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 Original Blue Painted Grandfather Clock, Sweden Dated 1844
Located in Round Top, TX
Hand painted grandfather clock with exceptional original soft blue painted finish accented in red trim. Panel details, curved bonnet, slender case with lovely balance to face and bas...
Metal
19th Century Swedish Painted Wood Floor Clock, Soft with Minimal Embellishments
Located in Atlanta, GA
A 19th century Swedish floor clock. This antique clock from Sweden is simple and unassuming with it's round-shaped head, minimally adorn with a curved top crest, an elongated neck mo...
Metal
Unusual Pair of Gustavian Corner Clock Cabinets, Origin Mora, Sweden, Circa 1780
Located in New York, NY
Unusual pair of Gustavian corner clock cabinets, origin: Mora, Sweden, circa 1780 Each cabinet with matching working, tall case clocks decorated with four fluted diamond patterns an...
Wood, Paint
Scottish Grandfather Clock
Located in New York, NY
Scottish Grandfather clock: Clock face painted with settings of the Fair Maid of Perth during the four seasons. Measures: 21" x 9" x 76" Weighs: 50 Lbs.
Wood
19th Century Mahogany Wood Long Case Clock
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Mid-19th century William Fullerton mahogany wood case long case clock. The case clock is in good antique condition with visible wear appropriate consistent with age / use. The clock ...
Mahogany
$4,402
H 84.26 in W 18.9 in D 10.63 in
Antique George III Mahogany Eight Day Painted Face Grandfather Clock
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique George III mahogany eight day painted face grandfather clock having a swan neck pediment with a glazed arch door and flanked by ...
Mahogany
$4,974
H 94.89 in W 23.23 in D 8.27 in
19th Century Swedish Ántique Grandfather Clock Tall Case Clock Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Folk Art tall case clock from Luleå Norrbotten, Northern Sweden. Made in wood. Nice details and beautiful carvings. Beautiful handpainted flowers on the front. The M...
Pine
$4,606
H 87.01 in W 23.63 in D 7.88 in
C19th Century Swedish long case clock with gilded decoration and original paint
Located in London, GB
Wonderful early C19th Swedish long case clock from kougsta in the Jamtland region in an area of natural beauty of central Sweden. The painted face is numbered simply and framed with ...
Giltwood
100% Original Painted Swedish Mora Clock
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a 100% original painted Swedish Mora clock. I have installed new battery works. The original works are offered with this clock but they do not work.
Wood
Early 19th-Century Swedish Gustavian Longcase Clock, Circa 1800
Located in Atlanta, GA
This early-19th-century Gustavian clock exemplifies the austerity and balance that define Sweden’s most enduring design period. The form is vertical and disciplined, with a squared b...
Pine
Swedish Mora Clock 100% Original Paint
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Swedish Mora Clock 100% Original Paint. the old works have been removed and New battery works installed. I do offer the Original works with every clock I sell.
Wood
$4,623
H 82.68 in W 18.9 in D 9.85 in
Antique Swedish Rococo Long Case Clock, So Called Mora Clock with Original Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rococo long case clock from from northern Sweden made during the first years of the 19th century. The long case clock, or Mora Clock as they are sometimes known as, is dry scraped to...
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Longcase Clock
Located in Ljungby, SE
Fantastic Swedish Gustavian longcase clock. The case is a Stockholm work from around 1770/1780. It is lacquered and gilded with rich wood-carved details of, among other things, garla...
Brass, Iron
$4,740
H 84.26 in W 23.23 in D 9.85 in
Antique Southern Swedish Rococo Long Case Clock with Original Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
Southern Swedish long case clock from the early 1800s in rococo style. The clock is hand-made from pine with original hand-craved decor. Dry scraped to traces of the original green, ...
Pine
Original Painted Swedish Mora Clock
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a 100% original painted Swedish Mora clock, actually the style of this case is called "Friksdhal" from the mid-western part...
Pine
Antique Gray Painted Swedish Mora Grandfather Clock, circa 1820-40
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique Swedish Mora Grandfather Clock. Carved panel details and crowned with large finial. Newer professionally applied white and gray layerd finish, lightly distressed to fit age...
Wood, Paint
Antique Swedish Mora Grandfather Clock Painted Gray, circa 1820-40
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique Swedish Mora Grandfather clock. Newer professionally applied white and gray layerd finish, lightly distressed to fit age of clock. Original clock face and hands. Clockwork...
Wood, Paint
Sold
H 79.5 in W 14.5 in D 6.5 in
Vintage Chapman Gustavian Distressed Pine Longcase Grandfather Case Clock Spain
By Chapman Manufacturing Company
Located in Dayton, OH
Gustavian inspired longcase clock by Chapman, circa last quarter 20th century. Made from distressed pine with a diminutive long paneled case. The round face of the clock is protected...
Glass, Pine
Sold
H 89.75 in W 25.19 in D 9.44 in
18th C. Swedish Gustavian Mora Working Tall Case Clock in Original Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
An 18th century Swedish Mora clock from the Gustavian period hand-scraped to reveal the original paint surface, circa 1790. Truly a stunning long case clock from top to bottom. The b...
Glass, Wood, Paint
Gustavian Gilt Wall Clock, Early 1800's
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian period gilded wall clock of large dimension. This richly hand carved Scandinavian giltwood clock has been pro...
Pine
Gustavian Column Clock
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Period Gustavian column clock from Dalarna. This carved wooden clock retains its original blue paintwork which has been revealed after scraping. It has a...
Wood
18th Century Swedish Turret Clock and Movement Rosendal Palace
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Here we offer you the chance to own a unique piece of history, circa 1787. Here is a turret clock face and most of the movement reclaimed from Rosendal Palace in Sweden. 'Rosen...
Lead
Sold
H 85.44 in W 19.3 in D 7.09 in
19th Century Swedish Scraped Painted Mora Clock with Original Dial Hands
Located in London, England
19th century Swedish scraped to original paint Mora clock which were originally given as matrimonial gifts. The original pendulum is present along ...
Brass
Swedish Gustavian Clock Corner Cabinet
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Swedish Gustavian clock corner cabinet. its been restored and repainted with milk paints "Oyster White". Its a 2 piece cabinet, new b...
Wood
Swedish Clock Secretary Hutch
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Swedish clock secretary Hutch. It has been restored and repainted with "Milk Paint" new battery works have been installed. Its a 2-piece cabi...
Pine
19th Century Swedish Painted Wood Grandfather Clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
A 19th century Swedish painted wood floor clock. This antique grandfather clock from Sweden is topped with a nicely adorned crest of fanning with ...
Metal
18th Century Swedish Mora Long Case Clock
Located in Wichita, KS
A Swedish Mora clock from the 18th century, circa 1790. This charming clock has been hand-scraped down to the original paint and natural, aged wood. Ful...
Wood, Paint