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.
$6,300 / item
Antique Mid 19th C Swedish Crystal & Tole Chandelier
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Mid 19th C Swedish Crystal & Tole Chandelier
Crystal, Metal
Pair of Dennis & Leen for Formations Gustavian Style Floor Candelabra
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of Dennis & Leen for Formations Gustavian Style Floor Candelabra
Metal
Mid-20th Century Gustavian Chandelier, Painted Wood & Iron, Sweden
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Monumental size eight light wood & iron chandelier. The chandelier is painted a dove gray coloration. The iron has developed a beautiful patina. The fixture is newly rewired and ...
Paint, Wood
19th c. Swedish Gustavian Crystal Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
The 19th c. Swedish Gustavian Crystal Chandelier is a stunning and elegant lighting fixture. Featuring a decorative bronze base and layers of glistening crystals. Sure to be a beaut...
Crystal, Bronze
Swedish Gustavian Style Crystal Six-Light Chandelier, 19th Century
Located in Brentwood, TN
A Swedish Gustavian style crystal chandelier, 19th century, featuring a classic tiered form adorned with cut crystal prisms in drop, oval, and square shapes. The central crown ring i...
Crystal, Metal
Gustavian unique chandelier, late 18th c
Located in Stockholm, SE
This is one of a kind. A Swedish Gustavian chandelier made around year 1800 is not hard to find but to find one in this design and with its original handblown glass-bowl intact is al...
Crystal, Brass
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,...
Brass
Early 19th c. Swedish Crystal Chandelier with Gilt Metal Ferns
Located in Greenwich, CT
A refined and elegant early 19th century Swedish chandelier having crystal swagged garlands on a gilt metal frame featuring gilt metal fern leaves. A topmost crown of fern leaves wi...
Bronze
$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
$18,800
Gustavian Chandelier
Located in Greenwich, CT
Elegant and decorative early 19th century Gustavian neoclassical eight-light chandelier, having cranberry, amber and clear crystal drops, the frame and arms decorated with repousse l...
Crystal, Brass
Böhlmarks Brass Column Table Lamp. 1930's.
Located in Bromma, SE
Brass table lamp in Column form. Sweden, 1930s. Stamp Arvid Böhlmark Stockholm. Minor wear. Atelier made lamp Shade in cashmere is included. New cable & switch (EU plug). Measure...
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
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
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...
Brass
19th Century, Small Swedish Gustavian-style Chandelier with Gilded Brass Frame
Located in Madrid, EX
19th Century Small Gustavian chandelier with six curved candle arms and hung with beautiful crystals. Sweden Height: 76 cm Diameter: 60 cm
Crystal, 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
$9,833 / 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
$4,565 / 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
Late-Gustavian Chandelier with Blue Bowl
Located in Ljungby, SE
A high-quality late-Gustavian chandelier with six arms. The burnished gilded central ring is adorned with lion mask carvings and fleurons. The top features a so-called "bishop's mitr...
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
Beautiful Swedish Gustavian Style Brass Table Lamp, Late 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful Swedish Gustavian Style Brass Table Lamp, Late 19th Century A beautiful Gustavian style brass table lamp, most likely from the late 1800s, richly decorated with classical...
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
20th century Gustavian style gilt brass and crystal chandelier 'Hagamodel'
Located in Eindhoven, NL
An elegant and fine Gustavian style chandeliers with 8 small lights inside the chandelier. Beautiful quality in gilt brass. Decorated with c...
Crystal, Brass
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
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. ...
Metal
Fine Pair of Swedish Early 19th Century Gustavian Chandeliers
Located in Allerum, SE
Important pair of Swedish early 19th century Gustavian chandeliers. Very rare with identical pairs in this quality. Ca 1800.
Crystal, Brass
Late 18th Century Gustavian Chandelier
Located in Ljungby, SE
A late Gustavian chandelier crafted in Stockholm at the end of the 18th century. The chandelier features four arms for candles and a frame made of fire-gilded bronze. Its elegance is...
Bronze
Late 18th Century Late-Gustavian Chandelier with Blue Bowl
Located in Ljungby, SE
A late-Gustavian chandelier with a blue bowl, made in Stockholm in the 1790s. The burnished gilded central ring is decorated with lion mask carvings. The ring features six light arms...
Bronze
19th Century Iron and Tole Chandelier
Located in Winnetka, IL
19th century Italian iron and tole chandelier, possibly Venetian.
Iron
$2,107 / set
H 86.23 in W 24.41 in D 24.41 in
Pair of Tall Candelabra O Candelabrum, Neogothic Style, Wrought Iron, Spain
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of standing Gothic Revival candlesticks. Wrought iron Spain, 20th century. Pair of wrought iron standing candelabra with a tripo...
Wrought Iron
19th Century Baccarat Crystal Chandelier Five-Light Chandelier
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A lovely antique Baccarat crystal electrified chandelier, gilt brass beautifully decorated with several tiers of large pendaloques in different shapes and sizes, finishing at the bot...
Crystal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Painted Iron and Tole Chandelier with Flowers
Located in Antwerp, BE
This elegant, vintage chandelier was crafted in Italy, circa 1950. The charming hanging light fixture has six lights and is embellished with realistic flowers and green leaves. The r...
Metal
20th Century Italian Vintage Chandelier in Painted Iron
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Nice Italian vintage chandelier in forged iron 3-light, 1930s. Floral decoration with delicate roses sprouting from loose leaves. The iron is painted in light green and different del...
Iron
Dennis & Leen Large Wood And Tole 6 Light Chandelier
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Dennis & Leen large ebonized and silvery/gilt wood standard emitting branches of tole foliate motifs and 6 lights with wax candle covers. Comes with a ring pull terminal, short 2 lin...
Metal
Italian Gold Gilded Iron, Wood, and Tole Chandelier, Mid-20th Century
Located in New Orleans, LA
This beautiful Italian chandelier is made of gilded (gold leaf covered) Iron, hand painted wood, and tole. The piece dates back to the mid-20th century and features a lovely spiral aesthetic along its center stem. Decorative furling leaves drape around its arms and centers, along with a beautifully decorated base. Each piece in our shop is professionally rewired and in working order. Each chandelier and lantern comes with a vintage canopy, three feet of chain, and ample wire, and each sconce comes with all materials needed to mount. Each piece is newly wired with UL approved wire and sockets and is fully operable. The piece is part of the collection from The French Antique Shop...
Iron
Rustic Adirondack Chandelier, Wood and Iron, Early 20th Century, USA
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Adirondack-style (1st Quarter 20th Century) chandelier with two crossed logs supporting 8 drop lights and 4 iron chains connected to a canopy.
Iron
19th Century Gilt Bronze and Crystal Six Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Antique (late 19th century) six light chandelier in the neoclassical style crafted from gilt bronze and crystal glass, electrified with candelabra size sockets and wiring, ready for ...
Bronze
Dennis and Leen "Small Chateau" Iron Chandelier, Rock Crystal
Located in Miami, FL
Dennis and Leen "Small Chateau" Iron Chandelier, Rock Crystal Offered for sale is a fine-quality patinated iron 8-light "Small Chateau" chan...
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Metal, Iron
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Chandelier
Located in Allerum, SE
19th century Swedish folk art Chandelier in it's original condition. Turned and painted wood and metal. Ca 1800 - 1850 Sweden.
Iron
Gothic wrought iron candelabra style floor lamp
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Gothic wrought iron candelabra style floor lamp.
Wrought Iron
Swedish Gustavian Crystal and Gilt Brass Chandelier
Located in Greenwich, CT
An elegant Gustavian crystal and gilt brass Swedish chandelier with two fountain-like tiers of faceted crystals over a central drop to an elaborate brass ring decorated with Egyptian...
Crystal, Brass
A pair of gilt brass and crystal Gustavian style antique chandeliers
Located in Eindhoven, NL
An elegant pair Gustavian style chandeliers. Each with 7 lights: 5 lights around the chandelier and 2 small lights inside. Beautiful quality in gilt brass. Decorated with cut crystal...
Crystal, Brass
Sold
H 34.5 in Dm 27.5 in
Swedish, 1810s Gustavian Period Five-Light Crystal and Brass Basket Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian period five-light crystal chandelier from the early 19th century, with brass armature, spear crystals and floral motifs. Created in Sweden during the first decade...
Crystal, Brass
Sold
H 22.05 in Dm 11.82 in
Sophisticated Brass Table Lamp from Skultuna Bruk, Sweden in Gustavian style
By Skultuna
Located in Knivsta, SE
Sophisticated Brass Table Lamp in Gustavian style from Skultuna Bruk, Sweden. Made during the late 19th Century. Originally a kerosene lamp converted to table lamp in the early 20th ...
Brass
Unique Hand-Carved Custom Swedish Whitewashed Wooden Lodge Chandelier
Located in Leesburg, VA
Anonymous 20th century; Sweden Wood (possibly pinewood), iron Approximate size: 54 (h) x 26 (w) x 26 (d) in. This one-of-a-kind hand-carved and white washed wooden chandelier featu...
Pine
Antique French Gray Louis XVI Gustavian Style Chandelier
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique French Gray Louis XVI Gustavian Style Chandelier
Wood
Sold
H 53.55 in Dm 11.03 in
Möllers Armaturfabrik Eskiltuna Floor Lamp in Teak and Brass, Sweden, 1950s
Located in The Hague, NL
This rare floor lamp was produced by Möllers Armaturfabrik in Eskiltuna, Sweden in the 1950s. The model is numbered 86 and the lamp is marked 'MAE 86' with a metal plate on the botto...
Brass
Sold
H 22.05 in Dm 24.41 in
Hans Bergström Attributed Five Arm Chandelier in Brass, ASEA, Sweden, 1950s
By ASEA, Hans Bergström
Located in The Hague, NL
This rare five arm chandelier was produced by ASEA in Sweden in the early 1950s. The lamp consists of a brass stem, five arms and fittings with matte opaline glass shades. The zigzag...
Brass
1890s Pair Gustavian Style Electrified Crystal Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
1890s Swedish Gustavian style pair of two light candelabra crystal and brass table lamps featuring a white marble base each. These have now been con...
Crystal, Marble, Brass
1930s Swedish Carved Wood Painted Chandelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
6-light 1930s Swedish wood carved chandelier. The chandelier is painted in a distressed creamy grayish coloration. The fixture has six iron arms. It is newly rewired with drip wax candle covers...
Wood
Classic Brass Table Lamp with Corinthian Capital
Located in Knivsta, SE
Classic brass table lamp with Corinthian capital from late 19th century. The lamp is originally a oil lamp that was converted to electricity in the 1920s. The new black lacquer shad...
Brass
Pair of Scandinavian Brass Candlestick Lamps
Located in Greenwich, CT
Good pair of repousse brass candlesticks, now as lamps, having cross-hatched shafts on hexagonal plinths with floral decorated bases. Danish or Swedish, recently re-electrified.
Brass