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.
Antique Swedish Gustavian Candle Holders, Pinewood, Gilded, Circa 1860
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
Antique Gustavian Candlesticks Set, Hand-Carved Pinewood, Circa 1820
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
Swedish Late Gustavian Brass Wax Candle Holder, Early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Swedish Late Gustavian Brass Wax Candle Holder, Early 19th Century A refined Swedish brass wax candle holder, crafted during the late Gustavian period in the early 1800s. Designed...
Brass
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
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
$8,500 / set
Pair of 18th Century Gustavian Candelabras
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine pair of 18th century Gustavian three light candelabras. Gilded bronze and marble (Bleu Turquin) with a caryatid supporting three candle arms adorned with foliage, pedestal of ma...
Bronze
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
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
Candlesticks Gustavian Pair Swedish 18th Century Red Marble Dark Bronze Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Candlesticks Gustavian pair Swedish 18th century red marble dark bronze Sweden. A pair of candlesticks made during the early 19th century in Sweden. Base in red marble with women sha...
Porphyry, Bronze
Imperial Russian Crystal Cobalt Blue Glass and Gilt Bronze Girandoles Tsar Era
By Johann Zech
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A pair of very rare exquisite Imperial Russian crystal girandoles, each with five scrolling candle branches set in a cobalt blue glass baluster vase mounted in gilt bronze, the centr...
Crystal, 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...
$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
$4,500 / set
Pair of Late Gustavian Candlesticks
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of late-Gustavian candlesticks made in Stockholm around 1800. The stems are made of glass columns with a porphyry-imitation paper on the inside. The fittings and light sockets...
Carrara Marble, Bronze
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
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
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
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, Giltwood, Pine
$1,800 / set
Cobalt Blue Swedish Girandoles, A Pair
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of Swedish Girandoles of Gustavian style, crafted with cobalt blue ovoid shafts resting on a white marble base. These elegant two-piece girandoles feature two brass candleholder...
Crystal, Marble, 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
Set of 11 Vintage Swedish Gustavian Brass Candle Holders, 1960-1980
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 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
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
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
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
$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
Pair of Tall Hand-Carved Candlesticks
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage pair of Art Deco style Balinese candlesticks, hand-carved.
Wood
$379Sale Price|20% Off
H 23.6 in Dm 7.9 in
Antique Italian Hand-Carved Giltwood Candlestick, 17th-18th Century
Located in Lincoln, GB
Antique Italian Altar Hand-Carved Giltwood Candlestick This decorative Italian altar candlestick, dating from the late 17th to early 18th centur...
Giltwood
$2,476 / 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
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
Antique Danish Brass Candlesticks. Set of 5.
Located in Asaa, DK
Antique Danish Brass Candlesticks. Set of 5. Set of five candle holders in solid brass from Denmark circa 1900-1910. This set consists of two pairs and a single bell candlestick. H...
Brass
Antique Polychromed Wall Candle Holder Italy 19th Century
Located in Čelinac, BA
Wooden Torch Holder Putto Italy 19th Century
Wood
$1,014 / set
H 10.63 in W 2.37 in D 2.37 in
Pair of Scandinavian Diabolo Candle Holders, Aluminum, Sweden, circa 1970
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Superb pair of scandinavian diabolo candle holders designed and produced in finland in the 1970s. Design objects in aluminum attributed to the famous finnish designer Tapio Wirkka...
Metal, Aluminum
Pair Of 18th Century Italian Candlesticks
Located in Ongar, GB
A lovely pair of 18th century Italian candlesticks made from carved wood. With layers of beautiful polychrome paint and traces of original gold gilding. Please contact us for a wor...
Wood
Antique English Brass Candlesticks. Set of 2.
Located in Asaa, DK
Antique English Brass Candlesticks. Set of 2. Set of two British antique candle holders in solid brass from United Kingdom circa 1900. Square bases are decorated with floral motifs ...
Brass
$816Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 9.45 in W 5.12 in D 5.12 in
18th Century Pair of Louis XV Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Beautiful pair of bronze candlesticks from the Louis XV period resting on an animated circular base, with a baluster-shaped barrel with torso fluting. The candlesticks have kept thei...
Bronze
Pair of 18th Century Spanish Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Montreal, QC
Pair of 18th century Spanish patinated bronze candlesticks on Baroque tripod bases.
Bronze
French 18th Century Brass Candlestick
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
French 18th century Louis XV brass candlesticks with very nice patina. In good condition. Measures: 19 cm high diameter 10 cm.
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
Large Gustavian Style Blue Painted Scalloped Wood Tray with Handles
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Fantastic patina on this wood solid painted tray. We see this tray either on an ottoman or coffee table. Would also work well as a large bar tray in any formal or informal home.
Wood, Paint
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
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 2 in W 2 in D 2 in
Pair of Dutch Delft Checkerboard Candlestick Holders in Blue, Pink, and Cream
By AK Dutch Delftware
Located in Miami, FL
Exquisite pair of turn of the century Dutch Delft candlestick holders, rendered in unique square design with pink and blue checkerboard pattern over...
Ceramic, Porcelain, Pottery
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