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Gustavian Painted Furniture

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
Swedish Gustavian Mora Clock in Original Green Orange Colors, Early 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish antique mora clock dating from early/ 1800s featuring green paint with orange details that is painted on the body. The clockwork is sold 'as is' and should be considered as...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Painted Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish Gustavian Mora Clock in Original Green Orange Colors, Early 19th Century
Swedish Gustavian Mora Clock in Original Green Orange Colors, Early 19th Century

Swedish Gustavian Mora Clock in Original Green Orange Colors, Early 19th Century

Round Black Pedestal Dining Table, Sweden 1920
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early Swedish 20th Century Pedestal Dining Table in Black Paint. This round table has beautiful Gustavian ribbed details with a border going around the table edge.
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Painted Furniture

Materials

Pine

Round Black Pedestal Dining Table, Sweden 1920
Round Black Pedestal Dining Table, Sweden 1920

Round Black Pedestal Dining Table, Sweden 1920

Gustavian Grey Painted 3 Drawer Dresser with Faux Marble Top, Sweden, 1850-1880
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late 19th century grey painted chest of drawers, Swedish. This 3 drawer dresser has a charming break front style, an amazing faux marble top and the original brass hardware.
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Painted Furniture

Materials

Brass

Gustavian Grey Painted 3 Drawer Dresser with Faux Marble Top, Sweden, 1850-1880
Gustavian Grey Painted 3 Drawer Dresser with Faux Marble Top, Sweden, 1850-1880

Gustavian Grey Painted 3 Drawer Dresser with Faux Marble Top, Sweden, 1850-1880

Swedish 18th Century Gustavian Grey and Blue Display Cabinet
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique Swedish Glass-Top Cabinet Made in Two-parts. The base has a set of 4 drawers and the top display cabinet has two glass doors that is pati...
Category

1770s Swedish Antique Gustavian Painted Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish 18th Century Gustavian Grey and Blue Display Cabinet
Swedish 18th Century Gustavian Grey and Blue Display Cabinet

Swedish 18th Century Gustavian Grey and Blue Display Cabinet

Scandinavian Paint Decorated Bookcase with Lower Cabinet
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Very rare and interesting paint decorated bookcase with cabinet below and shelves above. Early 19th century or late 18th. Original lock and key and early paint. A very useful proport...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Painted Furniture

Materials

Wood

Scandinavian Paint Decorated Bookcase with Lower Cabinet
Scandinavian Paint Decorated Bookcase with Lower Cabinet

Scandinavian Paint Decorated Bookcase with Lower Cabinet

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Painted Corner Armchairs
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair of Swedish 1810s-1830s corner chair scraped down to the original black paint. Seat are loose and be easily re-upholstered.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Painted Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Painted Corner Armchairs
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Painted Corner Armchairs

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Painted Corner Armchairs

Black Painted Gustavian Chest of 3 Drawers, Sweden Early 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish Gustavian 1840s Black Painted and Carved Three-Drawer Chest With Faux Marble Top.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Painted Furniture

Materials

Brass

Black Painted Gustavian Chest of 3 Drawers, Sweden Early 19th Century
Black Painted Gustavian Chest of 3 Drawers, Sweden Early 19th Century

Black Painted Gustavian Chest of 3 Drawers, Sweden Early 19th Century

18th Century Scandinavian Painted Baroque Chest of Drawers
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
19th century Scandinavian painted baroque chest of drawers Fine quality solid oak chest of drawers, circa 1840. The chest has 4-drawer and the ...
Category

Mid-18th Century Danish Antique Gustavian Painted Furniture

Materials

Oak

18th Century Scandinavian Painted Baroque Chest of Drawers
18th Century Scandinavian Painted Baroque Chest of Drawers

18th Century Scandinavian Painted Baroque Chest of Drawers

Swedish Late 19th Century Faux Marble-Top Gustavian Style Chest of Drawers
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish 19th century faux marble-top Gustavian style chest of drawers with brass hardware. EUR 175 delivery to most areas of London UK, The Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden a...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Painted Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish Late 19th Century Faux Marble-Top Gustavian Style Chest of Drawers
Swedish Late 19th Century Faux Marble-Top Gustavian Style Chest of Drawers

Swedish Late 19th Century Faux Marble-Top Gustavian Style Chest of Drawers

Swedish Gustavian Original Yellow Painted Nightstand or End Table
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An early 19th century yellow original painted Swedish nightstand or side table with one drawer, liftable top and a door in the front. This Gustavian rural furniture's keeps totally the original paint, patina and the charming worn condition due to the use in the country social world of the so called "allmoge" folk. This little cabinet had place for a wooden or metal bowl under the lock, for washing hands and face in the morning and a water jug and glass...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Painted Furniture

Materials

Wood

Swedish Gustavian Original Yellow Painted Nightstand or End Table
Swedish Gustavian Original Yellow Painted Nightstand or End Table

Swedish Gustavian Original Yellow Painted Nightstand or End Table

Early 19th Century Folk Art Floor Lamp, Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Black wooden Folk Art floor lamp. Tri-pod legs on a original triangular stand. Newly made into a electrified lamp, originally a large candlestick.
Category

19th Century Danish Antique Gustavian Painted Furniture

Materials

Wood

Early 19th Century Folk Art Floor Lamp, Denmark
Early 19th Century Folk Art Floor Lamp, Denmark

Early 19th Century Folk Art Floor Lamp, Denmark

Dated 1831 Scandinavian Painted Step-Back Pine Cupboard with Initials R.K.S.
Located in New York, NY
This is a antique Scandinavian cupboard made in 1831 from pine wood. This cupboard has a step-back design where the upper section is set ...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Painted Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Dated 1831 Scandinavian Painted Step-Back Pine Cupboard with Initials R.K.S.
Dated 1831 Scandinavian Painted Step-Back Pine Cupboard with Initials R.K.S.

Dated 1831 Scandinavian Painted Step-Back Pine Cupboard with Initials R.K.S.

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Pair of Swedish Light Blue Gustavian Chest of Drawers, Late 19th Century
Pair of Swedish Light Blue Gustavian Chest of Drawers, Late 19th Century

Pair of Swedish Light Blue Gustavian Chest of Drawers, Late 19th Century

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Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Painted Furniture

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Pine

Black Gustavian Writing Desk With 3 Drawers, Sweden
Black Gustavian Writing Desk With 3 Drawers, Sweden

Black Gustavian Writing Desk With 3 Drawers, Sweden

H 31.11 in W 54.73 in D 31.11 in
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Located in Haddonfield, NJ
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Gustavian Blue Painted Chest of Drawers, Sweden Late 19th Century
Gustavian Blue Painted Chest of Drawers, Sweden Late 19th Century

Gustavian Blue Painted Chest of Drawers, Sweden Late 19th Century

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Pair of Swedish White Painted Gustavian Nightstands
Pair of Swedish White Painted Gustavian Nightstands

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Pair of Swedish 19th Century Painted Chest of Drawers

Pair of Swedish 19th Century Painted Chest of Drawers

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Gustavian painted furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Gustavian painted furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage painted furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, case pieces and storage cabinets, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, pine and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Gustavian painted furniture 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 painted furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $990 and tops out at $11,500 while the average work can sell for $3,200.

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