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 Century Late Gustavian chest of drawers, Swedish origin, painted
Located in Kvidinge, SE
This striking Late Gustavian (sengustaviansk) chest of drawers perfectly marries neoclassical elegance with exceptional craftsmanship. Painted in a sophisticated matte black finish,...
Brass
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Chests of Drawers, circa 1840–1860
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of Swedish chests of drawers executed in the Gustavian style, circa 1840–1860. Crafted in black-painted pine with a beautiful patina. Simple architectural design featuring a c...
Brass
Pair of Swedish Blue Commodes
Located in Atlanta, GA
A charming pair of Swedish blue painted commodes crafted in the Gustavian style and dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920. Each chest features a softly distressed blue painted...
Wood
Swedish 19th Century Black Painted Gustavian 3 Drawer Chest
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish 18th Century chest of drawers painted a later Gustavian black paint and patina. This classic commode is a very versatile piece that works well in a foyer, living room or bedr...
Brass
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Breakfront Chests of Drawers, Circa 1840–1860
Located in Kastrup, DK
A decorative pair of Swedish chests of drawers crafted in pine and executed in the Gustavian style. The softly weathered paintwork displays a delicate blend of celadon green and fade...
Brass
Late Gustavian Chest of Drawers in Blue-Green Finish, Sweden Circa 1790–1800
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Gustavian chest of drawers in a beautiful blue-green finish with a simple and harmonious expression, crafted with refined classical details. The chest features three spaciou...
Brass
Antique Gustavian Style Swedish Empire Chest of Drawers Commode
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Gustavian Style Swedish Empire Chest of Drawers Commode.
Wood
Smal Swedish Chest of Drawers (19th Century, Gustavian-Style, Painted)
Located in Kvidinge, SE
Breathe timeless European charm into your home with this stunning Gustavian-style three-drawer chest. Painted in a beige color featuring a beautifully weathered, distressed finish. ...
Brass
Swedish Gustavian Painted Small Commode Chest of Drawers Nightstand
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Hand painted, in a wonderful Scandinavian neutral green color, Gustavian style chest of drawers or nightstand. This piece has been constructed from solid wood with a hand-applied dis...
Brass
Antique Genuine Swedish Original Gustavian Period Handmade Chest of Drawers
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish chest of drawers from the 1700s in gustavian style. The chest is a genuine Swedish gustavian furniture with four drawers made by hand in solid pine around 1790. Class...
Pine
Pair of Blue Gustavian Chests of Drawers, Gustavian Style, Sweden
Located in Kastrup, DK
A refined and elegant pair of chests of drawers executed in the Gustavian style and painted in nuanced shades of blue with geometric ornamentation. Each chest features a moulded top...
Brass
Pair of 19th century painted Swedish chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of 19th painted Swedish chest of drawers circa 1880. Good quality pair of Swedish hand painted commodes, ideal for many rooms around the home. Rectangular top with front cante...
Paint, Pine
Swedish Gustavian-Style Blue Chest of Drawers with Faux Marble Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
A refined Swedish Gustavian-style chest of drawers. Crafted in pine, this piece is painted in a soft blue tone, a color popular beginning with late 19th-century Scandinavian interpre...
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Chest of Drawers with Diamond-Patterned Marquetry
Located in Kastrup, DK
Gustavian chest of drawers of exceptional craftsmanship, originating from the Mälardalen region, Sweden, circa 1780–1790. The chest is richly veneered with geometric marquetry arran...
Brass
Pair of Gustavian Style Blue Painted Chest of Drawers Commodes
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish Gustavian Style Blue Painted Chest of Drawers Commodes, A Pair Classic Pair Swedish Style Painted Chest of Drawers. Two drawer c...
Brass, Bronze
A classic pair of 19th-century Gustavian chests of drawers
Located in Charleston, SC
A pair of 19th-century classic Gustavian chests of drawers with dentil molding beneath the tops and decorative charming carvings on both drawer fronts. locks are functional, with tw...
Bronze
$8,250 / set
19th Century Swedish Pair of Chest of Drawers
Located in Round Top, TX
A pair of Gustavian pine chest of drawers painted in shades of antique white and soft gray, fitting their Swedish origin. Canted fluted side posts with upper applied carving, dentil ...
Brass
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Blue Painted Breakfront Commodes
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant pair of Gustavian-style breakfront commodes from Sweden, circa 1840–1860. Each is painted in a light blue tone with a charming patina. Below the top runs a finely carved à l...
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Style Green Painted Chest of Drawers Dresser
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Green Painted Swedish Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Bureau. This three drawer bureau is based on an 18th Century Gustavian antique chest of drawers. The chest is hand painted with s...
Brass
Swedish Gustavian Style Hand-Painted Commode Chest of Drawers
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Wonderful hand painted textured Gustavian style chest of drawers. This commode has been constructed from solid wood with a hand-applied distressed finish with brass ring hardware. Th...
Brass
Antique Northern Swedish Classic Gustavian Chest of Drawers
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique chest of drawers or commode from northern Sweden made in a classic straight gustavian shape from the late 1700s. The chest is a genuine Swedish antique made by hand in pine a...
Pine
Late 18th Century Danish Gustavian Chest of Drawers in Off-White Paint
Located in Kastrup, DK
Gustavian chest of drawers in oak with an off-white finish and beautiful patina. The chest features three spacious drawers with brass handles and escutcheons. Beneath the top is a d...
Bronze
Gustavian 19th Century Grey Painted 3 Drawer Dresser
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late Swedish 19th century painted chest of drawers. This 3 drawer dresser has a charming break front style with the original brass hardware.
Bronze
Late 18th Century Swedish Black Gustavian Chest of Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
Architectural and decorative Gustavian chest of drawers crafted in pine and finished in a beautiful black surface with a rich aged patina. Areas of warm wood tones subtly emerge thro...
Brass
Swedish Late 19th Century Faux Marble-Top Gustavian Style Chest of Drawers
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish 19th century faux marble-top Gustavian style chest of drawers with brass hardware. EUR 175 delivery to most areas of London UK, The Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden a...
Pine
19th century Swedish painted pine chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish painted pine chest of drawers circa 1880. Good quality 3 drawer chest of drawers painted in a light coral paint effect. 2 plank top surface, with 3 drawers of ...
Pine, Paint
$6,876 / set
Pair of Swedish Painted Commodes
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Good pair of pine Swedish 19th C painted commodes.
Pine
Swedish pair of 19th century Gustavian influenced chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Fine pair of 19th century Swedish commodes circa 1880. Presented in a powder blue colour scheme this pair of chests would work in many rooms around the home, such as the living room...
Pine, Paint
Pair Swedish Gustavian Breakfront Commodes in Original Gray Paint, 19th c.
Located in Wichita, KS
A beautiful pair of Swedish Gustavian breakfront chests from the 19th century, framed by dentil molding. There are three drawers with brass hardware. The corner posts are canted and ...
Wood, Paint
Swedish Wooden Serpentine Chest w/Taupe Finish, 19th C.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish shapely serpentine chest of three drawers from the 19th century. This antique chest from Sweden features a curvy-shaped serpentine forward facing facade which continues fro...
Wood
Swedish Gustavian-Style Painted Chest of Drawers, 20th Century
Located in Shippensburg, PA
SWEDISH GUSTAVIAN-STYLE PAINTED CHEST OF DRAWERS Northern European, 20th Century 39 1/4" H x 21 1/4" D x 44 1/2" W A reproduction of the Gustavian period carefully executed in the ...
Brass
Early 19th Century French Oak Painted Chest of Drawers
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 19th-century French oak chest of three drawers with newer professionally layered painted finish in tones of gray, blue, and antique white blended for a soft, mottled effect. Ca...
Wood, Oak
Swedish Gustavian Period Bow-front Commode
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A very unusual Swedish Gustavian period painted demilune commode/chest of drawers from the late 18th century in charming proportions that could easily take the place of a small buffe...
Brass
Antique Danish Gustavian Style Painted Chest of Three Drawers, Narrow
Located in Round Top, TX
Decorative pine Gustavian chest of drawers with traditional carved dentil molding, canted fluted side posts, decorative upper drawer all raised on four tapered fluted feet. Restored,...
Brass
Small Danish Gustavian Chest of Drawers in Original Coral Paint
Located in Kastrup, DK
Small Louis XVI / Gustavian chest of drawers in pine with its original coral-red paint and subtle traces of gilding on mouldings and carved details. Architecturally composed with cl...
Brass
Antique Gustavian Style Swedish Empire Commode Chest of Drawers
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Gustavian Style Swedish Empire Commode Chest of Drawers
Wood
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Chests of Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A classic pair of Gustavian-style chests of drawers crafted from solid pine and featuring a distinctive broken-front design. These elegant pieces are painted in a warm gray tone, bea...
Pine
Gustavian Hand-Painted Chest of Drawers, 19th Century Sweden
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Gustavian Chest of Drawers, Sweden, 19th Century A beautifully proportioned Gustavian chest of drawers from 19th-century Sweden, showcasing the hallmark simplicity and lightness of...
Softwood
$3,996Sale Price / set|42% Off
Superb Pair Cottage Chic Paint Decorated Soft White Swedish Gustavian Commodes
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This superb pair of Swedish Gustavian style commodes embodies the timeless elegance and rustic charm associated with Scandinavian design. Finished in a soft white paint with a lightl...
Walnut
Antique Swedish Gustavian Pine Chests, Circa 1870-1890, Neoclassical
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, antique pair of light-grey Swedish Gustavian chests made of hand crafted painted Pinewood with two large drawers and one small one, in good condition. The Scandinavia...
Metal, Bronze
$5,322 / item
Gustavian Style Swedish Dresser
Located in Westwood, NJ
Gustavian Style Swedish Dresser, large four-drawer commode with an antique painted finish, with carved dental moldings, blind fret carings, with...
Wood
19th century Swedish painted pine chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish painted pine chest of drawers circa 1860. Fine quality chest of drawers of grand proportions made out of very heavy pitch pine. Fitted with 5 drawers in a 2 ov...
Pine, Paint
Gustavian Style RARE Butlers Desk
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a very unique Gustavian style 3 drawer Butlers Desk. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Wood
19th Century Swedish Miniature Chest of Drawers with original paint Country
Located in Boden, SE
Original painted Scandinavian miniature chest of drawers from Luleå Norrbotten ,Northern Sweden This small miniature Gustavian 4 drawer dresser can be perfect as a storage of small ...
Pine
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Chest of Three Drawers
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 19th century Swedish Gustavian chest of three drawers, crafted in pine. The case is detailed with canted fluted sides and raised on tapered fluted feet, giving the piece a refi...
Brass
Late 19th Century Swedish 3 Drawer Gustavian Chest
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late 19th Century chest of drawers painted in black. This classic Gustavian commode is a very versatile piece that works well in a foyer, living room or bedroom.
Brass
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Grey/ White Painted Commode/ Chest of Drawers
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A lovely Swedish painted chest of drawers in oak with dental molding along ridge of top and half-corner columns extending from original turned feet to underside of molding. Has origi...
Oak
Gustavian Style Painted Chest of Drawers with Brass Handles
Located in Atlanta, GA
This Gustavian-style chest of drawers is a refined example of Swedish neoclassical design, crafted in pine and finished in a soft gray paint that enhances its timeless appeal. The ch...
Pine
Pair of painted 19th century Swedish chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of painted 19th century Swedish chest of drawers circa 1890. Good quality pair of commodes which are painted in a light grey scheme. Slightly wider than the normal, rectangula...
Pine, Paint
Swedish Gustavian-Inspired Three-Drawer Chest with Painted Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
A beautifully tailored Swedish Gustavian-inspired three-drawer chest, crafted with the refined restraint and symmetry that define the neoclassical style. The façade is distinguished ...
Wood
Late Gustavian Chest of Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
Gustavian chest of drawers in mahogany with beautiful grain pattern. Original brass fittings, locks, and keys. Brass profile molding around the drawers. Chamfered corners with flutin...
Brass
Antique Swedish Gustavian Apothecary Cabinets, Pinewood, Circa 1880
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A late 19th-century, antique pair of light-grey Swedish Gustavian apothecary cabinets made of handcrafted painted pinewood, they offer elegant and timeless storage solutions for any ...
Metal, Brass
$4,000
Gustavian Secretairs
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Gustavian style oak secretaire/display cabinet with fold-out wtriting level. Numerous small drawers and 4 larger drawers (one below the desk flat). Original brass handles early 20th...
Wood
$13,500Sale Price|50% Off
A Handsome Swedish Gustavian Alder Root Parquetry Chest
Located in San Francisco, CA
A handsome Swedish Gustavian alder root parquetry 3-drawer chest; the well-figured top with canted corners above a body fitted with 3 graduated drawers with parquetry veneer; raised ...
Wood
Antique Danish Chest of Drawers in Pine, Early 20th Century
Located in Odense, DK
A charming Scandinavian chest of drawers crafted from solid pine in Denmark during the late 19th to early 20th century. The piece features four spacious drawers adorned with decorati...
Brass
Swedish Gustavian Style Black Painted Commode Chest of Drawers
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Wonderful hand painted textured Gustavian style chest of drawers. This commode has been constructed from solid wood with a hand-applied black distressed finish with brass ring hardwa...
Brass
Pair of 19th century Swedish hand painted chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of 19th century Swedish hand painted chest of drawers circa 1890. Pair of Swedish commodes that have been stripped back and re-painted in the gustavian taste. Rectangular tops...
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Period 18th Century Painted Commode
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A spectacular three-drawer commode from Sweden, circa 1790, that alludes to a Louis XVI influence met with the pared-down Nordic sensibility of both culture and time period. On top a...
Brass
19th Century Swedish Chest of Drawers with original paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century Swedish Gustavian chest of drawers from Umeå Västerbotten ,Northern Sweden . The chest of drawers is a Swedish country house furniture from between 1820 and 1830. Made i...
Pine
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Neoclassical Painted Chests
Located in Dallas, TX
The product is a pair of Swedish Gustavian Neoclassical painted chests. These chests feature a neoclassical design with carvings painted detailing, adding a classic touch of eleganc...
Wood