Directoire and Empire

The antique simplicity of the Revolution and the splendour of the emperor, in mahogany and gilt bronze.

After the Revolution came the Directoire style, with simple antique forms. Under Napoleon, Percier and Fontaine created Empire, with symbols of the Roman Empire, and Jacob-Desmalter made the furniture.

Jacquard's loom, presented in 1801 and patented in 1804, transformed the silk weaving of Lyon. Industrialisation in France gathered pace after the Napoleonic period.