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Swedish Gustavian Commode

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Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest
Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest

Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest

Located in Hollywood, FL

This is a unique Gustavian Style 3 drawer Chest. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints

Category

Vintage 1910s Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Gustavian chest of drawers, circa 1870
Gustavian chest of drawers, circa 1870

Gustavian chest of drawers, circa 1870

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

This piece of furniture is a 19th-century chest of drawers with Gustavian influences, a Swedish

Category

Antique 1870s Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Gustavian Style Unique 3 Drawer Chest
Gustavian Style Unique 3 Drawer Chest

Gustavian Style Unique 3 Drawer Chest

Located in Hollywood, FL

This is a Gustavian Style Unique 3 Drawer Chest. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints

Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers

Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers

Located in Hollywood, FL

This is a very unique Gustavian Style 3 drawer chest of drawers. its been restored and repainted

Category

Vintage 1970s Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Style 17 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Gustavian Style 17 Drawer Chest Of Drawers

Gustavian Style 17 Drawer Chest Of Drawers

Located in Hollywood, FL

This is a very unique 17 drawer Gustavian style Chest of drawers. its been restored and repainted

Category

Vintage 1970s Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers

Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers

Located in Hollywood, FL

This is a Very unique Gustavian Style 3 drawer chest of drawers. it was restored and repainted with

Category

Vintage 1920s Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Vintage Gustavian Painted 3 Drawer Chest
Vintage Gustavian Painted 3 Drawer Chest

Vintage Gustavian Painted 3 Drawer Chest

Located in Dallas, TX

The Vintage Gustavian Painted 3 Drawer Chest is a charming piece of furniture with a unique painted

Category

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

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Grey Painted Dresser
Gustavian Grey Painted Dresser

Gustavian Grey Painted Dresser

Located in Westwood, NJ

Gustavian Grey Painted Dresser, The Swedish Neo Classic style Gustavian commode with a concave

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Gustavian Commodes and Chests o...

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers

Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers

Located in Hollywood, FL

This is a very unique Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers. its been restored and repainted

Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Chest of Drawers with Grey Top, circa 1880
Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Chest of Drawers with Grey Top, circa 1880

Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Chest of Drawers with Grey Top, circa 1880

Located in Atlanta, GA

A beautifully detailed Swedish chest of drawers in the Gustavian style, dating to circa 1880. This

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Gustavian Style Three Drawer Chest of Drawers
Gustavian Style Three Drawer Chest of Drawers

Gustavian Style Three Drawer Chest of Drawers

Located in Hollywood, FL

This is a unique Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest. its been restored and repainted with Milk paints

Category

20th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers

Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers

Located in Hollywood, FL

This is a unique Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers, its been restored and repainted with

Category

20th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Birch

Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers

Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers

Located in Hollywood, FL

This is a unique Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers, its been restored and repainted with

Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Birch

Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers

Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers

Located in Hollywood, FL

This is a Unique Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers, its been restored and repainted with

Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Birch

Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers

Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers

Located in Hollywood, FL

This is a unique Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers . its been restored and repainted with

Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Birch

Gustavian Style Unique 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Gustavian Style Unique 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers

Gustavian Style Unique 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers

Located in Hollywood, FL

This is a very Unique 3 drawer Gustavian style chest of drawers. it has a very unique finish. The

Category

Vintage 1980s Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Swedish 18th Century Black Painted Baroque Gustavian-Painted 3 Drawer Chest
Swedish 18th Century Black Painted Baroque Gustavian-Painted 3 Drawer Chest

Swedish 18th Century Black Painted Baroque Gustavian-Painted 3 Drawer Chest

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Swedish 18th Century chest of drawers painted a later Gustavian black paint and patina. This

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Scandinavian Baroque Commodes and Chests of Dra...

Materials

Bronze

2 Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
2 Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers

2 Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers

Located in Hollywood, FL

This is an unusual set of 2 Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers. They have been restored and

Category

Vintage 1930s Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

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

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Painted Chests of Drawers

Located in Atlanta, GA

This exceptional pair of 19th-century Swedish Gustavian chests embodies the elegance and restraint

Category

Antique 19th Century Danish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Swedish 18th Century Black Painted Baroque Gustavian-Painted 3 Drawer Chest
Swedish 18th Century Black Painted Baroque Gustavian-Painted 3 Drawer Chest

Swedish 18th Century Black Painted Baroque Gustavian-Painted 3 Drawer Chest

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Swedish Mid 18th Century chest of drawers painted a later Gustavian black paint and Patina. This

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Scandinavian Baroque Commodes and Chests of Dra...

Materials

Brass

Gustavian Style Unique 7 Drawer Chest of Drawers
Gustavian Style Unique 7 Drawer Chest of Drawers

Gustavian Style Unique 7 Drawer Chest of Drawers

Located in Hollywood, FL

This is a Gustavian Style Unique 7 Drawer Chest of Drawers. its been restored and repainted with

Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Style Rare Greek Key 2 Drawer Chest Set
Gustavian Style Rare Greek Key 2 Drawer Chest Set

Gustavian Style Rare Greek Key 2 Drawer Chest Set

Located in Hollywood, FL

This is a Very RARE and unique set of 2 Gustavian style Greek Key chest of drawers. They have been

Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Style Unique Deep 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Gustavian Style Unique Deep 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers

Gustavian Style Unique Deep 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers

Located in Hollywood, FL

This is a unique Gustavian style deep 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers. With a depth of 7 inches in each

Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Exceptional 19th Century Gustavian Chest of Drawers
Exceptional 19th Century Gustavian Chest of Drawers

Exceptional 19th Century Gustavian Chest of Drawers

Located in Allerum, SE

Exceptional early 19th century Gustavian chest of drawers veneered with amaranth, birch, jacaranda

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Gustavian Style Unique 3 Drawer Chest of Drawers
Gustavian Style Unique 3 Drawer Chest of Drawers

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

Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Style Unique 4 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Gustavian Style Unique 4 Drawer Chest Of Drawers

Gustavian Style Unique 4 Drawer Chest Of Drawers

Located in Hollywood, FL

This is a Gustavian Style Unique 4 Drawer Chest Of Drawers . its been restored and repainted with

Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Style Unique 3 Drawer Chest of Drawers
Gustavian Style Unique 3 Drawer Chest of Drawers

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

Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Style Unique 3 Drawer Chest of Drawers
Gustavian Style Unique 3 Drawer Chest of Drawers

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

Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Unique Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Unique Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers

Unique Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers

Located in Hollywood, FL

This is a Unique Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers, its been restored and repainted with

Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Birch

Fine 19th Century Gustavian Chest of Drawers
Fine 19th Century Gustavian Chest of Drawers

Fine 19th Century Gustavian Chest of Drawers

Located in Allerum, SE

Fine 18th century Gustavian chest of drawers in alder root veneer in its original condition with

Category

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

Materials

Wood

Pair of Gustavian Grey Painted Dressers
Pair of Gustavian Grey Painted Dressers

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

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Gustavian Commodes and Chests o...

Materials

Wood

19th Century Blue Gustavian Pine Chest of Three Drawers
19th Century Blue Gustavian Pine Chest of Three Drawers

19th Century Blue Gustavian Pine Chest of Three Drawers

Located in Round Top, TX

Gustavian style blue painted pine chest of three drawers with carved details along top resting on

Category

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

Materials

Pine, Paint

Gustavian Style Unique 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Gustavian Style Unique 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers

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

Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Berlin Iron

19th century Gustavian influenced chest of drawers
19th century Gustavian influenced chest of drawers

19th century Gustavian influenced chest of drawers

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

19th century Gustavian influenced chest of drawers circa 1870. Good quality Scandinavian chest of

Category

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

Materials

Pine, Paint

Late Gustavian Chest of Drawers from 19th Century
Late Gustavian Chest of Drawers from 19th Century

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

Category

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

Materials

Oak

Gustavian Style Three-Drawer Chest with Carved Reeded Motifs
Gustavian Style Three-Drawer Chest with Carved Reeded Motifs

Gustavian Style Three-Drawer Chest with Carved Reeded Motifs

Located in Atlanta, GA

A Swedish Gustavian style three-drawer chest with creamy painted finish, carved reeded motifs on

Category

20th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Gustavian 19th Century Grey Painted 3 Drawer Dresser
Gustavian 19th Century Grey Painted 3 Drawer Dresser

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

Category

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

Materials

Bronze

Small Danish Gustavian Chest of Drawers in Original Coral Paint
Small Danish Gustavian Chest of Drawers in Original Coral Paint

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

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair, 19th Century Gustavian Style Blue Chest of Drawers or Nightstands
Pair, 19th Century Gustavian Style Blue Chest of Drawers or Nightstands

Pair, 19th Century Gustavian Style Blue Chest of Drawers or Nightstands

Located in Round Top, TX

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

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Late 18th C. Swedish Chest w/Traditional Swedish-Red Color &Faux-Marble Top
Late 18th C. Swedish Chest w/Traditional Swedish-Red Color &Faux-Marble Top

Late 18th C. Swedish Chest w/Traditional Swedish-Red Color &Faux-Marble Top

Located in Atlanta, GA

19th century. This period Gustavian chest from Sweden, designed in clean lines, features a hand-painted

Category

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

Materials

Wood

Circa 1790 Swedish Gustavian Marble Top Mahogany Desk Commode Chest
Circa 1790 Swedish Gustavian Marble Top Mahogany Desk Commode Chest

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

Category

Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks

Materials

Marble, Brass

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 Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

18th Century Swedish Serpentine Chest
18th Century Swedish Serpentine Chest

18th Century Swedish Serpentine Chest

Located in Faversham, GB

A fabulous 18th century Gustavian serpentine chest of arc-en-arbelet form. The generous molded top

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine, Paint

Swedish Late 18th Century Painted Captain's Chest
Swedish Late 18th Century Painted Captain's Chest

Swedish Late 18th Century Painted Captain's Chest

Located in Atlanta, GA

A striking Swedish captain’s chest from the late 18th century, crafted in pine and finished in an

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

19th Century Antique Gustavian Chest of Drawers Chest on Chest Dated 1829
19th Century Antique Gustavian Chest of Drawers Chest on Chest Dated 1829

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

Category

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

Materials

Pine

20th Century Swedish Chest of Drawers Circa 1900
20th Century Swedish Chest of Drawers Circa 1900

20th Century Swedish Chest of Drawers Circa 1900

Located in Atlanta, GA

Gustavian design. Crafted from pine, a staple material in Swedish furniture for its durability and light

Category

20th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Early 20th century inlaid walnut commode with marble top
Early 20th century inlaid walnut commode with marble top

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

Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Pair of 20th Century Swedish Chest of Drawers
Pair of 20th Century Swedish Chest of Drawers

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

Category

20th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

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

19th Century Swedish Pair of Chest of Drawers

Located in Round Top, TX

A pair of Gustavian pine chest of drawers painted in shades of antique white and soft gray, fitting

Category

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

Materials

Brass

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

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

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Paint

18th Century Swedish Chest of Drawers Circa 1760
18th Century Swedish Chest of Drawers Circa 1760

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

Category

Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Alexandre II Dresser - Swedish Scraped Bone
Alexandre II Dresser - Swedish Scraped Bone

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

Category

2010s Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Pine

19th Century Swedish Chest of Drawers  with original paint
19th Century Swedish Chest of Drawers  with original 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

Category

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

Materials

Pine

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

Pair of 19th century Swedish hand painted chest of drawers

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Pair of 19th century Swedish hand painted chest of drawers circa 1890. Pair of Swedish commodes

Category

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

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish Black Chest of Three Drawers with Greek Key
19th Century Swedish Black Chest of Three Drawers with Greek Key

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

Category

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

Materials

Pine, Paint

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

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

Category

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

Materials

Pine, Paint

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Swedish Gustavian Commode For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal Swedish gustavian commode for your home. Each Swedish gustavian commode for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, softwood and pine. Find 636 options for an antique or vintage Swedish gustavian commode now, or shop our selection of 1 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. Your living room may not be complete without a Swedish gustavian commode — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. Each Swedish gustavian commode bearing Neoclassical, Empire or Louis XVI hallmarks is very popular. Carl Gustaf Foltjern, Isac Löfgren and Tara Shaw Maison each produced at least one beautiful Swedish gustavian commode that is worth considering.

How Much is a Swedish Gustavian Commode?

A Swedish gustavian commode can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $5,514, while the lowest priced sells for $895 and the highest can go for as much as $48,000.

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.