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 19th Century Louis XIII Bleached Oak Hunting Buffet / Bookcase
Located in Carmine, TX
This impressive 19th-century French cabinet is executed in the Louis XIII revival style. Inspired by the solid, architectural furniture of the early 17th century, it features a grand...
Glass, Oak
19th Century French Louis XIII Bleached Oak Hunting Buffet Deux Corps/Bookcase
Located in Birmingham, AL
A handsome mid-19th century French Louis XIII style carved hunting buffet deux corps or bibliothèque de chasse, circa 1850s, handcrafted in Lyon of solid oak that has been bleached, ...
Oak
French 18th Century Louis XIII Bookcase
Located in Carmine, TX
This impressive 18th century Louis XIII style cabinet showcases a strong architectural presence, defined by fluted pilasters, carved capitals, and an ornate cresting. The upper secti...
Bronze
19th Century French Louis XIII Whitewashed Oak Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Louis XIII Whitewashed Oak Bookcase is a majestic reminder of the glorious revivals of designs spanning millennia that occurred during the middle to the end of th...
Brass
Antique French Renaissance Revival Chestnut Step Back Book Case c. Mid 19th C.
Located in Westfield, MA
This mid-19th century French Renaissance Revival step-back bookcase exemplifies the grandeur and decorative intricacy of the period. The piece is crafted from chestnut, a wood that h...
Chestnut
$1,312Sale Price|40% Off
H 35.63 in W 18.12 in D 8.27 in
19th Century Walnut Bibus or Book Case with Marble Top
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This 19th century furniture piece is a charming Bibus, an open bookcase or étagère, with an elegant and understated design. Crafted from warm-toned walnut (noyer), it features refine...
Marble, Bronze
$3,200
H 77.75 in W 44 in D 18.5 in
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Period Book Matched Walnut Bookcase
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This nineteenth century French Louis Philippe period bookcase or vitrine features a solid walnut facade with simple, handsome lines and two doors inset with glass. A panel at the cro...
Glass, Walnut
Late 19th Century French Oak Bookcase
Located in High Point, NC
Late 19th century oak hand carved bookcase from France. The top of the bookcase features a lovely and well proportioned crown with hand carved decoration on the beveled edge, follow...
Oak
$9,040Sale Price|51% Off
H 98 in W 61 in D 22 in
French 18th Century Louis XV Style Provincial - Country French Armoire Bookcase
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Tall French 18th-19th Century Louis XV Style Provincial - Country French Carved Walnut Armoire - Bibliotheque - Bookcase. The twin-door vitrine or book cabinet with three wooden sh...
Brass, Bronze
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Bibliotheque or Bookcase
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Louis XVI bibliotheque, or bookcase, made of solid walnut with mahogany as a secondary wood. Nice hand carved decorative panels at the bottom with musical instr...
Glass, Mahogany, Walnut
19th century French Bookcase Mahogany
Located in MILL, NL
Insanely beautiful Louis Philippe bookcase / sideboard / display cabinet. Mahogany veneer over oak. Dates from the late 19th century. Condition is exceptionally good. All locks func...
Mahogany, Oak
Flemish Buffet a Deux Corps in Carved Oak, circa 1850
Located in Miami, FL
Exceptionally well-carved Flemish buffet a deux corps in oak in the Renaissance Revival style of Henri II. This cupboard features very well-articulated ...
Walnut
$4,700
H 92 in W 37 in D 20.5 in
Antique French Renaissance Revival Scholars Bookcase Cabinet Carved Oak 19th C
Located in Tyler, TX
Beautifully Carved Antique French Renaissance Revival Oak Scholars Bookcase or Cabinet with Lower Drawer and Key~~c. 1890s Highly carved single door with lower drawer and f...
Oak
$2,272
H 89.38 in W 55.91 in D 18.51 in
19th Century French Renaissance Revival Bookcase Cabinet Made of Pine
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
A 19th Century French bookcase in Renaissance style, made of solid pine. Consists of an upper and a lower part with a total of 4 doors. Facade-like front. Pilaster strips with flut...
Fir, Pine
19th Century French Carved Bookcase
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak hand-carved bookcase from France. The top is banded and has a beveled and hand carved edge, following down to paneled sides and a sin...
Blown Glass, Oak
$8,700
H 95.75 in W 82 in D 21 in
19th Century Large French Bleached Oak Carved Bookcase Display Cabinet
Located in Round Top, TX
19th century large French bleached oak bookcase and display cabinet featuring extensive and highly expressive hand carving throughout. Elaborate carved details include putti faces, l...
Brass
$3,665Sale Price|54% Off
H 84.26 in W 77.17 in D 22.05 in
19th Century Walnut Buffet Louis Philippe Deux-Corps, France
Located in Labrit, Landes
Antique Louis Philippe buffet cabinet, made circa 1850-1860 This type of buffet was used as the centrepiece of a room. It was used to st...
Walnut
Sold
H 54.53 in W 67.52 in D 12.8 in
Circa 1880 Antique French Faux Book Front Sideboard Bookcase Italian Marble Top
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning, large, hand cut solid oak sideboard with Italian Carrara marble top and leather upholstered, faux book fronted...
Marble
Sold
H 39.25 in W 29.5 in D 19.75 in
Antique French Petite Bookcase Server Barley Twist Louis XIII Carved Oak c1890
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French carved oak petite bookcase server barley twist display louis XIII ~Direct from France~ Very special petite size 19th century French Lou...
Oak
Sold
H 91 in W 59.25 in D 20.5 in
19th Century French Louis XIII Style Barley Twist Bibliotheque or Bookcase
Located in Birmingham, AL
A handsome 19th century French Louis XIII style carved barley twist bibliothèque or bookcase handcrafted in Lyon of solid walnut, circa 1890s, having a stepped cornice over a carved ...
Walnut
French 19th Century Bookcase
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French 19th century bookcase.
Oak
19th Century French Louis XIII Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Louis XIII bookcase was handcrafted from solid oak, and features amazing storage in the adjustable open bookshelf tier on top, separated into three compartments d...
Oak
Sold
H 77.5 in W 32 in D 19 in
Antique French Barley Twist Display Cabinet Vitrine Bookcase Carved Oak c1880
Located in Shreveport, LA
Direct from France, a lovely and unique antique French carved oak cabinet/bookcase/server! This is such a very versatile piece, we can imagine it in many places throughout the home! ~ Elaborately hand carved crown with large center cartouche ~ Look at the interior back panels, there are two large carved medallions that perfectly compliment the crown piece! ~ Barley twist posts on either side of the glass door ~ Barley twist legs on all four sides of the open shelf lower cabinet, with carved block joints ~ Large carved lower moldings above the big bun feet and carved beveled edge on the upper cabinet! ~ Quality throughout with original wavy glass ~ Solid oak, heavy and strong, well built by craftsmen of the period, ~ circa 1880 Measurements: 77.5” height (Over 6 ft.) x 32” x 19”. Three separate pieces (base, glass cabinet, upper crown). Base is 37” height x 32” x 19”; Glass cabinet section is 30” height x 30” x 13.5”; Upper crown is 10.5” height x 27.75”. Interior shelf is adjustable on the wood track. Shelf itself is 26.25” x 10”. As shown, the height above the shelf is 11.5” and below the shelf is 14.5”. Large open...
Glass, Oak
19th Century French Oak Renaissance Style Low Bookcase
Located in Birmingham, AL
Intricately carved 19th century Renaissance style low bookcase rendered from select oak by skilled artisans from the Brittany region. Stepped crown atop a carved frieze over original...
Oak
Sold
H 87 in W 35 in D 22.5 in
19th Century French Hand-Carved Louis XIII Style Buffet Deux Corps Cabinet
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This beautifully hand-carved oak Louis XIII style buffet deux corps features barley twist columns, single door, and single drawer. The carvings on the lower door include an unusual m...
Blown Glass, Oak
Pair of French Arched Top Shallow Bookcases, circa 1800
Located in Highwood, IL
Magnificent and extremely rare pair of French bookcases, circa 1780-1800. Our opinion is that these were built into a wall of a large home jus...
Cherry
Louis XIII Style Ebonized Bookcase
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Wonderful and impressive breakfront bookcase of Louis XIII style. Features of note are raised diamond patterned panels, which are backed with panes of glass on the top section, th...
Walnut, Oak, Glass
French Early 20th Century Walnut Bibliotheque
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French walnut bibliotheque of solid walnut. Round carved and detailed finials top this wonderful 2 door book case, with a flat top sitting over detail...