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.
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
Swedish Gustavian Grey Painted Tall Case Clock
Located in Bradenton, FL
Incredibly rare Swedish Gustavian Neoclassical grey painted pine tall case clock, late 18th or early 19th century, having a circular hood surmounted by a cartouche, the face with Rom...
Wood
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
Erik Ernander 'Worked ca. 1755', Silver Beaker, Origin: Sweden, Dated 1788
By Eric Ernander
Located in New York, NY
Swedish Gustavian 18th century silver beaker by Erik Ernander (Worked ca. 1755 in Uppsala, Sweden), Origin: Sweden, stamped: artist's stamp, Swedish triple crown...
Silver
Swedish Antique Mora Clock White Early 1800s Carved Detail 218cm handpainted
Located in Lewes, England
Very decorative early 1800s antique Swedish mora clock with elaborate handpainted detail on the hood and body in a white paint finish with floral wreaths and flowers Measures: 218c...
Pine
Swedish Antique Mora Clock, Green and Gold, Gustavian Style, 1851
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
Antique Swedish Mora Clock, Faux Wood Grain Finish, Circa 1844, 200cm
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
19th C Gustavian style Flower Container
Located in New Orleans, LA
An elegant 19th century Swedish Neoclassical jardinière, executed in the enduring Gustavian taste, with a beautifully time-softened painted surface and richly carved giltwood ornamen...
Metal
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
$2,704Sale Price|20% Off
Mora Clock Swedish White Antique Gustavian Early 1800s Jacob Oberg
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish mora clock from the early 1800s in a later white finish and slender shape body, simple crown and detail and a clean arabic numeral face with the makers name Jacob Ob...
Wood
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Nickel Silver Column Candlesticks
Located in Brentwood, TN
A pair of Swedish Gustavian style nickel silver column candlesticks, circa 1900, featuring a clean neoclassical form with square bases and columnar stems. This refined pair has the ...
Nickel
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
$2,963Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Swedish Mora Clock by Sven Sunesson, White Finish, Circa 1830
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
$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
Gustavian Wall Clock, Brass & Enamel, 18th Century, Sweden
Located in Ljungby, SE
Large Gustavian wall clock with a movement signed by Jacob Kock (1737-1805). He was a court clockmaker in Stockholm and supplied clocks to the court of King Gustav III. This pendulum...
Brass, Enamel, Iron
Swedish Gustavian Neoclassical Style Painted Lyre Form Jardinière or Planter
Located in Essex, MA
Gustavian style painted and distressed Lyre form planter. In the neoclassical taste. Wonderfully dovetailed and distressed. Quite charming.
Pine
$1,920Sale Price|20% Off
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 Mora Clock Swedish Early 1800s Blue Gold Star Motif Grandfather
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 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Carved Wooden Candlesticks
Located in Hastings, GB
An exceptional pair of Swedish carved wooden candlesticks, dating to circa 1870, showcases the finest characteristics of Scandinavian country elegance and historic craftsmanship. The...
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Longcase Clock, Lacquered Pine, 1770s
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...
Iron, Brass
Gustavian Pewter Pair of Candlesticks by Skandia Tenn, Sweden, 1984
By Svenskt Tenn
Located in Bochum, NRW
A pair of Gustavian‑style pewter candlesticks, shaped with the quiet discipline of Swedish neoclassicism and crafted by Skandia Tenn, Karlshamn in 1984. Their fluted stems rise with ...
Pewter
Swedish Antique Mora Clock Fryksdall Green Gold 1800s Gustavian Ekerstrom A
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish mora clock from the early 1800s in lovely Green and Gold finish and Classic Fryksdall detailing with an extended belly shape body, Dual Star Motif and a clean face in...
Wood
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...
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
$3,500
Mora Clock 19th Century
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Antique Swedish Mora clock from the 19th Century with later painting. Hand carved detailing to crown and white painted with gold paint detailing. Arabic numeral face. Width:64cm / 2...
Wood
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
19th Century Swedish White Mora Grandfather Clock
Located in Round Top, TX
Swedish mora grandfather clocks are identified by their gentle curves and classic style as seen in this exceptional longcase clock that stands just over 7' tall. Restored, later prof...
Wood, Paint
$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
Mid-19th century Painted Swedish Mora Column Case Floor Clock
Located in Leesburg, VA
Mid-19th century Painted Swedish Mora Column Case Floor Clock Anonymous Sweden; probably mid-19th century Wood, enamel, iron Approximate size: 84 (h) x 21.75 (w) x 10 (d) in. This...
Enamel, Iron
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
Handblown Green Glass Storage Jar or Vase, Gustavian Period
Located in Knivsta, SE
Handblown Green Glass Storage Jar or Vase, Gustavian Period A wonderfully characterful green glass vessel, likely dating from the late 18th to earl...
Glass
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
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
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
Antique German Paktong Tumbler Cup, 17th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
This fine antique tumbler cup has a plain circular form. Made from the rare and highly prized metal Paktong. Similar in shape to silver examples of ...
Other
19th Century Swedish Column Clock
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Swedish early 19th Century column clock with original painted decoration. This clock has a lovely elegant shape, with unusual scrolled decoration to the neck. It has been dry-scraped to its original paint that is rich in patina and graining. A unique and beautiful clock, that will have a powerful presence in any interior. This clock is not in working order. PLEASE NOTE: The clocks we sell are decorative and are not guaranteed to be in working order. If you require the clock to be in working order, we can recommend an antique clock...
Pine, Paint
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
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
$1,920Sale Price|20% Off
Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Swedish Mora clock from the 1800's with dial signed by E. Bergquist and inside the clock the date 1856 and village Aata. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 weights an...
Wood
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
Antique Swedish Mora Clock, Black and Gold, Folk Art, Circa 1830-50
Located in Lewes, England
203cm rare early 1800s antique Swedish mora clock with carved detail in a black and gold finish with fine folk art feather motifs and detailed face with the makers name AAS Mora ...
Pine
$2,694Sale Price|20% 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
Antique Mora Clock Swedish 1800s Antique Tall J. Svensson Svenstad A
Located in Lewes, England
Shipping special update - We have negotiated a special flat rate shipping cost to the USA with our main US shipping partner for our 1st dibs clients of only £995 export crated by ai...
Wood
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
Early 19th Century Original Hand Painted Tall Swedish Grandfather Clock
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 19th century tall grandfather clock from Sweden, long case crafted in pine retaining its original hand painted finish. The painted surface has been gently scraped and distresse...
Pine, Paint
Large Antique Swedish Rörstrand Porcelain Signed Hand Painted Decorative Tray
By Rörstrand
Located in Forney, TX
A rare monumental Swedish Rörstrand porcelain (established in 1726) heavy high quality decorative serving tray. Exquisitely hand-crafted in Sweden in the early 20th century, the dished and molded palatial rectangular shaped tray features exceptionally executed period Art Nouveau hand-painted polychrome decoration, adorned with neoclassical motif of florals, foliage, acanthus leaves, and urn with flowers. Signed, marked Rorstrand with three crowns to verso, dated 1913, and lower right impressed HD Rorstrand CO 1/2. Provenance / Acquisition: Hailing from the estate of a former supermodel and actress, Kathy Speirs-Puccio, who spared no expense in the decorating of her massive, curated to perfection Weston home. Kathy Speirs-Puccio, who throughout her acting and modeling career (she graced multiple magazine covers in the 1970s including Cosmopolitan. She collected, wore, and kept only the finest in designer fashion and accessories. Her passion for high design continued through until the end of her life. Acquired from the reputable auction house Blackrock Galleries...
Porcelain, Paint
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
$3,900
Swedish Dugout Burl Bowl
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine Swedish dugout root burl bowl with tab handle, with owner's initials, rune mark and dated 1700 on the underside, the whole with good dry untouched ...
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
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
$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
Antique Swedish Mora Clock, White Wood, Gustavian Style, Circa 1820
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish mora clock from the early 1800s in white paint finish and simple detailing with an extended belly shape body and a rclean face in good condition. Measures: 206 cm. ...
Wood
$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
19th Century Swedish Painted Dugout Bowl
Located in Greenwich, CT
Good 19th Century trencher, an oblong dugout bowl of rectangular form in original white paint.
Birch
$3,179Sale Price|20% Off
Swedish Mora Clock Flowers and Wreath Painted Detail Antique, Early 1800s
Located in Lewes, England
Early 1800s Mora clock with stunning hand painted trompe l'oeil flower wreathes and patterns with sumptuous carved detail on the hood and plinth. This mora clock is a unique find, g...
Pine
Mid 19th century painted Swedish water canteen
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century painted Swedish water carrier circa 1860. Although we have seen many of these on our travels this one without doubt is the best. In original blue/green paint, clea...
Pine, Paint
Tri-Handle Large White Ceramic Jug / Vase / Pottery
Located in Stamford, CT
Tri-Handle Large White Ceramic Jug / Vase / Pottery A large and impressive decorative glazed pottery jug or vase having twin handles depicting lion maned busts. 20 H x 15 DIA hxa
Ceramic
Four Swedish Gustavian pewter candlesticks made year 1810
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
A rare set of four Swedish pewter candlesticks by Petter Höijer of Örebro, made ca year 1810. Executed in the Gustavian style at the close of the period, the candlesticks display ele...
Pewter
19th Century Gustavian Longcase Clock
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Period Swedish Gustavian longcase clock from Malmo. This striking clock has been scraped back to its original dark grey paint which is beautifully distressed. Featuring neoclassical...
Pine
$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
Unique 100% Original Finished Swedish Gustavian Wall Clock
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Unique 100% Original Finished Swedish Gustavian Wall Clock.
Wood