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.
Elegant Pair of Swedish Gustavian Fire-Gilt Bronze Wall Appliques, 1780s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Fire-Gilt Bronze Wall Appliques, 1780s An exceptionally elegant and rare pair of Swedish Gustavian wall appliques, executed in finely chased fire-gilt bron...
Bronze
Gilded Pine Wall Mirrors by Carl A. Carlsson, Swedish Design, 1935
By Carl A. Carlsson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique Swedish Gustavian pair of wall mirrors with its original mirrored glass, made of hand crafted gilded Pinewood, designed by Carl A. Carlsson in good condition. The Scandinavian wall...
Mirror, Pine, Giltwood
Antique Swedish Gustavian Oval Wall Mirrors, Gilded Pinewood, 1880
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A late 19th Century, antique pair of Swedish Gustavian style oval shaped wall mirrors made of hand crafted gilded Pinewood, bronze with its original mirrored glass, in good condition. Each of the Scandinavian wall décor...
Metal, Bronze
$2,455 / set
H 40.16 in W 6.3 in D 6.3 in
Antique Italian Candlesticks, Set of Six, Carved Wood, Gilded, 1880
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Collection of six 19th Century candlesticks. In carved wood with decorative detailing and gilding throughout.
Wood
$1,415 / set
H 14.5 in W 7.5 in D 1.5 in
fferrone Contemporary Pair of Mirror Polished Stainless Steel Candle Wall Scones
Located in Chicago, IL
Strikingly simple and minimal, the contemporary asymmetrical Candle wall sconce, made from mirror polish stainless steel, reflects the light doubling it’s effect. This listing for a ...
Stainless Steel
Swedish Designer, Small Wall Mirror, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A small carved pine wall mirror designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1970s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 5.25"H x 7.25"W x 1.0"D Does not include mounting hardware All items ship f...
Wood, Pine
$17,000 / set
H 29 in W 15 in D 2 in
Mirrored Wall Sconces Swedish Gustavian 18th Century Signed Gilded Sweden, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A pair of mirrored wall sconces made during the early part of the Gustavian period 1775-1790. Made and signed by frame maker Johan Martin ...
Wood
Engraved Mirrored Sconces with Antique Pewter Arms
Located in New York, NY
Engraved mirrored sconces with antique pewter arms One pair Overall size H. 18" x W. 6 1/2" Antique mirror with design.
Art Glass
$914Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 8 in W 6.75 in D 7 in
Antique Pair Ormolu Gilt Bronze Treble Light Wall Electric Sconces Appliques 19C
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Fine Quality Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze Three Candle Wall Candle Sconces Lights, of generous proportions and exceptional well cast quality, mid to late Nineteenth Century. T...
Bronze, Ormolu
Swedish Designer, Wall Mirror, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine wall mirror designed and produced in Sweden, 1970s. Overall Dimensions (inches):17.37"H x 13.0"W x 0.62"D Does not include mounting hardware. All items ship from High Point...
Mirror, Pine
$820
H 16 in W 6.8 in D 3.75 in
Small & Decorative Arts & Crafts Hammered Copper Candle Sconce and Wall Mirror
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning, rare and aesthetically beautiful candle sconce. For the collectors of stunning Arts & Crafts antiques, we also have this outstanding wall sconce with mirror. All handcrafted out of red copper this highly stylish design is an absolute joy to own and look at. The hand hammered and diamond shape frame with its elegant hand crafted candle holder also have the perfect warm patina. To find this antique in this superb condition again felt like a blessing. This Arts and Crafts work of beauty will single handedly light up (no pun intended) the space she is in and she will change the atmosphere like no modern home accessory...
Brass, Copper
Sven Larsson, Wall Mirror, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
By Sven Larsson
Located in High Point, NC
A pine wall mirror designed and produced by Sven Larsson, Sweden, c. 1970s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 19" H x 12.625" W x 2.125" D Does not include mounting hardware.
Pine
Swedish Designer, Wall Mirror, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine wall mirror with shelf designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1970s. Small green ring stain present to wood on shelf Wear consistent with age and use Overall Dimensions (inche...
Wood, Pine
$2,109 / set
H 11.03 in Dm 7.09 in
Pair of Swedish Art Deco Bronze Wall Sconces GAB (Guldsmedsaktiebolaget) 1930s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Exceptional pair of heavy and substantial Swedish Art Deco wall sconces in patinated bronze, manufactured by GAB, Guldsmedsaktiebolaget, Stockholm, circa 1930s. Each sconce features...
Bronze
Swedish, Wall Mirror, Pine, Mirror Glass, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A square wall mirror, frame in solid pine, with it's original mirror glass. Designed and produced in Sweden, 1970s. All items ship from High Point, North Carolina.
Mirror, Pine
Pair of Mid-Century Swedish Brass Wall Plates
Located in London, GB
Pair of mid-century Swedish brass wall plates. Wonderful pair of repoussé candle holders in excellent condition with light age-related wear. Height 28cm Width 17cm Depth 12cm
Brass
Pair of Gustavian Carved White Lyre Shaped Swedish Sconces
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of Gustavian white painted lyre form candle sconces, late 20th century, carved composition with painted and gilt finish, applied metal arms, three light form, the lyre ends term...
Wood
Sold
H 28.75 in W 10.24 in D 6.3 in
Pair of Swedish Gilt Bronze and Crystal Wall Lights, Late 18th Century
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
A pair of Swedish gilt bronze and crystal wall lights, late 18th century.
Crystal, Bronze