Gustavian Architectural Elements
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
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Pair of Large Pine Obelisks - Scandinavian Décor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Swedish Gustavian pair of early 19th Century obelisks made of Pinewood, in good condition. Each is covered with distressed hand crafted hammered decorative round ornaments...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Architectural Elements
Materials
Pine
3 Antique Oversize Exterior Doors, Sold Singly
Located in Sheffield, MA
Three very large monumental over size rustic antique architectural paneled doors with oval top that will add character and style to any hou...
Category
19th Century American Antique Gustavian Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood
$4,500 / item
Pair of Louis XVI Style Doors
Located in Sheffield, MA
Pair of tall painted doors with original hardware. Will need new glass. Other doors available but not with glass panel. Doors can work well in Swedish Gustavian style decor
Category
19th Century French Antique Gustavian Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood
$2,660 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Gustavian Neoclassical 18th Century Pedestal, Origin: Sweden, Circa 1780-1795
Located in New York, NY
Gustavian, neoclassical 18th century pedestal, origin; Stockholm, Sweden, circa 1780 - 1795, with exceptionally painted, all original faux-marble finishes
Provenance: Private Collec...
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood, Paint
Pair of Louis XVI Style Doors
Located in Sheffield, MA
Pair of tall painted doors with original hardware. Will need new glass. Other doors available but not with glass panel. Doors can work well in Swedish Gustavian style décor. Each do...
Category
19th Century French Antique Gustavian Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood
$5,800 / set
Pair of Hand Painted Architectural Wall Fragments, Plaster, Italian, Venetian
Located in Manhasset, NY
Pair of hand painted architectural wall fragments, Plaster, Italian, Venetian Style.
Category
Late 20th Century Gustavian Architectural Elements
Materials
Composition
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Provenance: Theater, Stockholm, Sweden
The Gustavian, neoclassical period is characterized by a return to symmetry and straight lines, Antique motifs such as laurels, medallions, and columns, replacing the curving, delicate and asymmetrical elements of the Rococo period. In Sweden, an aesthetic simplicity of everyday life took hold of the court and countryside. The neoclassical style desired characteristics were classical proportions pared down silhouettes. After seeing the excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum and collections of Roman art and antiquities during his journey to Italy in 1783-4, Gustaf III...
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H 46.86 in W 20.08 in D 19.89 in
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Gustavian architectural elements for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Gustavian architectural elements for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage architectural elements created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, composition and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Gustavian architectural elements made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Scandinavia 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 architectural elements differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $4,200 and tops out at $8,400 while the average work can sell for $5,800.
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