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 Pair of Candlesticks, Italy
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant pair of bronze candlesticks from the end of the 17th century from Italy Beautiful turning and fine quality little difference of the pikes (see pictures) Delivery in Belgiu...
Bronze
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
Pair 17th C. Candlesticks Candle Holder Light in Brass Antique Gift Object LA CA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Pair 17th C. Candlesticks Candle Holder Light in Brass Antique Gift Object LA CA . A very beautiful simple pair of 17th century Louis XIII Period candleholders Candlesticks in brass....
Brass
Large Pic Candle Or Verge Candlestick - Golden Wood With Leaf - Period: XIXth
Located in CRÉTEIL, FR
Large carved and gilded wooden candlestick, decorated with foliage, gadroons and acanthus leaves resting on a tripod base. This sumptuous piece has been restored in our workshops and...
Wood
Incised Pair of 17th Century Ottoman Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
Beautiful and rare museum quality pair of incised of 17th Century Ottoman bronze candlesticks. They are virtually identical to the one pictured on...
Bronze
$409 / set
H 8.86 in W 4.73 in D 4.73 in
Pair of candlesticks or candle holders. Bronze. 19th century.
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of candlesticks or candle holders. Bronze. 19th century. Pair of candlesticks made of bronze that have a polygonal base, stepped upwards and towards the center and enhanced with...
Bronze, Other
$795 / set
H 21.25 in W 7.25 in D 7.25 in
Pair of 19th Century French Brass "Holy Trinity" Candle-Holders or Pic-Cierges
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a console or a mantel with this elegant pair of antique candlesticks. Crafted in France circa 1880, each "Pic-Cierge" stands on scrolled feet over a triangular base with an ...
Brass
$1,800 / set
H 4 in Dm 3 in
Rare Pair of 16th / 17th Century Dwarf Brass Capstan Candlesticks, Netherlands
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Both of these rare & diminutive 'dwarf' brass capstan candlesticks, aka ‘Rokkandelaars’ (Dutch term meaning 'sconce skirt'), showing cylindrical & belted sockets with twin ej...
Brass
Large 19th Century Pic-Cierges, French
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Tall and elegant pair of repoussé copper baroque, Louis XV style pricket sticks.
Copper
Pair of Antique Continental Porcelain and Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Tarzana, CA
Pair of antique continental porcelain and bronze candlesticks. circa 1890. Height 9" width: 9". Height measured without the lighting fixture.
Unavailable|$899 / set
H 15 in Dm 5 in
Set of Antique Carved and Painted Wood Candle or 'Cricket' Sticks with Brass
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This set of four carved and painted 'cricket stick' styled candlesticks are unsigned but presumed to have been made in Eastern Europe in circa 1930 in a folk art style. The sticks ar...
Brass
Camino Small Candle Holder by Sebastián Angeles
Located in Geneve, CH
Camino candle holder by Sebastián Angeles Material: brass Dimensions: W 18 x D 30 x H 65 cm Also available: steel version available. The transcendence of decisionmaking and its cons...
Brass
French 17th Century Candlestick
Located in Round Top, TX
A very beautiful 17th century Bougeoire - Candlestick from the South of France. Beautifully crafted from hand forged iron. Terrific patina. A perfect table top accessory.
Iron
$600Sale Price / set|60% Off
H 11.82 in Dm 5.12 in
Two Large 18th C. French Polychromed Bois Doré or Gold Painted Wood Candlesticks
Located in Haarlem, NL
Beautiful old set of two large 18th century French polychromed candlesticks. Multiple layers of bois doré or gold paint were supposed to make the wood look very chique, and it did. ...
Wood
Pair of French 19th C. Hand Tooled Brass Candlesticks
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Pair of French 19th C. hand-tooled brass candlesticks. Size: 12" H x 5" diameter. Nice very heavy handcrafted and hammered with some designs. Great brass decorative art objects.
Brass
Antique 17th Century Dutch Brass Baluster Candlestick
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine 17th century Dutch brass candlestick. With elegant baluster turnings, a medial drip pan, and a hole for removing wax. A rare model and a Fine example for any collection!...
Brass
$895
H 7.63 in W 4.25 in D 4.25 in
Antique 18th Century George II English Brass Petal Base Single Candlestick
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique George II English candlestick. With a 8 lobed petal base, turned shaft, and integral bobeche. Simply a fine period candlestick! Dat...
Brass
$316Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 5.91 in W 3.94 in D 5.91 in
A Pair of Antique Candlestick Golden Candle Holder Brass Light for Home Decor
Located in Wembley, GB
So light up your home and the festival with this beauty! Candlestick The pair of candlesticks Keijser & Co, Westerås. Height 15 cm.
Metal, Sheet Metal, Bronze, Brass
On Hold|$3,895 / set
H 20.75 in Dm 6.75 in
Pair of Large English Candle Holders or Candlesticks of Brass
Located in Austin, TX
A fine pair of English altar candlesticks or mantlepiece candleholders of solid brass in the Gothic Revival style - each candleholder featuring a pierced crown of fleur-de-lis design...
Metal, Brass
Pair of French Cast Bronze Louis XIII Period Candlesticks, 17th century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Robustly cast with stepped bases baluster form bodies and large bobeches, retaining original iron prickets
Bronze
17th Century Pair of Candlesticks, Italy in Bronze Stamped FS
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant pair of bronze candlesticks from the end of the 17th century from Italy stamped FS Beautiful turning and fine quality beautiful patina Delivery in Belgium, US and abroad...
Bronze
Candlestick in Sculpted Wood from the 19th Century Repainted in 20th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Candlestick in sculpted wood from the 19th century repainted in the 20th century.
Wood
Sold
H 27.56 in Dm 7.09 in
Candle Stick in Sculpted Wood from the 19th Century Repainted in 20th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Candle stick in sculpted wood from the 19th century repainted in the 20th century.
Wood
Candle Stick in Sculpted Wood from the 19th Century Repainted in 20th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Candle stick in sculpted wood from the 19th century repainted in the 20th century.