1. Meet the French Royal Style: Louis XIII
Louis XIII – The OG Wigfluencer
Before Louis XVI was busy picking locks and Madame de Pompadour was raising chickens at Versailles (because of course she was), there was Louis XIII—child king, master lutenist, and the man who literally started the wig trend. Yes, he’s the reason courtroom barristers are still serving powdered drama centuries later.
Crowned at the tender age of 8 (we were still figuring out shoelaces), Louis XIII ruled from 1610 to 1643 with a flair for fairness—earning him the nickname Le Juste. But make no mistake, he wasn’t just a judicious ruler with a penchant for lute solos (which he mastered by age 3, naturally). His entourage—featuring Cardinal Richelieu and the dashing Charles d’Albert—inspired none other than Dumas’ The Three Musketeers. Drama. Power. Wigs. The whole shebang.
Louis XIII Furniture Style: Built Like a Musketeer, Styled Like a Monk
Now, onto the furniture. If Louis XIII style had a tagline, it would be: sturdy, serious, and low-key fabulous.
Born from a cocktail of Renaissance elegance and a dash of Spanish-Flemish spice, Louis XIII’s furniture was all about substance with just a hint of flourish. Think strong architectural lines, muscular legs (twisted, turned, or beaded like they’d been doing Pilates), and a devotion to symmetry that would make any modern minimalist weep with joy.
The Legs
Boldly turned. Often in walnut. Baluster, spiral, or bobbin-shaped—these legs do not skip leg day.
The Wood
Oak was the go-to, but walnut added a bit of southern warmth. Gilding? Not their thing. These pieces let the raw wood shine like a perfectly aged Bordeaux.
The Carvings
Deep, geometric, architectural. Expect Maltese crosses and diamond points—fussy rococo curls wouldn’t arrive for another century.
Storage Stars
Cabinets came with paneled doors, drawers galore, and iron hardware that kept things refreshingly grounded.
Upholstery
Minimal and restrained. More monk’s cell than marquise’s boudoir. (But honestly, it works.)
Why It Still Matters
Louis XIII furniture isn’t trying to be your flamboyant best friend—it’s the strong, silent type. These pieces laid the groundwork (literally) for all the ornate Louis XIV and XV excess that followed. With their clean lines, solid construction, and understated power, they’re as timeless as a little black dress.
So the next time you spot a twisted walnut leg or a sharply carved diamond motif, give a nod to Louis XIII—the king who brought the drama, held the lute, and quite literally turned furniture history.
Curious to spot a Louis XII one in the wild? Peek at our current collection—hand-picked, full of stories, and guaranteed to elevate any room with that unmistakable old-world edge.
