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Pair of Small White Chest of Drawers, Nightstands, Sweden circa 1860-80
Pair of Small White Chest of Drawers, Nightstands, Sweden circa 1860-80

Pair of Small White Chest of Drawers, Nightstands, Sweden circa 1860-80

Located in Round Top, TX

Pair, Gustavian style small pine chest of drawers with fluted canted sides and fluted tapered feet

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair, Black Painted Pine Chest of Drawers or Nightstands, Sweden circa 1940-60
Pair, Black Painted Pine Chest of Drawers or Nightstands, Sweden circa 1940-60

Pair, Black Painted Pine Chest of Drawers or Nightstands, Sweden circa 1940-60

Located in Round Top, TX

A pair of small Gustavian style pine chest of three drawers with clean tapered lines. The newer

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine, Paint

Swedish pair of white 19th century painted chest of drawers
Swedish pair of white 19th century painted chest of drawers

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

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine, Paint

Pair, 19th Century Large White Pine Chest of Six Drawers from Sweden
Pair, 19th Century Large White Pine Chest of Six Drawers from Sweden

Pair, 19th Century Large White Pine Chest of Six Drawers from Sweden

Located in Round Top, TX

Pair of large, 4' wide pine chests with six drawers each. Newer professionally applied and layered

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine, Paint

1860c Pale Grey Gustavian Style Pair of Commodes, Sweden, 19th Century
1860c Pale Grey Gustavian Style Pair of Commodes, Sweden, 19th Century

1860c Pale Grey Gustavian Style Pair of Commodes, Sweden, 19th Century

Located in New York, NY

1860c Swedish pair of Gustavian style commodes. Grey patina. Dental frieze border, canted

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Pair of 19th century hand painted pine Swedish chest of drawers
Pair of 19th century hand painted pine Swedish chest of drawers

Pair of 19th century hand painted pine Swedish chest of drawers

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Pair of 19th century painted pine Swedish commodes circa 1880. Here we have 2 decorative chest of

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine, Paint

Pair of Blue Painted Chest of Three Drawers With Griffins, Sweden circa 1840-60
Pair of Blue Painted Chest of Three Drawers With Griffins, Sweden circa 1840-60

Pair of Blue Painted Chest of Three Drawers With Griffins, Sweden circa 1840-60

Located in Round Top, TX

A pair of elegant Gustavian pine chests of three drawers painted in soft blue and contrasting black

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair White Pine Chest of Three Drawers With Greek Key Motif Sweden circa 1860-80
Pair White Pine Chest of Three Drawers With Greek Key Motif Sweden circa 1860-80

Pair White Pine Chest of Three Drawers With Greek Key Motif Sweden circa 1860-80

Located in Round Top, TX

A pair of decorative Gustavian pine chest of drawers painted in shades of white with Greek key

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair, Long Gray Painted Pine Chests of Two Drawers, Sweden circa 1800-40
Pair, Long Gray Painted Pine Chests of Two Drawers, Sweden circa 1800-40

Pair, Long Gray Painted Pine Chests of Two Drawers, Sweden circa 1800-40

Located in Round Top, TX

Pair, long pine chest of two drawers with newer, professionally applied light dove gray painted and

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Chests of Drawers
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Chests of Drawers

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Chests of Drawers

Located in Atlanta, GA

A stunning pair of 19th-century Gustavian-style chests of drawers, crafted in Sweden and painted in

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Pair of 19th century Swedish painted faux marble top chest of drawers
Pair of 19th century Swedish painted faux marble top chest of drawers

Pair of 19th century Swedish painted faux marble top chest of drawers

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Pair of 19th century swedish painted faux marble top chest of drawers circa 1870. Hand painted top

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine, Paint

Pair of Swedish Commodes
Pair of Swedish Commodes

Pair of Swedish Commodes

Located in Atlanta, GA

Pair of 19th Century Painted Commodes from Sweden. Please Note These Items are Antiques and are Two

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Commodes
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Commodes

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Commodes

Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire

A decorative matching pair of wooden Swedish commodes in the Gustavian style, with good proportions

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Pair of Swedish Commodes
Pair of Swedish Commodes

Pair of Swedish Commodes

Sold|$6,918 / set

Pair of Swedish Commodes

Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

Pair of 19th Century Swedish painted and decorated pine commodes. 1890

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Commodes
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Commodes

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Commodes

Located in Atlanta, GA

Pair of late 19th century painted commodes with three drawers.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Pair 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Painted Wood Chests on Tapered Legs
Pair 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Painted Wood Chests on Tapered Legs

Pair 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Painted Wood Chests on Tapered Legs

Located in Hopewell, NJ

A pair of antique Swedish Gustavian painted wood chests from the early 19th century, with beautiful

Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Wood

Pair of Swedish Painted Commodes
Pair of Swedish Painted Commodes

Pair of Swedish Painted Commodes

Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

Pair of late 19th Century Swedish breakfront painted commodes. 1890

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Pair Fornasetti Design Nightstands with Marble Top
Pair Fornasetti Design Nightstands with Marble Top

Pair Fornasetti Design Nightstands with Marble Top

Located in Crowthorne, Surrey

Pair Fornasetti Design Nightstands with Marble Tops. Original cast brass fittings to the drawers

Category

Vintage 1950s European Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Pair Fornasetti Design Nightstands with Marble Top
Pair Fornasetti Design Nightstands with Marble Top

Pair Fornasetti Design Nightstands with Marble Top

Located in Crowthorne, Surrey

Pair Fornasetti Design Nightstands with Marble Tops. Original cast brass fittings to the drawers

Category

Vintage 1950s European Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Fine Pair of 19th Century Swedish Painted Commodes
Fine Pair of 19th Century Swedish Painted Commodes

Fine Pair of 19th Century Swedish Painted Commodes

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Pair of Gustavian inspired chest of drawers, circa 1870. 3-drawer chests with shaped fronts

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Fine Pair of 19th Century Swedish Painted Commodes
Fine Pair of 19th Century Swedish Painted Commodes

Fine Pair of 19th Century Swedish Painted Commodes

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Pair of Gustavian inspired chest of drawers circa 1870. 3 drawer chests with shaped fronts

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Small pair of 19th century painted commodes
Small pair of 19th century painted commodes

Small pair of 19th century painted commodes

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Small pair of 19th century painted commodes circa 1890. Good quality pair of gustavian influenced

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Pair of Large 19th Century Swedish Painted Commodes
Pair of Large 19th Century Swedish Painted Commodes

Pair of Large 19th Century Swedish Painted Commodes

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Stunning pair of mid-19th century Swedish commodes/chest of drawers, circa 1860. Stepped top with

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Painted Commodes
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Painted Commodes

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Painted Commodes

Located in Gloucestershire, GB

Decorative pair of Swedish painted pine three drawer commodes. Dating to the late 19th century

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Pine Painted Commodes
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Pine Painted Commodes

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Pine Painted Commodes

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Fine pair of Swedish painted commodes, circa 1870. Good quality pair of commodes, 19th century

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Small pair of 19th century painted commodes
Small pair of 19th century painted commodes

Small pair of 19th century painted commodes

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Small pair of 19th century painted commodes circa 1890. Good quality pair of Gustavian influenced

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine, Paint

Pair of Late 19th Century Swedish Painted Commodes
Pair of Late 19th Century Swedish Painted Commodes

Pair of Late 19th Century Swedish Painted Commodes

Located in Gloucestershire, GB

Pair of late 19th Century Swedish painted three drawer commodes of architectural form. In painted

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair of Swedish Light Blue Gustavian Chest of Drawers, Late 19th Century
Pair of Swedish Light Blue Gustavian Chest of Drawers, Late 19th Century

Pair of Swedish Light Blue Gustavian Chest of Drawers, Late 19th Century

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

A pair of light blue painted 3 drawer chests in Gustavian style with original brass hardware. The

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Painted Furniture

Materials

Pine

Pair of Swedish painted 19th century commodes
Pair of Swedish painted 19th century commodes

Pair of Swedish painted 19th century commodes

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Pair of swedish painted 19th century commodes circa 1880. Good quality pair of chest of drawers

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine, Paint

Pair of Gustavian Style Blue Painted Chest of Drawers, Circa 1880-90
Pair of Gustavian Style Blue Painted Chest of Drawers, Circa 1880-90

Pair of Gustavian Style Blue Painted Chest of Drawers, Circa 1880-90

Located in Round Top, TX

A pair of decorative Swedish Gustavian Style chest of drawers or nightstands painted in soft blue

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Night Stands

Materials

Wood, Paint

Pair of commodes in the Louis XV style, marquetry and gilt bronze, 19th century
Pair of commodes in the Louis XV style, marquetry and gilt bronze, 19th century

Pair of commodes in the Louis XV style, marquetry and gilt bronze, 19th century

Located in NICE, FR

A delightful pair of Gustavian commodes in the Louis XV style, based on the commode by Swedish

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Pair of 19th Century Scandinavian Commodes with Faux Marble Tops
Pair of 19th Century Scandinavian Commodes with Faux Marble Tops

Pair of 19th Century Scandinavian Commodes with Faux Marble Tops

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Pair of painted Swedish commodes, circa 1870. Top surface has been decorated with a hand painted

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

19th Century Grey Swedish Gustavian Pair of Pinewood, Chrome Chest of Drawers
19th Century Grey Swedish Gustavian Pair of Pinewood, Chrome Chest of Drawers

19th Century Grey Swedish Gustavian Pair of Pinewood, Chrome Chest of Drawers

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

An antique Swedish Gustavian pair of grey chests made of hand carved Pinewood with two drawers

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Cabinets

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Painted Faux Marble Top Commodes
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Painted Faux Marble Top Commodes

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Painted Faux Marble Top Commodes

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Pair of 19th century Swedish painted faux marble top chest of drawers, circa 1870. Hand painted

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak, Pine, Paint

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Hand-Painted Wood Chests
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Hand-Painted Wood Chests

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Hand-Painted Wood Chests

Located in Chicago, IL

Pair of 19th Century Gustavian style Swedish hand-painted wood 2-drawer chests. Would make a lovely

Category

Antique 19th Century Side Tables

Materials

Wood, Paint

Pair, Gustavian White Nightstands With Hidden Storage, Sweden circa 1860-80
Pair, Gustavian White Nightstands With Hidden Storage, Sweden circa 1860-80

Pair, Gustavian White Nightstands With Hidden Storage, Sweden circa 1860-80

Located in Round Top, TX

Pair, Gustavian style small pine chest of drawers with fluted drawers perfect to use as nightstands

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Night Stands

Materials

Brass

Pair, White Swedish Gustavian Sideboard Cabinets, circa 1880
Pair, White Swedish Gustavian Sideboard Cabinets, circa 1880

Pair, White Swedish Gustavian Sideboard Cabinets, circa 1880

Located in Round Top, TX

finish is perfectly distressed to fit the age and grace of this lovely pair of Gustavian chests. Note the

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Country Sideboards

Materials

Pine, Paint

Pair, Gustavian Chest of Drawers Painted Black, Sweden circa 1880
Pair, Gustavian Chest of Drawers Painted Black, Sweden circa 1880

Pair, Gustavian Chest of Drawers Painted Black, Sweden circa 1880

Located in Round Top, TX

Pair, Gustavian chest of drawers with canted sides, tapered feet and delicate carving along the top

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Paint

Pair of Gustavian Chests from Scandinavia
Pair of Gustavian Chests from Scandinavia

Pair of Gustavian Chests from Scandinavia

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Late 19th century, a pair of distressed Gustavian chests of drawers with two drawers each, painted

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

19h Century Gustavian Pair of Chests
19h Century Gustavian Pair of Chests

19h Century Gustavian Pair of Chests

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Late 19th century, a very small pair of two drawer chests Gustavian Neoclassical Style, with bra

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Pair of Blue Gustavian Chests of Drawers, Gustavian Style, Sweden
Pair of Blue Gustavian Chests of Drawers, Gustavian Style, Sweden

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

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

19th Century Pair of Gustavian Style Chests
19th Century Pair of Gustavian Style Chests

19th Century Pair of Gustavian Style Chests

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Late 19th-early 20th century, a pair of Gustavian Style chest of drawers with brass ring fittings

Category

Antique 1890s Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Swedish Pair of Gustavian Style Bedside Chests
Swedish Pair of Gustavian Style Bedside Chests

Swedish Pair of Gustavian Style Bedside Chests

Located in Wichita, KS

A pair of Swedish commodes in the Gustavian style. These chests have beautifully reeded drawer

Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Paint

Pair of Gustavian Style Chests of Drawers
Pair of Gustavian Style Chests of Drawers

Pair of Gustavian Style Chests of Drawers

Located in South Salem, NY

This captivating pair of Swedish Gustavian Style commodes is early 20th century. Evoking the

Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Pair of Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Chests
Pair of Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Chests

Pair of Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Chests

Located in Charleston, SC

Pair of 19th century Swedish Gustavian Style two-drawer chests with horizontally reeded drawer

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Chests
Pair of Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Chests

Pair of Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Chests

Located in Charleston, SC

A very handsome pair of 19th century Swedish Gustavian style chests in charming pale blue paint

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine, Paint

Pair of Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Chests
Pair of Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Chests

Pair of Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Chests

Located in Charleston, SC

A very handsome pair of 19th century Swedish Gustavian style chests in charming pale blue paint

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

Pair of 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Chests
Pair of 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Chests

Pair of 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Chests

Located in Gloucestershire, GB

Pair of early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian style chest of drawers. With nice carved detail, re

Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Antique Gustavian Style Chests of Drawers, a Pair
Antique Gustavian Style Chests of Drawers, a Pair

Antique Gustavian Style Chests of Drawers, a Pair

Located in South Salem, NY

An early 20th century pair of Swedish Gustavian style chests of drawers. Each commode has three

Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Swedish Gustavian Style Pair of Painted Bedside Chests
Swedish Gustavian Style Pair of Painted Bedside Chests

Swedish Gustavian Style Pair of Painted Bedside Chests

Located in Wichita, KS

A beautiful pair of Swedish Gustavian style painted chests from the 19th century with egg and dart

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Three-Drawer Chests
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Three-Drawer Chests

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Three-Drawer Chests

Located in Kastrup, DK

A pair of Swedish Gustavian style painted pine wood chest of drawers from the 19th century. Each

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair Of Gustavian Style Painted Chest of Drawers
Pair Of Gustavian Style Painted Chest of Drawers

Pair Of Gustavian Style Painted Chest of Drawers

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Pair of Gustavian style chest of drawers with pedestal top surface, also referred to as "Copenhagen

Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair of Decorative Chest's of Drawers Gustavian Style
Pair of Decorative Chest's of Drawers Gustavian Style

Pair of Decorative Chest's of Drawers Gustavian Style

Located in Kastrup, DK

Pair of decorative Gustavian commodes. Fine blue color, with black on top. Dental moldings

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Painted Bedside Chests Commodes
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Painted Bedside Chests Commodes

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Painted Bedside Chests Commodes

Located in Shippensburg, PA

PAIR OF SWEDISH PAINTED BEDSIDE CHESTS IN GUSTAVIAN TASTE Northern European, circa 20th century 30

Category

20th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair Gustavian Style Chests of Drawers
Pair Gustavian Style Chests of Drawers

Pair Gustavian Style Chests of Drawers

Located in South Salem, NY

A pair of Neoclassical Gustavian style chests of drawers. Dentil moulding around the top. Canted

Category

Early 20th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

19th Century Pair of Small Gustavian Chests from Scandinavia
19th Century Pair of Small Gustavian Chests from Scandinavia

19th Century Pair of Small Gustavian Chests from Scandinavia

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A pair of petite restored Gustavian style chests with two drawers each on tapered legs with an hand

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Pair of Antique Swedish Gustavian Style Chest of Drawers
Pair of Antique Swedish Gustavian Style Chest of Drawers

Pair of Antique Swedish Gustavian Style Chest of Drawers

Located in Kastrup, DK

A pair of Swedish Gustavian style breakfront chest of three drawers, dating from the 19th century

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

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Pair Gustavian Chests For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of pair gustavian chests for sale on 1stDibs. Each of these unique pair gustavian chests was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, softwood and pine. Pair gustavian chests have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. There are many kinds of pair gustavian chests to choose from, but at 1stDibs, Louis XV and Rococo pair gustavian chests are of considerable interest.

How Much are Pair Gustavian Chests?

Prices for pair gustavian chests can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, pair gustavian chests begin at $1,995 and can go as high as $48,000, while the average can fetch as much as $8,654.

A Close Look at Gustavian Furniture

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.

Finding the Right Commodes-chests-of-drawers for You

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.