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.
Pair of Gustavian Pewter Candlesticks from the late 18th or early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful Pair of Gustavian Pewter Candlesticks from the late 18th or early 19th Century. Period Gustavian design. Wear consistent with age and use
Pewter
Pair of 18th Century Gustavian Bronze Candlesticks with Egyptian Female Figures
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of Gustavian bronze candlesticks featuring stems in the form of a standing Egyptian woman with crossed arms. The candleholders are adorned with intricate ciselé work. Displays a...
Bronze
$392Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Vintage Brass Gusum Candlesticks by Bernt Karlsson, Sweden, 1980
Located in New York, NY
A pair of solid brass candlesticks by Metallslöjden Gusum Bruk, Sweden. Designed by Bernt Karlsson. Dated 1978 and 1980.
Brass
Pair of Swedish Late Gustavian Brass Candlesticks, Early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of Swedish Late Gustavian Brass Candlesticks, Early 19th Century A refined pair of Swedish late Gustavian brass candlesticks, dating from the early 19th century. Executed in so...
Brass
Candlesticks Pair of English Mahogany, 18th Century, England
Located in New York, NY
Candlesticks pair of English mahogany, 18th century, England. A pair of candlesticks made during the 18th century in England. Made from mahogany with candleholders in brass.
Mahogany
Candlesticks Gustavian Swedish 18th Century Brass, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Candlesticks Gustavian Swedish 18th century 1790-1810 made in brass, Sweden. A pair of Gustavian candlesticks made in Sweden during the late part of 18th century and the Gustavian pe...
Brass
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Pewter Candlesticks, Johan Fredrik Gellerstedt, 1833
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Pewter Candlesticks, Johan Fredrik Gellerstedt, 1833 An elegant pair of late Gustavian pewter candlesticks, crafted in Härnösand, Sweden, by the pewter ma...
Pewter
Gustavian Brass Candlesticks, Sweden 18th century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Gustavian Brass Candlesticks. Made in Sweden during the reign of Gustav III. The brass used in these candlesticks have high levels of copper, giving ...
Brass
A Pair of Late Gustavian Faux Porphyry Reverse Glass Candesticks, 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The pair of reverse glass faux porphyry candlesticks with brass mounts (lacking one tassel)
Glass
19th Century White-Grey Scandinavian Set of Two Gustavian Pinewood Candlesticks
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique set of two Gustavian candle holders with palm décor foliage ornaments, in good condition. The hand carved Pinewood candle stick is patinated in ecru and grey and is accent...
Metal
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Pair of Pinewood Candle Holders - Antique Sticks
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Swedish pair of mid 19th Century Gustavian candle holders made of hand crafted Pinewood, in good condition. The sticks are patinated in...
Pine
20th Century Gold Swedish Gustavian Similar Set of Eleven Brass Candle Holders
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, vintage Swedish Gustavian similar set of eleven candle holders made of hand crafted brass, in good condition. The Scandinavian candlesticks, stands are enhanced by derail cra...
Metal, Brass
Pair of 18th Century Swedish Candlesticks
Located in Greenwich, CT
Good pair of 18th Century Swedish baroque hand hammered brass candlesticks with removable drip pan over barleytwist shafts with central drip collar, standing on bulbous bases having ...
Brass
Swedish Gustavian Candleholders Late 1800th in Pewter
Located in Stockholm, SE
Swedish Gustavian candleholders. Made late 18th century in Pewter, signed N. Height ~ 16,5cm. Ribbed columns on a bell shaped postament, with loose light cuffs and charmingly patinat...
Pewter
$3,800 / set
19th Century Late Gustavian Candlesticks
Located in Allerum, SE
Pair of early 19th century Swedish Late Gustavian gilt and dark patinated bronze candlesticks. Sweden ca 1810.
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Pair of Late Gustavian Carrara Marble Candlesticks
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of Swedish late Gustavian candleholders in white Carrara marble and fire-gilded bronze.
Carrara Marble, Bronze
Candlesticks Swedish Gustavian Neoclassical Gray Marble Brass, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Candlesticks Swedish Gustavian neoclassical gray marble brass, Sweden. A pair of gorgeous white marble candlesticks made during the Gustavian period. Column shaped with polished bras...
$1,802
H 12.6 in W 7.09 in D 9.26 in
Wall Mounted Candelabra in Brass, Metallslöjden Gusum, Sweden, -1982
Located in Örebro, SE
Beautiful wall mounted candelabra in bras by Metallslöjden Gusum -1982, Sweden. Condition: good, wear consistent with age and use. Brass patina.
Brass
$4,806 / set
H 22.05 in W 20.08 in D 3.94 in
Pair of Large Swedish Candelabras in Brass by Lars Bergsten for Gusum
Located in Karlstad, SE
Very large candelabras by Gusum, Sweden. This is one of the biggest candelabras in this series and is rarely seen. It is made of solid brass and is therefore very heavy. Condition: ...
Brass
Gustavian Style Light Fixture
Located in New York, NY
Patinated brass and brass details copied from the pre-electricity Gustavian period, featuring six faux candles hanging on three decorative brass chains,...
Brass
Pair of 18th Century French Patinated Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Dallas, TX
Cast in France during the 1700s, this pair of bronze candlesticks has a lovely patination, giving them a glossy brown color. The highly contoured and curved bases are mirrored by the...
Metal, Bronze
$680Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 9.75 in Dm 4.5 in
Rare Pair of 18th Century Georgian Bell Metal Candlesticks, England, circa 1760
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very handsome and rare pair of mid 18th century bell-metal candlesticks, showing flaring seamed columns with cylindrical nozzles and flattened drip pans rising from stepped circular bases that retain their original & functioning push-rods. Both exhibiting an exceptionally warm pinkish patina due to the higher ratio of copper used in...
Other
Pair 19th Century brass candlesticks
Located in Martlesham, GB
A pair of 19th Century brass candlesticks, having turned and shaped columns raised on a square platform base. Circa 1860.
Brass
$890 / set
H 18.9 in W 1.18 in D 2.36 in
Pierre Forssell Pair of Vintage Scandinavian Brass Candlesticks Sweden
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
Pierre Forssell (1925-2004) Pierre Forssell was an acclaimed industrial designer who designed cutlery and cookware, for among others Gense, before joining the distinguished brass foundry of Skultuna as creative director in the early 1950s. Forssell was commissioned to renew Skultuna’s product range and created several successful series of modernist interior decorating objects...
Brass
$690Sale Price / set|51% Off
H 9.85 in W 5.12 in D 5.12 in
Collection of 18th-19th Century French Pewter Candleholders
Located in Buisson, FR
Amazing collection of five pewter candlesticks. They are all different and unique, France, circa 1750-1850. Weathered, dented and small losses but these imperfections help authentica...
Pewter
Five Brass Candlesticks by Pierre Forsell, Skultuna, Sweden, 1980s
Located in Stockholm, SE
A set of 5 candlesticks by Pierre Forsell, designed and produced at Skultuna in 1980-1990s. The candlesticks are 9 cm in diameter and in excellent condition except from some minor sc...
Brass
$318Sale Price / set|55% Off
H 9.45 in W 5.52 in D 5.52 in
Pair of Late 18th Century French Neoclassical Pewter Candleholders
Located in Buisson, FR
Lovely pair of pewter candle holders with a beautiful patine. France circa 1780. Weathered condition with minor losses.
Pewter
Pair of Late 19th Century Brass Candlesticks
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A pretty pair of brass candlesticks. Nice patina.
Brass
Early 19th Century Pair of Mahogany Candlesticks
Located in High Point, NC
Pair of English mahogany candlesticks, circa 1810. The tops are made from heavy cast brass, and are supported on hand turned and carved decorated stems with wonderfully square pedest...
Brass
Sold
H 9.06 in W 2.96 in D 2.96 in
Pair of Gustavian Candlesticks in Carrara Marble and Brass, Late 18th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of Gustavian Candlesticks in Carrara Marble and Brass, Late 18th Century An elegant pair of late Gustavian (Swedish Neoclassical) candlesticks, crafted in Carrara marble with ...
Carrara Marble, Brass
Sold
H 6.89 in W 2.96 in D 2.96 in
Pair of Gustavian Candlesticks in Brass and Carrara Marble, Late 18th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of Gustavian Candlesticks in Brass and Carrara Marble, Late 18th Century Elegant pair of Gustavian candlesticks from the 1790s, crafted in brass and fine Carrara marble. The c...
Carrara Marble, Brass
Swedish Gustavian Brass Candleholders
Located in Greenwich, CT
Good pair of Scandinavian, probably Swedish, brass candlestick holders of dish form with finger ring having pressed roundels and etched string decoration.
Brass
19th Century Portuguese Pair of Pinewood Candle Holders - Antique Sticks
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Portuguese pair of 19th Century candle stick holders with a simple Pinewood structure on a round circular base, in good c...
Metal
Sold
H 11.03 in W 4.53 in D 4.53 in
Pair of Gustavian Pewter Candlesticks with beautiful patina, early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
A pair of Gustavian Pewter Candlesticks with beautiful patina made by N.G. Nordstrand from Lund, Sweden. He was active between 1801-1817. The candlesticks show the period decor and d...
Pewter
Sold
H 1.78 in Dm 1.58 in
Charming Gustavian Miniature Candlestick of Pewt, Swedish Late 18th/Early 19th C
Located in Knivsta, SE
Charming Swedish Gustavian Miniature Candlestick of Pewter, Late 18th/Early 19th Century Sweden This charming piece is perfect for any table. The candlestick is from the Gustavian p...
Pewter
Sold
H 3.55 in W 2.37 in D 2.37 in
Small Pair of Gustavian Night Candlesticks from the, Late 18th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
A small and charming pair of Gustavian night Candlesticks from the late 18th Century. Made in Sweden in gilted bronze during the 1780-1790s. Wear consistent with age and use.
Gold Plate, Bronze
19th Century Swedish Similar Set of Seven Night Candles, Brass Candlesticks
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique Swedish Gustavian similar set of seven night candles made of hand crafted brass, in good condition. The Scandinavian candleholders...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 6.7 in W 3.35 in D 3.35 in
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Candlesticks with Beautiful Patina Late 18th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
A pair of Swedish Gustavian candlesticks with beautiful patina. Probably made in Stockholm during the 1780s-1790s. The candlesticks have minor marks, chips and discolorations (see...
Carrara Marble, Brass
An excellent pair of candlesticks in Pewter. Gustavian, dated 1799
Located in Knivsta, SE
A excellent pair of candlesticks in Pewter with a beautiful patina. Gustavian, marked R2 = the year 1799, with a neoclassical design. The candlesticks have marks and wear (see pictures) that all...
Pewter
Sold
H 11.03 in W 4.34 in D 4.34 in
Pair of Late Gustavian Candlesticks in Pewter from Early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Charming pair of late Gustavian candlesticks in pewter with lovely patina from early 19th century. Signed by N.G Nordstrand. (Pewterer in 1801 - 1817 in Lund, Sweden) Made of the fr...
Pewter
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Marble Candlesticks
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of Swedish Gustavian marble candlesticks. Each marble column sits on a square plinth base and features decorative bronze chiseled mounts. Bronz...
Marble, Brass