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.
French Faux Grain Painted and Ebonized Wall Mirror, 19th cen.
Located in Atlanta, GA
having a concave molded edge design with alternating faux painted and ebonized sections, wooden with gesso overlay, retaining likely original antique mirrorplate
19th Century French Louis XIII Carved Oak Glass Wall Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1880, and built of oak wood, this antique mirror is rectangular in shape and could be hang vertically or horizontally. The black forest style frame is decorat...
Mercury Glass, Oak
$1,050Sale Price|30% Off
Antique French Louis XIII Style Figural Repousse Brass Octagonal Wall Mirror 42"
Located in Dayton, OH
An antique French Louis XIII style octagonal mirror with ornate figural brass repousse showcasing roses and cherub faces. Great for use along the wall or over a mantel. Dimensio...
Brass
Large Venetian altarpiece turned into a mirror - late 17th/early 18th century
Located in Vicenza, IT
Important carved wooden altarpiece, of Venetian production, dating from the late 17th to early 18th century, later adapted as a mirror.The structure, of considerable size and strong ...
Gold, Gold Leaf
Large Octagonal 19th Century French Brass Repousse Mirror
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a very large octagonal cushion-form repousse brass mirror. The size alone makes this mirror unusual, when combined with the fact that the form is cushioned and octagonal, the...
Brass
Mirror In Tortoise Shell And Curly Black Wood In The Style Of Antwerp Frames
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Mirror In Tortoise Shell And Curly Black Wood In The Style Of 17th Century Antwerp Frames, Circa 1930
Tortoise Shell
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
18th Century Louis XIII Style Gilt Copper Mirror
Located in Ross, CA
Louis XIII style gilt-copper and wood mirror, featuring an elevated rectangular mercury glass plate in an intricate foliage and scroll frame with mirrored borders, topped by a detach...
Copper
$5,213Sale Price / set|24% Off
H 54 in W 36 in D 1 in
Vintage Pair of French Rococo Style Mirrors Brass Frames
Located in Stamford, CT
Solid brass pair of French Rococo style wall mirrors. Made in Europe possibly France late 40's early 50s in good condition. It's possible the mirrors and backs have been replaced yea...
Brass
Antique Venetian 17th Century Rare Find Mirror
Located in Doha, QA
An absolutely unique extremely rare find, this Baroque early 17th century mirror is a museums piece and a real treasure for a true history lover. Exquisitel...
Glass, Wood, Paint
French 19th Century Louis XVI Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
The rippling texture of this symmetrical mirror dazzles in the light, its gilded molding carved like waves of finely-woven rattan, an exotic effect underscored by rococo garlands ani...
Mirror, Wood
19th Century French Carved Wood Mirror Louis XVI Style
Located in Miami, FL
19th Century French Carved Wood Mirror Louis XVI Style Offered for sale is an antique 19th-century French carved wood mirror creat...
Mirror, Wood
$2,130
H 11.82 in W 50.01 in D 35.44 in
19th Century French Napoleon III Giltwood Wall Mirror with Mercury Glass
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A fine rectangular Napoleon III full length mirror, in gilded wood and moulded plaster, which can be positioned horizontally or vertically. This characterful old mirror has intricate...
Giltwood, Mirror
19th Century French Louis Philippe Carved Golden Wall Mirror
Located in Prato, IT
Made in France, circa 1880, the antique mirror has traditional lines with rounded corners. The frame is gilded with pure gold leaf on an engraved motif of matt and glossy stripes. A ...
Gold Leaf
French Octagonal Giltwood Mirror, Art Deco Style Wall Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
Rare French Art Deco style octagonal giltwood mirror, circa 1960. Frame measures 30" High x 28" Wide x 2 1/4" Deep Modern glass antiqued mirror. Wood back. This (single) French A...
Mirror, Giltwood
$2,841 / set
H 17.72 in W 9.06 in D 8.67 in
Antique 18th Century Double Eagle Wall Mirrors Candle Sconces Repoussé Brass
Located in Munich, DE
This pair of 18th centurty repoussé brass walls sconces has retained its original condition and patina as well as the original mirror glass. A pair...
Brass
Late 18th-Early 19th Century French Gilt Mirror
Located in Chicago, IL
This late 18th–early 19th century French mirror wears its two centuries with a kind of aristocratic nonchalance. The classical frame, hand-carved with restrained neoclassical flouris...
Gold Leaf
19th Century Carved Giltwood Frame Wall Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
An impressive late 19th Century Empire carved giltwood Mahogany wall Mirror, Circa 1890s. Measures 49.5" in width, 4" in depth and stands 33" in height.
Mahogany, Giltwood
17th Century Florentine Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
Rectangular 17th century Florentine mirror with "original" mercury glass. The mercury glass is in 3 pieces with etching on the top and bottom piece. ...
Mercury Glass
$756Sale Price|30% Off
H 35.04 in W 31.11 in D 3.15 in
Antique Large Gilt Overmantle Wall Mirror, 19th Century
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique large quality 19th century gilt overmantle or wall mirror. A great look. A charming mirror, that is full of age and character. Lovely frame with some losses touching up, ref...
Giltwood
Venetian Mirror In Colorless Murano Glass, Circa 1880
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Venetian Mirror In Colorless Murano Glass, octagonal shape, it can also be placed horizontally
Glass
Italian, Tuscany, Painted and Giltwood Mirror, early 18th century
Located in Atlanta, GA
The frame having molded edges and interior sections with a finish of gilding and painted surface, the colors typical of Sienna, Tuscany, Italy, modern mirror plate
Giltwood, Paint
Italian, Louis XIV Period, Carved Giltwood Circular Mirror, Early 18th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
This circular frame, originally surrounding a painting, now fitted with a modern mirror plate has molded sections and precisely carved sections, the carvings amazingly detailed.
Giltwood
Sold
H 52.25 in W 42 in D 3 in
Italian, Tuscany, Louis XIII Period Shaped and Stencil Gilt Mirror, 17th/18th C
Located in Atlanta, GA
Of rectangular form with interior and exterior moldings, the frame surface with punch-work stenciling depicting scrolls and then gilded in 23k, with modern mirror plate.
Giltwood
Sold
H 59 in W 37.5 in D 2.25 in
Late 19th Century French Louis XIII Carved Oak Wall Mirror with Leaf Decor
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1880, and built of oak wood, the antique mirror is rectangular in shape, and could be used vertically or horizontally. Decorated with hand carved acanthus leaf motifs throughout, the wall mirror is dressed with a beveled mercury glass. The large Henri II mirror...
Mercury Glass, Oak
Sold
H 37.75 in W 27.25 in D 1 in
Late 19th Century French Louis XIII Carved Oak Wall Mirror with Beveled Glass
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1890, and built of oak wood, the antique mirror is rectangular in shape and could be hang vertically or horizontally. The frame with beads, is decorated with ...
Mercury Glass, Oak
19th Century French Louis XIII Carved Bleached Oak Wall Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1870, and built of oak wood, the antique mirror is rectangular in shape with rounded corners. The wall decor features a center mirror with mercury glass, and is decorated with hand carved acanthus leaf motifs throughout. The Henri II mirror...
Mercury Glass, Oak
Sold
H 43 in W 31.5 in D 3.5 in
19th Century French Louis XIII Carved Oak Overlay Beveled Glass Wall Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1880, and built of oak wood, the antique mirror is rectangular in shape and could be hang vertically or horizontally. The frame is decorated with pierced hand...
Mercury Glass, Oak
Sold
H 52.25 in W 44.5 in D 5 in
19th Century French Louis XIII Carved Oak Overlay Wall Beveled Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1870, and built of oak wood, the large mirror is rectangular in shape. The wall decor features a center beveled mirror with mercury glass, and four smaller mirrors around the frame with floral rosettes in each corner. The frame is decorated with pierced hand carved acanthus leaf and floral motifs throughout. The Henri II mirror...
Mercury Glass, Oak
Sold
H 42.13 in W 37.01 in D 1.97 in
Octagonal Mirror in Blackened Wood and Oxidized Mirror, circa 1900
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Octagonal mirror in carved blackened wood and oxidized mirror. Edge with a decor of campanulas and fruits frieze, an acanthus leaves frieze and a oliv...
Mirror, Wood
Italian Round Giltwood Mirror, Early 18th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
having an outer molded edge and inner raised molded edge, with later mirrorplate.
Giltwood
French Octagonal Faux Tortoiseshell Mirror, Late 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
The French octagonal faux mirror with black accents. The mirror plate is new.
Mirror, Wood, Paint