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.
Theodore Alexander Louis XIII Style Leather Bench with Turned Hardwood Legs
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Louis XIII-style bench by Theodore Alexander, showcasing refined craftsmanship and classic European elegance. Resting on six robust, turned legs, this hardwood bench offers a subst...
Leather, Hardwood
Louis XIII Style Turned Wood Long Bench / Stool by Valenti, Spain 1940s
By Valenti
Located in Barcelona, ES
Beautiful mid-20th century Louis XIII style walnut bench or footstool with finely turned legs, stretcher and upholstered seat. Manufactured by Valentí, Spain, 1940s. This original V...
Brass
Early 20th Century French Louis XIII Style Walnut Bench with Leather Seat
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique French bench was crafted circa 1920 and reflects the bold architectural character of the Louis XIII style. Constructed in solid walnut, the frame features substa...
Leather, Walnut
A French mid 18th century Louis XIII st. patinated cream bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful and long French mid 18th century Louis XIII st. patinated cream bench. This elegant bench is raised by bottom ball feet below blocks. The legs have an elegant barley twis...
Wood
Antique French Louis XIII Carved Walnut Window Bench, Circa 1880-1890.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Louis XIII Carved Walnut Window Bench, Circa 1880-1890. Fine Carving
Walnut
Hand-Carved Art Nouveau Bench, Wood, France, 1890s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Hand Carved Wooden Bench - 1890's Hand-carved wooden bench from France, 1890's. A true conversation piece with a unique material quality to it. Th...
Wood
Louis XVI Style Patinated Green Carved Wood Stool
Located in New York, NY
Perfectly aged Louis XVI carved wood stool with newly upholstered cushion and leaf details to legs. Wonderful carved details throughout.
Wood
$3,914
H 24.81 in W 22.25 in D 13 in
Antique Jas Shoolbred Hall Bench with Brass Mounts & Walnut Frame circa 1890
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely original circa 1890 Jas Shoolbred of Tottenham Court Road circa 1890 walnut & brass hall bench A very good looking, highly collectab...
Brass
Louis XIII Oak Bench
Located in Essex, MA
Square with Fortuny upholstered seat. Turned legs with box stretcher.
Fabric, Oak
Rustic Wood and Rush "Tajo" Stool, Spain, 1940s
Located in Benalmadena, ES
A vintage wood and rush stool manufactured in Spain during the 1940s. The structure is made of turned solid wood, featuring tapered legs connected by simple cross braces and a slight...
Rush, Wood
Mid-18th Century Chinoiserie Textured Lacquer Wood Long Bench
Located in Middleburg, VA
Mid-18th century chinoiserie textured Lacquer wood long bench Lovely lacquered look of brown and very dark brown colors. Great addition to a dining room table or any space that need...
Wood, Lacquer
Elegant 19th Century Bench with Six Turned Legs, circa 1840
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1840 / bench / wood, fabric / Antique / French Provincial A refined and elongated antique bench dating from around 1840, featuring six beautifully hand-turned legs that ex...
Fabric, Wood
$1,250
H 21 in W 56.25 in D 22.5 in
French Louis XV Style Carved Walnut Upholstered Bench w/ Gilt Accents
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition, Needs New Upholstery This French Louis XV style upholstered bench, crafted in walnut and dating to the 1920s, showcases the graceful elegance...
Upholstery, Walnut
$2,995
H 40 in W 47 in D 18.5 in
Antique Renaissance Revival Carved Walnut & Leather Hall Window Bench Italy 1880
Located in Portland, OR
Antique Italian carved Renaissance Revival walnut hall or window bench, Italy, circa 1880. The bench of Savonarola form: the back with twin finials and an inset leather panel with br...
Leather, Walnut
Italian 18th Century Bench
Located in Round Top, TX
A very handsome 18th century Bench from the Piedmont region of Italy. Beautifully constructed from handsome cherry and oak with a lifting seat for storage. Wonderful patina. The s...
Cherry, Oak
$1,995
H 13.25 in W 42 in D 14.25 in
Carved Giltwood French Louis XVI Petit Point and Needlepoint Window Bench
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This elegant French Louis XVI giltwood bench showcases the refined craftsmanship and timeless beauty of neoclassical design. The bench features a hand-carved giltwood frame with exqu...
Walnut
$1,680
H 18.9 in W 36.62 in D 18.12 in
Danish Rococo Style Bench, Cabriole Legs & Lambswool Seat, Early 20th Century
Located in Odense, DK
An elegant Rococo-style bench crafted in the early 20th century, distinguished by its graceful cabriole legs and refined silhouette. Made by a skilled Danish Cabinetmaker. The fram...
Lambskin, Oak
French Louis XIII Style Turned Wood Ottoman, Animal Print Velvet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in this wonderful French Louis XIII Style Turned Wood Ottoman, Animal Print Velvet. The bench is late 19Th. century, the upholstery in a beautiful, is of the House of Scalaman...
Velvet, Wood
Louis XIV Walnut Os De Mouton Bench
Located in Essex, MA
With old red upholstery and carved curved legs joined by a conforming stretcher.
Walnut
Sold
H 19 in W 87 in D 18 in
19th Century French Louis XIII Carved Hand Painted Upholstered Six-Leg Bench
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a hall way or add extra seating to a den or game room with this elegant antique painted church bench. Crafted in northern France circa 1870, and built of solid oak wood, the...
Fabric, Oak
19th Century English Oak Barley Twist Bench
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century English Oak Barley Twist Bench with new upholstery
Fabric, Wood
Louis XIII Bench In Walnut With Its Tapestry
Located in Brussels, Brussels
lovely Louis XIII style bench in walnut covered with a tapestry Very beautiful little model which has a superb turning The bench is covered with a very beautiful tapestry represen...
Walnut
Sold
H 19.5 in W 19 in D 17 in
Pair Italian Louis XIII Period Dark Walnut Leather Upholstered Benches, ca. 1690
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having square, possibly original, leather upholstered tops trimmed in large antique brass nailheads, the seats raised on skillfully turned legs with turned stretchers, shaped feet
Leather, Walnut
Sold
H 18 in W 73.5 in D 27.5 in
Italian Louis XIII Style Light Walnut & Upholstered Large Bench, 2nd half 19thc
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a mohair upholstered seat with fringed decoration, the frame of lights walnut with turned legs joined by an double h-form stretcher
Walnut
White Sheepskin Louis XIII Style Bench
Located in Houston, TX
Flemish 19th century Louis XIII style hand carved bench on casters newly upholstered in a white sheepskin shearling.
Wood
19th Century French Louis XIII Carved Walnut and Velvet Six-Leg Bench
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a hall way or add extra seating to a den or game room with this elegant antique Gothic style bench. Crafted in southern France circa 1870, ...
Fabric, Walnut
English Walnut Os de Mouton Bench
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A fantastic English walnut os de mouton bench, recently upholstered in a beautiful neutral fabric fixed to the frame at the legs with decorative brass nai...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Hardwood, Walnut
English Os De Mouton Upholstered Bench
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A fantastic English walnut os de mouton bench, recently upholstered in a beautiful neutral fabric fixed to the frame at the legs with decorative brass nai...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 37.5 in W 70 in D 23 in
19th Century French Louis XIII Barley Twist Walnut Bench with Aubusson Tapestry
Located in Dallas, TX
Add extra seating to a hallway, den or living room with this elegant antique bench with back. Crafted in southern France circa 1850, this fru...
Walnut, Tapestry, Velvet