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.
$840Sale Price|20% Off
19thc Gustavian Cut Cascading Crystal Wall Sconce
Located in Opa Locka, FL
19thc Gustavian Bronze Cut Crystal Cascading Waterfall Form Wall Sconce. This sconce is in its original unelectrified state.
Bronze
Pair of Gustavian Style White Painted Metal Electric Candle Sconces
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of elaborate Gustavian style white painted metal electric candle sconces, with layers of leafy supports with an upper tier with projecting buds, and five scrolled arms with leaf...
Metal
Pair of Antique Gustavian Wall Appliques, Sweden 1820-30
Located in Belmont, MA
Discover the timeless elegance of a pair of antique Swedish Gustavian Glass Appliques, meticulously crafted from handcrafted brass and adorned with prism glass drops. These Scandinav...
Brass
Mirrored Wall Sconces Swedish Gustavian 18th Century Signed Gilded Sweden, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A pair of mirrored wall sconces made during the early part of the Gustavian period 1775-1790. Made and signed by frame maker Johan Martin ...
Wood
$9,792 / set
Impressive pair of swedish sconces late 18th c
Located in PARIS, FR
Impressive and beautiful pair of Gustavian sconces late 18thc Nice details 2 Lights - not wired Height 80 cm
Bronze
$4,546 / set
Pair of Swedish sconces 19th c
Located in PARIS, FR
Pair of late Gustavian Swedish sconces in brass and glass 2 lights not wired
Brass
$1,900Sale Price|50% Off
Pair of Golden Swedish Grave 1920s Wall Lights
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful pair of large decorative Swedish Grace 1920s golden brass 2 armed wall lights. Rewired with e12 candelabra sockets.
Brass
Two Light Swedish Gustavian Sconces in Crystal & Bronze, A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Swedish Gustavian (neo-classical) two light sconces. The frames are bronze hung generously with faceted crystal drops. There are six arms above and below with faceted crystal...
Crystal, Brass
$2,797
H 24.81 in W 11.82 in D 5.52 in
Antique Pair of Candle Appliques Bouquets of Flowers Painted Metall
Located in Munich, DE
Charming pair of candle appliques made of different colored metal flowers and foliage. Individual flowers and leaves have been tied to a metal frame. T...
Metal, Tôle
Pair of 18th Century Giltwood Mirrored Sconces
Located in Chireno, TX
Pair of 18th century giltwood mirrored sconces. Circa 1750-1789. Hand-carved and gilded. Early mirror. Each projects a single tole arm for ca...
Gold, Iron, Tin
$2,103Sale Price / set|28% Off
H 16.93 in W 5.91 in D 15.75 in
Pair of 19th Century Empire Wall Sconces
Located in Casteren, NL
Pair of 19th century Empire wall sconces made of bronze. This wall scones were originally gas lamps later transferred to electric lamps. Originates France, circa 1870.
Bronze
Pair of Italian Gilt Wood Wall Sconces Appliques Lights
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Set of Two Giltwood Wall Candle Sconces, 1960's Italy. Elegant wall sconces with beautiful detail throughout, including bows and ribbons as well as leaves and tassels. The hand-paint...
Giltwood
$2,400
H 12 in W 14 in D 7.5 in
1940s Art Deco Hollywood Cut Crystal Silvered Etched & Beaded Wall Sconce
Located in New York, NY
This stunning Art Deco Hollywood cut crystal wall sconce was realized in the United States, circa 1940. It features two sinuously curved arms that extend from silvered fittings culmi...
Crystal, Bronze
$16,500 / set
H 42 in W 24 in D 18 in
Pair of 18th Century Italian Gilded and Hand-Carved Angel Sconces
By Interi
Located in Columbia, SC
Pair of 18th century Italian gilded and hand-carved angel lighting sconces. The pair of angels are originally from an angelic depiction in a historical Italian church. They were plac...
Metal, Wire, Gold Leaf
Pair of Impressive Nickel-Plated Bronze Mermaid Sconces
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of vintage 1940s Mermaid sconces impressive, heavy, !0 pounds US wired, 60 watts Max bulb. Nickel-plated, polished, superb vintage condition. Back...
Bronze, Nickel
$2,797 / set
H 17.72 in W 9.06 in D 8.67 in
Antique 18th Century Double Eagle Wall Mirrors Candle Sconces Repoussé Brass
Located in Munich, DE
This pair of 18th centurty repoussé brass walls sconces has retained its original condition and patina as well as the original mirror glass. A pair...
Brass
$3,800 / set
H 38.5 in W 15 in D 4 in
Pair of Early 19th Century Continental Neoclassical Giltwood Sconce Mirrors
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of early 19th century continental sconce mirrors with original early glass and original gilding. Two arm sconces for candles. Great size and wo...
Mirror, Beech, Giltwood
$11,075
H 20.87 in W 13 in D 1.19 in
18th Century, Giltwood Pair of Italian Louis XV Candle Wall Sconce with Mirror
Located in IT
Pair of Piedmontese Italian candle wall sconce in carved and gilded wood with mirror. Turin (Italy), Louis XV period, mid-18th century The precious pair of sconce, made around th...
Mirror, Giltwood
$68,000 / set
H 39.5 in W 17 in D 8.5 in
Pair of 18th Century English Giltwood Chinoiserie Mirrors with Candleholders
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful pair of antique 18th century George II chinoiserie English carved giltwood mirrors with candleholders. These magnificently hand-carved giltwood mirrors are meticulously detailed and adorned with acanthus leaves flourishing throughout the frame with flowers and vines blossoming all around. On each mirror has a double arm gilt metal candleholder held up by acanthus vines growing upwards out of the plane of the mirrors, the primary wood is pine. From an Important and old NYC...
Mirror, Giltwood
Gabriella Crespi Signed Wall Appliques, Pair
Located in North Miami, FL
Rare pair of original ribbed acrylic and brass trim frame large wall sconces; These wall lights are designed by Gabriella Crespi in the 1970s, and they are signed to brass frame.
Brass
Pair of Gustavian Carved White Lyre Shaped Swedish Sconces
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of Gustavian white painted lyre form candle sconces, late 20th century, carved composition with painted and gilt finish, applied metal arms, three light form, the lyre ends term...
Wood
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Gilt Wood Wall Sconces
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of Swedish Gustavian double-arm sconces. Carved giltwood. Lyre-shaped top with griffin heads. At the bottom vine leaves and grape clusters. In original and untouched condition...
Wood
Sold
H 11.82 in W 5.12 in D 1.58 in
Pair of 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Glass Candleholder Wall Sconces
Located in London, England
Pair of 18th century Swedish Gustavian painted glass candleholder wall sconces. Originate from King Gustav III in the late 1700s who loved art and was sadly assassinated. The candl...
Brass
Sold
H 19.69 in W 9.85 in D 5.52 in
Pair of Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Style Brass Cut-Glass Wall Lights/Sconces
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Swedish 19th century Gustavian style brass cut-glass wall lights/sconces Brass frame with a back plate appearing as the central stem issuing four crescent shaped rings, th...
Brass
19th Century Swedish Pair of Crystal Wall Appliqués
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Swedish pair of wall appliqués with a brass frame, crystal prism and two candle lights in good condition. Wear consistent with age and ...
Crystal, Metal, Brass
Sconces, Probably Scandinavia, Late 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Wall sconces with bronze ram’s heads and glass prisms. For the electrification we assume no liability and no warranty.
Bronze
Pair of Late 18th Century Gilt Italian Candelabras / Table Sconces
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of late 18th century five light gilt Italian candelabras. These are very early and well constructed out of pine. They were masterfully converted to electricity in the 20th centu...
Pine
Sold
H 19 in W 12 in D 8 in
Pair of Mid-Century Swedish White Painted and Parcel-Gilt Electrified Sconces
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This lovely and delicate pair of Swedish white painted and parcel-gilt electrified sconces have a lantern form with three candle arms joined by a gilt metal juniper swag, circa 1950.
Metal
Pair of Gustavian Sconces
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine pair of North European, probably Swedish, neoclassical sconces with gilt bronze and brass rings, the lower fluted ring with putto playing musical instruments, the whole strung w...
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 28.75 in W 10.24 in D 6.3 in
Pair of Swedish Gilt Bronze and Crystal Wall Lights, Late 18th Century
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of Swedish gilt bronze and crystal wall lights, late 18th century.
Crystal, Bronze