Skip to main content

Pair Gustavian Chests

to
16
400
181
553
25
3
2
2
2
1
1
22
433
98
28
50
19
4
2
2
4
7
1
1
528
276
275
170
154
529
500
493
8
7
580
579
579
1
1
1
Sort By
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style 1860s Painted and Carved Two-Drawer Chests
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style 1860s Painted and Carved Two-Drawer Chests

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style 1860s Painted and Carved Two-Drawer Chests

Located in Atlanta, GA

A pair of Swedish Gustavian style painted wood chests from the mid 19th century, with two drawers

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Wood Chests-of-Drawers, circa 1900
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Wood Chests-of-Drawers, circa 1900

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Wood Chests-of-Drawers, circa 1900

Located in Atlanta, GA

A pair of Swedish Gustavian style painted wooden chest-of-drawers from the early 20th century, with

Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Pair, Blue Swedish Gustavian Chests of 3 Drawers, Nightstands circa 1860-80
Pair, Blue Swedish Gustavian Chests of 3 Drawers, Nightstands circa 1860-80

Pair, Blue Swedish Gustavian Chests of 3 Drawers, Nightstands circa 1860-80

Located in Round Top, TX

A pair of decorative Gustavian pine chest of drawers with canted fluted side posts, upper carved

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Pair of Gustavian chests, from around 100 years old.
Pair of Gustavian chests, from around 100 years old.

Pair of Gustavian chests, from around 100 years old.

Located in Aalsgaarde, DK

Marvelous pair of Gustavian style chests with beautiful carving, from around 100 years ago.

Category

20th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

19th-20th Century Swedish Gustavian Pair of Antique Pinewood Chest of Drawers
19th-20th Century Swedish Gustavian Pair of Antique Pinewood Chest of Drawers

19th-20th Century Swedish Gustavian Pair of Antique Pinewood Chest of Drawers

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A small, antique Swedish Gustavian pair of hand painted commode chests made of Pinewood with

Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Pair of Blue Pinewood Chest - Faux Marble Cabinet
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Pair of Blue Pinewood Chest - Faux Marble Cabinet

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Pair of Blue Pinewood Chest - Faux Marble Cabinet

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A 19th Century, light-blue antique pair of Swedish Gustavian chests made of hand crafted painted

Category

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

Materials

Metal, Bronze

19th Century White Pair of Swedish Gustavian Pedestals, Oakwood Chest of Drawers
19th Century White Pair of Swedish Gustavian Pedestals, Oakwood Chest of Drawers

19th Century White Pair of Swedish Gustavian Pedestals, Oakwood Chest of Drawers

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A light-white, antique pair of Swedish Gustavian square pedestals made of hand carved oakwood with

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Chest of Drawers Bureau
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Chest of Drawers Bureau

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Chest of Drawers Bureau

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Blue Painted Swedish Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Bureau, A Pair This pair of three drawer

Category

Early 2000s Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Fine Pair of Gustavian Style Chests of Drawers, 19th Century
Fine Pair of Gustavian Style Chests of Drawers, 19th Century

Fine Pair of Gustavian Style Chests of Drawers, 19th Century

Located in Aalsgaarde, DK

Fine pair of Gustavian style chests of drawers, with faux painted porphyry top, 19th century.

Category

Antique 19th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Wonderful pair of Gustavian style chests, circa 100 years old.
Wonderful pair of Gustavian style chests, circa 100 years old.

Wonderful pair of Gustavian style chests, circa 100 years old.

Located in Aalsgaarde, DK

Wonderful pair of Gustavian style chests with carvings and a la grec details, circa 100 years old.

Category

20th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Pair of Gustavian Style Chests of Drawers, Early 20th C.
Pair of Gustavian Style Chests of Drawers, Early 20th C.

Pair of Gustavian Style Chests of Drawers, Early 20th C.

Located in South Salem, NY

This captivating pair of Swedish Gustavian style commodes is early 20th Century. Evoking the

Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Commodes
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Commodes

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Commodes

Located in Kastrup, DK

Pair of Swedish chest of drawers in architectural Gustavian style, circa 1840–1860. Each piece is

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Pair of Antique Gustavian White Painted Chest of Drawers from Sweden
Pair of Antique Gustavian White Painted Chest of Drawers from Sweden

Pair of Antique Gustavian White Painted Chest of Drawers from Sweden

Located in Round Top, TX

The classic gustavian style of this lovely pair of chest of drawers is revealed in the exquisite

Category

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

Materials

Wood, Oak

Pair of Gustavian-Style Painted Commodes
Pair of Gustavian-Style Painted Commodes

Pair of Gustavian-Style Painted Commodes

Located in Kastrup, DK

Pair of commodes in Gustavian style, painted in a light grey-white shade with a beautiful patina

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Pair of Gustavian Style Black Painted Commodes, Sweden
Pair of Gustavian Style Black Painted Commodes, Sweden

Pair of Gustavian Style Black Painted Commodes, Sweden

Located in Kastrup, DK

A pair of Swedish commodes in Gustavian style, dating from circa 1840–1860. Executed in black

Category

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

Materials

Pine

Pair of Gustavian-Style Black Painted Commodes / Bedside Tables
Pair of Gustavian-Style Black Painted Commodes / Bedside Tables

Pair of Gustavian-Style Black Painted Commodes / Bedside Tables

Located in Kastrup, DK

Pair of chests of drawers in Gustavian style, made of black-painted pine. High-quality

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Bedside Commodes
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Bedside Commodes

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Bedside Commodes

Located in Wichita, KS

A pair of Swedish commodes in the Gustavian style with carved foliate detail around the tops

Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Paint

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

Pair of Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Style Painted Commodes

Located in Kastrup, DK

A pair of Swedish Gustavian style graphite grey painted three-drawer commodes dating from the 19th

Category

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

Materials

Brass

19th Century Pair of Swedish Gustavian Bedside Commodes
19th Century Pair of Swedish Gustavian Bedside Commodes

19th Century Pair of Swedish Gustavian Bedside Commodes

Located in Wichita, KS

A pair of Swedish commodes in the Gustavian style with dentil molding around the top and lozenge

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair of Swedish Neoclassical Chests
Pair of Swedish Neoclassical Chests

Pair of Swedish Neoclassical Chests

Located in Dallas, TX

Lovely pair of Swedish neoclassical chests. Nice carved detail at along the top edge. Also, a very

Category

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

Materials

Wood

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

19th Century Pair of Swedish Gustavian Painted Bedside Commodes

Located in Wichita, KS

A pair of Swedish chest of drawers in the Gustavian style from the 19th century with dentil molding

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Paint

Swedish Pair of Painted Faux Marble Top Gustavian Style Dressers
Swedish Pair of Painted Faux Marble Top Gustavian Style Dressers

Swedish Pair of Painted Faux Marble Top Gustavian Style Dressers

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Swedish pair of painted faux marble-top Gustavian style dressers The chests have 3 drawers with

Category

20th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish Late Gustavian Pair of Large Bedside Commodes
19th Century Swedish Late Gustavian Pair of Large Bedside Commodes

19th Century Swedish Late Gustavian Pair of Large Bedside Commodes

Located in Wichita, KS

A rare and monumental pair of Swedish Gustavian chest of drawers with reeded drawer fronts in a

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Black-Painted Commodes
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Black-Painted Commodes

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Black-Painted Commodes

Located in Kastrup, DK

Pair of Gustavian Style Commodes from Sweden, circa 1860-70, crafted in black-painted pine. Each

Category

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

Materials

Brass

1870c Light Grey Pair of Gustavian Style Three Drawer Commodes, Italy
1870c Light Grey Pair of Gustavian Style Three Drawer Commodes, Italy

1870c Light Grey Pair of Gustavian Style Three Drawer Commodes, Italy

Located in New York, NY

1870c Swedish pair of Gustavian style commodes. Light grey in color. Three drawers. Top drawer

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Matched Pair Custom-Made Gustavian Swedish Distressed Painted Commodes Dressers
Matched Pair Custom-Made Gustavian Swedish Distressed Painted Commodes Dressers

Matched Pair Custom-Made Gustavian Swedish Distressed Painted Commodes Dressers

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

These are simple and yet have sophisticated elements too. The commodes have gorgeous hand carved Greek key carving and a great white painted scheme. The each measure: 46 wide x 35 ta...

Category

Early 2000s Belgian Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Beech

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Three-Drawer Commodes, circa 1880
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Three-Drawer Commodes, circa 1880

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Three-Drawer Commodes, circa 1880

Located in Atlanta, GA

A pair of Swedish Gustavian style painted wood three-drawer commodes from the late 19th century

Category

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

Materials

Wood

Swedish Gustavian Style Pair of Painted Bedside Commodes with Marbleized Tops
Swedish Gustavian Style Pair of Painted Bedside Commodes with Marbleized Tops

Swedish Gustavian Style Pair of Painted Bedside Commodes with Marbleized Tops

Located in Wichita, KS

A beautiful pair of Swedish commodes in the Gustavian style with hand painted marbleized tops

Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Paint

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style 1900s Painted Commodes with Diamond Patterns
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style 1900s Painted Commodes with Diamond Patterns

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style 1900s Painted Commodes with Diamond Patterns

Located in Atlanta, GA

A pair of Swedish Gustavian Style painted wood three-drawer commodes from the early 20th century

Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Pair of Swedish 1830s Gustavian Commodes with Reeded Motifs and Canted Sides
Pair of Swedish 1830s Gustavian Commodes with Reeded Motifs and Canted Sides

Pair of Swedish 1830s Gustavian Commodes with Reeded Motifs and Canted Sides

Located in Atlanta, GA

A pair of Swedish late Gustavian three-drawer chests with dentil molding, reeded motifs and canted

Category

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

Materials

Wood

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Black & White Painted Commodes
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Black & White Painted Commodes

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Black & White Painted Commodes

Located in Kastrup, DK

A pair of elegant Gustavian-style commodes, crafted in pine and painted black with decorative light

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Wood Three-Drawer Commodes, circa 1880
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Wood Three-Drawer Commodes, circa 1880

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Wood Three-Drawer Commodes, circa 1880

Located in Atlanta, GA

A pair of Swedish Gustavian style painted wood three-drawer commodes from the late 19th century

Category

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

Materials

Wood

19th Century Pair of Swedish Gustavian Bedside Commodes with Marbleized Tops
19th Century Pair of Swedish Gustavian Bedside Commodes with Marbleized Tops

19th Century Pair of Swedish Gustavian Bedside Commodes with Marbleized Tops

Located in Wichita, KS

An elegant neoclassical pair of Swedish painted commodes in the Gustavian style. Each chest has

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair of Vintage Gustavian Neo-Classical Commodes
Pair of Vintage Gustavian Neo-Classical Commodes

Pair of Vintage Gustavian Neo-Classical Commodes

Located in Dallas, TX

Good pair of vintage Gustavian carved and parcel gilt neo-classical commodes. Circa 1940. Perfect

Category

Vintage 1940s Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Swedish Gustavian Style Pair of Painted Bedside Commodes with Marbleized Tops
Swedish Gustavian Style Pair of Painted Bedside Commodes with Marbleized Tops

Swedish Gustavian Style Pair of Painted Bedside Commodes with Marbleized Tops

Located in Wichita, KS

A beautiful pair of Swedish commodes in the Gustavian style with hand-painted marbleized tops

Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Paint

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Nightstands
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Nightstands

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Nightstands

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

A pair of Swedish nightstands or night tables from the early 19th Century in painted pine wood

Category

Antique 1810s Swedish Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style 1870s Commodes with Dentil Molding and Rosettes
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style 1870s Commodes with Dentil Molding and Rosettes

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style 1870s Commodes with Dentil Molding and Rosettes

Located in Atlanta, GA

A pair of Swedish Gustavian Style painted wood three-drawer commodes from the late 19th century

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Pair of Gustavian -Style painted Black commodes
Pair of Gustavian -Style painted Black commodes

Pair of Gustavian -Style painted Black commodes

Located in Kastrup, DK

Pair of commode Gustav style in black with beautiful patina

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair of Neoclassical Swedish Gustavian Style Cerused Commodes
Pair of Neoclassical Swedish Gustavian Style Cerused Commodes

Pair of Neoclassical Swedish Gustavian Style Cerused Commodes

Located in Rio Vista, CA

Divine pair of cerused commodes or chests of drawers made in the Swedish Gustavian taste. The large

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests o...

Materials

Pine

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Three-Drawer Chests
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Three-Drawer Chests

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Three-Drawer Chests

Located in Troy, MI

Pair of circa 1880s three-drawer Swedish chests with antique white and teal blue painted finish

Category

Late 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair of Blue 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Nightstands
Pair of Blue 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Nightstands

Pair of Blue 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Nightstands

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

A pair of Gustavian blue painted Swedish nightstands or night tables from the second half of the

Category

Antique 1850s Swedish Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Pair of Antique White Painted Swedish Style Chests
Pair of Antique White Painted Swedish Style Chests

Pair of Antique White Painted Swedish Style Chests

Located in Troy, MI

Found in England, this pair of circa 1950s small two-drawer white painted chests feature classic

Category

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

Materials

Brass

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

19th Century Large Swedish Gustavian Pair of Commodes

Located in San Angelo, TX

A pair of stunning 19th century Neoclassical Swedish Gustavian style painted wood commodes. This

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Paint

Late 19th Century Pair Swedish Painted Four Drawer Chests
Late 19th Century Pair Swedish Painted Four Drawer Chests

Late 19th Century Pair Swedish Painted Four Drawer Chests

Located in Troy, MI

Pair of Swedish four drawer chests with antique white painted finish. Details include top drawers

Category

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

Materials

Wood

Pair of Blue and White Painted Two-Drawer Chests
Pair of Blue and White Painted Two-Drawer Chests

Pair of Blue and White Painted Two-Drawer Chests

Located in Troy, MI

Pair of chests found in Belgium, circa 1930s. Each chest has two drawers with (non working

Category

Early 20th Century Belgian Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Pair of Italian Painted 3 Drawer Chests Nightstands
Pair of Italian Painted 3 Drawer Chests Nightstands

Pair of Italian Painted 3 Drawer Chests Nightstands

By Selva

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

These classic three drawer hand painted chests, small commodes, side or end tables have been

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Painted Chest of Drawers
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Painted Chest of Drawers

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Painted Chest of Drawers

Located in Charleston, SC

A pair of 19th century Swedish Gustavian style chests with marbleized wooden tops. Drawers with

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

Rare Pair of 19th Century Painted Swedish Bedside Chests
Rare Pair of 19th Century Painted Swedish Bedside Chests

Rare Pair of 19th Century Painted Swedish Bedside Chests

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Fine quality pair of bedside chest of drawers, circa 1870. 3 drawers with fluted detail, brass

Category

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

Materials

Pine

Pair, Black Painted Chest of Drawers, Sweden circa 1860-80
Pair, Black Painted Chest of Drawers, Sweden circa 1860-80

Pair, Black Painted Chest of Drawers, Sweden circa 1860-80

Located in Round Top, TX

A pair of Gustavian pine chest of drawers with canted fluted side posts with upper carved floral

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Pair of Swedish 19th Century Painted Chest of Drawers
Pair of Swedish 19th Century Painted Chest of Drawers

Pair of Swedish 19th Century Painted Chest of Drawers

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Pair of Scandinavian 19th Century painted three-drawer commodes with brass hardware.

Category

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

Materials

Pine

Pair of Carved 19th Century Swedish Chest of Drawers
Pair of Carved 19th Century Swedish Chest of Drawers

Pair of Carved 19th Century Swedish Chest of Drawers

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Good quality grey painted chest of drawers, circa 1870. Stepped top with dentil frieze below

Category

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

Materials

Pine

Light Grey Pair Gustavian Style Commodes, Sweden, circa 1870
Light Grey Pair Gustavian Style Commodes, Sweden, circa 1870

Light Grey Pair Gustavian Style Commodes, Sweden, circa 1870

Located in New York, NY

Swedish pair of Gustavian style commodes, circa 1870. Light grey in color. Two drawers

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Pair of 19th Century Black Painted Chest of Drawers
Pair of 19th Century Black Painted Chest of Drawers

Pair of 19th Century Black Painted Chest of Drawers

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Pair of 19th century black painted chest of drawers circa 1880. Good quality pair of Swedish

Category

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

Materials

Pine, Paint

Pair of 19th century blue painted chest of drawers
Pair of 19th century blue painted chest of drawers

Pair of 19th century blue painted chest of drawers

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

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

Category

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

Materials

Pine, Paint

  • 1
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Pair Gustavian Chests", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

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.