Gustavian Game Tables
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
19th Century Swedish antique rustic genuine Game Table for Playing games
Located in Boden, SE
A lovely Swedish Gustavian Game table from the early 1800s.
The table is from Örnsköldsvik , Northern Sweden.
The table is scraped by hand to its charming original English red`color....
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Game Tables
Materials
Pine
Late Gustavian Mahogany Game Table with Felt Backgammon Andremovable Top
Located in New York, NY
Lovely Late Gustavian mahogany game table, circa 1800. Has patina and imperfections that add to its charm but can be refinished if requested. The top of the table can expand or be re...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Game Tables
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century Swedish Game Table Circa 1790
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant 18th-century Swedish game table, circa 1790, is a remarkable example of Gustavian design, blending neoclassical sophistication with functional craftsmanship. Constructed...
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Game Tables
Materials
Pine, Paint
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Chess Game Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Gustavian game table from Sweden made during the late 18th century, around 1790. The table is painted pine with the original light coloured paint. The paint has notable distress which causes the pine underneath to shine trough causing the unmistakable antique patina. The underside of the table top is painted like a chess board. They would flip the table top when playing and the pieces would comfortably fit in the space underneath.
The table also has extendable light...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Game Tables
Materials
Pine
Table Game Table Gustavian Swedish Demi Lune Mahogany Brown, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Table game table Gustavian Swedish demilune mahogany brown, Sweden. A game table made during the Gustavian period in Sweden. Veneered in a dark brown mahogany and decorated with a pe...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Game Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Gustavian ‘Spelbord’ Game Table
Located in Savannah, GA
A fine Gustavian period ‘spelbord’ game table, 18th century.
Four small drawers on each side with one larger drawer; original brasses.
26 ¼ inches wide ...
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Game Tables
Materials
Wood
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Gustavian game tables for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Gustavian game tables for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage game tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Gustavian game tables 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 game tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,295 and tops out at $7,200 while the average work can sell for $3,613.