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.
Monumental Swedish Gustavian 12-Light Iron & Parcel GiltWood Chandelier, Rewired
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Monumental Swedish Provincial Gustavian 12-Light Iron and Parcel-Gilt Wood Chandelier, Late 18th Century, Professionally Rewired Sweden, Gustavian, late 18th century Hand-forged iron...
Iron
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 ...
Wood, Paint
$11,600 / set
Pair of Bleached Wood and Iron Chandeliers
Located in Chireno, TX
Pair of wood and iron chandeliers, newly-created from antique and later elements. Hand-carved and turned 19th century wooden bodies with six thin wirey iron arms. Bleached cool, dry ...
Brass, Steel, Iron
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
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
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
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
$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
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
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
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
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
$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
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
$9,995 / 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
$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
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
$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
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
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
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
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 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
$4,640 / 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