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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

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

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

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

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

By Maison Jansen, Maison Baguès

Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern

Maison Baguès attributed cast brass serving tray, perfect for entertaining with and carrying or displaying your favourite cocktails and drinks - perfect for the Hollywood Regency sty...

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Mid-20th Century French Gustavian Barware

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FORNASETTI Puffer Fish Oval Metal Tray
FORNASETTI Puffer Fish Oval Metal Tray

FORNASETTI Puffer Fish Oval Metal Tray

$3,000

H 1.78 in W 20.48 in D 15.36 in

FORNASETTI Puffer Fish Oval Metal Tray

By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Vintage Italian oval enameled metal tray depicting orange puffer fish / made in Milan Italy in the 1950s Original Fornasetti label on the base Measures: width 20.5 inches, depth 13.5...

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Mid-20th Century Italian Gustavian Barware

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Metal

1980s Memphis Style set of 8 Vintage Rocks Glasses with Colorful Shapes & Tray
1980s Memphis Style set of 8 Vintage Rocks Glasses with Colorful Shapes & Tray

1980s Memphis Style set of 8 Vintage Rocks Glasses with Colorful Shapes & Tray

By Georges Briard, Neiman Marcus

Located in St. Louis, MO

1980s "Memphis" style set of 8 vintage frosted rocks, highball old fashion glasses with colorful Shapes of Red, blue, yellow black and white with blue grid tray. Unmarked

Category

1980s Unknown Vintage Gustavian Barware

Materials

Metal

Set PORTEÑO Small, Medium Black & Cream Hand Painted Wood Trays
Set PORTEÑO Small, Medium Black & Cream Hand Painted Wood Trays

Set PORTEÑO Small, Medium Black & Cream Hand Painted Wood Trays

By AIREDELSUR

Located in Buenos Aires, AR

15" x 9" x 1.3" 19" X 13" X 1.3" The urban and cosmopolitan Porteño family carries the spirit of the ones born in Buenos Aires city or “Porteño”, as they are commonly known. Its boxe...

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2010s Argentine Gustavian Barware

Materials

Wood

Large Oval White & Hall Sheffield Silver Plate Serving Tray, circa 1930s
Large Oval White & Hall Sheffield Silver Plate Serving Tray, circa 1930s

Large Oval White & Hall Sheffield Silver Plate Serving Tray, circa 1930s

$200Sale Price|64% Off

H 1 in W 15.5 in D 23.5 in

Large Oval White & Hall Sheffield Silver Plate Serving Tray, circa 1930s

By Walker & Hall

Located in Ross, CA

Walker & Hall silver plate oval tray from Sheffield, England, circa 1930s. Simple but Classic Art Deco design around the edges. Stamped with the Walker & Hall logo on the back and fr...

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1930s English Vintage Gustavian Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Spirit Ships Decanter
Spirit Ships Decanter

Spirit Ships Decanter

$1,164

H 7.88 in Dm 5.91 in

Spirit Ships Decanter

Located in Steyning, West sussex

A spirit ships decanter. England, circa 1820. Measures: Height: 20 cm (7 3/4"). Diameter: 15 cm (6").

Category

1820s Antique Gustavian Barware

Materials

Glass

Vintage Mid-Century Orrefors Crystal Decanter with Stopper
Vintage Mid-Century Orrefors Crystal Decanter with Stopper

Vintage Mid-Century Orrefors Crystal Decanter with Stopper

By Orrefors

Located in Soquel, CA

Elegant Mid-Century Modern vintage crystal decanter with stopper by Orrefors (Swedish, founded 1898), c. 1960's. Engraved signature to base Orrefors HM 2498 - this particular style was by Edvard Hall. Includes original red Orrefors Sweden sticker with logo. "Orrefors HM 2498" etched into base. Measures 11.5" H x 3" W x 3" D. Orrefors Glassworks was founded in 1898 on the same site where ironworks operations had been run since 1726. In the same year that the glassworks was founded, a hot shop was built for making technical, medical and household glass and stemware to make use of waste wood and labour. Glass now replaced the less profitable ironworks operations. In 1913, Consul Johan Ekman from Gothenburg became the new owner of Orrefors Glassworks. He appointed Albert Ahlin as manager of the glassworks and this marked the start of a new era. In 1914, Orrefors started manufacturing crystal products, and as well as cut crystal according to purchased patterns and samples, Orrefors made art glass using the overlay technique with etched decoration. The new management quickly saw that artists were needed in the business, so Simon Gate was employed in 1916 and was joined by Edward Hald a year later. That same year, Gate and Hald made their first tentative attempts at figure engraving. They also experimented with the new innovative graal (grail) glass technique that was developed at Orrefors by the master glassblower Knut Bergqvist. The major successes were achieved a few years later at the Gothenburg Exhibition in 1923, and in particular at the Paris Exhibition in 1925. The thin engraved glass was admired by the surrounding world, and both Orrefors and the artists themselves were awarded the Grand Prix. The successes of Simon Gate and Edward Hald in Paris in 1925 constituted the start of the long Orrefors tradition of creative design closely combined with genuine and innovative craftsmanship. Since then, new designers and skilled glassmakers have continued in the spirit of Gate and Hald. Vicke Lindstrand and Edvin Öhrström with the new glass technique called Ariel in the 1930s. Sven Palmqvist with Kraka and Ravenna in the 1940s. And in the 1950s with Fuga, which, along with Nils Landberg’s slender tulip-shaped glass “Tulpan” and Ingeborg Lundin’s apple-shaped vase “Äpplet”, are now seen as symbols of the renaissance of Swedish design. The 1960s are associated with Gunnar Cyrén’s Pop glass, and in the 1970s, Eva Englund, Olle Alberius, Lars Hellsten and Jan Johansson as well as Cyrén worked at the glassworks. Since the 1980s, designers such as Anne Nilsson, Erika Lagerbielke, Helen Krantz, Matz Borgström, Per B Sundberg, Martti Rytkönen, Lena Bergström, Ingegerd Råman, Malin Lindahl and Efva Attling...

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Gustavian Barware

Materials

Crystal

Tiffany Silver Spirit Flask
Tiffany Silver Spirit Flask

Tiffany Silver Spirit Flask

$5,135

H 7.88 in W 4.34 in D 1.58 in

Tiffany Silver Spirit Flask

By Tiffany & Co.

Located in Petworth, West Sussex

A large American silver spirit flask, by Tiffany & Co., circa 1880, Edward C Moore era, one side chased with hunting scenes, the reverse with cartouche on...

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Late 19th Century American Antique Gustavian Barware

Materials

Silver

FORNASETTI Watermelon Oval Metal Tray
FORNASETTI Watermelon Oval Metal Tray

FORNASETTI Watermelon Oval Metal Tray

$2,700

H 1.58 in W 17.72 in D 13.39 in

FORNASETTI Watermelon Oval Metal Tray

By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Vintage Italian oval metal tray depicting watermelon on orange surface / made in Milan Italy in the 1950s Original Fornasetti label on the base Measures: width 18 inches, depth 13.5 ...

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Mid-20th Century Italian Gustavian Barware

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Metal

Pair of Georgian Period Spirit Decanters
Pair of Georgian Period Spirit Decanters

Pair of Georgian Period Spirit Decanters

$520 / set

H 8.86 in Dm 4.14 in

Pair of Georgian Period Spirit Decanters

Located in Steyning, West sussex

A pair of Georgian period slice and diamond cut spirit decanters. England, circa 1800.

Category

Early 1800s Antique Gustavian Barware

Materials

Cut Glass

Oval Brass Bamboo Tray in the Style of Ralph Lauren
Oval Brass Bamboo Tray in the Style of Ralph Lauren

Oval Brass Bamboo Tray in the Style of Ralph Lauren

By Ralph Lauren

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Brass Bamboo Tray - these trays are very popular and make a lovely presentation or decorative piece. Made of solid Brass with a bamboo style motif the tray is large and round. Perfect for outdoor...

Category

20th Century Gustavian Barware

Materials

Brass

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...

Category

Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Barware

Materials

Pewter

19th Century Swedish Oak and Pewter Tankard With King Carl XV Coin
19th Century Swedish Oak and Pewter Tankard With King Carl XV Coin

19th Century Swedish Oak and Pewter Tankard With King Carl XV Coin

Located in Stamford, CT

19th century Swedish oak tankard with beautiful etched pewter scroll-work decoration and royal coat of arms. The lid of the vessel is inset with a silver c...

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Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Barware

Materials

Silver, Pewter

Large Swedish Toleware Tray, 19th Century
Large Swedish Toleware Tray, 19th Century

Large Swedish Toleware Tray, 19th Century

Sold

H 3.15 in W 29.93 in D 22.45 in

Large Swedish Toleware Tray, 19th Century

Located in London, GB

Large 19th Century Swedish Toleware Tray Yellow painted oval tin tray in lovely original condition. Incredibly useful and generously sized. Dimensions:...

Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Barware

Materials

Tin

Hand Blown Swedish Glass Carafe
Hand Blown Swedish Glass Carafe

Hand Blown Swedish Glass Carafe

Sold

H 10.5 in Dm 4.5 in

Hand Blown Swedish Glass Carafe

Located in Chireno, TX

Hand blown Swedish glass carafe, dates to the 18th century. Three carafes available and sold separately priced $1,400 each - see last two images for all three together (items LU98472...

Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Barware

Materials

Blown Glass

Hand Blown Swedish Glass Carafe
Hand Blown Swedish Glass Carafe

Hand Blown Swedish Glass Carafe

Sold

H 10.75 in Dm 4.5 in

Hand Blown Swedish Glass Carafe

Located in Chireno, TX

Hand blown Swedish glass carafe, dates to the 18th century. Three carafes available and sold separately priced $1,400 each - see last two images for all ...

Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Barware

Materials

Blown Glass

Hand Blown Swedish Glass Carafe
Hand Blown Swedish Glass Carafe

Hand Blown Swedish Glass Carafe

Sold

H 11 in Dm 4.5 in

Hand Blown Swedish Glass Carafe

Located in Chireno, TX

Hand blown Swedish glass carafe, dates to the 18th century. Three carafes available and sold separately priced $1,400 each - see last two images for all three together (items LU98472...

Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Barware

Materials

Blown Glass

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.