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.
Pine
Vintage Swedish Painted Chest
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage Swedish Gustavian painted 3 drawer chest. Swedish painted chests—whether Gustavian, country/folk, or neoclassical—are beloved for their soft palettes, simple lines, and timel...
Wood
Antique Chest Of Drawers With 4 Drawers Grey Painted From 1890s
Located in Lejre, DK
Antique chest of drawers from the 1890s with four drawers. Grey painted wood and classic design language with attractive patina. — Period: 1890s — Material: Wood — Finish: Grey pain...
Wood
Gray Painted Small Chest of Nine Drawers, Sweden circa 1860
Located in Round Top, TX
Fascinating Gustavian pine chest of nine drawers with fluted columns, dentil molding and tapered fluted feet.
Pine, Paint
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
Swedish Gustavian Writing Chest
Located in New York, NY
A Swedish Gustavian writing desk in original paint. Tapered legs and a reeded drawer. Interior of 3 reeded drawers.
Wood
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
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
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
19th Century Swedish Stone Top Black Small Chest of Three Drawers
Located in Round Top, TX
It is the original stone top that makes this small chest of three drawers a special find while the serpentine front adds intrigue as well. Please enlarge photos of the top to appreci...
Stone
Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Gustavian style 3 drawer chest, its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White".
Wood
Swedish early 19th century hand painted pine chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish early 19th century painted pine chest of drawers circa 1800. Fine quality chest of drawers, fitted with 4 graduating drawers that open on the key. Bold red paint that has w...
Pine, Paint
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
18th century painted oak Scandinavian baroque chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
18th century painted oak Scandinavian baroque revival chest of drawers circa 1790. Made from solid oak this 4 drawer commode offers generous proportions. 4 shaped drawers with orna...
Brass
Swedish pair of white 19th century painted chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish pair of white 19th century painted chest of drawers circa 1880. Good quality pair of Swedish painted commodes. Top surface with hand painted faux marble effect, canted corn...
Pine, Paint
Pair of 19th century chest of drawers with faux marble tops
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of 19th century chest of drawers with faux marble tops circa 1870. Good quality pair of Swedish commodes. Rectangular tops with canted corners and hand painted to look like ma...
Pine, Paint
$9,006 / set
Pair of Small Gustavian Style Bedside Chests
Located in Westwood, NJ
Bedside chests elegantly combine classical Swedish design elements with refined architectural details.
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Style Antique Mahogany Chest of Drawers Commode
Located in Shippensburg, PA
SWEDISH GUSTAVIAN STYLE MAHOGANY THREE DRAWER COMMODE Probably Sweden, 20th century Mahogany veneers over pine, marble top, gilt brass hardware 32 5/16" H x 19 5/8" D x 38 3/4" W ...
Marble, Brass
19th century Swedish hand painted pine blanket box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Hand painted small Swedish trunk circa 1877. Good quality piece of rustic Swedish furniture, offering plenty of opportunities for storage in multiple rooms around the home, such as ...
Metal
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.
Wood
Alexandre II Dresser - Swedish Scraped Bone
By Century Furniture, Tara Shaw
Located in New Orleans, LA
The Swedish 6-drawer double dresser, known for its clean lines and practical design, reflects the influence of Gustavian style, which emerged in the late 18th Century during the reig...
Wood, Pine
Circa 1790 Swedish Gustavian Marble Top Mahogany Desk Commode Chest
Located in Shippensburg, PA
GUSTAVIAN MAHOGANY SECRÉTAIRE À ABATTANT WITH MARBLE TOP Sweden, circa 1790 34 3/16" H x 17 3/4" D x 36 1/8" W Writing area: 13 1/4" D x 30" W x 26 3/8" from floor to underside of w...
Marble, Brass
Vintage Patinated Gustavian Serpentine Chest of Drawers
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exceptional vintage chest of drawers captures the understated elegance of Gustavian design, a style renowned for its balanced Neoclassical proportions and soft, atmospheric fini...
Brass
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
$3,748
Swedish Painted Commode
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
19th C Swedish painted 4 drawer pine commode . 1830
Pine
Swedish Fluted Drawer Fronts Commode
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Early 19th C Swedish pine commode with fluted drawer fronts.
Pine
$6,880 / set
Pair of Swedish Painted Commodes
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Good pair of pine Swedish 19th C painted commodes.
Pine
Bespoke Swedish Style Commode
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Bespoke Swedish style three drawer commode with a reeded top drawer and panelled sides. Customer will need to supply handles which we can fit. Code: 9115 Dimensions: W: 47.5" (...
Pine
$7,433 / set
Pair of Custom Made Commodes
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Pair of custom made Swedish style commodes Reference: 7718 Dimensions 40 inches (102 cms) wide 18.5 inches (47 cms) deep 32 inches (81 cms) high
Pine
$9,291 / set
Pair of 19th century painted Swedish commodes
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Fine quality pair of Scandinavian chest of drawers in the Gustavian taste, which could work well as a pair of large bedside tables.
Oak, Pine, Paint
1970s Gustavian Style Spanish Rustic Distressed Vintage Dresser Chests, Set of 2
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and rare, Gustavian Distressed rustic design dressers you could hope to find. In original and unfinished condition. Outstanding ...
Brass
Gustavian Haupt Chest with Three Drawers in a black finish with brass detailing
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Gustavian Haupt Chest with Three Drawers in a black finish with brass detailing.
Wood
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
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
Gustavian Style Console Table
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique 2 drawer Gustavian style console chest. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Wood
$5,177Sale Price|50% Off
Gustavian Neoclassical Mahogany Writing Chest / Bureau on High Stand, 1800s
Located in Lucenec, SK
Swedish Gustavian mahogany writing cabinet. The writing part is covered with a black patent leather, with visible traces of use. The inner drawers have bone handles. The upper part i...
Brass
Antique Dressing Table/ Chest of Drawers with Gustavian Grey Paint & Oval Mirror
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A late 19th century pine chest of drawers or dressing table with newly-painted Gustavian grey/white or driftwood color paint.
Mirror, Pine
Gustavian, Swedish Commode, Gray Paint Distressed, Brass, Sweden, 1800s
Located in Stamford, CT
Gustavian, Swedish Commode, Gray Paint Distressed, Brass, Sweden, 1800s Gustavian dresser or chest of drawers designed and produced in Sweden in the first half of the 19th century.
Wood, Paint
Classic Louis XV Style Midnight blue Chests with marble top
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Gustavian Hauptbyrå with marble slab and frame in midnight blue.
Wood
18th Century Swedish Beechwood Herrbyrå, Chiffonje - Mens Writing Agency, Chest
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A late 18th Century, antique Swedish Gustavian Herrbyrå, Chiffonje mens writing agency, secretary table with a writing, folding flap made of hand crafted polished Beechwood, in good ...
Metal
Louis XV Style Chest in Black with Fine Brass Fittings and a Marble Top
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
A Louis XV style chestwith original brass details and handles in birch wood with a Black fine painted finish with Fine Brass Fittings and a Marble Top. Width: 73cm / 28.7" Depth: 3...
Wood
$4,200 / item
Fluted Chest by Bunny Williams Home
By Bunny Williams Home
Located in New York, NY
A study in quiet geometry, the Fluted Chest draws on Gustavian grace. Its white-washed finish highlights drawer fronts ribbed with subtle fluting and framed by elongated octagons, a ...
Wood
Baker Furniture French Regency Louis XVI Painted Nightstands, 1960s
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of French Regency Louis XVI or Swedish Gustavian style nightstands or bedside chests By Baker Furniture USA, 1960s Carved cream painted walnut, with peachy pink tr...
Brass
Antique Venetian Italian Provincial Neoclassical Painted Pine Corner Cabinet
Located in Forney, TX
Dimensions: (approx) 44.5" Tall, 47" Wide, 23.5" Deep As warm and handsome as it is useful, having the ideal large size and proportions for a variety of different uses, including a...
Pine, Paint
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.
Shopping for a commode or a chest of drawers?
Commode is the French term for a low chest of drawers, but it is also sometimes used to denote any case piece with a particularly intricate design. The commode dates to circa 1700 France, where it was used as an alternative to a taller cabinet piece so as to not obscure paneled, mirrored or tapestried walls. Coffers, or chests, which were large wooden boxes with hinged lids and sometimes stood on ball feet, preceded chests of drawers, a fashionable cabinet furnishing that garnered acclaim for its obvious storage potential and versatility. The term commode was also used to refer to a piece of bedroom furniture — a washstand or nightstand that contained a chamber pot.
As time passed, French and British furniture makers led the way in the production of chests of drawers, and features like the integration of bronze and ornamental pulls became commonplace. Antique French commodes in the Louis XV style were sometimes crafted in mahogany or walnut, while an Italian marble top added a sophisticated decorative flourish. This specific type of case piece grew in popularity in the years that followed.
So, what makes a chest of drawers different from a common dresser? Dressers are short, and chests of drawers are overall taller pieces of furniture that typically do not have room on the top for a mirror as most dressers do. Tallboys and highboys are variations of the dresser form. Some chests of drawers have one column of four to six long drawers or three long drawers in their bottom section that are topped by a cluster of small side-by-side drawers on the top. To further complicate things, we sometimes refer to particularly short chests of drawers as nightstands.
Even though chests of drawers are commonly thought of as bedroom furniture to store clothing, these are adaptable pieces. A chest of drawers can house important documents — think of your walnut Art Deco commode as an upgrade to your filing cabinet. Nestle your chest near your home’s front door to store coats and other outerwear, while the top can be a place to drop your handbag. Add some flair to your kitchen, where this lovable case piece can hold pots, pans and even cookbooks.
When shopping for the right chest of drawers for your home, there are a few key things to consider: What will you be storing in it? How big a chest will you need?
Speaking of size, don’t dream too big. If your space is on the smaller side, a more streamlined vintage mid-century modern chest of drawers, perhaps one designed by Paul McCobb or T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, may best suit your needs.
At 1stDibs, we make it easy to add style and storage to your home. Browse our collection of antique and vintage commodes and chests of drawers today.