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Gustavian More Lighting

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
Gustavian Style Light Fixture
Located in New York, NY
Patinated brass and brass details copied from the pre-electricity Gustavian period, featuring six faux candles hanging on three decorative brass chains,...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Gustavian More Lighting

Materials

Brass

Vintage Grey Metal Base Lamp
Located in Sheffield, MA
Neoclassical style lamp base with fluted shaft, the small lamp is designed for European framed shades. Will work well in Louis XVI style, Swedish Gustavian style or most any decor. ...
Category

20th Century European Gustavian More Lighting

Materials

Metal

Candlesticks Gustavian Swedish 18th Century Brass, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Candlesticks Gustavian Swedish 18th century 1790-1810 made in brass, Sweden. A pair of Gustavian candlesticks made in Sweden during the late part of 18th century and the Gustavian pe...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian More Lighting

Materials

Brass

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Gustavian more lighting for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Gustavian more lighting for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage more lighting created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, brass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Gustavian more lighting 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 more lighting differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $950 and tops out at $49,500 while the average work can sell for $3,500.

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