$10,000 / set
Pair of 19th c. Gustavian-style Chests of Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A classic pair of Gustavian-style chests of drawers in a grey finish with a beautiful patina. The corners are chamfered and decorated with double milling. Each drawer features decora...
Pine
Pair of Gustavian Style Chests in black Paint, circa 1890
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Gustavian style chests of drawers in black paint, Swedish, circa 1890 to 1900, each with two drawers dressed in delicate molded frames and brass pulls beneath a reeded trim...
Wood
$7,716 / set
Pair of Gustavian Grey Painted Dressers
Located in Westwood, NJ
Pair of Gustavian Grey Painted Dressers, The Swedish Neo Classic style Gustavian commode with a concave front side, with paneled drawers and sides having gold leaf trim details.
Wood
Gustavian Style Unique 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Gustavian Style Unique 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers. Its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Berlin Iron
Late Gustavian Chest of Drawers from 19th Century
Located in Barcelona, ES
A late Gustavian solid oak chest of drawers from 19th century. Formation: Three drawers. Measurements: Length 108, width 53, height 84 cm. Condition: Stains. Partly worming. Renov...
Oak
Swedish Gustavian Style Antique Mahogany Chest of Drawers Commode
Located in Shippensburg, PA
SWEDISH GUSTAVIAN STYLE MAHOGANY THREE DRAWER COMMODE Probably Sweden, 20th century Mahogany veneers over pine, marble top, gilt brass hardware 32 5/16" H x 19 5/8" D x 38 3/4" W ...
Marble, Brass
Gustavian 19th Century Grey Painted 3 Drawer Dresser
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late Swedish 19th century painted chest of drawers. This 3 drawer dresser has a charming break front style with the original brass hardware.
Bronze
Pair of Swedish Gustavian-Style Painted Chests of Drawers, Early 20th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A charming pair of Swedish Gustavian-style painted chests of drawers, dating to the early 20th century, inspired by the neoclassical tradition that defined late 18th-century Scandina...
Pine
18th Century Gustavian Chest of Drawers With Fluted Corners
Located in Viterbo, VT
Small chest of drawers hand-crafted in Sweden in the mid 1700s using oak. The chest has cantered fluted columns at the corners and teethed molding under the top, creating nice depth ...
Oak
Small Danish Gustavian Chest of Drawers in Original Coral Paint
Located in Kastrup, DK
Small Louis XVI / Gustavian chest of drawers in pine with its original coral-red paint and subtle traces of gilding on mouldings and carved details. Architecturally composed with cl...
Brass
A classic pair of 19th-century Gustavian chests of drawers
Located in Charleston, SC
A pair of 19th-century classic Gustavian chests of drawers with dentil molding beneath the tops and decorative charming carvings on both drawer fronts. locks are functional, with tw...
Bronze
Late 18th C. Swedish Chest w/Traditional Swedish-Red Color &Faux-Marble Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish painted wood chest of three drawers, with faux marble top, from the turn of the 18th and 19th century. This period Gustavian chest from Sweden, designed in clean lines, fea...
Wood
$10,240Sale Price|20% Off
Circa 1790 Swedish Gustavian Marble Top Mahogany Desk Commode Chest
Located in Shippensburg, PA
GUSTAVIAN MAHOGANY SECRÉTAIRE À ABATTANT WITH MARBLE TOP Sweden, circa 1790 34 3/16" H x 17 3/4" D x 36 1/8" W Writing area: 13 1/4" D x 30" W x 26 3/8" from floor to underside of w...
Marble, Brass
20th Century Swedish Chest of Drawers Circa 1900
Located in Atlanta, GA
This early 20th-century Swedish chest of drawers, circa 1900, is a refined example of neoclassical Gustavian design. Crafted from pine, a staple material in Swedish furniture for its...
Pine
19th Century Antique Gustavian Chest of Drawers Chest on Chest Dated 1829
Located in Boden, SE
A magnificent beautiful big Chest of Drawers "Chest on Chest." Swedish early 19th century untouched original painted pine chest of drawers dated 1829 The Chest of drawers is divisi...
Pine
$9,950 / set
Pair of 20th Century Swedish Chest of Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant pair of Gustavian-style chests, crafted circa 100 years ago, embodies the refined simplicity and timeless charm of Scandinavian design. Constructed from pine, a wood com...
Pine
Pair of Elegant Light Blue Gustavian chest's of Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
Decorative pair of Swedish Gustavian-style chests of drawers, crafted in pine and finished in a beautiful light blue green paint with an attractive aged patina, allowing the warm ton...
Brass
Early 20th century inlaid walnut commode with marble top
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Inlaid walnut commode with marble top circa 1910 from Stockholm, Sweden. Green and grey marble top with moulded edge and canted corners, sits, removable on the main body. Fitted wi...
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century Swedish Painted Chest of Drawers
Located in Houston, TX
The 19th Century Swedish Painted Chest of Drawers is a charming piece of furniture that exudes timeless elegance and rustic charm. Painted in a creamy white hue, the chest of drawers...
Wood, Paint
18th Century Swedish Chest of Drawers Circa 1760
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite 18th-century Swedish chest of drawers, circa 1760, is a beautiful example of the Gustavian style, combining neoclassical elegance with functional craftsmanship. Made f...
Brass
Alexandre II Dresser - Swedish Scraped Bone
By Century Furniture, Tara Shaw
Located in New Orleans, LA
The Swedish 6-drawer double dresser, known for its clean lines and practical design, reflects the influence of Gustavian style, which emerged in the late 18th Century during the reig...
Wood, Pine
19th Century Swedish Pine White Chest of Four Drawers
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique pine chest of four drawers, with traditional fluted carving along the top narrow top drawer. Half column details flank each side. The recent white painted finish adds new lif...
Brass
19th century Swedish painted pine chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish painted pine chest of drawers circa 1860. Fine quality chest of drawers of grand proportions made out of very heavy pitch pine. Fitted with 5 drawers in a 2 ov...
Pine, Paint
19th Century Swedish Chest of Drawers with original paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century Swedish Gustavian chest of drawers from Umeå Västerbotten ,Northern Sweden . The chest of drawers is a Swedish country house furniture from between 1820 and 1830. Made i...
Pine
Pair of 19th century Swedish hand painted chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of Swedish commodes that have been stripped back and re-painted in the gustavian taste.
Pine
19th Century Swedish Black Chest of Three Drawers with Greek Key
Located in Round Top, TX
A decorative Gustavian style pine chest of drawers with dramatic painted "à La Grecque" or Greek key motif and mythical griffin on top drawer, raised on tapered feet. Restored, late...
Pine, Paint
Gray Painted Small Chest of Nine Drawers, Sweden circa 1860
Located in Round Top, TX
Fascinating Gustavian pine chest of nine drawers with fluted columns, dentil molding and tapered fluted feet. The unique configuration of drawers with central three in a square shape...
Pine, Paint
Swedish 19th century painted chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century painted chest of drawers circa 1870. Substantial baroque revival swedish chest of drawers. Presented in later paint which is best described as a very light grey or a d...
Oak, Paint
Pair of painted 19th century Swedish chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of painted 19th century Swedish chest of drawers circa 1890. Good quality pair of commodes which are painted in a light grey scheme. Slightly wider than the normal, rectangula...
Pine, Paint
Gustavian, Swedish Commode, Louis XVI Style, White Paint Distressed, 1990s
Located in Stamford, CT
Gustavian, Swedish Commode, Louis XVI Style, White Paint Distressed, Sweden, 1990s Louis XVI style dresser or cabinet designed and produced in Sweden in the later half of the 20th c...
Paint
Mid 20th Century Vintage Boho Gustavian Style Washed Chest of Drawers
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning vintage Boho chest of drawers. A chic Gustavian style cabinet in an off white washed finish. Acquired from the collection of the iconic Designer Lars Bolander.
Metal
19th Century Swedish antique rustic Country Chest of drawers with original paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century Swedish Gustavian chest of drawers from Piteå, Norrbotten , Northern Sweden. The chest of drawers is a Swedish country house furniture from between 1820 and 1840. Made i...
Pine
Pair of 19th century painted Swedish chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of 19th painted Swedish chest of drawers circa 1880. Good quality pair of Swedish hand painted commodes, ideal for many rooms around the home. Rectangular top with front cante...
Pine, Paint
19th Century Swedish Stone Top Black Small Chest of Three Drawers
Located in Round Top, TX
It is the original stone top that makes this small chest of three drawers a special find while the serpentine front adds intrigue as well. Please enlarge photos of the top to appreci...
Stone
19th century Swedish painted pine chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish painted pine chest of drawers circa 1880. Good quality 3 drawer chest of drawers painted in a light coral paint effect. 2 plank top surface, with 3 drawers of ...
Pine, Paint
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 Swedish painted commodes. Top surface with hand painted faux marble effect, canted corn...
Pine, Paint
19th Century Swedish Miniature Chest of Drawers with original paint Country
Located in Boden, SE
Original painted Scandinavian miniature chest of drawers from Luleå Norrbotten ,Northern Sweden This small miniature Gustavian 4 drawer dresser can be perfect as a storage of small ...
Pine
Swedish early 19th century hand painted pine chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish early 19th century painted pine chest of drawers circa 1800. Fine quality chest of drawers, fitted with 4 graduating drawers that open on the key. Bold red paint that has w...
Pine, Paint
$2,560Sale Price|20% Off
Late 19th Century Black Swedish Serpentine 4 Drawer Chest
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late 19th Century chest of drawers painted in black. This classic Gustavian commode or dresser is a very versatile piece that works well in a foyer, living room or bedroom.
Brass
Antique Swedish Gustavian Chest of Drawers, Mahogany, Circa 1890-1910
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A late 19th Century, antique Swedish Gustavian chest, commode with three drawers made of hand crafted polished, partly veneered Mahogany, in good condition.
Stone, Metal, Brass
Pair of 19th century chest of drawers with faux marble tops
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of 19th century chest of drawers with faux marble tops circa 1870. Good quality pair of Swedish commodes. Rectangular tops with canted corners and hand painted to look like ma...
Pine, Paint
18th century painted oak Scandinavian baroque chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
18th century painted oak Scandinavian baroque revival chest of drawers circa 1790. Made from solid oak this 4 drawer commode offers generous proportions. 4 shaped drawers with orna...
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.