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Gustavian Dressers

GUSTAVIAN STYLE

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.

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Style: Gustavian
Swedish Gustavian Original Painted 3 Drawers Dresser
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An early 19th century original painted small Scandinavian chest of drawers from the region of Värmland in Sweden. This small Gustavian 3 drawer dres...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Pine

Gustavian 19th Century Grey Painted 3 Drawer Dresser
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late Swedish 19th century painted chest of drawers. This 3 drawer dresser has a charming break front style with the original brass hardware.
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Bronze

Black Painted Gustavian Chest of 3 Drawers, Sweden Early 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish Gustavian 1840s Black Painted and Carved Three-Drawer Chest With Faux Marble Top.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Brass

Swedish Pair of Gustavian Three Drawer Dressers with Faux Marble Tops
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair Of Light Grey Gustavian Chest of Drawers With 3 Drawer Dressers, Brass Hardware and with Faux Marble Tops.
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Brass

Gustavian Style Swedish Dresser
Located in Westwood, NJ
Gustavian Style Swedish Dresser, large four-drawer commode with an antique painted finish, with carved dental moldings, blind fret carings, with...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Grey Painted 3 Drawer Dresser with Faux Marble Top, Sweden, 1850-1880
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late 19th century grey painted chest of drawers, Swedish. This 3 drawer dresser has a charming break front style, an amazing faux marble top and the original brass hardware.
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Brass

Gustavian Style 10 Drawer Dresser
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Gustavian Style 10 Drawer Dresser, its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints Midnight Black.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Wood

Provincial Gustavian Style Swedish Paint Decorated / Distressed Commode, Chest
Located in Stamford, CT
Provincial Gustavian Style Swedish paint decorated / Distressed Commode, Chest Beautifully aged paint distressed Swedish dresser. The case having t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Style 6 Drawer Dresser
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique Gustavian style 6 drawer dresser. Its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White".
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Gustavian style 3 drawer chest, its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White".
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Wood

Period Gustavian Chest of 3 Drawers with Original Blue Paint
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late 18th Century Swedish 3 drawers chest with original brass hardware and its Gustavian style blue color that has been restored at a later date. The simplicity of the Scandinavian F...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Brass

Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Gustavian style 3 drawer chest, its been restored and repainted with Milk paints "Oyster White".
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Wood

Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Style Two-Drawer Dresser with Brass Hardware
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish 19th century Gustavian style two-drawer dresser with brass hardware. EUR 175 delivery to most areas of London UK, The Net...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Brass

Gustavian Style 4 Drawer Chest
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Gustavian style 4 drawer chest, its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White".
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Style Unique 2 Drawer Chest
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a very unique 4 visual 2 drawer Gustavian Chest, its been restored and repainted with Milk paints "Oyster White".
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Wood

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Grey/ White Painted Commode/ Chest of Drawers
Located in Miami, FL
A lovely Swedish painted chest of drawers in oak with dental molding along ridge of top and half-corner columns extending from original turned feet to underside of molding. Has origi...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Oak

Swedish Gustavian Style Chest
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Swedish Gustavian style chest, its been restored and repainted with milk paints "Oyster White."
Category

1860s Swedish Antique Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Chest of Drawers, Sweden, 1780-1800
Located in Belmont, MA
Gustavian chest of drawers, Sweden, 1780-1800. This elegant chest of drawers is made of yew tree and has a mahogany veneer. Furthermore, it has its original bronze fittings and escu...
Category

1780s Swedish Antique Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Mahogany, Yew

Gustavian Commode, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in Belmont, MA
Gustavian commode, Sweden 19th century, Beautiful walnut, beechwood, elmwood and mahogany marquetry with hand drawn pictures on front and sides. Original brass fittings. Grey- greeni...
Category

1840s Swedish Antique Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Walnut

Chest of Drawers Signed by Gustaf Furlow Swedish Gustavian, 1780-1800, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Chest of drawers signed by Gustaf Furlow Swedish Gustavian, 1780-1800, Sweden. An exquisite chest made by cabinet maker Gustaf Furlow in Sweden during the Gustavian period. All origi...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Wood

Period Antique Swedish Gustavian White Painted Four-Drawer Chest
Located in Atlanta, GA
Rare period Gustavian chest of drawers in remarkable condition. Very well-crafted, layers of paint from the last two centuries add immense character. We are happy to restore any of t...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Wood

19th Century Gustavian Commode
Located in Belmont, MA
Exquisite Gustavian commode, bleached mahogany veneer with brass decorations. Beautifully refinished and French polished.
Category

1820s Swedish Antique Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Mahogany

Gustavian Style 9 Drawer Dresser
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Gustavian Style 9 Drawer Dresser. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White".
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Wood

19th Century Hand-Painted Blue Gustavian Chest of Drawers
Located in High Point, NC
The delicate blue hue adorning this 19th Century Gustavian chest of drawers exudes a sense of tranquility and sophistication, while the hand-painted details showcase the artistry of ...
Category

19th Century Antique Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Wood

Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Wood Chest
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian-style painted wood chest from the Mid-20th Century. This mid-century chest from Sweden, designed in typical Gustavian style, features a simple, clean design with slightly overhanging top over case which houses three graduated drawers, a straight molded skirt, and presented on four spaded legs...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Wood

Period 18th Century Decoratively Carved Swedish Commode
Located in Port Chester, NY
Excellent example of the Swedish commode, the best carved elements enhance this piece. Beautiful fretwork and dental molding, carved rosettes at the top, lovely carved columns. Sha...
Category

1790s Swedish Antique Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Bronze

Related Items
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Three-Drawer Chests, a Pair
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Swedish Gustavian style chests from the 19th century with off white / beige painted finish, three drawers, carved rosettes and tapered feet. Immerse yourself in the effortl...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Wood

Mid-19th Century Child’s Grain Painted Miniature Chest of Drawers
Located in Nantucket, MA
Mid-19th century Benchmade child’s grain painted Miniature chest of drawers. A country piece in the American Empire style, with a step-back drawer and backsplash, above the case with...
Category

Mid-19th Century North American Antique Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Wood

1960s Florence Knoll 3-Drawer Walnut Dresser with White Marble Top 2x Available
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Florence Knoll Walnut 3-drawer dresser, designed by Florence Knoll in 1960 for Knoll International. The listed price includes one dresser and we have two available for purc...
Category

1960s American Vintage Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Marble, Steel

Edmond Spence 6-Drawer Dresser
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern 6-drawer dresser designed by Edmond Spence. Great Sculptural dresser designed by Edmund Spence and made in Sweden. 6 drawers provide ample storage. A handsome Mid...
Category

Mid-20th Century Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Wood

Edmond Spence 6-Drawer Dresser
Edmond Spence 6-Drawer Dresser
H 32.5 in W 66 in D 20.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Hand Painted Faux Marble Walnut Dresser
Located in Harlingen, TX
A vintage mid-century modern six drawer dresser by Ward Furniture. Featuring a hand painted faux marble wood top in white with cream, gold, gray and blue undertones and veins in shad...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Walnut, Paint

19thc Original Painted Apothecary Cabinet with 17 Drawers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 19thc apothecary cabinet in original painted surface and original brass pulls and cut nailed construction.This cabinet has seventeen drawers and square nailed construction.
Category

19th Century American Antique Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Wood

19th Century Danish Chest of Drawers
Located in Forney, TX
A monumental Danish chest of drawers commode from the 19th century. The magnificent, handcrafted Scandinavian antique having molded cornice, over case fitted with five drawers, all w...
Category

19th Century Antique Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century Danish Chest of Drawers
19th Century Danish Chest of Drawers
H 56 in W 51.25 in D 23 in
19th Century Swedish Late Gustavian Chest of Drawers
Located in Huntington, NY
A low provincial Late Gustavian chest of drawers with later iron hardware and original locks. Repainted in light grey. Dental frieze top over two small and two large drawers.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Iron

Hand-painted tall Chest of Drawers, Gustavian, Sweden, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Artfully hand-painted Gustavian high chest featuring five drawers, side columns, and tapered legs. The top drawer is distinguished by a grooved front, adding a touch of elegance. Thi...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Wood

Exceptional 19th C. Painted Pine Apothecary Chest
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A particularly fine Antique Apothecary Chest in all original condition. With a multitude of small drawers each labeled with the contents in La...
Category

19th Century Antique Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Metal

Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Style Two-Drawer Dresser with Brass Hardware
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish 19th century Gustavian style two-drawer dresser with brass hardware. EUR 175 delivery to most areas of London UK, The Net...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century Gustavian Delft Tile-Top Table
Located in Copenhagen, K
Gustavian table with one-drawer. Tabletop with inlaid with polychrome colored delft tiles.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Delft, Wood

Previously Available Items
Gustavian Style 9 Drawer Dresser
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Gustavian Style 9 Drawer Dresser. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White".
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Style 9 Drawer Dresser
Gustavian Style 9 Drawer Dresser
H 39 in W 62 in D 19 in
19th Century Gustavian Black Painted Nightstand or Console
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An 19th Century black painted French console or nightstand with one drawer and two doors. Working lock and key and original wooden knots as drawer handle on this unusual little cupbo...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Oak

Gustavian Style Painted 3 Drawer Dresser From Sweden
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An early 20th century grey painted Scandinavian chest of drawers from Sweden. This 3 drawer dresser has a nicely carved leaf pattern around the front and on the apron, plus a working...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Brass

Gustavian Style 7 Drawer Dresser
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a really nice Gustavian Style 7 drawer dresser. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Midnight Black".
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Berlin Iron

Gustavian Style 7 Drawer Dresser
Gustavian Style 7 Drawer Dresser
H 33 in W 60 in D 20 in
Antique Large Blue Painted Chest of 3 Drawers, Greek Key Motif, Sweden, 1840-60
Located in Round Top, TX
A large decorative Gustavian style pine chest of drawers painted in blue shades. Contrasting faux marble painted top and dentil moldings. Three drawers decorated with painted "à La...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Wood, Pine, Paint

Pair of Swedish Light Blue Gustavian Chest of Drawers, Late 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A pair of light blue painted 3 drawer chests in Gustavian style with original brass hardware. The canted corners with bronze medallion hardware are typical of the Gustavian period.
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Pine

Early 19th Century Gustavian Commode
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Early 19th Gustavian commode. With three storage drawers and later handles. Repainted and would suit all interior settings.
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Wood

Early 19th Century Gustavian Commode
Early 19th Century Gustavian Commode
H 31.5 in W 39.77 in D 21.26 in
Pair Mid-20th C. Carved & Painted Two-Drawer Chests with Gustavian Influences
Located in Atlanta, GA
A mid-20th century pair of carved and painted wood chests from US furniture maker Hekman. These vintage chests have been designed with Gustavian influences; each featuring rectangula...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Wood

Baker Furniture Swedish Gustavian Cream Painted Armoire Dresser
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Swedish Gustavian or Louis XVI style armoire dresser or gentleman's chest By Baker Furniture USA, 1960s Carved cream painted walnut, with olive green trim and accents. Cabinet locks...
Category

1960s American Vintage Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Walnut, Paint

Swedish Gustavian Chest of Drawers, 19th Century
Located in Belmont, MA
No antique Scandinavian furniture collection would be complete without this 19th-century Gustavian Commode. This piece was acquired f...
Category

1870s Swedish Antique Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Birch, Elm, Mahogany, Walnut

Swedish Gustavian Chest of Drawers, 19th Century
Swedish Gustavian Chest of Drawers, 19th Century
H 31.89 in W 36.62 in D 17.72 in
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Chest of Drawers
Located in Charleston, SC
19th Century Swedish Gustavian style chest of drawers with three drawers, canted and reeded corners, handsome bronze hardwares...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Bronze

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Chest of Drawers
Located in Charleston, SC
A pair of early 19th century Swedish period Gustavian chest of drawers with brass fittings, shaped marbleized wooden tops, canted and fluted corners posts in light blue finish and da...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Bronze

Gustavian dressers for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Gustavian dressers for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage dressers created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Gustavian dressers made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Sweden pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for dressers differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,585 and tops out at $32,000 while the average work can sell for $3,964.

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