Directory Style Walnut and Leather Chairs, France, 1900s, Set of 6

Exquisite set of 6 Directory style chairs, made during the first decade of the 20th century in France, in walnut wood and with the seat upholstered in black leather. Simple structure, in richly carved wood. The backrest shows an elegant backward curve, characteristic of the style to which it belongs. As for the legs, the rear ones are thin, square in section and curved, following the curve of the backrest and imitating the chairs in Greek frescoes. The front ones are straight, with a slightly conical shape, called “old-fashioned”. On the backrest there appears a large lying rhombus with a circle inscribed in the center. This rhombus motif reappears at the intersection between the seat and the front legs, known as “losange”, an ornamental motif that was used profusely in that style.

A very special set of chairs, perfect to complete a dining table, a living room… with an elegant, classic and timeless style.

The Directory style

The Directory style is a style of furniture and decoration that developed in France during the period in which The Directory was in force (1795-1799) and marks the transition between the Louis XVI and Empire styles. It is a style of neoclassical inspiration, characterized by the simplicity of its lines, inspired by Roman objects from the 1st century AD. C., from the excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum. This resurgence of classicist taste was latent in painting, furniture and fashion, especially in women’s clothing.

However, this brief period of four years did not allow us to see too many changes, but the Directory style is applied, in general, to the entire period between the Louis XVI style and the definitive establishment of the Empire, in 1804. The moderate classicism of the Louis XVI, but introduced new and more extreme classical motifs. Pompeii provided the necessary repertoire of drawings, both Roman and Greek. Strictly speaking, the Directory style tends more towards Greek art, while the later Consulate style (1799-1804) is characterized by being especially inspired by Egyptian art, influenced by the French expedition to Egypt and Syria led by Napoleon (1798-1801). ).

Mahogany or chestnut wood was preferred for furniture. Straight lines always predominate. As for ornamentation, the favorite motifs were palmettes, the lozenge (a variant of the rhombus) and, in general, themes of classical or Egyptian inspiration, in addition to the symbols of the French Revolution, such as the Phrygian cap and banners.

Style: Directory style
Materials: walnut wood and black leather upholstered seat
Period: 1910s
Country of origin: France
Good condition according to its age and use
Overall dimensions: 90 x 45 x 42 cm.
Seat height: 44 cm.