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.
19th-Century Swedish Mora Longcase Clock, Pine, Folk Art, Circa 1800
Located in Mckinney, TX
Handcrafted in the early 19th-century, this longcase clock embodies the rural craftsmanship and folk traditions of central Sweden. The pine case features the classic Mora silhouette ...
Pine
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
$2,857Sale Price|30% Off
Mora Clock 1800s Swedish Green Gold Antique Swedish Painted Gustavian A
Located in Lewes, England
Swedish antique mora clock dating from early/mid-1800s featuring green paint with gold detail painted on the body and it has a clean face. It is structurally sound and will be check...
Pine
$3,500
Mora Clock 1800's
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Swedish Mora clock with hand painted decorative floral details and carving detail. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 weights and a bell chime on the hour. Width: 64...
Wood
19th Century Swedish Mora Clock in Black Paint
Located in Atlanta, GA
A striking 19th-century Swedish Mora clock, distinguished by its elegant elongated silhouette and dramatic deep charcoal painted surface. The richly worn finish, with subtle edge wea...
Wood
Original Painted Swedish Mora Clock , Dated 1823
Located in Round Top, TX
Original 19th-century Swedish Mora clock dated 1823, crafted from pine with its original blue and faded red painted finish. Exceptional carved details include fluted base, ribbon, tu...
Pine
$2,200
Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Antique Swedish Mora clock from the 1800's. Original paint; grey with gold detailing. Not function tested. Measures: Width:58cm / 22.8" Depth: 20cm / 7.8" Height: 215cm / 84.6".
Birch
$2,400
Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Swedish Mora clock from the 1960's in original colour. Cream with gold carved detailing. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 weights and a bell chime on the hour. Wid...
Wood
Swedish Painted Longcase Clock
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century painted pine tall clock by Mogens Peter Westh. Painted brass face. Clock face contains the designer's name and is dated 1879. Intricate details were created by a true cr...
Wood
Rococo Style Mora Clock 1700's
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Rococo longcase Mora Clock dated 1777 by Anders Swensson with original decorative paint detailing. Carved detailing to crown. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 weigh...
Wood
$12,000
Antique Bridal Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Rare bridal mora clock (Angermanlandsbrud) from the 1800s. The body of the clock with carving details was made to resemble a brides dress. Original mechani...
Birch
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 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
Mid 19th century Swedish pine long case mora clock
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century Swedish pine long case mora clock circa 1850. Large Swedish long case mora clock, presented in scraped back paint. Scraped back down to reveal a partial colour of ...
Metal
$2,600
Antique Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Antique Swedish Mora clock 1800's in cream with gold detailing and hand painted floral details. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 weights and a bell chime on the hou...
Wood
Antique Northern Swedish Long Case Clock, Gustavian Style with Hand-Carved Decor
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique long case clock from northern Sweden in gustavian style, made around 1840. The clock has a straight shape with hand carved decor such as the skirt that is decorated with flut...
Pine
Antique Gustavian Longcase Clock, Hand-Carved Pine, Sweden, 1820
Located in Atlanta, GA
An exceptional antique longcase clock from Norrbotten in northern Sweden, dating to around 1820. Handcrafted in solid pine, the case is executed in the Gustavian style, distinguished...
Wood
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
Swedish Gustavian Mora Clock in Original Green Orange Colors, Early 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish antique mora clock dating from early/ 1800s featuring green paint with orange details that is painted on the body. The clockwork is sold 'as is' and should be considered as...
Pine
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
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
$3,000
Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Swedish Mora clock with hand painted decorative floral details and clockmakers initials BEOS. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 weights and a bell chime on the hour....
Wood
$3,825Sale Price|30% Off
Mora Clock Swedish 1800s Antique Fryksdal 217cm Faux Wood Grain 1800s
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish mora clock from the 1800s in rare faux wood grain folk art finish finish and a superb detailed roman numeral face in good condition. Measures: 217 cm. The clock is l...
Wood
$3,147Sale Price|35% Off
Antique Mora Clock Swedish 1800s Folk Art Brown Faux wood grain
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish mora clock from the early 1800s in Folk Art faux wood finish and simple detailing with a countryshape body and a roman numeral face in good condition. Measures: 205 c...
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Neoclassical Longcase Clock, Circa 1800
Located in Atlanta, GA
A refined Gustavian longcase clock from around 1800, notable for its elegant shape and well-preserved overall structure. This piece expresses the hallmarks of the Gustavian period: s...
Pine
A Swedish 19th C. Long-Case or Floor Clock w/ Beautifully Exaggerated Crown
Located in Atlanta, GA
A 19th century Northern Swedish painted wood clock. This Swedish clock from Norrbotten County, Sweden (Northern region) features a nicely carved, exaggerated and raised crest adorned...
Glass, Wood
$2,857Sale Price|30% Off
Mora Clock Swedish 1800s Antique Folk Art 200cm Faux Wood Grain 1800s
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish mora clock from C. 1844 in rare faux wood grain Kurbitz folk art finish finish and a superb rare detailed metal face roman numeral face in generally good condition fo...
Wood
Gustavian Swedish Long Case Clock from the Late 1700s, Unusual Straight Shape
Located in Kramfors, SE
Gustavian long case clock from Sweden made during the late 1700s. Unusual straight column-shaped case with the classic gustavian ribbed decor. The clock was made in Stockholm during ...
Pine
Antique Swedish Gustavian Longcase Clock
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique gustavian long case clock in painted pine from Sweden. The clock has a hand carved decor in wood with older paint from the late 1800s. The paint has become slightly distresse...
Pine
$2,400
Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Swedish Mora clock from the 1960's in original colour and gold detailing. Hand carved detail ad hand painted floral decoration. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 wei...
Wood
19th Century Swedish Painted Mora Clock with Heart Decoration
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish 19th Century painted long case clock or Grandfather clock. This Scandinavian folk art clock has been scraped to its original paint color. This tall clock is completed with th...
Pine
Swedish White Painted Cutlery Tray
Located in Greenwich, CT
A 19th century Swedish wooden cutlery tray with a curved slotted central handle and divider between two compartments, one with a notch for long utensils. Retains old painted finish.
Spruce
$18,500
Gustavian Tallcase Clock
Located in Greenwich, CT
An elegant tall-case Gustavian clock having an imposing bonnet with an three-finial arched cornice on a sinuous bombe body with shaped door and narrow waist over a curved plinth, all...
Wood
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Tall Case Closk
Located in Mckinney, TX
An exquisite Swedish tall case clock boasting a rounded crown and clean lines, complemented by a dry-scraped finish. The clock retains its original blue-green and alabaster paint wit...
Iron
$2,400
Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Swedish Mora clock from the second half of the 20th Century. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 weights and a bell chime on the hour. Width: 60cm / 23.6" Depth: 15cm...
Wood
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
Charming small Gustavian Shaving Mirror in Mahogany – Sweden, Late 18th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Gustavian Shaving Mirror in Mahogany – Sweden, Late 18th Century Charming small shaving mirror in mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni), made in Sweden during the late 18th century. Execut...
Mirror, Mahogany
19th Century Swedish Birchwood Veneer Jewelry Box, Hand-Crafted
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish 19th Century wood veneer jewelry box found in Copenhagen. The box features a brass plate in the shape of a heart for for keyhole and knob t...
Birch
$2,857Sale Price|30% Off
Antique Mora Clock Swedish 1800s Antique Burgundy and Gold
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish mora clock from the 1800s in lovely rich burgundy finish with a wide belly body and a good face with unusual small second hand dial. Measures: 207 cm. It has the Cla...
Wood
$2,857Sale Price|30% Off
Antique Mora Clock Swedish Early 1800s Blue Gold Star Motif
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish mora clock from early 1800s in lovely later deep blue finish with distressed gold detailing and simple country style hood decoration and a wide belly body and a good...
Wood
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
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
Early 19th Century Original Painted Swedish Mora Grandfather Clock
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 19th-century Swedish Mora clock crafted in pine with an original brick-red-brown painted finish. The long case features hand-carved details, especially around the opening refer...
Pine
$3,147Sale Price|35% Off
Swedish Antique Mora Clock White Early 1800s Sven Sunesson Loushult A
Located in Lewes, England
Elegant tall 220cm early 1800s antique Swedish mora clock with carved detail on the hood in a white paint finish and detailed face and the markings of the maker Sven Sunesson Lous...
Pine
$3,000
Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Swedish Mora clock with hand painted decorative floral details and carving detail. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 weights and a bell chime on the hour. Width:54cm...
Wood
$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
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
$2,400
Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Swedish Mora clock from the 1960's in original colour with painted floral decoration. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 weights and a bell chime on the hour. Width:...
Wood
Mid 19th century Swedish painted long case clock
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century Swedish decorative column long case clock circa 1837. Beautiful long case clock from Sweden. Made with a decorative fluted column which forms a demi lune shape. Clo...
Enamel
$3,825Sale Price|30% Off
Swedish Mora Clock White Castle Crown Carved Detail Early 1800 Frkysdall Antique
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish mora clock in white paint and gold detailing with very unusual and rare hood ornamentation and highly decorative face, lovely star round motif on the hood front too. ...
Pine
19th Century Gray Painted Swedish Mora Grandfather Clock with Decorative Carving
Located in Round Top, TX
Swedish mora grandfather clocks are noted by their graceful curves and classic style as seen in this exceptional long case clock. Elaborate carving accents the body and face with sop...
Wood, Paint
Early 19th Century White Swedish Mora Grandfather Clock
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 19th century Swedish Mora grandfather clock crafted in pine, standing over 7 feet tall. The case features curvaceous lines, including a pronounced belly and a shaped pedestal b...
Pine, Paint
$240Sale Price / set|31% Off
24 Vintage European Christmas Ornaments Churches
Located in Boca Raton, FL
24 pcs of Vintage European Christmas Ornaments Church figurines in 3 colors. Blown Mercury glass Handpainted and with glitter. In a gift box.
Blown Glass
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
Swedish Black Lacquered and Gilt Chinoiserie Tall Case Clock, Lanner, Circa 1775
By Josua Lanner
Located in Charleston, SC
Swedish black lacquered and gilt Chinoiserie tall case clock with arched decorative floral hood, flanking finials, turned bulbous columns, ormolu and steel engraved face, figural flo...
Ormolu, Steel
$3,147Sale Price|35% Off
Antique Mora Clock Swedish 1800s White Hand Painted Roses
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish mora clock from early 1800s in lovely white finish with polychromatic hand painted roses and flower detailing dated 1829 and carved roses detailing on the hood deco...
Wood
Mid 19th century Swedish painted table top writing desk
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century Swedish painted table top writing desk circa 1850. Good quality table top bureau, presented in original scraped back paint. Made from solid pine and scraped back t...
Pine, Paint
$9,550
Josef Ekberg, 1908
By Gustavsberg
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a handmade vase, this is a very rare 2 tone green. The only one of its kind. Signed and dated, J-Ekberg 1908. A Swedish Artist that started working for the Gustavsberg Cerami...
Ceramic
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
$3,800
Antique Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Antique Swedish Mora clock 1800's in off-white with gold hand painted intricate detailing. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 weights and a bell chime on the hour. W...
Wood
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