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.
$337Sale 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
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
Impressive pendulum clock and console in French 20th century style
By Mice di rugiano domenico e c. s.n.c.
Located in Cantù, IT
Impressive pendulum clock and console in French 20th century style
Bronze
French Louis XIII/XIV Walnut and Steel Mounted Alms Box, ca. 1670-1700
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a rectangular top with a molded edge and a line carved detail the center with a coin slot, the conforming case with steel reinforcement straps and a decorative steel escutcheo...
Walnut
Large mortar in Phocaean pink marble, 19th century
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Large mortar in Phocaean pink marble, 19th century
Marble
19th Century Patinated Spelter Figure of French Philosopher Blaise Pascal
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a study or library with this elegant 19th-century French sculpture of Blaise Pascal. Crafted in France circa 1870 and made of solid metal with a rich dark bronze patina, the...
Spelter
$2,050 / set
Pair of 19th Century, French Iron Candelabra
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Pair of 19th century, French iron candelabra.
Iron
$506Sale 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
$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
$571Sale 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
$796Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.73 in W 7.68 in D 5.71 in
French Louis XIV Messenger Box - Leather Wrapped Wood - France - 17th 18th
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Magnificent Louis XIV period messenger box, late 17th early 18th century. This pretty box is made of leather-covered wood decorated with copper nails on the front and top of the box....
Leather, Wood
Sold|$1,750
H 11.25 in W 13.5 in D 18 in
Early 18th Century Italian Carved and Dovetailed Walnut Alms Box
Located in San Francisco, CA
Early 18th century Italian carved and dovetailed walnut alms box, circa 1725 Large dovetails and old handwrought nails give this small scale box a hea...
Iron
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
19th Century French Bronze Mounted Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Walnut veneered. Footed. Silk-lined. Key is included.
Bronze
Antique French sculptured sewing box in oak, ca. 1900
Located in Meulebeke, BE
This exquisite antique sewing box from France, circa 1900, is a fine example of late Rococo revival craftsmanship rendered in solid oak. The exter...
Oak
Large Original 19th Century Patinated Spelter Sculpture by Moreau
Located in Norwood, NJ
Large 19th century French sculpture by L. & F. Moreau depicting a young girl holding a bowl of berries seated on cresting waves and a bird in flight. Made of spelter, or pot metal, with a beautiful warm, rich chocolate brown patina. Signature on base: L.&.F. Moreau L.&.F. Moreau two brothers who were perhaps best known for creating highly ornate clocks...
Spelter
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
French Patinated Bronzes of Philosophers
Located in London, GB
A most unusual pair of bronzes of the philosophers and authors Voltaire ( 1694-1778) and Rousseau (1712-1778). Each is seen sitting full length and in chairs. They are set on rectang...
Bronze
$3,187Sale Price|20% Off
H 13 in W 14.57 in D 5.52 in
Spanish Alms Box / Wall Decoration with Carved Saints Detail, 18th Century
Located in Barcelona, ES
Carved wood hand painted donation / offering ALM Box, Spain, 18th century. Polychromed carved wood church collection offering donation money box as wall decoration. This alms box is made of pine wood painted in shades of blue and gray with carved saint figures onamentations decorating the top. Wall hanging collection / donation money box. Originally used to collect donations at Christian churches/chapels. Interesting to be used as key box or key cabinet or as wall decoration Rare find. Provenance: Private collection. No key avaliable. Overall Measures: Saints Box: 33 cm H x 37 cm W x 14 cm D Poor...
Wood, Pine
$8,103
H 22.45 in W 12.41 in D 5.91 in
Louis XV Style Boulle Mantel Table Clock with Sun Pendulum, 20th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
An elegant Louis XV style Boulle mantel clock with tortoiseshell pattern finish and intricate gilt bronze mounts, featuring a radiant sun pendulum and original key. The case showca...
Metal, Brass, Bronze, Enamel
$9,140
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
Italian Louis XIII Period Giltwood Bottle Case, early 17th century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a dome top hinged to a square case with molded edges and its original brass escutcheon, the red painted interior with an octagonal inset previously used to secure a glass bottle
Giltwood
Sold
H 27.56 in W 10.24 in D 5.52 in
Carved Wood Sculpture Representing the Marriage of Saint Catherine, 17th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Carved wood sculpture representing the Marriage of Saint Catherine, 17th century. Important carved oak sculpture representing the Mystical Marriage of Saint Catherine of Alexandria ...
Wood
Italian Late Baroque Walnut Slant Top Footed Peg Lock Box, ca. 1650
Located in Atlanta, GA
of rectangular form with a slanted hinged top with a removable peg locking the top closed, raised on turned feet
Walnut
Pair Of Heraldic Lions, Oak Sculptures, 19th Century
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Pair of heraldic lions, oak sculptures, 19th century
Oak
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
Louis XVI Style Marble and Gilded Bronze Sun King Pendulum
Located in New Orleans, LA
An antique Louis XVI style clock in white marble and gilded bronze. The clock rests on four small beaded bronze feet There are four smooth cylindrical columns in white marble, emb...
Marble, Bronze
Saint George slaying the dragon, Flanders, 17th century
Located in PARIS, FR
Carved alabaster group, with base, representing Saint George slaying the dragon. Flanders, 17th c. Missing horse's tail, chips on the base and gluing (with original parts). Traces of polychromy and gold repairs. Beautiful, very expressive ensemble. In a legend, Saint George—a soldier venerated in Christianity—defeats a dragon. The story goes that the dragon originally extorted tribute from villagers. When they ran out of livestock and trinkets for the dragon, they started giving up a human tribute once a year. This was acceptable to the villagers until a princess was chosen as the next offering. The saint thereupon rescues the princess and kills the dragon. The narrative was first set in Cappadocia in the earliest sources of the 11th and 12th centuries, but transferred to Libya in the 13th-century Golden Legend.
Alabaster
17th Century French Oak Lion Heads Sculpture on Iron Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand-carved in oak during the 1600’s, this sculpture of two lion heads was originally part of a French furniture or architectural element. The two mascarons are facing in opposite directions, connected by a two inch thick beam. A more recent black iron base offers stability for displaying on a mantel, shelf, or small table. Our 17th century oak lion heads...
Metal, Iron
Early French Wooden Flask, France, c. 1750, Initials Carved on Side
Located in Brooklyn, NY
French 17th/18th C. Wooden flask, carved with initials.
Oak, Walnut
Sold
H 15.5 in W 20 in D 12 in
18th Century French Louis XIII Brass Iron and Wood Decorative Box Trunk Safe
Located in Dallas, TX
This antique safe trunk was crafted in Southern France, circa 1780. The brown leather box is shaped like a Classic storage trunk with an arched top and a rectangular front and back, ...
Brass, Iron
Sold
H 11.25 in W 7 in D 3.5 in
Pair of Baccarat Crystal Mid-Century Remy Martin Liquor Bottles or Decanters
By Baccarat
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of liquor decanters were made by the renowned Baccarat Compay of France in approximately 1965 in a Louis XIII style. The decanters are composed of crystal and once held Remy Martin French cognac. One is decorated with a fleur de lis stopper and four applied fleur do lis medallions on either side with a gilt accented neck. The other, slightly smaller decanter...
Crystal
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