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.
$1,400Sale Price|60% Off
Gustavian Alpine Scandinavian Pewter Wine Can Flask Metalwork Decanter Flagon
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Very evocative piece of decor, a real old world relic of nobility and or wealth. Noted as a Swiss Swirl Wine Can by last collector owner, but could also be Austrian or German made. V...
Pewter
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
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
$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
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
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
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
17th/18th Century Wood, Leather and Metal Trunk, Tibet
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Trunk Tibet 17th/18th century Wood, leather, metal H: 8 in x W: 8.5 in x D 8.5 in :: 20.3 x 21.6 x 21.6 cm A slightly domed top hinged trunk with brass handles, closures and sculpte...
Metal
$972
H 5.12 in Dm 2.76 in
Clear Glass miniature "People" Decanter by Erik Höglund, Boda, Sweden, 1950s
By Erik Höglund, Boda
Located in Hägersten, SE
"People" decanter designed by Erik Höglund. Rare small size. produced by Boda during the 1950s. Made from hand blown clear glass. Good vintage condition with age related wear and pat...
Blown Glass
Gustavsberg vases by Josef Ekberg, Sweden 1930
By Gustavsberg
Located in Bronx, NY
Green ceramic vases By Josef Ekberg Gustavsberg, Sweden 1930 in excellent condition quartz colored with gold ornament surround the top of the rim and the ...
Ceramic
20th Italian Sterling Silver Vase
Located in VALENZA, IT
Elegant and refined sterling silver vase. Entirely handcrafted and embossed with a torchon motif, the vase has been finely hammered all over the body. The mouth of the vase is shap...
Sterling Silver
Pair of Flower Vases, Calamine, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of sculptural "violeteros" (flower vases) made in calamine, Rococo inspired. The vessels have a sinuous profile, and are entirely covered with embossed rock decorations. The fig...
Zinc, Other
$895
H 9.06 in Dm 4.53 in
Green & Gold Art Deco Lustre Vase by Josef Ekberg for Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1920s
By Wilhelm Kage, Gustavsberg, Josef Ekberg
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful vase with lustre glaze and amazing hand painted gold details. Scandinavian Grace / Art Deco. Made by Josef Ekberg at Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1920s. Good condition. Some we...
Ceramic
$1,041Sale Price|30% Off
H 8.27 in Dm 7.88 in
Art Deco Vase Gustavsberg Sgraffito Josef Ekberg, Sweden, 1922
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Art Deco Sgraffito vase decorated with a floral motif, by Josef Ekberg for Gustavsberg. Sgraffito is a way of combining two layers into a pattern, the second layer is scraped of and ...
Ceramic
$630Sale Price|40% Off
H 5.91 in Dm 13.78 in
Antique Swedish Jardiniere Planter in Copper & Bronze, circa 1900s
By Copper Craft
Located in Bromma, SE
Early 20th century Swedish hand-crafted Pot Jardiniere Planter with two handles. An alloy of different metals (heavy pot!! BUT you can still lift it with one hand) most probably bron...
Copper, Bronze
Art Deco Bowl Gustavsberg Art Deco Bowl Josef Ekberg, Sweden, 1920s
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
A wonderful bowl created by Josef Ekberg and manufactured by Gustavsberg Sweden in 1920s. Wonderful green glaze with hand painted gold pattern on the bowl. Very good vintage cond...
Ceramic
$275Sale Price / item|50% Off
H 12 in W 12 in D 12 in
Classical Style Painted Wastebasket or Planter, Sold Singly
Located in Sheffield, MA
Rustic and classical at the same time, painted iron waste basket or trash can or planter with wonderful patina, X-design. Waste basket, planter.
Metal
19th Century French Majolica Flowers Jardinière
By Orchies
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century French Majolica Flowers Jardinière. This jardinière is inspired by the Art Nouveau and the Naturalism movement of the end of 19th Century.
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Antique Neoclassical Cast Iron Urn Planters or Jardiniere - Set of 2
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This refined pair of antique Neoclassical cast iron urn planters, dating to the early 20th century, originates from France and reflects the enduring sophistication of classical Europ...
Iron
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
Small Swedish Style Metal Gilt Edge Wastebasket with Vintage Feel
Located in Sheffield, MA
Rustic and elegant at the same time, add a neoclassical country touch to your bedroom, bathroom or office. The gold gilt edging gives it a Classic vintage/antique feel. Suitable for ...
Metal
Swedish Style Gilt Edge Metal Wastebasket with Vintage Feel
Located in Sheffield, MA
Rustic and elegant at the same time, add a neoclassical country touch to your bedroom, bathroom or office. The gold gilt edging gives it a Classic vintage/antique feel. Suitable for any décor, modern, Art Deco, neoclassical, classical, Swedish Gustavian, French Louis style or, simply gracious country setting. We don't stock these but they can be ordered with a short lead time if multiple units are needed. Office waste basket...
Metal
Pair of Swedish Wood Painted Urns C.1930's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Swedish painted wood urns with separate lids. Great accessory for a table or bookshelf.
Wood
Danish Soholm Ceramic Vase by Noomi Backhausen
By Soholm Pottery, Noomi Backhausen
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Nice quality vase by the Soholm Pottery. Marked at the bottom.
Earthenware
Swedish Style Metal Gilt Edge Wastebasket with Vintage Feel
Located in Sheffield, MA
Rustic and elegant at the same time, add a neoclassical country touch to your bedroom, bathroom or office. The gold gilt edging gives it a Classic vintage/antique feel. Suitable for ...
Metal
Swedish Style Metal Gilt Edge Wastebasket with Vintage Feel
Located in Sheffield, MA
Rustic and elegant at the same time, add a neoclassical country touch to your bedroom or bathroom. The gold gilt edging gives it a Classic vintage/antique feel. Suitable for any déc...
Tin
Sold
H 13.39 in Dm 10.24 in
Pair of Gustavian "Blyberg" Porphyry Urns with Ormolu-Mounted Porphyry Lids
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
A rare pair of late Gustavian "Blyberg" porphyry urns with ormolu-mounted porphyry lids. Early 19th century. Made in Älvdalens porphyry factory founded in 1788. The Swedish Porphyry ...
Porphyry, Bronze
18th-19th Century Swedish Bitter Churner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderfully worn patina on this late 18th-early 19th century. Swedish butter churner. Late 18th-19th century. butter churner. Pine wood, great smooth natural worn patina. Would work...
Pine
Gustavian Silver Beaker, Pehr Zethelius, Stockholm, 1809
By Pehr Zethelius
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Gustavian silver beaker, Pehr Zethelius (1740-1810), Stockholm, 1809.
Silver
18th Century Swedish Cast Iron Mortar
Located in Allerum, SE
An unusual and sculptural 18th century Swedish cast iron mortar with a great patinated surface. Condition: Very good. Wear: Wear consistent wi...
Iron
Swedish 19th Century Glass Vase
Located in New York, NY
Swedish 19th Century glass vase.
Glass