Gustavian Painted Furniture
GUSTAVIAN STYLE
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.
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Style: Gustavian
Antique Swedish Gustavian Folk Art Chair, Original Paint, Circa 1800
Located in Bristol, GB
ANTIQUE SWEDISH CHAIR
A decorative and characterful chair with simple lines, a solid back, a solid seat and double box stretchers.
Peg joined construction made of pine with layers o...
Category
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Original Painted 3 Drawers Dresser
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An early 19th century original painted small Scandinavian chest of drawers from the region of Värmland in Sweden.
This small Gustavian 3 drawer dres...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Painted Furniture
Materials
Pine
Round Black Pedestal Dining Table, Sweden 1920
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early Swedish 20th Century Pedestal Dining Table in Black Paint.
This round table has beautiful Gustavian ribbed details with a border going around the table edge.
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Painted Furniture
Materials
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Mora Clock in Original Green Orange Colors, Early 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish antique mora clock dating from early/ 1800s featuring green paint with orange details that is painted on the body.
The clockwork is sold 'as is' and should be considered as...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Painted Furniture
Materials
Pine
Swedish 19th Century Black Painted Four Drawer Dresser
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish 19th century four drawer black painted chest of drawer.
EUR 175 front door delivery to most areas of London UK, The Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden and Northern Germany.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Painted Furniture
Materials
Pine
Black Gustavian Writing Desk with 5 Drawers, Sweden
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish office writing desk in Gustavian black paint with five drawers, red leather embossed top and the original brass hardware.
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Painted Furniture
Materials
Pine, Leather
Black Painted Gustavian Chest of 3 Drawers, Sweden Early 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish Gustavian 1840s Black Painted and Carved Three-Drawer Chest With Faux Marble Top.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Painted Furniture
Materials
Brass
Gustavian Blue Painted Chest of Drawers, Sweden Late 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A small Gustavian-style light blue painted chest with 3 drawers and brass hardware from the second half of the 19th Century. This little Scandinavia...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Painted Furniture
Materials
Brass
Swedish 18th Century Gustavian Grey and Blue Display Cabinet
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique Swedish Glass-Top Cabinet Made in Two-parts.
The base has a set of 4 drawers and the top display cabinet has two glass doors that is pati...
Category
1770s Swedish Antique Gustavian Painted Furniture
Materials
Pine
Gustavian Grey Painted 3 Drawer Dresser with Faux Marble Top, Sweden, 1850-1880
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late 19th century grey painted chest of drawers, Swedish.
This 3 drawer dresser has a charming break front style, an amazing faux marble top and the original brass hardware.
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Painted Furniture
Materials
Brass
Scandinavian Paint Decorated Bookcase with Lower Cabinet
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Very rare and interesting paint decorated bookcase with cabinet below and shelves above. Early 19th century or late 18th. Original lock and key and early paint. A very useful proport...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood
Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Nightstand or End Table
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A late 19th century scraped to original patina Swedish nightstand or side table with four drawers and its original wooden handles. From the Folk Art Scandinavian culture called "allm...
Category
1890s Swedish Antique Gustavian Painted Furniture
Materials
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Original Yellow Painted Nightstand or End Table
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An early 19th century yellow original painted Swedish nightstand or side table with one drawer, liftable top and a door in the front. This Gustavian rural furniture's keeps totally the original paint, patina and the charming worn condition due to the use in the country social world of the so called "allmoge" folk. This little cabinet had place for a wooden or metal bowl under the lock, for washing hands and face in the morning and a water jug and glass...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood
18th Century Scandinavian Painted Baroque Chest of Drawers
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
19th century Scandinavian painted baroque chest of drawers
Fine quality solid oak chest of drawers, circa 1840.
The chest has 4-drawer and the ...
Category
Mid-18th Century Danish Antique Gustavian Painted Furniture
Materials
Oak
Dated 1831 Scandinavian Painted Step-Back Pine Cupboard with Initials R.K.S.
Located in New York, NY
This is a antique Scandinavian cupboard made in 1831 from pine wood. This cupboard has a step-back design where the upper section is set ...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Painted Furniture
Materials
Pine, Paint
Swedish Black and Giltwood Hanging Planter, Gustavian Period Sweden, 1810
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish black and giltwood ceiling hanging planter, Gustavian Period Sweden, 1810
The ceiling plater hangs with 3 black painted metal chains. The inside of the planter has a metal i...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Painted Furniture
Materials
Pine
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Corner Armchairs
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair of Swedish 1810s-1830s corner chair scraped down to the original black paint. Seat are loose and be easily re-upholstered.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood
Early 19th Century Gray Painted 6 Drawers Chest Or Dresser
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early 19th century gray painted 6 drawers chest or dresser
The dresser has 6 drawers with slightly different heights, drawers are without locks and with brass hardware. The drawer...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Painted Furniture
Materials
Pine
19th Century Faux Marble Wooden Pedestal, Scandinavian
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large 19th Century Gustavian pedestal with original faux marbled paint and patina.
The stately pedestal is a wonderful addition to a hallway, foyer, or anywhere you need to display a...
Category
19th Century Scandinavian Antique Gustavian Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood
Early 19th Century Folk Art Floor Lamp, Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Black wooden Folk Art floor lamp. Tri-pod legs on a original triangular stand. Newly made into a electrified lamp, originally a large candlestick.
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Gustavian Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood
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Swedish Late 19th Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Dresser
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late 19th Gustavian style 3 drawer dresser, Sweden.
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Gustavian painted furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Gustavian painted furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage painted furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, case pieces and storage cabinets, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, pine and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Gustavian painted furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Sweden pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for painted furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $990 and tops out at $11,500 while the average work can sell for $3,200.
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