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.
$1,144Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Frame Lacquered in Imitation Marble
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
O/6349 - Sober and elegant large frame since the end of eighteenth century, simply lacquered in imitation marble. Perfect for a beautiful picture.
Fruitwood
$581
H 9.45 in W 7.49 in D 0.79 in
Medea Picture Frame in Black Lacquered Wood and Corno Italiano, Mod. 5315s
Located in Recanati, Macerata
Handcrafted from wood with lacquered black gloss finish, Medea picture frame excels luxury and elegance with its detailing in Corno Italiano, whose remarkable natural nuances will le...
Wood, Lacquer
$467
H 8.27 in W 6.3 in D 0.79 in
Medea Picture Frame in Black Lacquered Wood and Corno Italiano, Mod. 5314s
Located in Recanati, Macerata
Handcrafted from wood with lacquered black gloss finish, Medea picture frame excels luxury and elegance with its detailing in Corno Italiano, whose remarkable natural nuances will le...
Wood, Lacquer
$581
H 9.45 in W 7.49 in D 0.79 in
Medea Picture Frame in Cream-colored Lacquered Wood & Corno Italiano, Mod. 5315c
Located in Recanati, Macerata
Blending mindful design with divine texture, the Medea picture frame is crafted from lacquered wood with cream-colored gloss finish. Natural tiles in Corno Italiano with gentle nuances and veins, add an opulent touch to this design. Available in two different sizes, this frame is the perfect luxury decor...
Wood, Lacquer
$822 / item
H 9.06 in W 6.7 in D 0.79 in
Dafne Picture Frame in Corno Italiano and Glossy Black Lacquered Wood, Mod. 872
Located in Recanati, Macerata
The most distinctive way to display your treasured photo memories, Dafne picture frame is crafted from natural Corno Italiano and sports desirable white, cream, and brown nuances. Co...
Wood, Lacquer
Marble Picture Frame, circa 1980s
Located in New York, NY
A neutral tan marble picture frame with brass and mother of pearl accents, in the Modern style or Postmodern period, circa late-20th century, 1980s. Picture area: 3.19" Width x 5.13"...
Marble, Brass
$1,001 / item
H 11.42 in W 9.06 in D 0.79 in
Dafne Picture Frame in Corno Italiano and Glossy Black Lacquered Wood, Mod. 873
Located in Recanati, Macerata
The most distinctive way to display your treasured photo memories, Dafne picture frame is crafted from natural Corno Italiano and sports desirable white, cream, and brown nuances. Co...
Wood, Lacquer
Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Frame
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Black and gold lacquer. Beautiful chinoiserie art along the frame.
Bamboo
Framed Lady Photograph in Ormolu Picture Frame, France 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A lovely stylish sentimental Photograph of a lady. Framed in a beautiful brass or ormolu frame, circa 1920s. Beautiful and highly decorative. You can use it also as a wall hanging picture frame...
Brass, Ormolu
Antique Photograph in Carved Wood Frame, American 1860s-1880s
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
The listing consists of the antique hand carved, gilded, and painted wood frame with the original hand-made glass, housing the antique photograph. The oval photograph, daguerreotype ...
Gold
Antique Picture Frame, Photo Frame, France, ca 1900
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful French picture frame, circa 1900. Picture size: 5 cm x 7 cm. Total size: 6 cm x 9 cm. In the salons of the wealthy bourgeoisie and aristocracy, such frames were a sign of ...
Brass
Italian Carved and Lacquered Picture Frame, Circa 1700
Located in CH
Italian Carved and Lacquered Picture Frame Emilia Romagna, Italy, circa 1700 An elegantly carved and lacquered Italian frame, likely originating from Modena around the year 1700. T...
Wood
Antique Photograph in Carved Walnut Frame, American1850s-1860s
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
The listing consists of the antique hand carved walnut wood frame with the original hand-made glass and the original nail head cover, housing the antique photograph. The oval photogr...
Gold
18th Century Swedish Antique Trumeau
Located in New Orleans, LA
This elegant 18th-century Swedish trumeau captures the refined elegance spirit of the Gustavian period, with its light-colored frame and gilded accents. The upper panel features deli...
Wood