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.
French 17th Century Walnut and Leather Covered Reclining or Ratchet Chair
Located in Troy, NY
Reclining or "Ratchet" Chair of Louis XIV period and very comfortable proportions, the turned front legs and stretcher, connected to the square back legs by flat H-stretchers, seat, back, armrests and seat-cushion covered in beige leather, the seat with hinges connecting the back and with wrought iron...
Leather, Walnut
$2,925Sale Price|35% Off
17th Century Louis XIII Armchair, Restored and Newly Upholstered
Located in San Francisco, CA
The Louis XIII style originated during Henry IV, who was a avid patron of Craftsmen, and craftsmanship of all kinds flourished in France during this period. Furniture was architectur...
Silk, Walnut
Late 17th Century Carved Walnut and Embossed Leather Armchair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An extraordinary chair with superb color, large proportion. The wood has a very soft hand and great marking. With polychrome leather embossed back a...
Wood, Leather
19th Century Pair of Round-back Upholstered Armchairs
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th century pair of round-back upholstered armchairs. Dates from the transition period between square William IV lolling chairs and curvilinear Victorian; the carved embellishment t...
Mahogany
Armchair In Carved Walnut And Tapestry, Late 17th Century
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Armchair In Carved Walnut And wool Tapestry, Late 17th Century
Wool, Walnut
$5,233Sale Price|20% Off
H 35.44 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Italian Midcentury Reclinable Lounge Chair or Armchair, 1950
Located in Rome, IT
Original Mid-Century Modern reclinable lounge chair or chaise longue. This extremely comfortable reclinable chair and can be set in several positions, with or without the footrest e...
Iron
$1,765Sale Price|46% Off
H 43.31 in W 22.05 in D 40.16 in
Antique Arts & Crafts Oak Reclining Chair, Early 20th Century
By Heal's
Located in Uppsala, SE
Deep seated Arts & Crafts recliner in oak, possibly English and possibly retailed by Heal's of London, from the early 20th century. Seat and back covered in what is most likely the o...
Fabric, Oak
$9,800 / set
H 46.25 in W 27 in D 25 in
Pair of French Baroque Walnut Needlework Armchairs of the Late 17th Century
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of well carved Baroque needlework armchairs. Colorful but later needlework probably 19th century in period form.
Walnut
17th Century Wainscot Chair
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine English 17th century oak wainscot chair, the scroll and strapwork decorated crest with carved berries, over diamond carved back panel, the shaped ...
Oak, Rope
17th Century Italian Armchair
Located in Round Top, TX
An exquisite Renaissance period armchair from Lombardy, Italy. Wonderfully constructed from walnut and tooled leather accented with gold gilt and handsome nail heads. Very sturdy wit...
Leather, Walnut
$5,235Sale Price|20% Off
H 35.44 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Italian Midcentury Reclinable Lounge Chair or Armchair, 1950
Located in Rome, IT
Original Mid-Century Modern reclinable lounge chair or chaise longue. This extremely comfortable reclinable chair and can be set in several positions, with or without the footrest e...
Iron
$1,990
H 30.71 in W 23.63 in D 29.93 in
Roland Rainer Lounge Chair Armchair Cafe Ritter, Wood Newly Upholstered, 1950s
By Roland Rainer, Roland Rainer Emil & Alfred Pollack
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A midcentury lounge chair designed by Roland Rainer for the "Cafe Ritter" in Vienna, Austria, in 1952 and manufactured by Emil & Alfred Pollak. The chair ...
Velvet, Beech, Wood
$12,800 / set
H 25.5 in W 28 in D 30 in
Pair of Preview Tri Leg Post Modern Armchairs Newly Upholstered in Ivory Bouclé
By Preview
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Ultra modern three legged pair of armchairs by Preview newly professionally upholstered in super soft ivory white bouclé. So many possibilities with this pair of post modern chairs. In a dining room as host chairs...
Bouclé, Upholstery
Louis XIII French Armchair in Walnut and Belgian Linen
Located in Jesteburg, DE
Essential for a touch of French style- the Louis XIII armchair. This beautiful large example in Walnut has a lovely dark Patina, is very heavy and sturdy and extremely comfortable. R...
Linen, Walnut
Sold
H 48 in W 26 in D 26 in
Italian Lounge Chairs in Walnut -a pair - newly upholstered in Silk Plaid
Located in San Francisco, CA
A wonderful pair of wing back chairs, in walnut, hand crafted of the finest materials, and newly recovered in a classic silk plaid. The walnu...
Walnut
19th Century Os De Mouton Armchairs
Located in Denton, TX
Antique throne size "Os de Mouton" fauteuils, made in the 19th century in the style of Louis XIII with needle work upholstery in French walnut. A pair.
Upholstery, Wood
French Walnut and Upholstered Fauteuil, Early 18th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
having a bow-shaped crest rail with straight sides and fully upholstered arms raised on block arms supports leading to turned front legs and H-form stretcher, the rear legs hexagonal...
Pair of French Louis XIII Style Fruitwood Fauteuils, 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
rectangular backrests, upholstered armrests, turned handles and arms supports, generous seats, turned legs and stretchers, recently upholstered in velvet and trimmed with gimp and br...
Fruitwood, Upholstery
Sold
H 44.25 in W 26 in D 40.5 in
A Highly Specialized Early 18th Century Walnut and Upholstered Fauteuil
Located in Atlanta, GA
of large proportion and having extremely long arms with a generous lean, upholstered in linen burlap with antique trim, supported by turned legs joined by an h-stretcher, raised on f...
Walnut, Upholstery