With clean lines and muted colors, antique Gustavian furniture is understated and elegant. It represents a more restrained version of the transition from Rococo to neoclassicism that was happening in France under Louis XVI. The style developed under Swedish King Gustav III, who reigned from 1771 until his assassination in 1792, and his son Gustav IV, who ruled until 1809. Although Gustavian furniture is mostly used to refer to pale painted cabinets, commodes, armchairs and other items, it involved a range of influences.
Gustavian-style furniture was inspired by discoveries at Pompeii and Herculaneum as well as the grandeur of European palaces like Versailles, with local softwoods such as pine and birch. There was also an emphasis on natural light; crystal chandeliers and large mirrors played a role in radiating the fleeting daylight of winter, giving it a distinctive aesthetic.
Where earlier furniture was curvy and florid, this new era was more architectural, with tapered and fluted legs and rectangular and oval shapes. Luminous gilt contrasted with the palette of soft blues on upholstery and painted surfaces. Leading furniture builders included Gottlieb Iwersson, Louis Masreliez and Erik Öhrmark. The latter, a French-born Swedish decorator, designed the Sulla chair, a seat that was demonstrative of technical skill and precise craftsmanship and drew on Greek klismos chairs. Masreliez’s Sulla chair was made by Öhrmark and featured decorative ornamentation produced by Jean-Baptiste Masreliez, Louis’s younger brother.
While the wealthy had furniture carved with neoclassical details like scallops and rosettes, more affordable options were adorned with faux finishes that mimicked marble and stenciled patterns. The simple elegance of Gustavian furniture would have a long impact on Swedish design, informing the 20th-century appreciation for function and form. In the 1950s, IKEA mass-produced copies of a Gustavian commode designed by cabinetmaker Georg Haupt, who created pieces for the Royal Palace, making the furniture a fixture of everyday Swedish life.
Find a collection of antique Gustavian seating, tables, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.
19th C Gustavian style Flower Container
Located in New Orleans, LA
An elegant 19th century Swedish Neoclassical jardinière, executed in the enduring Gustavian taste, with a beautifully time-softened painted surface and richly carved giltwood ornamen...
Metal
Swedish Gustavian Neoclassical Style Painted Lyre Form Jardinière or Planter
Located in Essex, MA
Gustavian style painted and distressed Lyre form planter. In the neoclassical taste. Wonderfully dovetailed and distressed. Quite charming.
Pine
Antique German Paktong Tumbler Cup, 17th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
This fine antique tumbler cup has a plain circular form. Made from the rare and highly prized metal Paktong. Similar in shape to silver examples of ...
Other
$1,295
H 19.69 in W 16.93 in D 16.93 in
18th Century French Hammered Copper Water Container, Country Style
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. The c...
Copper
17th/18th Century Wood, Leather and Metal Trunk, Tibet
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Trunk Tibet 17th/18th century Wood, leather, metal H: 8 in x W: 8.5 in x D 8.5 in :: 20.3 x 21.6 x 21.6 cm A slightly domed top hinged trunk with brass handles, closures and sculpte...
Metal
Pair of Flower Vases, Calamine, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of sculptural "violeteros" (flower vases) made in calamine, Rococo inspired. The vessels have a sinuous profile, and are entirely covered with embossed rock decorations. The fig...
Zinc, Other
Antique Neoclassical Cast Iron Urn Planters or Jardiniere - Set of 2
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This refined pair of antique Neoclassical cast iron urn planters, dating to the early 20th century, originates from France and reflects the enduring sophistication of classical Europ...
Iron
19th Century French Brass Jardinière or Planter
Located in Houston, TX
19th century French brass Jardinière or planter. Lovely antique French Napoleon III heavy weight brass jardiniere, planter or cachepot. This fantastic French planter is beautifully d...
Brass
$630Sale Price|40% Off
H 5.91 in Dm 13.78 in
Antique Swedish Jardiniere Planter in Copper & Bronze, circa 1900s
By Copper Craft
Located in Bromma, SE
Early 20th century Swedish hand-crafted Pot Jardiniere Planter with two handles. An alloy of different metals (heavy pot!! BUT you can still lift it with one hand) most probably bron...
Copper, Bronze
$275Sale Price / item|50% Off
H 12 in W 12 in D 12 in
Classical Style Painted Wastebasket or Planter, Sold Singly
Located in Sheffield, MA
Rustic and classical at the same time, painted iron waste basket or trash can or planter with wonderful patina, X-design. Waste basket, planter.
Metal
$1,814
H 20.87 in W 15.75 in D 17.33 in
Japanese Antique Pottery Jar 17th-18th Century/ Wabi-Sabi /Tokoname
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Tokoname is a region in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, renowned as one of the country's oldest pottery centers, with a history dating back to the 12th century. This jar, despite cracking ...
Pottery
A Chinese Cizhou Stonweare Vessel, Ming Dynasty, 17th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Chinese Cizhou Stonweare Vessel, Ming Dynasty, 17th Century Description: Produced in Northern China, Cizhou ware was especially popular from the Song to Yuan dynasties (11th–14th ...
Stoneware
$900
H 12.41 in W 9.93 in D 9.65 in
Antique Japanese pottery vase / Late 16th to early 17th century / tokoname ware
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This piece is an old Tokoname ware jar produced in the Tokoname region of Aichi Prefecture, Japan. It is believed to date from the Momoyama period to the early Edo period (late 16th ...
Pottery
$894Sale Price|40% Off
H 6.3 in W 7.49 in D 22.64 in
Antique Swedish Hammered Copper Jardiniere Planter, circa 1900s
By Copper Craft
Located in Bromma, SE
Early 20th century Swedish hand-crafted Hammered Copper Pot Jardiniere Planter with iron handles. This heavy duty jardiniere planter was originally a fish poacher or poissoniere. It ...
Copper
19th Century Majolica Flowers Cache Pot Wasmuel
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century Majolica Flowers Cache Pot Wasmuel.
Ceramic, Faience
Small Swedish Style Metal Gilt Edge Wastebasket with Vintage Feel
Located in Sheffield, MA
Rustic and elegant at the same time, add a neoclassical country touch to your bedroom, bathroom or office. The gold gilt edging gives it a Classic vintage/antique feel. Suitable for ...
Metal
Swedish Style Gilt Edge Metal Wastebasket with Vintage Feel
Located in Sheffield, MA
Rustic and elegant at the same time, add a neoclassical country touch to your bedroom, bathroom or office. The gold gilt edging gives it a Classic vintage/antique feel. Suitable for any décor, modern, Art Deco, neoclassical, classical, Swedish Gustavian, French Louis style or, simply gracious country setting. We don't stock these but they can be ordered with a short lead time if multiple units are needed. Office waste basket...
Metal
Swedish Style Metal Gilt Edge Wastebasket with Vintage Feel
Located in Sheffield, MA
Rustic and elegant at the same time, add a neoclassical country touch to your bedroom, bathroom or office. The gold gilt edging gives it a Classic vintage/antique feel. Suitable for ...
Metal
Swedish Style Metal Gilt Edge Wastebasket with Vintage Feel
Located in Sheffield, MA
Rustic and elegant at the same time, add a neoclassical country touch to your bedroom or bathroom. The gold gilt edging gives it a Classic vintage/antique feel. Suitable for any déc...
Tin
18th-19th Century Swedish Bitter Churner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderfully worn patina on this late 18th-early 19th century. Swedish butter churner. Late 18th-19th century. butter churner. Pine wood, great smooth natural worn patina. Would work...
Pine
18th Century Swedish Cast Iron Mortar
Located in Allerum, SE
An unusual and sculptural 18th century Swedish cast iron mortar with a great patinated surface. Condition: Very good. Wear: Wear consistent wi...
Iron