Antique Louis XIII furniture is not as lavish as that of his son Louis XIV, who transformed his father’s modest Versailles hunting lodge into a sumptuous palace. Yet the imposing forms of its chairs, dressers, tables and other pieces express grandeur and luxury.
When Henry IV was assassinated in the streets of Paris in 1610, his young son became the king of France. With Louis XIII too young to rule, the widowed Marie de' Medici — a native of Italy and member of the prominent House of Medici — became regent, instilling an Italian influence in the decorative arts. Even after Louis XIII exiled his mother and took power in 1617, this aesthetic informed his court style. As did the consolidation of power, established with his chief minister, Cardinal Richelieu, through his death in 1643.
From sturdy chests and tall cupboards to colossal four-poster beds, almost every piece of Louis XIII furniture was heavily carved or turned from dark-toned wood. Motifs of the period included scrollwork, foliage, fruits, grotesque masks and other images of abundance, often inlaid in marquetry of wood or tortoiseshell. Ornamental scenes, sometimes carved on cabinet panels and other pieces from rare ebony, oak or walnut, were borrowed from engravings by northern European masters like Peter Paul Rubens. Engravings also spread the Louis XIII style during the 17th century, particularly by printmaker Abraham Bosse, who depicted the popular Louis XIII chairs designed with upholstered seats and low, wide backs.
The lofty profiles of the French furniture complemented the architecture under the reign of Louis XIII, such as the Palais du Luxembourg by chief architect Salomon de Brosse and architect Jacques Lemercier’s chapel at the Sorbonne, which showcased the influence of Italian Baroque.
Find a collection of antique Louis XIII armchairs, storage cabinets, decorative objects and other items on 1stDibs.
17th century Louis XIII Style Vintage French Limestone Fireplace Surround
Located in Beervelde, BE
A small Louis XIII period French rustic limestone fireplace surround. The original remains of the patina could be removed more however we consider it gives more depth to the mantle....
Stone, Limestone
Hand-Carved French Antique Limestone Fireplace, Louis XIII Style
Located in Beervelde, BE
Sensational French antique fireplace surround for the connoisseur. Late 16th - early 17th century period chateau fireplace surround in great authent...
Limestone
$12,916Sale Price|20% Off
Antique French Fireplace
Located in Made, NL
Beautiful antique fireplace made of French limestone from the 19th century in the style of Louis XIII. This French antique fireplace mantle has a wide front section with beautiful o...
Limestone
$24,000Sale Price|20% Off
17th Century Large Mantle Louis XIII Chateau Hand Carved Stone Antique Fireplace
Located in West Hollywood, CA
17th Century Large Mantle Louis XIII Chateau Hand Carved Stone Antique Fireplace. Rare and unique French antique castle fireplace King Louis XIII period Limestone Chimney , Regal Ch...
Stone, Limestone
Antique fireplace of Fleur de Peche marble, 19th century, Louis XIII style
Located in Made, NL
Beautiful, authentic Louis XIII style mantelpiece, made from the rare Fleur de Pêche marble. This elegant mantelpiece dates back to the early 19th century and has been carefully pres...
Marble
$11,856Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Fireplace Mantel from the 19th century of french limestone
Located in Made, NL
Beautiful robust castle mantelpiece made of French limestone. This antique mantle dates from the 19th century and is in the style of Louis XIII with a beautiful ornament in the middl...
Limestone
Rustic French Louis XIII Style Fireplace in Lincolnshire Stone
Located in London, GB
A French Louis XIII style limestone fireplace, with heavy architectural inner moulding, with shaped scalloped frieze, surmounted by moulded shelf in three pieces. A rustic piece. N....
Limestone
Fireback Dated 1626 Representing a Cruciferous Orb Framed by Two Angels
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Dated 1626 during the reign of the king Louis XIII, this beautiful fireback shows a crossed globe supported by 2angles.
Iron
17th century Italian Fireplace Surround - Porphyry-Like Stone - Bolection Mantel
Located in Beervelde, BE
This is an unique antique fireplace surround in deep colored hardstone with diamond points on the front. It is from the 17th century and per...
Stone
Lime Washed 17th Century Timeless French Stone Fireplace Surround
Located in Beervelde, BE
Lime washed 17th century French limestone fireplace. The simplicity of this farmhouse fireplace mantle works in different decor styles. Measures:...
Stone, Limestone
17th Century Small French Rustic Limestone Antique Fireplace Surround
Located in Beervelde, BE
This is a very unusual fireplace surround in French hard limestone. This mantle boasts very fine detail and its original patina. It is composed of th...
Limestone
Hand-Carved Grand French Limestone Fireplace, Louis XIII Style
Located in Beervelde, BE
French Abbey grand limestone fireplace. Remarkable extra heavy 17th century fireplace surround in great condition. The center shows a fortified castle with the monogram IHS in the ...
Stone, Limestone
Monumental Antique French Louis XIII Limestone Fireplace Mantel – Grand Scale
Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland
An exceptional and monumental antique French Louis XIII fireplace mantel, masterfully hand-carved from solid limestone and dating to the late 18th century. This rare architectural pi...
Limestone
French Cast Iron Fire Back with Flanking Lions & Rooster Coat of Arms, C. 1600
Located in Charleston, SC
French cast iron fire back with flanking cornucopias, flanking lions, central sun god, foliage filigree, and central rooster coat of arms, S...
Iron
17th Century Large Mantle Louis XIII Chateau Hand Carved Stone Antique Fireplace
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Extremely Rare 17th Century Louis XIII Chateau Fireplace, 1610-1643 Rare and unique French antique castle fireplace Louis XIII period Limestone Chimney with a magnificent Trumeau T...
Stone, Limestone
$14,500
H 50 in W 65.38 in D 15.88 in
French 19th-20th Century Louis XVI Style Veined Grey Marble Fireplace Mantel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French 19th-20th century Louis XVI style veined grey and white marble fireplace mantel surround, surmounted with a pair of cylindrical marble columns and an edged frieze, Pari...
Marble
19th Century Rouge de Mazy Marble Louis XV Fireplace Mantel
Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland
19th century Rouge de Mazy marble Louis XV fireplace mantel. Interior dimensions: Height: 34,65 in (88 cm) Width: 39,76 in (101 cm)
Marble
$13,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 43.75 in W 55.5 in D 11.25 in
Hand Carved Stone Limestone Simple Rustic Fireplace Mantle Surround Antiques CA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Hand Carved Stone Limestone Simple Rustic Fireplace Mantle Surround Antiques CA. A nicely Hand finished carved simple white and off white limestone fireplace mantel (fireplace) surro...
Stone, Limestone
Gothic Style Limestone Fireplace
Located in London, GB
A carved limestone fireplace in the English Gothic style. The diamond shaped frieze with shields and Tudor roses with moulded jambs. Moulded shelf above. A copy of an earlier piece. ...
Limestone
Antique Marble Fireplace mantle, 19th century, Louis XV
Located in Made, NL
Very nice and exclusive marble fireplace in the style of Louis XV. The kind of marble is Griotte Rouge from Belgium.
Marble
19th Century French Fireplace Mantel in Breche Violette Marble
Located in London, GB
A petite 19th century French fireplace in Breche Violette. The shaped, panelled jambs surmounted by scrollwork, the panelled frieze surmounted by shaped, moulded shelf. Very fine qua...
Marble
$4,258Sale Price|20% Off
H 43.71 in W 55.52 in D 15.75 in
Antique White Carrara Marble Fireplace Mantle Complete, 19th Century, Italy
Located in Cuneo, Italy (CN)
Antique fireplace in white Carrara marble, sculpted with a simple geometric shape but of great elegance as it was used at the time, built completely by hand in the mid-19th century for a palace in Italy (precisely Liguria) complete with original marble threshold (Black cast iron chest...
Carrara Marble
$7,333
H 38.98 in W 49.61 in D 13 in
19th Century French Country Hard Limestone Antique Fireplace Surround
Located in Beervelde, BE
Fine and small Louis Philippe fireplace surround from the Beaune region in France. Its jambs are unique and bear a very special and distinct carvi...
Stone
$3,200Sale Price|21% Off
H 46.86 in W 49.61 in D 13 in
19th Century Antique French Limestone Fireplace Mantel
Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland
Very warm colored French Corton limestone fireplace. Interior dimensions: Height: 41,7 in (106 cm) Width: 40,9 in (104 cm)
Limestone
Antique French Limestone Fireplace Mantel
Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland
Nice French Campagnard style fireplace mantel in lovely limestone. This gem comes from central France, burgundy area. Its perfect size make it possible to install this mantel in almo...
Limestone
$23,982
H 44.89 in W 65.36 in D 11.82 in
19th Century Fine European Grey Marble Antique Fireplace Surround
Located in Beervelde, BE
A finely carved original Belgian Gris d’Ardenne marble. Identical at one of the museum pieces of the design house in the Belgian historical city of Ghent. It is a Regency style, earl...
Marble
Unique 17th Century Baroque Dutch Fireplace
Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland
Large and amazing Baroque Dutch mantelpiece from the 17th century. Very well decorated limewood frieze displays an array of beautiful water plants, sup...
Marble, Iron
Antique Fireplace from the 19th century of french limestone
Located in Made, NL
Beautiful imposing antique mantelpiece from the 19th century! This fireplace is very impressive due to its large size and the authenticity that this mantel radiates. In the middle of...
Limestone
Sold
H 77.17 in W 81.11 in D 34.26 in
Antique Fireplace Mantel from the 17th century of french limestone
Located in Made, NL
Very beautiful antique castle mantelpiece from the 17th century in the style of Louis XIII! This robust fireplace has a wide front section without ornaments and beautiful curved legs...
Limestone
Sold
H 76.38 in W 79.14 in D 31.11 in
Antique Fireplace Mantel from the 19th century of french limestone
Located in Made, NL
Beautiful antique castle mantelpiece made of French limestone from the 19th century! This beautiful fireplace has a wide top with slightly curved legs. A rustic mantle...
Limestone
Antique Fireplace Mantel
Located in Made, NL
Very impressive antique castle mantelpiece made of French limestone from the 19th century! A beautiful robust fireplace with a warm color scheme and beautiful ornaments in the front ...
Limestone
Antique Fireplace Mantel
Located in Made, NL
Beautiful robust antique mantelpiece made of French limestone from the 18th century in the style of Louis XIII. This antique French fireplace has a beautiful wide front section and c...
Limestone
Antique Fireplace Mantel
Located in Made, NL
This antique castle mantelpiece made of French limestone dates from the 18th century and is in the style of Louis XIII. An imposing fireplace with a wide front section and slightly c...
Limestone
Antique Fireplace
Located in Made, NL
Beautiful imposing castle mantelpiece made of French limestone! A very robust antique fireplace from the 18th century with a wide front section and slender legs. This fireplace is bo...
Limestone
Antique French Fireplace
Located in Made, NL
"Transport Your Space to the 18th Century Countryside of France: Discover Our Magnificent Antique Limestone Fireplace. Embrace the timeless charm of rural France with our stunning 18...
Limestone
Sold
H 68.9 in W 73.23 in D 34.26 in
19th Century Fireplace of french limestone in style of Louis XIII
Located in Made, NL
Very impressive castle mantelpiece made of French limestone from the 19th century in style of Louis XIII. This antique mantel has a beautiful wide front section, making the mantelpie...
Limestone
Sold
H 70.08 in W 84.26 in D 38.98 in
19th Century Fireplace in Style of Louis XIII of French Limestone
Located in Made, NL
Beautiful antique castle fireplace of French limestone in the style of Louis XIII. This robust fireplace is impressive in size and has an authentic look. The beautiful lines in combi...
Limestone
Sold
H 79.93 in W 88.98 in D 30.32 in
19th Century Fireplace in Style of Louis XIII of French Limestone
Located in Made, NL
Beautiful robust castle fireplace of French limestone in style of Louis XIII. This stately mantle surround has a wide front section, beautiful lines and half-bent legs. The warm colo...
Limestone
Sold
H 74.81 in W 88.19 in D 33.08 in
19th Century Fireplace in Style of Louis XIII of French Limestone
Located in Made, NL
Beautiful antique castle fireplace of French limestone from the 19th century in the style of Louis XIII. This mantle has a wide front section and a beautiful frame with lines. The le...
Limestone