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.
Pr. 19th Century Italian Patinated Bronze and Gilt Bronze Dragon-Handled Ewers
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Louis XIII Style Silvered Bronze and Gilt Bronze Dragon-Handled Ewers on Rocaille Bases Each ewer presents a baluster form with a flared neck and a shaped spout terminating...
Bronze
Large mortar in Phocaean pink marble, 19th century
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Large mortar in Phocaean pink marble, 19th century
Marble
$19,500 / set
H 25 in W 17 in D 9 in
Nice Late 19th Century Gilt and Patinated Bronze Three Piece Clock Set
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Nice Late 19th Century Gilt and Patinated Bronze Three Piece Clock Set The heavily bronze mounted clock with three putti, bronze designs of flowers, birds and instruments, sitting...
Bronze, Ormolu
$1,400
H 9 in W 26 in D 15.5 in
19th Century French Neoclassical Patinated Bronze Oval Jardiniere with Handles
Located in Dallas, TX
Dress a dining table, console, or entry with this elegant antique bronze jardinière. Crafted in France circa 1880, the oval vessel rests on four finely cast scrolled feet adorned wit...
Bronze
Large 19th Century Satsuma vase.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality late 19th Century Meiji period (1868-1912) Japanese Satsuma vase, with wonderful gilded decoration, depicting various scholars, tradesman and courtiers. Ring-drop hand...
Porcelain
$320Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.25 in W 4.25 in D 4.25 in
19th Century Small Wooden/Metal Mortar from Yemen/Saudi Border
Located in Wainscott, NY
19th century small wooden/metal Mortar from Yemen/Saudi Border.
Metal
19th Century French Carrara Marble Mortar
Located in Buisson, FR
Hand-carved in France circa 1850–1870, this antique mortar (mortier) is sculpted from a single solid block of white-grey veined Carrara marble. The vessel features a clean, tradition...
Marble
19th Century French Carved Marble Mortar
Located in Buisson, FR
Hand-carved in France circa 1850–1870, this antique mortar (mortier) is sculpted from a single solid block of white-grey veined marble. The vessel features a clean, traditional silho...
Marble
19th Century Iron Apothecary Mortars
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Extra large set of three apothecary mortars, Merzer. The biggest grinder is 250 lbs. Measures: Middle one is height 13, diameter 9. Smallest one ...
Iron
Large 19th Century Imari Vase
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A large and impressive 19th century Japanese Imari Vase, having classic Imari orange, red and blue colors. Traditional motifs to the ground. Mythical birds amongst flowers, the body ...
Porcelain
19th Century Louis XVI Marble and Ormolu Large Urns
Located in Hixson, TN
A large pair of Louis XVI style marble (Hauteville) urns with extra ordinary ormolu mounts. The mounts (excellent condition and color) supported putti's, flame tips on the caps, to t...
Marble
19th Century Bronze Mortar with Pestle Apothecary Set
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An antique bronze mortar with original pestle which has two side handles and incised detail. This set, found in Denmark, would be a great addition to an existing collection of these ...
Metal, Bronze
Early 18th Century Marble Planter Mortar
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A small French early 18th century planter or mortar in black marble.
Marble
French 18th Century Marble Mortar
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French 18th Century Marble Mortar
Marble
Early 20th Century Gilt Bronze Decorative Ewer, Pitcher
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Art Nouveau solid gilt bronze and parcel brass decorative Ewer richly ornate, Spain, circa 1900-1910. Measures: Height 15.75 in (40 cm) Width 5.15...
Brass, Bronze
Neo-Renaissance Angel Ewer 19th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Large neo-renaissance ewer in cast and chased bronze with angels. Beautiful, elegant and voluptuous forms. The body of the ewer is decorated with scrolls and leaves. The handle insid...
Bronze
$1,100
H 20.5 in Dm 7.75 in
19th Century French Neo-Classic Spelter, Gilt, Bronze Cherub and Rams Head Ewer
Located in Louisville, KY
This ewer is a stunning decorator item! The attention to detail from this era is nothing short of exquisite. From the beautiful cherub that adorns the handle to the rams heads, every...
Bronze
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
Italian Pewter Handled Vessel, 17th/18th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
The conical lid with a shaped finial atop a vessel with ring handles resting atop a plinth-form base.
Pewter
Sold
H 8 in W 23.75 in D 14 in
19th Century French Octagonal Carved Walnut and Painted Tile Jardinière
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique planter was created in France, circa 1870 octagonal in shape, the large jardinière features ten white and grey hand painted ceramic tiles all set inside a wooden...
Ceramic, Oak
19th Century French Carved Walnut and Cane Jardinière with Inside Zinc Liner
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique planter was crafted in France circa 1860; made of walnut and handwoven caning, the jardinière is decorated with three ram head sculptures at the pediment further...
Cane, Walnut
19th Century French Carved Walnut and Cane Jardiniere with Inside Zinc Liner
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique planter was crafted in France circa 1860; made of walnut and hand woven caning, the jardiniere is decorated with three ram head sculptures at the pediment furthe...
Cane, Walnut
Sold
H 7.5 in W 17.5 in D 9.25 in
19th Century, French Patinated Copper Oval Jardinière with Repousse Decor
Located in Dallas, TX
This long antique oval was crafted in France, circa 1880. Made of copper, the cachepot stands on four paw feet decorated with acanthus leaves. The jardinière with two lion face side ...
Copper