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
$511Sale 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
$341Sale 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
$577Sale 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
Framed 18th C. Swedish Botanical Engravings, Set of 4
Located in Atlanta, GA
A collection of four art pieces of Swedish 18th century ferns, displayed nicely within custom gold toned wooden frames. This set of framed wall decorat...
Glass, Wood
French Giltwood Picture Frame
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th Century French giltwood picture frame with incised vine decoration and inner bead border. Warm gilt finish is in good condition with some losses to outer edges, slight corner ...
Giltwood
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
Carved Wooden Frame, 17th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Large wooden frame carved in twisted style and painted, from the 17th century. Original paint - Some chips and missing parts, traces of treated woodworm, transformations on the b...
Wood
Original Ancient "Sansovino" Wood Frame, 17th Century
Located in Roma, IT
17th century wood frame is an original ancient object realized in Italy in the 17th century. Original wood. Very good conditions. Exceptional frame in carved and gilded woo...
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
$652Sale Price|20% Off
H 20.9 in W 17.7 in D 1.4 in
Saint Sebastian 17th Century Engraving on Chain-Laid Paper, Black Frame
Located in Lincoln, GB
A Rare 17th Century Engraving: Saint Sebastian on "Chain-Laid" Paper This powerful 17th-century engraving captures Saint Sebastian in a moment of stoic martyrdom. A hallmark of Baroq...
Paper
Oval Giltwood Mirror Frame, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Oval giltwood frame with delicate floral decorations, a cyma molding, and a laurel wreath motif. The multi-profiled structure gives the frame an elegant, classical appearance.
Giltwood
$3,800
H 21.25 in W 18 in D 1 in
American Print of St. Michael's Church Meeting St. Charleston, SC Verner C 1930
Located in Charleston, SC
American print of St. Michael's church on Meeting Street, Charleston, SC. matted under glass in gilt frame. Elizabeth O'Neil Verner, early 20th century.
Glass, Giltwood, Paper
$4,000
H 20 in W 17.25 in D 1 in
American Print Mallards in Flight and Swimming " Lucky Pond " R. Bishop C. 1959
Located in Charleston, SC
American print mallards in flight and swimming in marsh grass matted under glass in a painted and gilt frame. "Lucky Pond" Richard E. Bishop, mid 20...
Glass, Giltwood, Paint, Paper
Sold
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