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.
Mid Century Louis VIII Vanity, Flip Lid Mirror with Marquetry and Bronze Mounts
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous French vanity with a flip lid top which opens to reveal a divided tray atop a drawer. Great craftsmanship in the Marquetry with cross banding. Br...
Bronze
$4,125Sale Price|20% Off
ANTIQUE FRENCH EMPIRE HAND PAINTED 19TH CENTURY DRESSING TABLE + TRi FOLD MIRROR
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning original hand painted French Country dressing table which is part of a small suite Circa 1890-1910 I hav...
Mirror, Oak
Antique 19th Century Small Vanity Desk, Work Table, Louis XIII style in walnut
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Elegant and pretty small 19th century Louis XIII dressing table or dressing table in walnut with the top all hand engraved with art nouveau motifs of the period. Also excellent as an...
Walnut
$12,600
H 71.2 in W 54.4 in D 16 in
Italian Mid-Century Vanity Console by Cesare Lacca with Mirror in Burl Walnut
By Cesare Lacca
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Code: FH27 Majestic vanity dressing table console with mirror, 1950s by Cesare Lacca per La Permanente Mobili Cantù , in burl walnut folder. La...
Mirror, Walnut, Burl
$3,475
H 28.35 in W 43.31 in D 19.69 in
Early 19th Century Walnut Wood Catalan Spanish Console, Desk or Vanity Table
Located in Miami, FL
A 19th century walnut console table with a slab top above a frieze with two drawers with front decorated with and edge in each drawer and a single original iron pull . The table is s...
Iron
Early 20th Century Spanish Carved Walnut Console Table
Located in Miami, FL
Early 20th century Spanish carved walnut console table with two drawers and green marble top. This early 20th century Spanish Console tabl...
Marble
$2,651Sale Price|50% Off
H 56.7 in W 24.81 in D 16.54 in
19th Century French Mahogany Vanity Table with Swan's Heads in Empire Style
Located in Sofia, BG
French hand carved mahogany vanity table with black marble top. There is an original crystal oval mirror on the top part surrounded by two asymme...
Marble
$5,500
H 33 in W 50 in D 25 in
Rustic 18th/19th C. Mediterranean Provincial Louis XIII Carved Walnut Table
Located in Forney, TX
A most impressive and truly Provincial antique walnut table from the estate of legendary American businessman, T. Boone Pickens. Born in the charming countryside of Provence, Southeastern France, directly on the border of Italy and the Mediterranean sea, in the early 19th century, possibly 18th century. Hand-crafted from warm, rich walnut, with superb grain pattern, ornate Louis XIII style, showing heavy Italian Mediterranean influence, substantial size and proportions, featuring a rectangular top with carved molded edge, atop single large frieze drawer, with hand carved dovetail joints, paneled drawer front and original wooden pull, over a shaped apron with spiral scroll incised decorative accent. High quality craftsmanship throughout including pegged mortise tenoned joinery, rising elegantly on hand turned legs joined by finial topped "X" form turned cross-stretcher, terminating on ball feet. Retaining beautiful original patina over the whole. The exceptional antique, circa 1800, is as warm and attractive as it is functional. It can be used many different ways, including as a center table, oversized hall console or sofa table, sideboard server or credenza stand, standing desk, countertop height kitchen work island...
Walnut
$2,380
H 23.63 in W 47.25 in D 12.6 in
Early 20th Century Catalan Spanish Hand Carved Walnut Console Table
Located in Miami, FL
Late 19th century catalan spanish hand carved walnut console table with three drawers. Very good quality carved Spanish console table, circa 1800-1900. Beautifully carved in walnut w...
Walnut
Handcrafted Console Vanity Table, English Oak
Located in London, GB
Modernist console or vanity table designed and handmade in England using traditional furniture making techniques. Completely handcrafted from fully quarter-sawn English oak. Hand dov...
Oak
$2,900 / set
H 48 in W 27.5 in D 18.25 in
Vintage Mid Century Art Deco Vanity or Desk with Mirror in Pine
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A funky art deco vanity with mirror. Solid pine with period deco hardware. Mirror has some small dark spot from age. All in all very good condition. Price includes both vanity & mirr...
Mirror, Pine
$3,995
H 52.5 in W 50.75 in D 26.25 in
Louis XV Style Vanity with Bronze Mirror & Frame Manner Maison Forest
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Elevate your interior with this stunning Louis XV style vanity, featuring an ornate bronze-mounted mirror and frame, crafted in the refined manner of Maison Forest, the renowned Pari...
Bronze
Mid-Century John Stuart Mirrored Vanity Desk with Bench
By John Stuart
Located in Forney, TX
A rare Mid-Century Modern painted white mirrored vanity desk and bench by legendary American luxury designer John Stuart. Circa 1950 The sensational John Stuart designed demilune ...
Leather, Wood
$495
H 5.625 in W 31.75 in D 12 in
1950s Retro Wall Mounted Salon Vanity with Mirror and Wooden Shelf with Drawer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1950s Retro wall mounted salon vanity with mirror and wooden shelf with drawer. The mirror has scalloped corners. The shelf has gold trim, and matching, period drawer pulls with two ...
Mirror, Wood
$3,037 / set
H 31.5 in W 31.5 in D 15.36 in
Mid-Century Vanity In With Brass Details And Side-Panel Mirrors
Located in Roma, RM
Chair + Mid-Century Vanity In Wood, Bamboo, And Vienna Straw With Brass Details And Side-Panel Mirrors Product Details Vanity Dimensions: 80 W x 80 / 150 H x 39 D cm Chair Dimensions...
Brass