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.
Important 17th Century French Giltwood Military Trophy Frame
Located in PARIS, FR
Important Louis XIII giltwood military trophy frame France, 17th century Dimensions : interior (sight): h. 116 cm, w. 90 cm exterior : h. 185 cm, w. 120 cm (72.83 x 47.24 in) Sold w...
Giltwood
$334Sale Price|20% Off
Jacques Callot "La Dame en deuil" Engraving 17th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
This engraving is part of a series of 12 plates called "La Noblesse" ("Nobility"). Numbered 5, it was published with the 11 others between 1620 and 1623. It depicts a lady wearing a ...
Paper
$501Sale Price / set|20% Off
Jacques Callot - Set of 2 Engravings : "Les Gueux" - 17th Century - France
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
These engravings are part of a series of 25 prints called "les gueux" or "les mendiants", "les barons", "les barons". Numbered 12 and 16, they were published with the 23 others betwe...
Paper
$566Sale Price|25% Off
H 13.39 in W 8.75 in D 0 in
Rare Anatomy Engraving – Skeleton and Flayed Figure, Blome, 17th Century
Located in Langweer, NL
Anatomy Display – Antique Engraving by Michael Vandergucht, 1686 This fascinating late 17th-century engraving depicts an anatomy display, showing a skeleton, an écorché (a flayed fi...
Paper
Early 19th Century French Giltwood Frame
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Early 19th century French giltwood frame. The inside dimensions 39.25 x 31.25
Giltwood
Italian 17th Century Carved And Gilded Rectangular Shape Frame
Located in Milano, MI
Bolognese Italian Carved And Gilded Antique Cornice from 1600 in good condition. Rectangular in shape, it is suitable for a painting or for framing a mirror. The frame is been re-dy...
Gold Leaf
18th Century French Giltwood Frame
Located in Roma, IT
Important, beautiful gilded and carved wooden frame with typical 18th century French motifs Excellent condition Internal dimensions cm 20.8 x 26.8 This artwork, never before on the...
Wood
Frame. Ebonized wood, metal. Dutch School, 17th century.
Located in Madrid, ES
Frame. Ebonized wood, metal. Dutch School, 17th century. It has faults. Slightly rectangular frame made of ebonized wood and decorated with a series of smooth moldings of varying w...
Other
$9,062
H 35.83 in W 30.71 in D 2.37 in
17th Century Dutch Flame Moulding Frame Ebonized Old Master Style
Located in Epfach, DE
17th Century Dutch Flame Moulding Frame Ebonized Old Master Style A particularly fine and original Flammleisten (flame-moulding) frame, Netherlands, 17th century, a distinguished ex...
Wood
Baroque giltwood picture/painting frame - 17th century
Located in Lommel, BE
An impressive and richly carved giltwood frame executed in the Baroque style, dating from the 17th century. The frame features exuberant scrolling acanthus leaves, volutes, and carto...
Giltwood
$11,284 / set
H 20.5 in W 15 in D 2 in
"Set of 9, 18th Century Italian Engravings, Features Female Statues, Framed"
By Giovanni Domenico Campiglia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These Beautiful Italian 18th Century Black & White Engravings on Laid Paper Feature the Portrait of Female Statues, these pieces have been professionally Framed using all new Mat...
Paper, Textile, Linen, Wood, Paint
19th Century Italian Giltwood Florentine Frame
Located in Dallas, TX
Very fine 19th century Italian carved and giltwood frame. Makes an elegant statement! Circa 1850. 36w x 41 h
Giltwood
19th Century Italian Carved and Giltwood Frame
Located in Dallas, TX
Elegant 19th century Italian carved and giltwood Florentine style frame. Would be great for A mirror. Gorgeous!! Circa 1850. 30 x 35
Giltwood
Arabian Style Frame in Giltwood, 20th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Frame in giltwood adorned with Arabian decor. It’s divided into two strips with vegetal scrolls separated by moldings. The superior strip is framed by two friezes of beads. Eight car...
Wood
$6,000
H 23.63 in W 20.48 in D 1.38 in
Antique Rare Italian Gold Gilded Hand-Carved Frame Early 17th Century
Located in Doha, QA
A truly magnificent Italian Renaissance gold gilded hand carved frame. Amazing craftsmanship and a very good condition for its age. Painting which fits inside (painting opening), di...
Giltwood
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H 2.37 in W 3.15 in D 0.4 in
Jacques Callot "The Gun Exercises: Pointing" Engraving, 17th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
This engraving is part of a series of 13 made by Jacques Callot. It is number 11 and is called "Exercise de canon: le pointage". It is a 2nd state (presence of a number in the lower ...
Paper
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H 7.88 in W 10.24 in D 0.4 in
Jacques Callot "Les Caprices Trousers Looking at Each Other Engraving
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
This engraving is part of a series of 50 etchings. It consists of 48 caprices, a frontispiece and a dedication to Lorenzo de' Medici, brother of Cosimo II de' Medici. It is a first s...
Paper
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H 12.8 in W 19.69 in D 1.19 in
Jacques Callot "The Two Views Of Paris, 2, Pont Neuf" Engraving, 17th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
This engraving is part of a series of two engravings drawn during Jacques Callot's stay in Paris in 1628-1630. size : 13.4 x 10.23 inches 19.7 x 12.6inches with frame signed: Cal...
Paper