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 Swedish Gustavian Style Walnut Two-Drawer Commode with Brass Inlay
Located in Madrid, ES
Elegant Swedish Gustavian style petite commode in walnut, first half of the 19th century. Raised on tapered legs, the piece features two drawers with brass string inlay, circular ri...
Brass
Swedish Gustavian Style Matching 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Rare and unique set of 2 Swedish Gustavian Style Matching 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers. They have been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Pine
Early 20th century inlaid walnut commode with marble top
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Inlaid walnut commode with marble top circa 1910 from Stockholm, Sweden. Green and grey marble top with moulded edge and canted corners, sits, removable on the main body. Fitted wi...
Marble, Ormolu
Antique Swedish Genuine Tall Red Painted Gustavian Country Chest of Drawers
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish country house chest of drawers in gustavian style. The chest of drawers is a Swedish country house furniture from between 1820 and 1830. Made in the classic gustavian straigh...
Pine
Gustavian Grey Painted Chatol With Four Drawers From 1790s
Located in Lejre, DK
Gustavian Chatol with four drawers and built-in drawers inside. The Chatol is painted gray and from around 1790. The Chatol will be inspected at the workshop before delivery. Dimen...
Wood
Antique Painted Scandinavian Chest of Drawers, circa 1790
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
An 18th century Scandinavian chest with a painted white/grey finish consisting of five drawers which rest on a plinth base. From the Schleswig-Holstein region of Germany which was pa...
Pine
Fine Swedish Gustavian Mahogany Antique Chest of Drawers Commode ca. 1780
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A VERY FINE LATE GUSTAVIAN NEOCLASSICAL COMMODE Probably Stockholm, Sweden circa 1780 Mahogany, mahogany veneers, pine, Öland limestone, gilt bronze, brass 35 1/2" H x 47 1/2" W x ...
Limestone, Brass, Bronze
Swedish Gustavian Scrubbed Pine Hand Carved Chest of Drawers
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Stunning carving on this elegant chest of drawers, dresser or commode with three spacious dovetailed drawers, all in beautiful pine wood. Intricate, almost churchlike, carving on the...
Pine
$3,232Sale Price|20% Off
Swedish Gustavian Painted Chest of Drawers Commode Tallboy, 19th Century White A
Located in Lewes, England
antique Swedish Gustavian painted chest of drawers commode with detailed hand painted designs on the top rail and gilt detailing. Circa mid later 19th century in age It has four dr...
Birch
Swedish 19th century painted chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century painted chest of drawers circa 1870. Substantial baroque revival swedish chest of drawers. Presented in later paint which is best described as a very light grey or a d...
Oak, Paint
19th Century Swedish Pine White Chest of Four Drawers
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique pine chest of four drawers, with traditional fluted carving along the top narrow top drawer. Half column details flank each side. The recent white painted finish adds new lif...
Brass
19th Century Large Gustavian Style Chest of Drawers
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century Gustavian Style Chest of Drawers, Germany, 1850 Ashwood A decorative Swedish Gustavian style chest of drawers made of solid ashwood, three drawers with brass hardware....
Ash
Gustavian Chest with Christian Lacroix print
Located in Radomsko, Województwo łódzkie
This exquisite Gustavian-style chest of drawers is a masterful fusion of classic elegance and contemporary high-fashion artistry. Restored, piece features the Christian Lacroix wal...
Marble, Brass
Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Wood Three-Drawer Chest with Carved Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style painted wood chest from the mid 19th century, with three drawers, raised top and carved motifs. Created in Sweden, this painted chest features a rectangular...
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Painted Chest of Drawers Commode Grey White C.1860
Located in Lewes, England
Circa 1850/1880 antique Swedish Gustavian Grey White painted chest of drawers commode in gustavian style with classic Gustavian ribbing detail on the drawer fronts and leading edges....
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a very Unique Swedish Gustavian style 3 drawer chest of drawers. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Pine
19th Century Walnut Swedish Writing Commode / Chest of Drawers
Located in Barcelona, ES
19th century Swedish writing commode / chest of drawers Date: 1800 Material: Walnut Structure: Three drawers with key included.
Walnut
Swedish Gustavian and Empire Chest of Drawers
Located in Kramfors, SE
Chest of drawers from northern Sweden made during the transition time between the Gustavian and Empire period. Made between 1810 and 1820 from painted pine with original faux paint. ...
Pine
Gustavian Style Unique 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a very Unique 3 drawer Gustavian style chest of drawers. it has a very unique finish. The whole chest is covered in leather then painted which gives it an old cracking paint...
Wood
Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique Gustavian Style 3 drawer Chest. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White".
Wood
$4,179 / item
Gustavian White Painted Commode
Located in Westwood, NJ
Gustavian White Painted commode, The Swedish Neo Classic style Gustavian commode with a concave front side, with paneled drawers and sides having gold leaf trim details. The two long drawers with brass ring pull hardware...
Wood
19th c. Swedish Gustavian Painted Chest
Located in Dallas, TX
The 19th c. Swedish Gustavian Painted Chest is a historical piece of furniture with a classic design. This chest was crafted in Sweden during the late 19th century, showcasing the cr...
Wood
18th Century Swedish Pine Commode
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
18th Century Swedish commode from Skattungbyn, Orsa. A patina and wear beyond the ordinary. The surface retains historical and original paint, beautifully aged. Worn down through th...
Pine
$5,560Sale Price|20% Off
Swedish 18th Century Gustavian Serpentine Two Piece Commode Chest of Drawers
Located in Wichita, KS
Beautiful 18th Century Swedish Serpentine front Commode Chest of Drawers in two pieces. this Two piece design was often used for moving the chest in small spaces. The paint on this...
Bronze
19th Century Swedish Painted Chest of Drawers
Located in Houston, TX
The 19th Century Swedish Painted Chest of Drawers is a charming piece of furniture that exudes timeless elegance and rustic charm. Pain...
Wood, Paint
Exceptional 19th Century Gustavian Chest of Drawers
Located in Allerum, SE
Exceptional early 19th century Gustavian chest of drawers veneered with amaranth, birch, jacaranda and maple. Limestone top, gilt brass fittings, à la greque upper case and sides, fr...
Brass
Gustavian Style Unique Deep 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique Gustavian style deep 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers. With a depth of 7 inches in each drawer. It has been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Wood
Gustavian Style 17 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a very unique 17 drawer Gustavian style Chest of drawers. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Wood
Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a very unique Gustavian Style 3 drawer chest of drawers. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Style 4 Drawer Chest of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a very unique and very Big Swedish Gustavian 4 drawer chest of drawers. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints Oyster White.
Pine
$6,400Sale Price|20% Off
Gustavian Commode, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in Belmont, MA
Gustavian commode, Sweden 19th century, Beautiful walnut, beechwood, elmwood and mahogany marquetry with hand drawn pictures on front and sides. Original brass fittings. Grey- greeni...
Walnut
Swedish Gustavian Style Unique 4 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Swedish Gustavian Style Unique 4 Drawer Chest Of Drawers . it was just restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Wood
Provincial Gustavian Style Swedish Paint Decorated / Distressed Commode, Chest
Located in Stamford, CT
Provincial Gustavian Style Swedish paint decorated / Distressed Commode, Chest Beautifully aged paint distressed Swedish dresser. The case having t...
Wood
Spectacular Antique Gustavian Style Painted Gray Commode
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Beautiful 19 th c antique walnut veneer two drawers commode on cabriole legs with ball feet claws. Serpentine front, handcarved apron. Painted gray and gold trim in Gustavian style.
Walnut
XIX Century Swedish Writing Commode, Walnut Veneer
Located in Barcelona, ES
XIX Century Swedish writing commode, walnut veneer, key included, second half of XIX Century.
Walnut
Chest of Drawers Signed by Gustaf Furlow Swedish Gustavian, 1780-1800, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Chest of drawers signed by Gustaf Furlow Swedish Gustavian, 1780-1800, Sweden. An exquisite chest made by cabinet maker Gustaf Furlow in Sweden during the Gustavian period. All origi...
Wood
19th Century Gustavian Commode
Located in Belmont, MA
Exquisite Gustavian commode, bleached mahogany veneer with brass decorations. Beautifully refinished and French polished.
Mahogany
Swedish Gustavian Style Matching Mirror & Chest Of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique Swedish Gustavian Style Matching Mirror & Chest Of Drawers. They been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White" Mirror 50 h x 36 w
Mirror, Wood
Gustavian Style Unique 4 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Gustavian Style Unique 4 Drawer Chest Of Drawers . its been restored and repainted with Milk paints "Oyster White"
Wood
Chest Vanity Europe 19th Century Mahogany Brass The Netherlands
Located in New York, NY
Chest Vanity Europe 19th Century Mahogany Brass Netherlands. A vanity chest made during the 19th century in The Netherlands. Mahogany with brass hardware and a brass bowl. Top with s...
Mahogany
Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers, its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Birch
Gustavian Style Unique 3 Drawer Chest of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Gustavian Style Unique 3 Drawer Chest of Drawers . Its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Wood
Gustavian Style Three Drawer Chest of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest. its been restored and repainted with Milk paints "Oyster White"
Pine
Unique Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Unique Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers, its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Birch
Gustavian Style Unique 3 Drawer Chest of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Gustavian Style Unique 3 Drawer Chest of Drawers. Its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Wood
Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Unique Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers, its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Birch
Swedish Gustavian Mahogany box with Domed Lid
Located in New York, NY
A curved mahogany chest with a dark marble finishing and untapped legs. Bronze decorations includes triangular tassels along the legs, having signature brass mounts with three triangles lamenting the Swedish...
Bronze
Late Gustavian Chest of Drawers from 19th Century
Located in Barcelona, ES
A late Gustavian solid oak chest of drawers from 19th century. Formation: Three drawers. Measurements: Length 108, width 53, height 84 cm. Condition: Stains. Partly worming. Renov...
Oak
18th Century Gustavian Commode
Located in Ljungby, SE
A Gustavian Stockholm piece, dating to the latter part of the 18th century. The commode is veneered in mahogany, with fittings and moldings in brass. It features canted corners adorn...
Brass
Gray Onyx Top Gustavian Style Chest of Drawers Dresser Commode
Located in Long Branch, NJ
mazing Gray Onyx Top Gustavian Style Chest of Drawers Dresser Commode Dimensions : 43" W X 20" D X 37" T This onyx top commode was made in the 1920's and is in the Swedish Gustavia...
Onyx
Late 18th Century High-Gustavian Commode with Intarsia by Gustaf Foltjern
By Carl Gustaf Foltjern
Located in Ljungby, SE
A distinguished high-Gustavian commode, crafted in Stockholm by Gustaf Foltjern (master 1771-1804). The top features an original slab of Kolsmo marble, while the body is veneered in ...
Bronze
Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers . its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Birch
18th century Gustavian Chest of Drawers, Sweden 1780
Located in Leimen, DE
Gustavian chest of drawers, Sweden, 1780-1800. This elegant chest of drawers is made of yew tree and has a mahogany veneer. Furthermore, it has its original bronze fittings and escut...
Mahogany