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.
$8,172
17th Century Walnut Sofa
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A fine 17th century walnut Louis XIII canapé. The original frame was fully restored and newly upholstered by our workshop.
Walnut
High-backed walnut sofa. French work in the style of Louis XIII. Circa 1880
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice High-backed sofa is made of walnut. This is a French work in the style of Louis XIII. Circa 1880
Walnut
$1,840Sale Price|20% Off
Louis 13 Bench Sofa in native wood - XIXth - Spain - High Period
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Superb bench in native wood of Louis XIII style. Twisted columns decorated with spinning tops on the backrest, armrests finished with balls, base joined by a stringer brace. The sofa is upholstered in a fabric with a High Period pattern of animals in foliage like the initial letters of medieval manuscripts...
Palisander
$16,012
H 39.38 in W 77.56 in D 41.34 in
Louis XV period Canapé à Oreilles Serpentine Shaped Sofa, Settee Upholstered
Located in Basingstoke, Hampshire
A Louis XV period Canapé à Oreilles serpentine-shaped sofa. Featuring carved detailing, decorated with floral motifs and acanthus, with original Verd...
Walnut
$8,900
H 36.63 in W 72.44 in D 28.75 in
Antique Swedish Sofa Bench Settee in Original Paint, Gustavian Period, 18th c.
Located in Wichita, KS
A beautiful antique Swedish sofa bench from the Gustavian period dry scraped to its original patina. The sofa frame is adorned with a lovely leaf motif and rests upon tapered and flu...
Linen, Wood, Paint
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Sofa Circa 1860
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite 19th-century French Louis XVI style sofa, circa 1860, exemplifies the elegance and sophistication of classic French design. Crafted from solid walnut, the frame is int...
Walnut
Italy Venezia Mid-18th Century Baroque Wooden Sofa
Located in Brescia, IT
Mid-18th Century hand-carved 1750 Venetian Baroque walnut sofa, three-seat with armrests. Remarkable work by Venetian cabinetmakers. The 18th C...
Walnut, Silk
Fine Custom Upholstered High-Back Sofa with Triple X-form Stretcher
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Custom upholstered settee with sloping and flared arms, the back and arms raised above the seat (see photo 9). With a fabric covered apron, button tufted shallow seat cushion, uphols...
Wood
French Early 18th Century Sofa
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French early 18th century sofa.
Walnut
19th Century French Antique Three-Seat High Back Sofa
Located in Sofia, BG
Antique French three-seat high back sofa with wooden elegantly shaped legs terminating in casters at the back. Beautiful new upholster in beige and light rose. There are three very c...
Linen, Walnut
$1,195
H 28 in W 72 in D 27 in
Universal of High Point Midcentury Black Vinyl Faux Leather Convertible Sofa
By Universal Furniture Company
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome Mid-Century Modern settee or loveseat sofa in black vinyl faux leather by Universal of High Point. It is in wonderful vintage condition. We have restored the wood, cleaned the vinyl, repaired a few spots where stitching was loose, and put on a new dustcover. But there are still little signs of age. Please see photos, circa 1950s. What a fun little Mid-Century Modern convertible sofa. Settee? Loveseat? Armless sofa? Bench? A rose by any other name…….!!! Anyway, I digress. It is a great piece no matter what we call it. I am sticking with convertible sofa. It is comprised of a black vinyl faux leather bench seat...
Faux Leather, Wood
Scandinavian Modern Sofa or Settee in Red Leather and Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa or settee, leather, wood, Scandinavia, 1950s A beautifully sculpted sofa in the style of Danish designer Arne Vodder. The high back is slightly curved and runs smoothly over in...
Leather, Wood
French Louis XIV Three-Seat Walnut Sofa
Located in Troy, NY
A settee of small size, elegant lines and understated details, triple-arch-back, open scrolling arms, the seat supported by four turned front legs connected by turned center stretche...
Upholstery, Walnut
French Louis XV Style Carved-Wood & Upholstered Settee
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XV style sofa from the mid-19th century. This antique settee from France upholstered features a gently arched top rail at back, carved acanthus leaves decorated the sk...
Upholstery, Wood
Stunning 20th Century Beech Wood Sofa with Dual Designs
Located in London, GB
This stunning sofa features a blue velvet textile that is soft to the touch and adds a touch of luxury to any room. One side of the sofa features a playful design of lion and swan, w...
Beech
Sold
H 54.5 in W 65 in D 25 in
1800's Antique French Louis XIII Carved Walnut, Griffins Flanking Crest Sofa!!
Located in Austin, TX
Gorgeous Antique Sofa, French Louis XIII Carved Walnut, Griffins Cabochon Flanking Crest, 1800s, 19th Century! This antique French Louis XIII sofa is a true masterpiece, carved from...
Fabric, Walnut
Sold
H 32 in W 74 in L 32 in
Louis XIII Style Sofa in Mohair Velvet from Pierre Frey, France Circa 1840
Located in Culver City, CA
Louis XIII Style Sofa in Mohair Velvet from Pierre Frey France Circa 1840 Bobbin style base with curvaceous backrest, newly upholstered in Green Teddy Mohair from Pierre Frey. 74”...
Mohair, Velvet
Louis XIII Style Sofa, France, Circa 1940
Located in Culver City, CA
Louis XIII style sofa France, Circa 1940 Finely carved frame with original paint. Recent upholstery fitted with brass nails.
Brass
19th Century Louis XIII Style Salon Suite, Armchairs and Sofa
Located in Lucenec, SK
Late 19th century antique throne chairs and sofa in hand carved oak in the Louis XIII style with carved acanthus-leaf on scrolled arms & feet, and...
Oak
French 17th Century Os De Mouton Sofa
Located in Jesteburg, DE
Elegant Louis XIII sofa with walnut feet in the "Os de Mouton" style. Beautiful soft lines. Elegant and very versatile, this would make an impressio...
Walnut
Sold
H 38.5 in W 69.5 in D 29 in
French 18th Century Louis XIII Style Upholstered Canapé with Os de Mouton Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XIII style three-seat canapé from the 18th century, with os de mouton structure and new upholstery. Born in France during the first half of the 18th century, this exqu...
Upholstery, Wood
Louis XIII Walnut Barley Twist Banguette Sofa Settee
Located in Southampton, NJ
A fine antique Louis XIII settee having 6 barley twist legs and barley twist arms, circa 1860. In stunning condition having beautiful fire upholstery and carefully maintained walnut....
Upholstery, Walnut
Louis XIII Style 19th Century French Walnut Throne Seating Set
Located in Lucenec, SK
This elegant 19th century French Renaissance Revival seating set with new upholstery and hand-carved walnut legs, circa 1870s. It is a solid wooden construction it features a highly ...
Upholstery, Walnut
Louis XIII Style Walnut Upholstered Sofa
Located in Washington, DC
Louis XIII Style Sofa from the Basque Country in Southwestern France
Upholstery, Wood
Louis XIII Period Sofa, France 17th Century
Located in Jesteburg, DE
An impressive period Louis XIII sofa found in the south west of France, then retaining its original straw upholstery and painted chinoiserie canvas up...
Os De Mouton Sofa, circa 1790
Located in Culver City, CA
Os de Mouton sofa, made in France, circa 1790. Deconstructed with filled seat cushion in antique French linen.
Linen, Bentwood
Sold
H 38.5 in W 79.5 in D 30.3 in
French Late 19th Century Os De Mouton Sofa Recovered in a C&C Milano Linen
Located in Jesteburg, DE
Large and comfortable Louis XIII style sofa with walnut feet in the "Os de Mouton" style. Beautiful soft lines. Recovered by us in a soft light grey or blue linen and cotton fabric b...