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.
18th/19th Century Cranberry and Glass Lantern with Gilt Metal and Cut Glass
Located in Stamford, CT
A large cranberry glass and gilt metal lantern / chandelier composed of late 18th century and early 19th century parts. Having been in its current at least since 1969. Acquired from Denton-Grant, 1969. Christies - Collection of Anthony Hail...
Blown Glass
Antique Swedish 6-Arm Chandelier
Located in Sheffield, MA
Large, elegant and impressive, newly restored antique Swedish Gustavian style chandelier with 6 scrolled arms and gold hanging wood and mult...
Wood
French, 18th/ 19th Century Metal Lantern
Located in Buisson, FR
Very rare metal lantern, France, circa 1750- 1850. Weathered, small losses and some old repairs. Lantern can be opened on one side. Glass of later date. H:40,5cm W:26,5cm D:12cm
Metal
Vintage Gilt Metal Lantern
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Vintage gilt metal lantern with gold and patinated mixed finishes and glass shade.
Metal
$2,691
H 22.05 in W 12.21 in D 12.21 in
1960s, Crystal and Brass Cylinder Chandelier by Orrefors for Tyringe, Sweden
By Orrefors, Konsthantverk Tyringe 1
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Beautiful and in perfect condition brass chandelier or pendant with twelve crystal cylinders. Designed and manufactured in by Tyringe Konsthantverk, Sweden. All crystal cylinders a...
Crystal, Brass
$12,850
H 30 in Dm 12.25 in
French 19th-20th Century Gilt-Bronze and Cut-Glass "Versailles" Style Lantern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French 19th-20th century gilt bronze and molded cut-glass "Versailles" style single-light hanging lantern, in the manner of Baccarat. The elongated molded and cut-glass body s...
Bronze
Fine Antique French Empire Neoclassical Gilt and Patina Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A fine antique French Empire neoclassical gilt and patina bronze chandelier. The chandelier is suspended from a circular corona decorated with a continuous band of gilt laurel leaves...
Bronze
$2,950
H 25.5 in Dm 13.5 in
French Mid-20th Century Louis XIV Style Gilt-Metal & Glass "Versailles" Lantern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A French mid-20th century Louis XIV style gilt-metal and molded glass "Versailles" style single-light hanging hall lantern. The elongated blown glass body banded with gilt-metal stri...
Metal
Fine Antique French Baguès Style Gilt Bronze and Rock Crystal Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
An unusual and delicate antique French chandelier in the Baguès style, composed of gilt bronze and rock crystal. The chandelier is arranged with a central stem from which radiate eig...
Rock Crystal, Bronze
Antique French Chinoiserie Style Ormolu and Chinese Porcelain Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A unique antique French Chinoiserie style chandelier composed of ormolu mounts and Chinese porcelain elements. The chandelier is suspended by four ormolu supports connected with porc...
Bronze
$6,895Sale Price|30% Off
H 31.5 in Dm 22 in
Fine French Belle Époque 19th-20th Century Gilt-Bronze and Cut-Glass Chandelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French Belle Époque 19th-20th century three-light gilt-bronze and cut-glass basket chandelier. The circular basket shaped banded gilt-bronze frame surmounted with three scroll...
Brass, Bronze
$12,950Sale Price|28% Off
H 43.5 in Dm 18.25 in
French 19th-20th Century Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze and Cut-Glass Chandelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French 19th-20th century Louis XVI style gilt bronze and cut-glass beaded Cascade ten-light chandelier with garlands and a crown top with a floral canopy, circa 1900, Paris. ...
Bronze
Antique Brass Chandelier with Blown Glass, Crown Style, USA, 1900
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Elegant antique chandelier made of solid brass with blown glass inner. Exceptional style of crown look with beautiful oxidized greenish patina. Newly rewired with one-light, look at ...
Brass
Exceptional Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Palatial Eight Light Lantern
Located in Long Island City, NY
An Exceptional Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Palatial Eight Light Lantern The large and important frame designed with a crowned top with acanthus leaves and berries, the body surrounded by wreaths and garlands with flowers and foliage that are finished on both sides, the inside with eight tiered lights each with spiral arms. This unique bronze lantern is the largest and most important lantern...
Bronze
Antique Lantan from Sweden
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Swedish antique lantern. It is designed to be able to remove the bottom plate, you can use it as it is today, replacing the candle as it is.
Glass, Wood
Swedish Painted Gilt Iron Lantern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Swedish gray painted iron and glass lantern. The simple lines of this fixture will work in any style home. The lantern has been newly rewired and is ready to install. The chain and c...
Wrought Iron
Pair of 19th Century Gustavian Column Lantern
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair of Gustavian column lantern, light fixtures are new, columns are period.
Sheet Metal
Swedish opaline glass lantern, circa 1810
Located in Stockholm, SE
A late Swedish gustavian opaline glass lantern with gilt bronze mounts. There are 3 candle arms and one in the middle The glass painted with figures in sepia. Made circa 1810.
Ormolu