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.
$2,050 / set
Pair of 19th Century, French Iron Candelabra
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Pair of 19th century, French iron candelabra.
Iron
$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
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
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
$421 / 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
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.
17th Century French Bronze Candlestick
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Very sweet little French bronze candlestick dating from the 17th century. Measures: 15.5 cm high 8 x 8 cm base. Free shipping.
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century French Gilt Bronze 3-Light Candelabras
Located in Dallas, TX
The appeal of the Napoleon III style (sometimes referred to as the Second Empire) stems from the fact that art and furniture from the mid-1800s incorporated elements from previous Fr...
Metal, Bronze
$4,500
H 49 in Dm 13.5 in
Pair 17th Century Large Italian Baroque Gilded Carved Candlesticks Torcheres
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Pair 17th Century Large Italian Baroque Gilded Carved Candlesticks Torchieres Magnificent carved and gilded floor Torchieres, early Baroque from Tuscany, Northern Italy. Each is exq...
Wood
A pair of 19th century gilt bronze French candelabra
Located in Eindhoven, NL
A very pretty pair of gilt bronze French candelabra in the style of Louis XV. Each with two candle light. Decorated with foliate motifs and acanthus leaves.
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Bronze Neoclassical French Candelabra
Located in Palm Springs, CA
An exquisite pair of 19th Century Neo Classical French bronze candelabra. They each feature 5 candle holders and central female figure on top. All of the bobeches are present. The ch...
Bronze
17th Century Spanish Brass Candlestick, Free Shipping
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Beautiful 17th century Spanish brass candlestick. Not polished, nice patina Measures: 16 cm high, 12 cm wide, 12 cm deep.
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
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
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
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
Near Pair of Italian, Lombardia, Turned Walnut Ebonized Torcheres/Pedestals
Located in Atlanta, GA
Very similar in size and construction and likely made by the same craftsman and time in Northern region of Lombardy, Italy. the pedestal tops are round with molded edges and raised o...
Walnut
18th Century French Louis XIII Wrought Iron Three-Light Candelabra
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a mantel or a buffet with this elegant antique candelabra, crafted in southern France circa 1760, the forged piece stands on a three-leg pedestal and features three arms for...
Wrought Iron
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.