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 brass inkstand in Gustavian style from Gusums Bruk, Sweden
By Gusums Bruk
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant brass inkstand in Gustavian style from Gusums Bruk in Sweden. Manufactured during the early 20th Century. Gusums Bruk are known for high-quality brass objects and an unusuall...
Brass
Early Villeroy & Boch Stoneware Inkstand
Located in Forney, TX
An extremely scarce early Villeroy & Boch pottery deskset stand. The pristine German antique, circa 1860, was masterfully handcrafted in Mett...
Pottery
$4,767 / 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
Gusums Bruk Spherical Candle Stick Holders
By Gusums Bruk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A refined pair of spherical brass candlestick holders produced by Gusums Bruk in Sweden. Each example features a rounded body set on three ball feet, creating a balanced and sculptur...
Brass
Gustavian Style Tissue Box Holder
Located in Sheffield, MA
Add a neoclassical country touch to your countertop or nightstand with a gold gilt edge grey painted galvanized tissue box cover. Add fashion and protection for your facial tissue. E...
Tin
Wedgwood & Bentley Black Basalt Inkstand
Located in New Orleans, LA
This elegant inkwell set by Wedgwood & Bentley is crafted of black basalt, one of Wedgwood’s finest inventions. The set is comprised of two canisters, both held within an intriguing double stand. One is designed to hold ink and features a top with slots for quills or pens, and the other is a powder Shaker with a shell-ornamented lid. Black basalt refers to the fine-grained stoneware that Josiah Wedgwood, inspired by the hard, natural stone known as Egyptian basalt...
Ceramic
Inkstand of Neopolitan Fisherman
Located in London, GB
A good Italian Grand Tour model of a Neopolitan fisherman at his work. In ormolu and patinated bronze the oval base is naturalistically decorated with rocks and seaweed which the fis...
Bronze, Ormolu
Victorian gilt inkstand desk set in the Gothic style
Located in London, GB
Victorian gilt inkstand desk set in the Gothic style English, 19th Century Height 19cm, width 27cm, depth 12.5cm This wonderful inkstand is a fine piece of Victorian period design. ...
Brass
Scandinavian Modern Pewter Inkstand, Firma Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1925
By Svenskt Tenn
Located in Örebro, SE
Rare pewter inkstand, Firma Svenskt Tenn, Sweden -1925. Lid in the shape of a fish, relief decoration along the sides. The insert in glass is missing. Wear and patina consistent wit...
Pewter
French Porcelain Inkstand, Sèvres Style, 19th Century
Located in Toronto, CA
This is an exquisite porcelain gilded and enameled inkstand in the Sèvres style, from France. Nineteenth century. The inkwell features an elongated shaped tray with two covered ink p...
Porcelain
Leuchars & Sons Brass Inlaid Boulle Inkstand with Spiral Crystal Inkwell
Located in valatie, NY
19th century English Leuchars & Sons brass inlaid boulle inkstand with spiral crystal inkwell, circa 1850. The inlaid base has cameos of cupids framed ...
Crystal, Brass
Swedish Brass and Glass Candleholder from Gusum, 1980s
Located in Örebro, SE
Swedish candleholder in brass and glass from Metallslöjden Gusum, 1987. Brass patina. Signed with makers mark.
Brass
Italian Empire Silver Inkstand
Located in New York, NY
Italian Empire Silver Inkstand. Roman sterling silver inkstand of sober neoclassical form comprising double pots for sander and inkwell with acorn fini...
Sterling Silver
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 -...
Tin
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...
Tin
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
Vintage Black Russian Lacquered Box with Hand Painted Top
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
A lovely vintage Russian style lidded, hand painted, black lacquered small wooden box with a red interior. The box features a miniature fairy tale scene, the top of the box portrays a vignette of a shore scene where several men in a small boat pay a visit to several women on the shore This beautiful lacquer box is hand crafted and hand painted and it is signed by artist. The entire box is painted in a base coat of glossy black, and the inside is painted in a deep red tone. Some of the lacquer across the top of the box shows some age. The hinges of the box are very sturdy and the box opens and closes as intended. The dimensions are 6.5" W x 4" D x 1.5" H. The history of lacquerwar Authentic lacquer miniature paintings are one of the rarest and unique artworks in the world. And despite the complexity of the process, the miniature artists still paint them in the old-fashioned way. The peculiar and subtle art of Kholui lacquer miniatures incorporates the principles of Old Russian painting...
Softwood
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...
Tin
Swedish Burr Wood Jewelry Box and Writing
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Fantastic burr root wood writing box with small compartments for ink, writing paper and a hidden one in the top for letters.
Burl