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Gustavian Boxes

GUSTAVIAN STYLE

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.

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Style: Gustavian
Antique 1904 Swedish Large Chocolate Tin
Located in Centennial, CO
A charming antique 1904 Swedish large dome top trunk shaped chocolate tin would add a beautiful Scandinavian accent to most anywhere in your house. The exterior is a stunning turquoi...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Boxes

Materials

Tin

Antique 1904 Swedish Large Chocolate Tin
Antique 1904 Swedish Large Chocolate Tin

Antique 1904 Swedish Large Chocolate Tin

$495
Swedish White Painted Cutlery Tray
Located in Greenwich, CT
A 19th century Swedish wooden cutlery tray with a curved slotted central handle and divider between two compartments, one with a notch for long utensils. Retains old painted finish.
Category

1840s Swedish Antique Gustavian Boxes

Materials

Spruce

Swedish White Painted Cutlery Tray
Swedish White Painted Cutlery Tray

Swedish White Painted Cutlery Tray

$1,450
Mid 19th century Swedish painted table top writing desk
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century Swedish painted table top writing desk circa 1850. Good quality table top bureau, presented in original scraped back paint.  Made from solid pine and scraped back t...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Boxes

Materials

Pine, Paint

Mid 19th century Swedish painted table top writing desk
Mid 19th century Swedish painted table top writing desk

Mid 19th century Swedish painted table top writing desk

$2,075 / item
Charming small Gustavian Shaving Mirror in Mahogany – Sweden, Late 18th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Gustavian Shaving Mirror in Mahogany – Sweden, Late 18th Century Charming small shaving mirror in mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni), made in Sweden during the late 18th century. Execut...
Category

1790s Swedish Antique Gustavian Boxes

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

Charming small Gustavian Shaving Mirror in Mahogany – Sweden, Late 18th Century
Charming small Gustavian Shaving Mirror in Mahogany – Sweden, Late 18th Century

Charming small Gustavian Shaving Mirror in Mahogany – Sweden, Late 18th Century

$1,475
Related Items
Handcrafted Antique Tinned Copper Metal Betel Box, India
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Beautiful handcrafted antique tinned copper decorative octagonal betel box with with lid, handle and brass latch. The metal is delicately and int...
Category

Early 20th Century Indian Gustavian Boxes

Materials

Brass, Copper, Tin

Handcrafted Antique Tinned Copper Metal Betel Box, India
Handcrafted Antique Tinned Copper Metal Betel Box, India

Handcrafted Antique Tinned Copper Metal Betel Box, India

$950
H 4 in W 6 in D 5 in
19th Century English Painted Wine Cooler
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century English painted box on original four casters. This box was used as a wine cooler.
Category

19th Century English Antique Gustavian Boxes

Materials

Metal

19th Century English Painted Wine Cooler
19th Century English Painted Wine Cooler

19th Century English Painted Wine Cooler

$950
H 25 in W 28 in D 23 in
19th Century Anglo-Indian Sadeli Inlaid Work Box Traveling Writing Desk
Located in Stamford, CT
An Anglo Indian bone, ebony and metal inlaid sadeli work box with portable writing desk, Bombay, circa 1850. The sandalwood body of faceted recta...
Category

Mid-19th Century Indian Antique Gustavian Boxes

Materials

Metal

19th Century Anglo-Indian Sadeli Inlaid Work Box Traveling Writing Desk
19th Century Anglo-Indian Sadeli Inlaid Work Box Traveling Writing Desk

19th Century Anglo-Indian Sadeli Inlaid Work Box Traveling Writing Desk

$2,140
H 7 in W 17 in D 11.5 in
19th Century Original Grey Painted Dough Tray
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century original grey painted and double handled dough try or cow trough. Great center piece for a farm table.
Category

19th Century American Antique Gustavian Boxes

Materials

Pine

19th Century Original Grey Painted Dough Tray
19th Century Original Grey Painted Dough Tray

19th Century Original Grey Painted Dough Tray

$716 Sale Price
20% Off
H 9 in W 31 in D 25 in
19th Century French Walnut and Brass Writing Boxe
Located in LEGNY, FR
Beautiful walnut desktop box which opens into a writing slope. Decorated on the outside with 2 decorative inlaid tunbridge ware bands. Box opens out to a beige fabric writing slo...
Category

1890s French Antique Gustavian Boxes

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Walnut and Brass Writing Boxe
19th Century French Walnut and Brass Writing Boxe

19th Century French Walnut and Brass Writing Boxe

$897 Sale Price
49% Off
H 6.7 in W 17.72 in D 9.06 in
18th Century Mahogany Tea Caddy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A late 18th century, Georgian, Mahogany tea caddy having extremely attractive inlaid conch shells, banded and strung decoration, with hinged lid enclosing lidded interior retaining partial paper foil lining. This particular caddy is relatively plain and simple in design, but the attractive inlaid decoration lifts it significantly. The condition remains relatively good and clearly it has been well loved throughout its life. Tea was a precious commodity throughout the 18th and 19th centuries and the purpose of a tea caddy was not just to preserve the and extend the life of the precious tea leaves, but also to enable the owner to lock away those aforementioned valuable tea leaves, keeping them safe from the house staffs potential wandering hands. This 18th century tea caddy...
Category

Late 18th Century English Antique Gustavian Boxes

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century Mahogany Tea Caddy
18th Century Mahogany Tea Caddy

18th Century Mahogany Tea Caddy

$1,255
H 4.5 in W 4.5 in D 4 in
Mid 18th century hand painted traditional Swedish pine chest
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 18th century hand painted traditional Swedish chest/box circa 1750. Stunning traditional Swedish box hand painted in the original paintwork.   Decorated on all sides with swags ...
Category

Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Boxes

Materials

Iron

Mid 18th century hand painted traditional Swedish pine chest
Mid 18th century hand painted traditional Swedish pine chest

Mid 18th century hand painted traditional Swedish pine chest

$2,075
H 14.75 in W 32.75 in D 21 in
Primitive Antique Oak Dovetailed Butlers Cutlery Tray Knife Caddy Tool Box 13"
Located in Dayton, OH
Primitive antique oak divided cutlery / knife tray / box / trug with raised carved center divider and hand cut dovetailed corners. Dimensions: 12.75" x 8.75" x 6.25" (Width x Depth ...
Category

19th Century Antique Gustavian Boxes

Materials

Oak

Primitive Antique Oak Dovetailed Butlers Cutlery Tray Knife Caddy Tool Box 13"
Primitive Antique Oak Dovetailed Butlers Cutlery Tray Knife Caddy Tool Box 13"

Primitive Antique Oak Dovetailed Butlers Cutlery Tray Knife Caddy Tool Box 13"

$440 Sale Price
20% Off
H 6.25 in W 12.75 in D 8.75 in
Early 19th Century Miniature Writing Desk Jewelry Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This vintage miniature wood box has six drawers and lots of character and patina. Some of the drawers are lined in faux marbleized paper. We see this wonderful piece being used to st...
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Gustavian Boxes

Materials

Metal, Brass

Early 19th Century Miniature Writing Desk Jewelry Box
Early 19th Century Miniature Writing Desk Jewelry Box

Early 19th Century Miniature Writing Desk Jewelry Box

$382 Sale Price
49% Off
H 5.5 in W 6.75 in D 3.5 in
Swedish folk art painted wooden box "Timplåda" with sliding lid
Located in Kvidinge, SE
Painted box with a typical Swedish art work decor, dated 1836. A 'timplåda' is a traditional Swedish wooden box, handcrafted with care. Popular during the 18th and 19th centuries, ...
Category

1830s Swedish Antique Gustavian Boxes

Materials

Pine

Swedish folk art painted wooden box "Timplåda" with sliding lid
Swedish folk art painted wooden box "Timplåda" with sliding lid

Swedish folk art painted wooden box "Timplåda" with sliding lid

$453 Sale Price
30% Off
H 6.07 in W 16.42 in D 11.62 in
18th Century Chippendale Mahogany Tea Caddy
Located in London, GB
A mid-18th century Chippendale period figured mahogany tea caddy, ebony beaded and mahogany cross-banded throughout, having concave-shaped lid retaining original brass carrying handle.
Category

Mid-18th Century Great Britain (UK) Antique Gustavian Boxes

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century Chippendale Mahogany Tea Caddy
18th Century Chippendale Mahogany Tea Caddy

18th Century Chippendale Mahogany Tea Caddy

$1,406
H 7.5 in W 10 in D 6 in
Two snuff boxes, Dutch, Late 18th Early 19th Century
Located in Toronto, CA
Two wonderful antique, figural snuff boxes in the form of heeled boots. Dutch, most probably from the late 18th century or early 19th century. The f...
Category

Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Gustavian Boxes

Materials

Wood, Antler

Two snuff boxes, Dutch, Late 18th Early 19th Century
Two snuff boxes, Dutch, Late 18th Early 19th Century

Two snuff boxes, Dutch, Late 18th Early 19th Century

$975 Sale Price / set
25% Off
H 2 in W 5 in D 1.13 in
Previously Available Items
Late 18th century Scandinavian metal bound box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Late 18th century Scandinavian metal bound box circa 1790. Rare baroque inspired strong box with 3 locks on the front.  Quite likely to have been a box of some importance during it'...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Boxes

Materials

Metal

Late 18th century Scandinavian metal bound box
Late 18th century Scandinavian metal bound box

Late 18th century Scandinavian metal bound box

H 5.3 in W 16.3 in D 11 in
Decorative early 20th century burr birch inlaid box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Decorative early 20th century burr birch inlaid box circa 1926. We are pleased to offer this Russian desktop box made in burr birch with ebonised stringing and inlay. A near square...
Category

1920s Russian Vintage Gustavian Boxes

Materials

Birch

Decorative early 20th century burr birch inlaid box
Decorative early 20th century burr birch inlaid box

Decorative early 20th century burr birch inlaid box

H 4.25 in W 4.75 in D 4.75 in
19th century painted Swedish desktop box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century painted Swedish desktop box circa 1840. Good quality Scandinavian box in original paint.  Hand painted in a blue/green colour scheme.  Further painted with a red cartou...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Boxes

Materials

Pine, Paint

19th century painted Swedish desktop box
19th century painted Swedish desktop box

19th century painted Swedish desktop box

H 6 in W 15.25 in D 10.25 in
Small Rectangular Swedish Gustavian Blue Painted Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish Gustavian Rectangular Box with original paint and an incredible patina. This hand-crafted box is a very versatile piece with both form and function. Would look fantastic sitt...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Boxes

Materials

Wood, Paint

Small Rectangular Swedish Gustavian Blue Painted Box
Small Rectangular Swedish Gustavian Blue Painted Box

Small Rectangular Swedish Gustavian Blue Painted Box

H 4.23 in W 7.56 in D 5.8 in
19th Century Small Swedish Chest
Located in Houston, TX
The 19th Century Small Swedish Chest is not just a charming piece of furniture; it's a testament to the timeless allure of traditiona...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Boxes

Materials

Wood, Paint

19th Century Small Swedish Chest
19th Century Small Swedish Chest

19th Century Small Swedish Chest

H 9 in W 20 in D 14.75 in
19th century painted Swedish desktop box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century painted Swedish desktop box circa 1840. Good quality Scandinavian box in original paint.  Hand painted in a blue/green colour scheme.  Further painted with a red cartou...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Boxes

Materials

Pine, Paint

19th century painted Swedish desktop box
19th century painted Swedish desktop box

19th century painted Swedish desktop box

H 6 in W 15.25 in D 10.25 in
Swedish Lidded Birch Box
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine Swedish carved and turned birch burl container, called a box, the lid with half ring handle, in glowing and vividly grained timber.
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Boxes

Materials

Birch

Swedish Lidded Birch Box
Swedish Lidded Birch Box

Swedish Lidded Birch Box

H 5 in Dm 4.5 in
Late 18th Century Scandinavian Metal Bound Box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Late 18th century scandinavian metal bound box circa 1790. Rare baroque inspired strong box with 3 locks on the front.  Quite likely to have been a box of...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Boxes

Materials

Metal

Late 18th Century Scandinavian Metal Bound Box
Late 18th Century Scandinavian Metal Bound Box

Late 18th Century Scandinavian Metal Bound Box

H 5.3 in W 16.3 in D 11 in
18th Century Swedish Marriage Box
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very fine 18th century Swedish painted oval pantry box made to celebrate a wedding, depicting a loving couple in their period finery, surrounded by border of fruits and flowers, the ...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Boxes

Materials

Beech, Paint

18th Century Swedish Marriage Box
18th Century Swedish Marriage Box

18th Century Swedish Marriage Box

H 6 in W 19 in D 11.5 in
Swedish Style Metal Gilt Edge Tissue Box
Located in Sheffield, MA
Add a neoclassical country touch to your countertop or nightstand with a gold gilt edge galvanized tissue box and add fashion and protection for your facial tissue at the same time -...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Gustavian Boxes

Materials

Tin

Swedish Style Metal Gilt Edge Tissue Box
Swedish Style Metal Gilt Edge Tissue Box

Swedish Style Metal Gilt Edge Tissue Box

H 4.5 in W 10.38 in D 6 in
Swedish Style Metal Gilt Edge Tissue Box
Located in Sheffield, MA
Add a neoclassical country touch to your countertop or nightstand with a gold gilt edge galvanized tissue box cover. Add fashion and protection for your facial tissue. Enhance the ol...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Gustavian Boxes

Materials

Tin

Swedish Style Metal Gilt Edge Tissue Box
Swedish Style Metal Gilt Edge Tissue Box

Swedish Style Metal Gilt Edge Tissue Box

H 5 in W 10 in D 5.75 in
Beautiful and rare Gustavian Alder Root box from late 18th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful and rare Gustavian Alder Root box. From Sweden during the late 18th Century. Adorable details in brass. Wear consistent with age and use.
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Boxes

Materials

Brass

Beautiful and rare Gustavian Alder Root box from late 18th Century
Beautiful and rare Gustavian Alder Root box from late 18th Century

Beautiful and rare Gustavian Alder Root box from late 18th Century

H 4.34 in W 7.49 in D 5.12 in

Gustavian boxes for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Gustavian boxes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, paint and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Gustavian boxes made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Sweden pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,059 and tops out at $5,500 while the average work can sell for $2,102.

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