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.
$6,000 / set
Gustavian Sugar Bowls in Silver
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of Gustavian-style sugar bowls in silver, stamped by Johan Henrik Schvart, active in Karlskrona, Sweden. They are stamped with S2 for the year 1800. The bowls are in a boat-sh...
Silver
Silver Sheffield Cricket Sugar Jar, circa 1900
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is an exquisite early 20th century crystal jar with a silver lid and spoon. The lid's top is fashioned after a cricket wicket. The jar sits on a round silver base with decorativ...
Silver
$304Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.8 in W 5.12 in D 4.65 in
Late 19th Century Blue Opaline Sheffield Silver Sugar Bowl
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
English Sugar or Candy Bowl in Silver-Plate and Blue Opaline Glass, circa 1880-1900. The Sheffield Silver base has an amazing pearl string handle.
Silver Plate
Pair of 1960s Christofle Silver Aperitivo Italian Bowls
Located in Florence, Tuscany
A beautiful pair of 1960s Christofle silver-plated boat shaped aperitivo plates. These wonderful bowls/plates are perfect for serving crisps and olives during aperitivi or as decoart...
Metal, Silver
$3,850Sale Price|30% Off
H 7.88 in W 19.69 in D 11.82 in
Silver tea service with teapot, milk jug, coffee pot & sugar bowl
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Tea service with teapot, milk jug, coffee pot and sugar bowl in silver with grooves and knobs on the lids. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portugal. Brand: javali II Title. Weigh...
Silver
Silver sugar bowl with floral motifs and engraved branches
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Silver sugar bowl with engraved floral motifs and branches, cut-out knob and small removable sugar scoop. Metal: Silver. Origin: Dutch. Brand: Unknown. Weight: 195.26 gr...
Silver
Silver coffee cup, saucer, and sugar bowl set
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Silver coffee cup, saucer, and sugar bowl set, with a knob on the removable lid and surrounding cold cuts. Metal: Silver. Origin: German. Brand: Unknown. Weight: 38.03 g...
Silver
20th century Silver plate Sugar Bowl, 1950s
Located in LEGNY, FR
Very nice and original silver plate sugar bowl. The top is removable to put the sugar in. Good quality and condition.
Silver Plate
WMF Art Nouveau German Silver-Plated Metal Sugar Bowl.
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest that you read the entire description, as with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to ensure the authenticity of our objects. Exceptional and very distinctive German silver-plated metal sugar bowl...
Silver Plate
Mid century Silver plated Christofle sugar bowl, modernist handle, signed
By Christofle
Located in London, Fitzrovia
An unusual modernist Christofle silver plated sugar (?) bowl, signed, circa 1935 to 1965.
Silver Plate
$3,325Sale Price|30% Off
H 6.89 in W 6.7 in D 6.7 in
Silver sugar bowl w/ reliefs, applications, 2 handles, knobbed lid & 4 claw feet
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Silver sugar bowl with reliefs and applications, two handles, removable lid knob and resting on four claw-shaped feet. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Brand: Porto Co...
Silver
$539 / set
H 1.58 in Dm 4.34 in
5 x Asprey Attributed Silver Plated Bowls 1980s Serving Art Deco Caviar Dining
Located in London, GB
An elegant set of five bowls attributed to Asprey London, 1980s Art Deco style. When we acquired them we were told they were fro Asprey London as a wedding present, they were bearing...
Silver Plate
Silver Plate Horse Race Engraved Decorative Bowls, Set 4
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful collection of American Classical equine horse race trophy silver plate bowls. This beautiful set of 3 is from a variety of races from the...
Silver Plate