Essex, MA
With original bowed St Anne marble top over two conforming drawers with round brass handles, lower conforming shelf and ending on turned feet. From the estate of William Hodgins...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Fruitwood

French Directoire Two-Drawer Walnut Commode with Banded Inlay from Provence
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Provençale Directoire period two-drawer commode with banded inlay from the late 18th century. This French two-drawer commode was born in the mid-1790s, in the Provence regio...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Early 19th Century French Three Drawer Commode
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
An elegant French commode, called a "Sauteuse" because of it's shapely, long legs ready to spring forth! Original ebonised finish with decorative brass drawer handles and escutcheons...
Category

19th Century French Antique Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

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 Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cherry

Fantastic Baker Furniture Company Directore Jansen Style Mahogany Brass Commode
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous Baker 1950s commode with the styling of Maison Jansen is absolutely quintessential Baker of the 1950s and is in good vintage condition. The brass ormolu and beauti...
Category

1950s American Vintage Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

French Directoire Style Light Blue Painted Marble Top Dresser Semanie
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your delive...
Category

1960s Unknown Vintage Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Carrara Marble

Grande Bureau Italiano in Noce Con Cassetti e Abattant 1750 Circa
Located in Milano, MI
Ribalta Antica Italiana della metà del secolo XVIII di origine trentina, la regione a nord vicina all' Austria. Lastronata in legno di noce, decorato con filettature geometriche in ...
Category

Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cherry, Maple, Walnut

French Directoire Heavily Brass Inlaid Ebonized Commode Circa 1940 Jansen
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your delive...
Category

1940s French Vintage Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

French Directoire style 6-drawer handcrafted chiffonier in solid cherry wood
Located in Landivy, FR
This Chiffonier's design is in a French Countryside style, also called "Campagne chic". This storage furniture features 2 white cream, 2 basalt grey lacquered drawers and two smoked...
Category

2010s French Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Cherry, Oak

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 Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Directoire Style Handcrafted Customizable 4-Drawer Chest in Solid Wood
Located in Landivy, FR
This 4 drawer chest is a handmade reproduction of the French Directoire style at the end of the 18th century. This period is remarkable for its straight, classical and timeless lines...
Category

2010s French Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair Directoire Bronze Mounted Figural Marble Top Kingwood Nightstands Commodes
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your delive...
Category

1940s French Vintage Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Directoire commodes and chests of drawers for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Directoire commodes and chests of drawers 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 commodes and chests of drawers created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, tables, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Directoire commodes and chests of drawers 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 commodes and chests of drawers, popular names associated with this style include Maison Jansen, Baker Furniture Company, Henredon, and Lewis Mittman. 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 commodes and chests of drawers differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,036 and tops out at $32,000 while the average work can sell for $5,800.

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