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Gustavian Desks

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 Gustavian Style Fall Front Desk
Located in Huntington, NY
A Swedish Gustavian Style fall front desk. Front opens to reveal a large work surface, eight pull out drawers and storage behind two petite locking doors. The desk features canted an...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks

Materials

Brass

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Fall Front Desk
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Fall Front Desk

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Fall Front Desk

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Desk Circa 1790
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 18th-century Swedish Gustavian writing desk, circa 1790, embodies the clean lines and restrained elegance characteristic of the Gustavian style, which was inspired by the neocla...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks

Materials

Brass

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Desk Circa 1790
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Desk Circa 1790

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Desk Circa 1790

19th Century Swedish Desk Circa 1860
Located in Atlanta, GA
This classic Swedish desk, crafted from pine wood and dating to the mid-19th century, embodies timeless elegance and functionality. The desk features a beautiful painted finish in a ...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish Desk Circa 1860
19th Century Swedish Desk Circa 1860

19th Century Swedish Desk Circa 1860

Antique Swedish Secretary Cabinet 19th Century
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century Swedish Secretary Desk with open book shelves above the fall front desk and bottom cabinet doors. The desk section has multiple sma...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks

Materials

Wood

Antique Swedish Secretary Cabinet 19th Century
Antique Swedish Secretary Cabinet 19th Century

Antique Swedish Secretary Cabinet 19th Century

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Slant Front Desk
Located in Huntington, NY
An unusual trapezoid-shaped Swedish Gustavian slant front desk. Front opens to reveal an ample work surface with six cascading drawers sitti...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks

Materials

Brass, Iron

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Slant Front Desk
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Slant Front Desk

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Slant Front Desk

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Fall Front Desk
Located in Huntington, NY
A two part Swedish Gustavian fall front desk. Upper section top opens to an ample work surface, eleven drawers with brass pulls and four storage cubbies. The lower section has three ...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks

Materials

Brass, Iron

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Fall Front Desk
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Fall Front Desk

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Fall Front Desk

Swedish Desk in Gustavian Style
Located in Kvidinge, SE
Nice desk in antique Gustavian style Fits perfectly in any home, modern or old style The table has straight tapered legs, 3 drawers and brass handles in typical gustavian style . Ma...
Category

Early 1900s Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks

Materials

Brass

Swedish Desk in Gustavian Style
Swedish Desk in Gustavian Style

Swedish Desk in Gustavian Style

18th Century Swedish Neoclassical Painted Secretary Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
18th century Swedish neoclassical painted secretary desk will make the perfect addition to your home whether your decor is modern, traditional,...
Category

1790s Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks

Materials

Steel

18th Century Swedish Neoclassical Painted Secretary Desk
18th Century Swedish Neoclassical Painted Secretary Desk

18th Century Swedish Neoclassical Painted Secretary Desk

Elegant Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Style Painted Wood Slant-Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish mid-19th century painted wood Gustavian style slant-front desk or secretary with three lower drawers standing on short tapered feet. The exterior finish is a light grey blu...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks

Materials

Wood

Elegant Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Style Painted Wood Slant-Front Desk
Elegant Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Style Painted Wood Slant-Front Desk

Elegant Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Style Painted Wood Slant-Front Desk

Large Swedish Gray Gustavian Style Two Drawer Writing Desk
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large Painted Grey Green Gustavian Style Two Drawer Writing Table Desk, Sweden Classic and Scandinavian style writing desk. Hand-carved and hand-painted. Drawer knobs are patinated...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Gustavian Desks

Materials

Wood, Paint

Large Swedish Gray Gustavian Style Two Drawer Writing Desk
Large Swedish Gray Gustavian Style Two Drawer Writing Desk

Large Swedish Gray Gustavian Style Two Drawer Writing Desk

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Slant Front Desk
Located in Huntington, NY
A Gustavian slant front desk. The upper section has eight small drawers, four cubbies, two sliding columns and a small locking door. The low...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks

Materials

Brass, Iron

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Slant Front Desk
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Slant Front Desk

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Slant Front Desk

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Bureau
Located in New Orleans, LA
This lovely 19th century Gustavian slant front bureau features a painted lid with sleek paneling that encloses a fitted interior. The ornate handles perfectly contrast the patinated ...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Bureau
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Bureau

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Bureau

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Drop Front Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
19th Century Swedish Gustavian hand painted drop top desk. Writing top H 31”
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Drop Front Desk
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Drop Front Desk

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Drop Front Desk

Swedish Scriban
Located in Washington, DC
A white painted 19th century, Swedish scriban with several drawers and pockets with drop down front.
Category

Mid-19th Century European Antique Gustavian Desks

Materials

Wood

Swedish Scriban
Swedish Scriban

Swedish Scriban

Desk Gustavian Style
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique 3 drawer Gustavian Style desk. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Desks

Materials

Wood

Desk Gustavian Style
Desk Gustavian Style

Desk Gustavian Style

19th Century Swedish Style Shopkeeper's Slant Front Writing Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century Swedish Style Painted Shopkeeper's Slanted Front Writing Desk commonly used by merchants in the 1800s. Desk features a hinged front panel that opens to reveal compartmen...
Category

19th Century American Antique Gustavian Desks

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Style Shopkeeper's Slant Front Writing Desk
19th Century Swedish Style Shopkeeper's Slant Front Writing Desk

19th Century Swedish Style Shopkeeper's Slant Front Writing Desk

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Desk Secretary
Located in San Angelo, TX
This beautiful and unique 19th century Swedish Gustavian writing desk is perfect for any room or hallway. The colors are amazing with th...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks

Materials

Wood, Pine, Paint

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Desk Secretary
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Desk Secretary

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Desk Secretary

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19th Century Swedish Gustavian Painted Secretaire
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Painted Secretaire

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Painted Secretaire

H 84 in W 46 in D 18 in
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Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
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19th Century Swedish Secretaire
19th Century Swedish Secretaire

19th Century Swedish Secretaire

H 50.5 in W 47 in D 22 in
18th Century Swedish Secretary with Painted Finish
Located in Houston, TX
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18th Century Swedish Secretary with Painted Finish

18th Century Swedish Secretary with Painted Finish

H 93 in W 45.5 in D 21.5 in

Gustavian desks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Gustavian desks for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage desks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Gustavian desks 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 desks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,895 and tops out at $2,895 while the average work can sell for $2,895.

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