Sold|$6,643 / set
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Black-Painted Commodes
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of Gustavian Style Commodes from Sweden, circa 1860-70, crafted in black-painted pine.
Brass
Sold|$12,900 / set
Pair of 19th c. Swedish Gustavian Painted Bedside Commodes
Located in Wichita, KS
A pair of Swedish Gustavian style commodes in original paint.
Wood, Paint
Sold|$8,500 / set
Pair of Swedish Late Gustavian Style Painted Commodes, circa 1900
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Swedish Late Gustavian style painted commodes, circa 1900, each with a rectangular top painted to simulate marble, the canted and fluted for corners above a dentil molding ...
Wood
Sold|$8,914 / set
Large Pair of 19th Century Gustavian Inspired Swedish Commodes
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Fine pair of 19th century Swedish oak chest of drawers, circa 1870. Faux marble hand painted top surface, dentil frieze below the top surface, 3 drawers with detailed fronts, ring...
Oak
Pair Foral Painted White Decorated Gustavian Style Bombe Commodes Nightstands
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
There will be times when additional patience will be necessary. This is a gorgeous pair of painted floral commodes designed in the Gustavian style.
Walnut
Sold|$5,695 / set
Pair Swedish Gustavian Painted Commodes C. 1860
Located in Troy, MI
We estimate this pair of Swedish Gustavian painted chests to date from the 1860s. The three drawer chests have functional locks and each chest has a skeleton key. Brass pull-ring har...
Brass
Sold|$7,594 / set
Pair of Late 19th Century Swedish Commodes in Gustavian Style
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Pair of late 19th Century Swedish commodes in Gustavia style. With nice carvings and repainted in soft grey. This pair works as bedside tables, in a dining room, a drawing room or in...
Pine, Paint
Pair Swedish Gustavian Painted Chest of Drawers Commode Tallboy Grey White
Located in Lewes, England
Mid 1800s pair of antique Swedish Gustavian painted chest of drawers commode in gustavian style with great detail and elegant legs.
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Painted Chest of Drawers Commode Grey White Pair Brakefront
Located in Lewes, England
Circa mid 1800s pair of antique Swedish Gustavian painted chest of drawers commode in gustavian style with great brakefront detail and elegant legs.
Pine
Fine Pair of Gustavian Style, Painted Commodes/Drawers
Located in Bellport, NY
Beautifully designed Gustavian Style commodes/drawers.Original painted finish in a stand stone wash, and a white underlay.Three pull out drawers,ornate original antique brass pulls....
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Painted Chest of Drawers Pair Commode Grey White Bedroom
Located in Lewes, England
Circa 1850 antique Swedish Gustavian Grey White painted chest of drawers commode in Gustavian style with classic Gustavian carved detail on the drawer fronts and leading edges.
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Painted Chest of Drawers Pair Commode Grey White Bedroom
Located in Lewes, England
Circa 1850 antique Swedish Gustavian Grey White painted chest of drawers commode in Gustavian style with classic Gustavian carved detail on the drawer fronts and leading edges.
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Painted Chest of Drawers Pair Commode Grey White Bedroom
Located in Lewes, England
Circa 1850 antique Swedish Gustavian Grey White painted chest of drawers commode in Gustavian style with classic Gustavian carved detail on the drawer fronts and leading edges.
Pine
Gustavian Style Custom Painted Blue and Ecru Commodes / Cabinets / Chests, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
These are a personal favorite! The finish turned out to be wonderful. This is an offering for a pair of mid-century Gustavian style cabinets with caned fronts and three interior draw...
Cane, Wood
Gustavian Style Custom Painted Blue and Ecru Commodes / Cabinets / Chests, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
These are a personal favorite! The finish turned out to be wonderful. This is an offering for a pair of mid-century Gustavian style cabinets with caned fronts and three interior draw...
Cane, Wood
Swedish Gustavian Style Pair of Painted Bedside Commodes with Marbleized Tops
Located in Wichita, KS
A pair of Swedish commodes in the Gustavian style with hand-painted marbleized tops.
Wood, Paint
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Commodes with Dentil Molding, circa 1870
Located in Atlanta, GA
Born in Sweden during the third quarter of the 19th century, each of this pair of two-drawer commodes presents the stylistic characteristics of the Gustavian era.
Wood
Sold|$13,200 / set
19th c. Pair of Swedish Late Gustavian Period Painted Bedside Commodes
Located in Wichita, KS
A special, neoclassical pair of Swedish Gustavian style painted chests with a soft gray patina. Each chest has dentil modeling around the top and three raised panel drawers with tape...
Wood, Paint
Pair of Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Style Commodes in Black Painted Wood
Located in Kastrup, DK
Swedish pair of Gustavian style chest of drawers is crafted in black-painted wood, showcasing an architectural and decorative design.
Brass
Pair of Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Three-Drawer Commodes
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Swedish cream painted Gustavian style three-drawer commodes from the late 19th century, with canted side posts and tapered feet.
Brass
Swedish Gustavian Painted Chest of Drawers Commode Black Top Grey White Pair
Located in Lewes, England
Please note - this item will be available to ship from early march 2022 Circa 1860 pair of antique Swedish Gustavian painted chest of drawers commode in gustavian style with great...
Pine
20th Century White Pair of Swedish Gustavian Chests, Antique Pinewood Commodes
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique pair of Swedish Gustavian chests made of hand carved pinewood and brass with two drawers, in good condition, perfect to be used as nightstands or end tables. White-blue pa...
Metal, Brass
Pair of Gustavian Commodes in the Louis XVI Style
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century pait of Gustavian Commodes in the Louis XVI Style One of a kind pair.
Wood
Pair of 1810 Swedish Period Gustavian Three-Drawer Commode with Light Grey Paint
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Swedish Gustavian period three-drawer painted commodes with dentil molding from the early 19th century.
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Painted Chest of Drawers Pair Commode Grey White C.1860 Carved
Located in Lewes, England
Circa 1850 antique Swedish Gustavian Grey White painted chest of drawers commode in gustavian style with classic Gustavian carved detail on the drawer fronts and leading edges. The...
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Painted Chest of Drawers Pair Commode Grey White C.1860 Carved
Located in Lewes, England
Circa 1850 antique Swedish Gustavian Grey White painted chest of drawers commode in gustavian style with classic Gustavian carved detail on the drawer fronts and leading edges. The...
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Painted Chest of Drawers Pair Commode Grey White C.1860 Carved
Located in Lewes, England
Circa 1850 antique Swedish Gustavian Grey White painted chest of drawers commode in gustavian style with classic Gustavian carved detail on the drawer fronts and leading edges. T...
Pine
Sold|$22,250 / set
Pale Grey Gustavian Style Pair of Commodes, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
19th century Swedish pair of Gustavian style commodes. Soft grey patina.
Wood
Sold|$11,950
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Chests
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of period late Gustavian Swedish chests, 19th century.
Sold|$15,950 / set
Swedish Gustavian Style 19th Century Painted Wood Three-Drawer Commodes
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Swedish Gustavian style painted wood commodes from the 19th century, with marbleized tops and dentil moldings.
Wood
Sold|$11,000
Pair of Gustavian Chests
Located in New York, NY
A lovely pair of Gustavian chests with beautiful carvings of reeding and Leaf tips.
Sold|$10,200
Pair of Late Gustavian Chests
Located in Wichita, KS
A very lovely pair of late Gustavian chests of drawers with hand-painted marbleized tops. The sides of each chest are canted with reeded corner posts and a carved rosette with laurel...
Sold|$22,250 / set
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.
Wood
Gustavian, Swedish Painted Commodes, Greek Key, White and Blue Paint Distressed
Located in Stamford, CT
Gustavian, Swedish Painted Commodes or Nightstands, Greek Key Motif, White and Blue Paint Distressed Pair of Gustavian commodes or nightstands designed and produced in Sweden in the...
Paint
Sold|$6,950
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 of a Kind. Also, Please Refer to Our Website for Our Complete Inventory.
Sold|$6,736
Pair of Gustavian Style Painted Chests
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A pair of Gustavian style painted chests made from 19th century elements.
Sold|$9,850
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Period Chests
Located in Wichita, KS
An exquisite pair of late Gustavian chests with canted sides and tapered and fluted feet. There is a lovely leaf tip carving around the top with a floral carving on each corner.
Sold|$2,995 / set
Gustavian Style Pair 6 Drawer Chests
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a very rare set of Gustavian style 6 drawer chest. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White".
Wood
Sold|$6,804 / set
Pair of Swedish Commodes
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Pair of 19th Century Swedish painted and decorated pine commodes. 1890
Brass
Sold|$13,999 / set
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Chests
Located in Dallas, TX
Gustavian Style chest with decorative geometric carved design on top drawer, dentil molding, canted corners and brass hardware, circa 1860. The color is a blue-grey color base, with ...
Paint
Sold|$8,900
Pair of Swedish Late Gustavian Period Chests
Located in Wichita, KS
A charming pair of Swedish chests from the late Gustavian period featuring beaded detail around the top and reeded drawer fronts with tapered and fluted legs. The chest drawers are ...
Sold|$12,800 / set
Pair of Gustavian Style Chests of Drawers
Located in South Salem, NY
A late 19th century pair of painted Swedish Gustavian style commodes.
Pine
Sold|$6,804 / set
Pair of Swedish Decorated Commodes
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Pair of 19th Century Swedish 3 drawer commodes with Greek Key decoration. 1890
Brass
Sold|$10,000 / set
Pair of Painted Gustavian Chest of Drawers
Located in South Salem, NY
Pair of pale blue painted Swedish Gustavian style chest of drawers with faux marble top and dovetail joinery, Circa early 20th century.
Wood
Sold|$8,602 / set
20th Century Pair of Gustavian Style Chests
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful pair of neoclassical Gustavian style painted chests in Sienna red, hand-painted tops and fluted legs. The pair are restored with original hardware, circa 1910 Scandinavian.
Sold|$5,239
Pair of Swedish Painted Commodes
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Pair of late 19th Century Swedish breakfront painted commodes. 1890
Pine
Sold|$10,500 / set
Pair of Painted Gustavian Chest of Drawers
Located in South Salem, NY
Pair of white painted Gustavian chest of drawers with metal hardware and historic paint that features original patina, circa 1880s. Please note of wear consistent with age including ...
Pine
Sold|$7,213 / set
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.
Wood
Pair of Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Chests
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of 19th century Swedish Gustavian Style two-drawer chests with reeding on the apron and the sides, canted corner posts and tapering square legs. Trace of faded marbling paint ...
Bronze
Sold|$9,300 / set
Pair of Swedish Gustavian-style Chests of Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A beautifully matched pair of late 19th-century Gustavian-style chests, showcasing the refined elegance and quiet sophistication for which Swedish design is so beloved. Hand-crafted ...
Pine
Sold|$9,950
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Commodes
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of late 19th century painted commodes with three drawers.
Swedish Gustavian Antique Pair of Chests, 19th Century
Located in Wichita, KS
A beautiful pair of Swedish painted chests in the Gustavian style with canted and fluted corner posts and square tapered legs. Each chest has three drawers and brass hardware.
Sold|$9,500
Pair of Gustavian chests
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair of gray painted chest of drawers. Late Gustavian period. Sweden 1850's.
Pine
Pair of Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Chests
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of 19th century Swedish Gustavian Style three-drawer chests with canted corner posts applied flower carvings and tapering square legs. Trace of faded marbling paint on the sha...
Sold|$10,500
Pair of Gustavian Chests
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A small pair of Swedish Gustavian chest of drawers with original brass hardware. Keys incl.
Wood
Sold|$12,500
19th Century Pair of Gustavian Chest of Drawers
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of 19th century classical style Gustavian commodes with two drawers in a light grey and grey finish.
Wood
Pair of Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Chests
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of 19th century Swedish Gustavian style two-drawer chests with painted reeding on the drawer fronts, canted corner posts and tapering square legs in lightest grey tone with dar...
Pine
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.