Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Wood Chest
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian-style painted wood chest from the Mid-20th Century. This mid-century chest from
Mid-20th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Wood Chest
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian-style painted wood chest from the Mid-20th Century. This mid-century chest from
Wood
18th Century Swedish Pine Commode
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
18th Century Swedish commode from Skattungbyn, Orsa. A patina and wear beyond the ordinary. The
Pine
$6,953 / set
Pair of Swedish Painted Commodes
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Good pair of 19th C pine Swedish painted commodes. 1880
Pine
$6,953 / set
Pair of Swedish Painted Commodes
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Good pair of pine Swedish 19th C painted commodes.
Pine
Swedish Fluted Drawer Fronts Commode
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Early 19th C Swedish pine commode with fluted drawer fronts.
Pine
$6,953 / set
Pair of Swedish Painted Commodes
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Interesting pair of Swedish 19th C pine painted commodes. Internal reference: C
Pine
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Painted Chest
Located in New Orleans, LA
A charming small-scale Gustavian chest painted in soft, muted tones with clean lines and subtle
Wood
$6,953 / 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
Swedish Gustavian 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Swedish Gustavian 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers. its been restored and repainted with Milk
Wood
$3,850
Swedish Gustavian Chest
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage Swedish Gustavian carved and painted chest. A Swedish Gustavian carved and painted chest is
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a very Unique Swedish Gustavian style 3 drawer chest of drawers. its been restored and
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Style 4 Drawer Chest of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a very unique and very Big Swedish Gustavian 4 drawer chest of drawers. its been restored
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Chest of Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
This Swedish chest of drawers is a fine example of Scandinavian craftsmanship and design
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique Swedish Gustavian Style 3 drawer chest of drawers. its been restored and
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique Swedish Gustavian Style 3 Drawer chest of drawers. Its been restored and repainted
Wood
Gustavian, Louis XVI Style, Small Swedish Chest, Brass, Marble, Sweden, 1970s
Located in Stamford, CT
Gustavian, Louis XVI Style, Small Swedish Chest, Brass, Marble, Sweden, 1970s Small Gustavian
Brass
Bespoke Swedish Style Commode
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Bespoke Swedish style three drawer commode with a reeded top drawer and panelled sides. Customer
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a very High Quality High Class Gustavian 3 drawer chest of drawers. its been restored and
Wood
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Chest of Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 19th-century Swedish Gustavian-style chest of drawers reflects the understated elegance and
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Grey Chest of Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
The 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Grey Chest is a beautifully crafted piece of furniture with a
Wood
20th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Chest of Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A refined 20th-century Swedish Gustavian-style chest of drawers, showcasing the timeless elegance
Pine
18th century Gustavian Chest of Drawers, Sweden 1780
Located in Leimen, DE
Gustavian chest of drawers, Sweden, 1780-1800. This elegant chest of drawers is made of yew tree
Mahogany
Unique Swedish Gustavian 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Unique Swedish Gustavian 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers . its been restored and repainted with
Pine
Swedish Gustavian-Inspired Three-Drawer Chest with Painted Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
A beautifully tailored Swedish Gustavian-inspired three-drawer chest, crafted with the refined
Wood
Swedish Gustavian and Empire Chest of Drawers
Located in Kramfors, SE
Chest of drawers from northern Sweden made during the transition time between the Gustavian and
Pine
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Chests of Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A classic pair of Gustavian-style chests of drawers crafted from solid pine and featuring a
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Style Matching Mirror & Chest Of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique Swedish Gustavian Style Matching Mirror & Chest Of Drawers. They been restored and
Mirror, Wood
Swedish Gustavian Style Unique 4 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Swedish Gustavian Style Unique 4 Drawer Chest Of Drawers . it was just restored and
Wood
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Gray Painted Bench Settee
Located in Round Top, TX
19th century Swedish Gustavian bench crafted in pine. Decorative hand-carved Greek key meander
Fabric, Pine, Paint
Swedish Gustavian Chest on Chest, circa 1810
Located in Huntington, NY
An unusual Swedish Gustavian chest on chest featuring a dentil frieze top border with triple fluted
Iron
Antique Northern Swedish Classic Gustavian Chest of Drawers
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique chest of drawers or commode from northern Sweden made in a classic straight gustavian shape
Pine
Chest Of Drawers Swedish Gustavian Style Unique 4 Drawer
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique Swedish Gustavian Style 4 drawer Chest of Drawers. It has just been restored and
Wood
Antique Swedish Gustavian Chest, Oakwood & Marble, Circa 1820
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Swedish Gustavian chest made of hand crafted painted Oakwood, in good condition. The
Marble, Metal, Brass
Chest of Drawers Signed by Gustaf Furlow Swedish Gustavian, 1780-1800, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Chest of drawers signed by Gustaf Furlow Swedish Gustavian, 1780-1800, Sweden. An exquisite chest
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Bedside Table / Cabinet with Original Blue Paint
Located in Kastrup, DK
Small Gustavian bedside cabinet in pine with light blue paint and a beautiful patina. The piece has
Metal
Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Chest of Drawers, circa 1960
Located in Atlanta, GA
A charming small chest of drawers in the Gustavian style, crafted in Sweden circa 1960. Painted in
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
Swedish Gustavian-Inspired Chest of Drawers with Greek Key Motif
Located in Atlanta, GA
A handsome Swedish Gustavian-inspired chest of drawers, crafted with the clean symmetry and
Pine
Gustavian Hand-Painted Chest of Drawers, 19th Century Sweden
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Gustavian Chest of Drawers, Sweden, 19th Century A beautifully proportioned Gustavian chest of
Softwood
Swedish Gustavian Scrubbed Pine Hand Carved Chest of Drawers
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Stunning carving on this elegant chest of drawers, dresser or commode with three spacious
Pine
$13,500Sale Price|50% Off
A Handsome Swedish Gustavian Alder Root Parquetry Chest
Located in San Francisco, CA
A handsome Swedish Gustavian alder root parquetry 3-drawer chest; the well-figured top with canted
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Wood Chest with Reeded Accents
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style painted wood chest with two drawers, carved reeded accents, swag hardware
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Style Three-Drawer Chest with Marbleized Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style three-drawer chest with light gray painted finish, marbleized top and
Wood
19th Century Blue Painted Swedish Gustavian Chest of Drawers
Located in Round Top, TX
A pair of elegant Gustavian chest of drawers painted in shades of blue, fitting their Swedish
Brass
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Chests with Greek Key Design
Located in Dallas, TX
This product is a pair of Swedish Gustavian style chests with a Greek key design. These chests are
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Chest of Drawers with Diamond-Patterned Marquetry
Located in Kastrup, DK
Swedish Gustavian cabinetmaking of high quality. Sweden, circa 1780–1790.
Brass
Antique Swedish Gustavian Pedestals, Light-Grey Pine, Circa 1790
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A white-grey, antique pair of Swedish Gustavian pedestals, cabinets made of light-grey painted
Pine
Swedish, Gustavian Chest Drawers
Located in Staffordshire, GB
Circa 1820. Swedish Gustavian chest drawers. Sku 1379. Measures: W 105 x D 49 x H 82cm.
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Period Painted Three-Drawer Chest with Dentil Molding
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian period three-drawer chest from the late 18th century, defined by its clean
Wood
$9,387 / set
Pair of 19th century painted Swedish commodes
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of 19th century painted Swedish commodes circa 1880. Fine quality pair of Scandinavian chest
Oak, Pine, Paint
Late 18th Century High-Gustavian Commode with Intarsia by Gustaf Foltjern
By Carl Gustaf Foltjern
Located in Ljungby, SE
A distinguished high-Gustavian commode, crafted in Stockholm by Gustaf Foltjern (master 1771-1804
Bronze
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Neoclassical Chest - Antique Pinewood Nightstand
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Neoclassic chest with a painted faux finish marble top, in good
Pine
Swedish Gustavian-Inspired Chest of Drawers with Greek Key Frieze
Located in Atlanta, GA
A striking Swedish Gustavian-inspired chest of drawers, designed with crisp neoclassical lines and
Pine
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Black-Painted Chests of Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
An elegant pair of Gustavian style chests of drawers, crafted in black-painted pine with a
Brass
Antique Swedish Gustavian Pine Chests, Circa 1870-1890, Neoclassical
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, antique pair of light-grey Swedish Gustavian chests made of hand crafted painted
Metal, Bronze
Antique Swedish Gustavian Chest of Drawers, Pinewood, Circa 1860
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Swedish Gustavian chest of drawers with two doors and six drawers, made of hand crafted
Metal, Chrome
Gray Gustavian Swedish Chest of Drawers, circa 1840-60
Located in Round Top, TX
Lovely Gustavian pine chest of three drawers with diamond accent on drawers, fluted canted sides
Brass
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.