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.
Gustavian Painted Wood Butlers Cutlery Flatware Tray with Handle
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming, hand-painted in Gustavian blue butlers flatware or kitchen tray with handle. This tray features 2 compartments for a wide range of contents.
Wood, Paint
Gustavian Painted Wood Butlers Wine Cutlery Flatware Caddy
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming, hand-painted in Gustavian blue, wine holder or flatware or kitchen utensil caddy with pineapple handle. This caddy features 4 compartments for a wide range of contents.
Wood, Paint
Early 19th C Cutlery Tray W/ Scallop Edges
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 19th C Cutlery tray w/ Scallop Edges. Hand crafted. Good Condition.
Wood
Ausrian Flatware, Cutlery Set by Berndorf
By Berndorfer Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Vienna, AT
Austrian high-quality flatware silver plated by Berndorf, former Krupp company from the 1960s. The cutlery has a handle with a very interesting geometric decor. Used but in excellent...
Silver, Steel
$329Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 0.25 in W 0.75 in D 7.75 in
Antique 18Pc Mother of Pearl Sterling Silver Fork Knife Fish Flatware Cutlery
Located in Dayton, OH
Early 20th century set of mother of pearl handled 6 table knives, 6 forks, and 6 spreaders. Main set features silverplate blades and collars (blades marked with pseudo hallmark SMS),...
Metal, Sterling Silver
Primitive Antique Painted Wooden Cutlery Caddy Decorative Tray
Located in Forney, TX
A charming primitive antique green paint decorated wood utensil holder - knife box - small tool tray with beautifully aged warm rustic distressed patina! Hand-crafted of reclaimed wood, rectangular shaped divided tray...
Reclaimed Wood
$1,800 / set
H 9 in W 1 in D 1 in
Helmut Alder Amboss Austria 2300 Flatware Cutlery for Six Persons, 1970s
By Alder Design, Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Amboss Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
Beautiful modernist flatware from Austria, model 2300, in excellent “as new” condition, designed and manufactured by Neuzeughammer Ambosswerk in the 1970s. This model series is based...
Stainless Steel
Mid Century French Wood Marquetry Tray with Bamboo Handles
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French wood marquetry tray with bamboo handles makes for the perfect service item or wonderful addition to any coffee table Natural color variations throughout Rounded bamboo trim and curved half moon...
Bamboo, Wood
$2,160 / set
H 9 in W 1 in D 1 in
Helmut Alder Amboss Austria 2070 Flatware Cutlery for Six Persons, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Amboss Austria, Alder Design
Located in Vienna, AT
Beautiful vintage modernist flatware from Austria, model 2070, designed by Helmut Alder in 1959 and produced by Neuzeughammer Ambosswerk in the 1960s. The manufacturer also produced ...
Stainless Steel
$790 / set
H 0.25 in W 7 in D 0.5 in
Boxed Amboss Mid-Century 6 Knives And 6 Forks, Flatware Cutlery, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A set of six small modernist forks and knives in their original boxes. Executed in the 1950s by Amboss Austria. Made of stainless steel with beautiful teak wooden handles. Originally produced as fruit knives and forks...
Stainless Steel
$1,650
H 1 in W 9 in D 1 in
Amboss Austria 2050 Modernist Flatware Cutlery for Six by Helmut Alder, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
Beautiful modernist flatware from Austria, model 2050, designed by Helmut Alder, executed by Amboss Austria in the 1950s. High-quality flatware, made of brushed and polished stainless steel. For six persons, consists of 6 big spoons...
Stainless Steel
$2,700 / set
H 9 in W 1 in D 1 in
Helmut Alder Amboss Austria 2070 Flatware Cutlery for Six Persons, 1960s
By Alder Design, Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Amboss Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
Beautiful vintage modernist flatware from Austria, model 2070, designed by Helmut Alder in 1959 and produced by Neuzeughammer Ambosswerk in the 1960s. The manufacturer also produced ...
Stainless Steel
Amboss 1050 "Bacon Cutlery"
Located in Vienna, AT
This rustic cutlery consist of 18 pieces and was made in rosewood and stainless steel and was the most expensive model of the company Amboss. Neuzeug from the 1950s Diamention kn...
Stainless Steel
$2,150
H 1 in W 9 in D 1 in
Amboss Austria 2050 Flatware Cutlery for Six by Helmut Alder, 34 pcs., 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
Beautiful modernist flatware from Austria, model 2050, designed by Helmut Alder, executed by Amboss Austria in the 1950s. High-quality flatware, made of brushed and polished stainless steel. For six persons, consists of six big spoons...
Stainless Steel
Gustavian Painted Wood Butlers Cutlery Flatware Tray with Handles
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming, hand-painted in Gustavian blue, butlers flatware or kitchen tray with double handles. The green velvet interior has a wonderful patina and age as well features multiple com...
Velvet, Wood, Paint
Large Dinner Set for 12 by Gustavsberg of Sweden
By Gustavsberg
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Large set of ceramic dishes and serving pieces in the most desirable blue and white Swedish palette by Gustavsberg of Sweden titled "Aristokrat " Kage and 39, the date the set was made. Wilhelm Kage was the artistic leader of Gustavsberg from 1917 to 1949. This large set works for Fine or casual dining, stately yet understated. Perfect compliment to a Swedish or any other decor. 12 dinner plates 9 7/8" 12 low soup bowls 10" 12 salad plates 8 7/8" 12 cups and 11 saucers (Two cups as is) Ten demitasse cups and nine saucers Gravy boat with under plate Cream jug Three platters...
Porcelain