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Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables

LOUIS XIII STYLE

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.

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Style: Louis XIII
Period: Mid-20th Century
Mid-Century Italian Baroque Carved Walnut Secretary Chest of Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant, multi-function antique chest was created in Italy, circa 1960. Siting on bracket feet over a straight bottom plinth, the fruit wood cabinet features what appears to be three drawers with raised burled panels and dressed with iron handles and matching escutcheons across the front. The hinged top half surface raises up while the top drop-front hinged drawer folds down, and reveals a writing surface with inside theater and four small drawers over a niche gallery. The bottom section features two large functional drawers for extra storage. Both sides are also decorated with burled walnut raised panels. The narrow and versatile baroque writing table commode is in excellent condition with a rich walnut patina, and has beautiful gothic hardware...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Italian Baroque Carved Walnut Secretary Chest of Drawers
Mid-Century Italian Baroque Carved Walnut Secretary Chest of Drawers

Mid-Century Italian Baroque Carved Walnut Secretary Chest of Drawers

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Pair of Vintage Italian Carved Walnut Bedside Chest of Drawers
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17th Century French Walnut Chest of Drawers
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Antique 19th Century Dovetail Joints Secretary Drop Front Desk w Drawers Dresser
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Antique 19th Century Dovetail Joints Secretary Drop Front desk w drawers dresser.
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Mid-Century Modern Walnut Chest of Drawers
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Gorgeous Mid-Century Modern vintage chest of drawers in a stunning walnut grain. Five pull-out drawers provide ample storage and organization, whether in the home or office. Unique m...
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Mid-20th Century North American Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables

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18th Century French Carved Walnut Chest of Drawers
Located in Savannah, GA
This is a carved walnut chest of drawers / dresser made in France, circa 1780. The top of the chest has a nicely molded edge and, as wit...
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1780s French Antique Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables

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French 19th Century Walnut Chest of Drawers with Secretary Drawer
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Beautiful walnut chest of drawers with secretary drawer. Impressive design with bronze drawer pullers and fire-plated key plates. Beautifully lived leather. The desk section is large...
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Early 18th Century French Antique Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables

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French 19th Century Walnut Chest of Drawers with Secretary Drawer
French 19th Century Walnut Chest of Drawers with Secretary Drawer

French 19th Century Walnut Chest of Drawers with Secretary Drawer

H 38.19 in W 51.97 in D 21.26 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Walnut secretary chest of drawers for Molteni, 1970 Italy.
By Molteni & C, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Molteni, walnut, wood, Italy, 1970. This well-designed chest of drawers/secretaire has a modern and clean aesthetic based on a solid construction executed i...
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1970s Italian Vintage Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables

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Afra & Tobia Scarpa Walnut secretary chest of drawers for Molteni, 1970 Italy.
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Walnut secretary chest of drawers for Molteni, 1970 Italy.

Afra & Tobia Scarpa Walnut secretary chest of drawers for Molteni, 1970 Italy.

H 39.38 in W 33.47 in D 15.75 in
Mid-Century Modern Vintage Maple Tallboy Chest of Drawers Secretary MCM
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid-Century Modern tallboy dresser. Reminiscent of a secretary. Made from Maple with five dovetailed drawers and wooden handles. Attributed to Heywood Wakefield. Measure: 48".
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Unique Baroque/Classicism Chest of Drawers, Germany Walnut
Located in Berlin, DE
Three-pronged body made of softwood with saw-veneer walnut, walnut root and fruitwood. Original classicistic locks and fittings with ring handles. According to the heir, the dresser...
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18th Century German Antique Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables

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Unique Baroque/Classicism Chest of Drawers, Germany Walnut
Unique Baroque/Classicism Chest of Drawers, Germany Walnut

Unique Baroque/Classicism Chest of Drawers, Germany Walnut

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17th Century, Italian Baroque Walnut Chest of Drawers
Located in IT
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17th Century Italian Antique Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables

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17th Century, Italian Baroque Walnut Chest of Drawers
17th Century, Italian Baroque Walnut Chest of Drawers

17th Century, Italian Baroque Walnut Chest of Drawers

H 44.1 in W 54.34 in D 22.05 in
Antique French Abattant Desk Fall Front Secretary Chest Drawers Renaissance Oak
Located in Tyler, TX
Exquisite 19th Century Antique French Oak Renaissance Revival Abattant Chest of Drawers and Desk with Fall Front Secretary Top~~Leather Writi...
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1880s French Antique Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables

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Oak

Antique French Abattant Desk Fall Front Secretary Chest Drawers Renaissance Oak
Antique French Abattant Desk Fall Front Secretary Chest Drawers Renaissance Oak

Antique French Abattant Desk Fall Front Secretary Chest Drawers Renaissance Oak

H 56.5 in W 39.25 in D 17 in
18th Century German Baroque Chest of Drawers, Walnut
Located in Brussels, BE
18th century German Baroque chest of drawers, walnut.
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18th Century German Antique Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables

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18th Century German Baroque Chest of Drawers, Walnut

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H 29.14 in W 33.08 in D 20.08 in
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19th Century French Hand Pegged Oak Louis XIII Style Coffer Desk, Six Drawers
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This handsome desk was transformed from a 19th century oak Louis XIII coffer in the 1940s. Its hand-carved diamond point panels present an impressive facade while its six drawers on ...
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19th Century French Hand Pegged Oak Louis XIII Style Coffer Desk, Six Drawers

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Mid-Century Spanish Walnut Table Desk with Iron Stretcher
Located in Dallas, TX
Spanish walnut table with iron stretcher (circa: 1950). Could be used as a breakfast room table or a desk. Fine carved legs with nice patina.
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Mid-Century Spanish Walnut Table Desk with Iron Stretcher
Mid-Century Spanish Walnut Table Desk with Iron Stretcher

Mid-Century Spanish Walnut Table Desk with Iron Stretcher

H 30 in W 71 in D 30 in
French Walnut Dining Table with Barley Twist Legs and Drawers at Each End
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage French Louis XIII style walnut dining table, with a drawer on both ends, and thick, finely carved barley-twist legs joined by a stylish cross stretcher, giving this French di...
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French Walnut Dining Table with Barley Twist Legs and Drawers at Each End
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Vintage French Louis XIII Walnut Barley-Twist & Parquetry Table or Desk
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Chunky Louis XII barley-twist legs connected by a stretcher provide substantial stability for this striking star patterned parquetry top.. However you deem as fit, this is an exquisi...
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1930s French Vintage Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables

Vintage French Louis XIII Walnut Barley-Twist & Parquetry Table or Desk
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Vintage French Louis XIII Walnut Barley-Twist & Parquetry Table or Desk

H 29.75 in W 81.5 in D 38.5 in

Louis Xiii desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Louis XIII desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage desks and writing tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, walnut and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Louis XIII desks and writing tables made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Spain pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for desks and writing tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,200 and tops out at $9,400 while the average work can sell for $3,550.

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