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Gustavian Barware

GUSTAVIAN STYLE

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.

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Style: Gustavian
Set of Gustavian Style Painted Bamboo Trays with Handles
Set of Gustavian Style Painted Bamboo Trays with Handles

Set of Gustavian Style Painted Bamboo Trays with Handles

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Fantastic patina on these trays painted in a soft Gustavian gray with plenty of texture. We see these trays either on an ottoman, coffee table or even vanity. Would also work well as...

Category

Mid-20th Century European Gustavian Barware

Materials

Metal

Gustavian Alpine Scandinavian Pewter Wine Can Flask Metalwork Decanter Flagon
Gustavian Alpine Scandinavian Pewter Wine Can Flask Metalwork Decanter Flagon

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...

Category

18th Century Swiss Antique Gustavian Barware

Materials

Pewter

Large Gustavian Style Oval Blue Painted Tole Tray with Handles
Large Gustavian Style Oval Blue Painted Tole Tray with Handles

Large Gustavian Style Oval Blue Painted Tole Tray with Handles

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Fantastic patina on this 19th Century metal painted tray. We see this tray either on an ottoman or coffee table. Would also work well as a large bar tray in any formal or informal ho...

Category

19th Century Scandinavian Antique Gustavian Barware

Materials

Metal

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Set PORTEÑO Small, Medium Black & Cream Hand Painted Wood Trays
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Maison Baguès Attr. Cast Brass Faux Bamboo Handled Serving Drinks Tray 1950s
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$800Sale Price|20% Off

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Maison Baguès Attr. Cast Brass Faux Bamboo Handled Serving Drinks Tray 1950s

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Mid-20th Century French Gustavian Barware

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Glass Ice Bucket with Silver Stripe and Bamboo Handle in Style of Ralph Lauren
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Painted Tole Tray with Pierced Gallery and Scroll Handles
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Located in Charlottesville, VA

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Materials

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Art Deco French Crystal and Pewter Duck Decanter
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Previously Available Items
A pair of Gustavian Pewter magnum bottles Coasters dated 1808
A pair of Gustavian Pewter magnum bottles Coasters dated 1808

A pair of Gustavian Pewter magnum bottles Coasters dated 1808

Located in Knivsta, SE

An elegant pair of Gustavian Pewter magnum bottles Coasters by Hans Wiksten in Västerås, Sweden and dated 1808 (= B3). Large and beautifully worn. ( See pictures) Hans Wiksten was a...

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Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Barware

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H 11 in Dm 4.5 in

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Gustavian barware for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Gustavian barware for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage barware created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, pewter and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Gustavian barware made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Sweden pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for barware differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $612 and tops out at $3,500 while the average work can sell for $1,450.