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.
Pair of Louis XIII-style “Os de Mouton” Upholstered Side Chairs
Located in San Francisco, CA
This elegant pair of upholstered Louis XIII-style, high-back side chairs showcases classic European aristocratic design, mixing formal geometry with grand baroque lines. As a pair, t...
Brass
Set of Early French Louis XIII Chairs with Intricate Turnery
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Wonderful set of three French Louis XIII walnut chairs with intricate turnery on the legs and stretchers, complemented by new neutral upholstery. Note: We have an identical set of 3 ...
Upholstery, Walnut
2 Henri 2 Style Chairs, with Beautiful Tapestries circa 1900
Located in Mouscron, WHT
2 Henri 2 style chairs, with beautiful tapestries; it is necessary to redo the upholstery, but the tapestries are in good condition, can be cleaned and reused. the wood needs a new p...
Tapestry, Beech
Harlequin Set of 12 French Louis XIII 17th Century Walnut Side Chairs
Located in Troy, NY
A Harlequin Set of 12 French Louis XIII 17th Century Walnut and upholstered Side Chairs of beautiful quality, generous Proportions and solid pegged co...
Walnut
19th Century French Breton Carved Oak Chair with Red Upholstered Seat
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a hallway, bedroom, or study with this finely carved antique side chair. Crafted in Brittany, France circa 1870, the tall chair stands on square legs connected by stretchers...
Velvet, Oak
19th Century French Giltwood Single Open Arm Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th Century French giltwood single open arm chair with finely carved lyre motif. This chair is comfortable, strong and sturdy.
Walnut, Giltwood
Set of Two Upholstered Louis XIII Chairs, c. 1860
Located in Napa, CA
Two Louis VIII style chairs made in France in 1860 with deeply patinaed ash, upholstered in white linen.
Upholstery, Ash
1980s Imperial French Louis XIII Leather and Upholstery High Back Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
Oversized Amazing Louis XIII Imperial style chair with full grain leather seat and custom fabric upholstery. Beautiful nail trim. High Back 53" . Excellent Condition. Measurements ...
Leather, Upholstery, Hardwood
Antique Louis XIII Chairs, Walnut, Pair from France, Circa 1850-1859
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Pair of French 19th century chairs.
Walnut
$13,440Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair 17th Century Louis XIII Period Dining Room Side Hallway Chairs Hand Carved
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Pair 17th Century Louis XIII Period Dining Room Side Hallway Chairs Hand Carved. Three pairs available or a set of six chairs of the 17th century French carved walnut armchair Louis ...
Metal
Set of 6 Os De Mouton Beech Tapestry Chairs
Located in Staffordshire, GB
Circa 1900 Set of 6 Os De Mouton beech tapestry chairs in original sourced condition Sourced from the South of France Measures: W 48 x D 48 x H 113 cm.
Tapestry, Beech
Set of 4 French Art Deco Cherry Dining Chairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of four fine French Art Deco cherry chairs.
Cherry
$7,500 / set
H 37.75 in W 17.25 in D 19 in
Set of Four 19th Century French Louis XVI Style Mahogany Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 4 French Louis XVI style (19th Century) mahogany side chairs with bronze trim and cane seats and back (PRICED AS SET).
Bronze
Set of 4 French Art Deco Dining Chairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
Set of 4 French Art Deco blackened wood dining chairs with a rosewood veneered back rest.
Wood
$3,995 / set
H 33 in W 20.75 in D 22 in
Pair of Regency Styled Side or Accent Chairs with Reclining Nude & Swan Panels
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of antique chairs are unsigned, but presumed to have originated from the United States and date to approximately 1920 and done in a Regency, or Hollywood Regency style. The...
Cane, Pine
Set of Four 19th Century French Louis XVI Walnut Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of Four 19th Century French Louis XVI Walnut Chairs is truly a timeless classic! Featuring curved oval seatbacks and generous seats, the set...
Walnut
Dining Chairs Set of 12 Walnut, 1 Carver and 11 Side Chairs
Located in Toronto, CA
Dining chairs walnut 1 arm and 11 side chairs 19th century styling made by Lionel Rawlinson pop off seats so upholstery can be easily changed. Solid sturdy chairs.
Walnut
Pair of 19th Century French Arm Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning pair of 19th century French armchairs exemplifies the elegance and artistry of the period. The solid walnut frames are skillfully hand-carved with intricate floral and ...
Upholstery, Walnut
Set of 6 Fine French 1950s-1960s Dining Chairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of six fine French Mid-Century sculptural solid oak side chairs.
Oak
$16,000 / set
H 35.25 in W 19.38 in D 19 in
Set of Ten 19th Century French Louis XIII Oak Dining Chairs
Located in Astoria, NY
A substantial set of ten 19th century French Louis XIII style dining chairs sourced in Provence, France. The chairs feature classic provincial Louis XIII forms with rectangular backs...
Chenille, Cotton, Oak
Vintage Chinese Chippendale Style Lacquered Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage Chinese Chippendale style chair in a gorgeous white lacquered finish. This pagoda chair has beautiful detailing and has been professionally uphol...
Wood
$1,450
H 26 in W 17 in D 17 in
Late 19th Century French Bobbin-Turned Oak Fireside Corner Chair with Rush Seat
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
An evocative late-19th-century French Provincial corner chair, or coin du feu, handcrafted in France circa 1895. Distinguished by its compact proportions, unusual wraparound back and...
Rush, Oak
Sold
H 40.5 in W 21 in D 18 in
18th Century French Louis XIII Style Hand Carved Walnut and Needlepoint Chair
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This late eighteenth century French Louis XIII style hand pegged walnut side chair features hand turned front legs and an H stretcher that provides stability. The front legs rest on ...
Tapestry, Walnut
Sold
H 42 in W 19 in D 20.5 in
Set of Six French Louis XIII Style 19th Century Dining Room Side Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of six French Louis XIII style dining room side chairs from the 19th century, with os de mouton bases, slanted camelbacks, cross stretchers and used floral upholstery. Created ...
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 42.5 in W 20.5 in D 18.5 in
Mid-19th Century French Louis XIII Carved Walnut Turned Legs Desk Side Chair
Located in Dallas, TX
Dressed a man's desk with this elegant antique side chair! Crafted in France circa 1850 and made of walnut wood, the chair stands on carved turned legs decorated with a bottom stretc...
Fabric, Walnut
Sold
H 44.5 in W 18.5 in D 22.25 in
Antique Set (14) French Os De Mouton Style Dining Chairs Hand-Carved Wood Pegs
Located in Highwood, IL
French Os De Mouton Style dining chairs in a most unusual set of (14) side chairs. This rare set of (14) antique French dining chairs were actually hand-carved and assembled with woo...
Upholstery, Beech
Sold
H 43.5 in W 19 in D 19 in
Set of 10 Antique French Louis XIII Style Os de Mouton Walnut Dining Side Chairs
Located in Birmingham, AL
A set of 10 antique French Louis XIII style os de mouton dining side chairs, circa 1920s, having beautifully carved walnut frames with high chapeau de gendarme backs and square secti...
Velvet, Walnut
19th Century Louis XVIII Style
Located in Ballard, CA
Louis XIII style chair with tassle trims (partially damaged) and brass nails, the chair is very solid and can be of use for desk chair, dining chair or occasional chair, the upholste...
Brass
Sold
H 50.01 in W 26.38 in D 29.93 in
Large 19th Century French Mahogany and Leather High Back Armchair
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A large late 19th century French mahogany Louis XVIII style armchair. With rectangular padded leather back, the baluster arms and turned legs joined by a conforming front rail and H-...
Leather, Velvet, Mahogany
Set of Early French Louis XIII Chairs with Intricate Turnery
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Wonderful set of three French Louis XIII walnut chairs with intricate turnery on the legs and stretchers, complemented by new neutral upholstery. Note: We have an identical set of 3 ...
Upholstery, Walnut
Pair of Louis XIII Period Chairs in Oak
Located in Brussels, Brussels
A fine pair of Louis XIII chairs in oak from the 17th century Very beautiful turned base The base is connected by an H-shaped spacer and a spacer on the front The chairs are co...
Oak
Eclectic raffia braid armchair, France, circa 1880.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Raffia braid armchair, France, circa 1900. Very good condition. Wood: walnut dimensions: height 82 cm, seat height 39 cm, width 60 cm, depth 48 cm
Walnut
Sold
H 42.5 in W 19.25 in D 16 in
Set of 10 Antique French Louis XIII Style Os de Mouton Dining Side Chairs
Located in Birmingham, AL
An elegant set of 10 French Louis XIII style os de mouton dining side chairs, having beautifully carved walnut frames with high rectangular backs and supported on os de mouton or she...
Walnut
Set of Four 19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a wine cellar or dress a game table with this spectacular suite of antique chairs. Crafted in France, circa 1860, each chair stands on curved legs, decorated with floral mot...
Leather, Oak