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.
Swedish 18th Century Gustavian Mirror
Located in Atlanta, GA
A small Gustavian mirror made in Sweden in the eighteenth century, this piece retains its original surface. Gustavian design, the Swedish interpretation of the neoclassical style, is...
Mirror, Wood
Oval Gustavian Giltwood Wall Mirror
Located in Kastrup, DK
Classic Gustavian or Louis Seize carved giltwood wall mirror. Features an oval mirror with pearl beading on the interior perimeter, exterior frame decorated with a bow-tied ribbon on...
Wood
Gustavian Gilded Wall Mirror, Hand Carved, Sweden, Circa 1780, Antique
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An 18th Century Swedish Gustavian mirror gilded with original glass. Richly hand carved antique wall mirror in the Gustavian style with medallion in good condition, enhanced by detai...
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
Gustavian Wall Mirror, Gilded Pinewood, Antique Swedish Design
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A late 18th Century - 19th Century, antique Swedish Gustavian wall mirror made of hand crafted gilded Pinewood with its original two-part mirrored glass, in good condition. The Scand...
Mirror, Pine, Giltwood
Gustavian Wall Mirror, Gilded Pinewood, Antique Swedish Decor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique Swedish Gustavian wall mirror made of hand crafted gilded Pinewood with its original two-part mirrored glass, in good condition. The particularized carved Scandinavia...
Mirror, Pine, Giltwood
Antique Swedish Gustavian Wall Mirror, Hand-Carved Pinewood, c. 1770
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A late 18th Century, antique Swedish Gustavian wall mirror made of hand crafted Pinewood with its original mirrored glass, in good condit...
Pine
18th-Century Gustavian Giltwood Mirror with Mythological Scenes, Stockholm 1780-
Located in Kastrup, DK
A beautiful Gustavian mirror, carefully scraped to reveal its original gilding and color decoration. The top is adorned with a finely carved wooden ribbon, followed by a decorative c...
Glass, Mirror, Wood, Paper
19th century Swedish Giltwood Mirror
Located in Leesburg, VA
19th century Swedish Giltwood Mirror Approximate size: 40.25”H x 25”W x 2”D This ornate 19th century Swedish rectangular giltwood mirror evokes a sense of elegance and beauty with ...
Glass, Giltwood
Gilded Pine Wall Mirrors by Carl A. Carlsson, Swedish Design, 1935
By Carl A. Carlsson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique Swedish Gustavian pair of wall mirrors with its original mirrored glass, made of hand crafted gilded Pinewood, designed by Carl A. Carlsson in good condition. The Scandinavian wall...
Mirror, Pine, Giltwood
$15,120Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Swedish Gustavian Wall Mirror, Gilded Pine, Circa 1790-1820
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A late 18th Century, antique Swedish Gustavian rectangular wall mirror with its original mirrored glass and blue color paint, made of hand crafted gilded Pinewood, in good condition....
Mirror, Pine, Giltwood
18th c, Swedish Gustavian Mirror
Located in Allerum, SE
Swedish 18th century Gustavian gilded mirror in it's original condition with an nice patinated surface . Ca 1790 Sweden.
Giltwood
19th Century Swedish Trumeau Mirror
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century Swedish Trumeau mirror, painted wood in florals topped with raised gold fruit basket surrounded by dolphins. Color is a dark blue-green with cream and gold trim.
Mirror, Wood
$6,700
Mirror Gustavian Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Description: A guilded mirror made from carved wood with a mirror glass in two pieces. Made in Sweden between 1775-1810 and the Gustavian period.
Wood
Antique Swedish Gustavian Wall Mirrors with Gilded Wood, Circa 1800
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique Swedish Gustavian pair of wall mirrors made of hand crafted gilded wood with its original mirrored glass, in good condition. The Scandinavian wall décor...
Glass, Mirror, Giltwood
Antique Swedish Gustavian Wall Mirror, Gilded Pinewood, Circa 1760
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique Swedish Gustavian wall mirror made of handcrafted gilded Pinewood with its original mirrored glass, in good condition. The particularized carved Scandinavian wall déc...
Mirror, Pine, Giltwood
A Gilt and Painted Wood Gustavian Mirror
Located in New York, NY
A late-Gustavian mirror with wood and composition frame having egg and dart molding surrounding original mercury silvered glass. The gilt inner frame with gilt border below gouache w...
Composition
Swedish Gustavian Mirror, circa 1820
Located in Huntington, NY
A Swedish Gustavian mirror scraped to its original surface with remnants of original paint and gilt. Detailed carvings adorn the upper molding with stars in each corner. Two carved p...
Glass, Wood
18th Century Gustavian Sconce Mirror with Center Cameo, Sweden, Circa 1780
Located in New York, NY
18th century Swedish Gustavian single arm candle sconce mirror with center cameo, origin: Sweden, circa 1780 In Scandinavia, candlelight is an important element found in any interio...
Giltwood
Antique Swedish Gustavian Oval Wall Mirrors, Gilded Pinewood, 1880
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A late 19th Century, antique pair of Swedish Gustavian style oval shaped wall mirrors made of hand crafted gilded Pinewood, bronze with its original mirrored glass, in good condition. Each of the Scandinavian wall décor...
Metal, Bronze
Gustavian Hand Painted and Gilt Mirror
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant Gustavian Style Mirror with Hand Painted and Gilt Decoration, believed to be from the Netherlands (as the Netherlands flag is painted at the top), circa 20th Century. Retains...
Mirror, Wood
Gustavian Wall Mirror, Gilded Pinewood, Antique Swedish Design
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, antique Swedish Gustavian wall mirror made of hand crafted gilded Pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian mirror is particularized with a medallion and it is co...
Mirror, Pine, Giltwood
Exceptional Pair of 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Gilt Wood Mirrors
Located in Allerum, SE
Exceptional, rare and unusually large pair of late Gustavian gilt wood mirrors with gouaches in neoclassical Pompeian style and faux porphyry marble mirror frame. Stockholm, ca 1790.
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Period Trumeau Mirror with Swag and Roses
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish period Gustavian painted and gilt trumeau mirror from the late 18th century with original paint and original split mercury glass. This exquisite Swedish trumeau mirror feat...
Mercury Glass, Wood, Giltwood
Gustavian Crown Wall Mirror, Gilded Pinewood, Antique Swedish Decor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique Swedish Gustavian lunette-shaped crown wall mirror made of handcrafted gilded Pinewood with its original mirrored glass, in good condition. The particularized carved Scandinavian bronze...
Mirror, Pine, Giltwood
Exceptional Antique Gustavian Style Carved And Painted Oval Mirror
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Large and impressive time-worn Gustavian Style Mirror in a Pale Grey and Gilt Paint finish. The dish form surround in off white paint with an outer band of gilt acanthus leaves, the...
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Period Gilt Pier Mirror with Ribbon & Foliate Swag Decoration
Located in Milford, NH
A Swedish Gustavian Period gilt pier mirror with pierce carved ribbon and foliate crest decoration, accented with foliate swags, continued on the beveled mirror surround and base. Da...
Gesso, Glass, Wood
Swedish Gustavian Two-Light Giltwood Wall Scones
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish Gustavian two-light giltwood wall scones.
Mirror, Giltwood
Gustavian 18th Century Giltwood Mirror with Gouaches
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
A fine gustavian gilt wood mirror with gouaches made in Stockholm c. 1790. Original gilding. The gouaches painted in the neoclassical pompeian style.
Mirror, Giltwood
Late Gustavian or Early Biedermeier Painted Wall Mirror
Located in Atlanta, GA
Antique painted mirror with gilded accents and beveled mercury mirror. The painted finish has been distressed over time, but we will be happ...
Mirror
French Distressed Ivory Color Mirror with Gilt Decoration 48.5" h x 33.75" w
Located in Atlanta, GA
French Distressed Ivory Color Mirror with Gilt Decoration, France, 20th Century. It measures 48.5" height x 33.75" width.
Mirror, Wood
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
Unique Hand Carved Wall Mirror
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Unique Hand Carved Wall Mirror. it was stained Dark brown and I stripped it down to raw wood and left it that way.
Wood
Eric Wahlberg 18th Century Gustavian Mirror, Stockholm, Sweden, Dated 1792
By Lago Lundén, Eric Wahlberg
Located in New York, NY
Eric Wahlberg (1760 Stockholm, Sweden 1811), 18th century Gustavian mirror with center cameo, origin: Stockholm, Sweden, hallmarked and stamped on verso: Eric Wahlberg and Lago Lunde...
Giltwood, Paint
Gustavian Wall Mirror by Johan Åkerblad, Gilded Pine, 18th Century
Located in Ljungby, SE
A Gustavian mirror made in Stockholm in the 18th century, bearing the signatures of Johan Åkerblad and the gilder Erik Törngren. The mirror is crafted from gilded pine and has mercur...
Giltwood
Gustavian Italian Wall, Console Mirror, Cornucopia Motif, Parcel Gilt Decorated
Located in Stamford, CT
Antique Gustavian Italian wall, console mirror, Cornucopia Motif, Parcel Gilt Decorated A finely carved and paint decorated wall or console mirror. Late 19th Early 20th century having a mint green paint...
Mirror, Wood
18th Century Swedish Fruitwood Mirror
Located in Woodbury, CT
18th c. swedish fruitwood mirror with ormolu mounts and finials. Fruitwood is framed by ebony inlay.
Ormolu
Rare Swedish Gustavian Mirror with stunning patina. Sweden 1770-1810
Located in Ystad, SE
Rare Swedish Gustavian Mirror with stunning patina. Sweden 1770-1810 An elegant Swedish Gustavian mirror dating from the late 18th century, circa 1770–1810. Crafted in pine and gess...
Gesso, Pine
Swedish Gustavian Mirror, circa 1820
Located in Huntington, NY
A Swedish Gustavian mirror scraped to its original surface with remnants of original paint and gilt. Detailed carvings adorn the upper molding with overlapping stars in each corner. ...
Wood, Paint
$792Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Gustavsvian Wall Mirror Gilded and Carved Wood
Located in Madrid, ES
A Gustavian period mirror, in carved and gilded wood, with acanthus leaf decoration on the sides and a trophy on the top.
Glass, Wood
Large 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Mirror
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
18th Century Swedish Gustavian mirror of large proportions. In original paint and a mercury glass plate. Circa 1740.
Mercury Glass, Wood
18th Century Gustavian Mirror, Sweden 1780
Located in Belmont, MA
Exquisite 18th century Gustavian mirror, Stockholm circa 1780. Mahogany, carved and partly gilded. The Swedish Gustavian Style was named after King Gustav III of Sweden (reign 1771-92). Gustav III visited the French Court during the reign of Louis XVI several times and loved the French neoclassical...
Mahogany
Antique Hollywood Regency Wall/Console Mirror, Parcel Gilt and Paint Decorated
Located in Stamford, CT
Antique Gustavian wall/console mirror. This stunning, fnely carved mirror is wonderfully Parcel Gilt and Paint Decorated in a mint green color. The frame having shell and leaf motif ...
Mirror, Giltwood
Very Fine Gustavian Period Giltwood Pier Mirror, Swedish Circa 1800
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
The very fine water-gilded frame showing an architectural cornice above a rectangular frieze decorated with burnished relief moulded neoclassical motifs, surmounting a very old recta...
Giltwood, Mirror
Swedish Gustavian Late 18th Century Giltwood Mirror Signed by Johan Åkerblad
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A fine Swedish Gustavian carved two-tone giltwood mirror signed by the master mirror maker Johan Åkerblad (1728-1799) and with the stamp of the Stockholm gilt (hallsta¨mpel). Åkerbla...
Giltwood
Gustavian Wall Sconces, Antique Mirrors, Pine & Brass, Sweden, 1790
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of beautiful late Gustavian mirror sconces made in Stockholm around 1790. The sconces feature polychrome gouache paintings in the crowns and glass in front. The brass light ar...
Brass, Other
Gustavian Wall Mirror, Polychromed Mercury Glass, Sweden, 18th Century
Located in Ljungby, SE
A high-quality Gustavian piece from Stockholm, dating from the late 18th century. The mirror features polychrome paintings on the crest and base. The glass is mercury-backed. The top...
Mercury Glass