Gustavian Secretaires
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
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Two Part Painted Secretary
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand late 18th century Swedish gustavian period two-part secretaire cabinet or bookcase crafted from pine and beech. The substantial case has a gracefully curved or arched pediment ...
Category
18th Century European Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Iron
18th Century Danish White Painted Oak Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary or "bureau" reflects the grace and class of Scandinavian styling from the late 1700's.
The serpentine drawers and carved outer panel of the drop down desk add a ro...
Category
Mid-18th Century Danish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Secretary / Writing Desk - Painted
Located in Kvidinge, SE
Swedish Gustavian Secretary / Writing Desk from early 19th century
A rectangular top sitting above a slant front desk opening to reveal a light blue painted interior and multiple sma...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Two-part Secretary
Located in Atlanta, GA
This early 19th-century Swedish two-part secretary is a truly unique piece, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship and artistry. The upper section features a beautifully carved cornice...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Pine
18th Century Grey Swedish Gustavian Two Part Pine Secretary - Scandinavian Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-grey, white antique Sweden Gustavian two part bureau with a writing flap made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian writing table, desk is com...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Brass
Swedish Gustavian 19th Century Painted Secretary
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A generously sized 19th century secretary desk from Sweden, made in the Gustavian style, with a striking painted finish of ruddy, patinated oxblood enveloping the pine construction. ...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Pine
18th-19th Century Grey Swedish Gustavian Two Part Pinewood Bureau, Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 18th-19th century, light-grey, white antique Swedish Gustavian two part bureau made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian secretaire is composed wit...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Bronze
19th Century Swedish Two-part Secretaire Circa 1810
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning 19th-century Swedish two-part secretaire, crafted circa 1810, exemplifies the timeless elegance of Gustavian design. Featuring a beautifully aged painted finish in soft...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Pine
18th Century Black Swedish Gustavian Oak Bureau - Antique Drop Front Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Swedish Gustavian bureau made of hand crafted painted Oakwood, in good condition. The Scandinavian writing table, desk features man...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Brass
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Two Part Pine Bureau, Scandinavian Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 18th - 19th Century, dark-grey antique Swedish Gustavian two part bureau with a writing flap made of hand crafted painted pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian secretaire i...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Bronze
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Pinewood Secretary - Antique Scandinavian Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, antique Swedish Gustavian one part bureau, secretary made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian writing table, desk is composed with a...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Metal
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Secretary / Writing Desk - Painted
Located in Kvidinge, SE
Swedish Gustavian Secretary / Writing Desk from early 19th century
A rectangular top sitting above a slant front desk opening to reveal a gray painted interior and multiple smal draw...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
18th Century Swedish Beechwood Herrbyrå, Chiffonje - Mens Writing Agency, Chest
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A late 18th Century, antique Swedish Gustavian Herrbyrå, Chiffonje mens writing agency, secretary table with a writing, folding flap made of hand crafted polished Beechwood, in good ...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Metal
19th Century Swedish Two-part Secretaire
Located in Atlanta, GA
This Gustavian writing desk from the early 19th century is a stunning two-piece piece that combines practicality with classic Swedish elegance. Crafted from pine, it features a soft,...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Pine
1780s Gustavian Period Swedish Grey Painted Drop-Front Secretary with Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian period grey painted drop-front secretary from circa 1780 with multiple inner drawers and four drawers on the façade. Discover the sublime craftsmanship of this Sw...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Three Part Pine Bureau, Scandinavian Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 18th century, dark-grey antique Swedish Gustavian three part bureau, secretaire made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The arched upper section of the Scandinavi...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Secretary Cabinet with Historic Paint
Located in South Salem, NY
Splendid early antique Gustavian style secretary cabinet, made in Sweden, circa late 19th century. This rustic cabinet retains its historic p...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
18th Century Black Swedish Gustavian One Part Pine Bureau - Antique Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, antique Swedish Gustavian one part bureau, secretaire made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian writing table, desk is composed with a writi...
Category
Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Gustavian, Swedish Secretaire Desk, White Paint, Pinewood, Sweden, 1900s
Located in Manhasset, NY
Gustavian, Swedish Painted Secretaire Desk, White Paint, Pinewood, Sweden, 1900s
Gustavian secretaire desk or storage cabinet designed and produced in Sweden in the early part of the 20th century. This example features a white paint distressed finish. The top portion of the cabinet flips down to reveal a light green paint distressed writing desk...
Category
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Paint
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 Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Gustavian Cinnabar Red Secretary, Swedish Antique C. 1800
Located in Kastrup, DK
Gustavian secretary painted in an elegant cinnabar red and a black-painted top with a profiled edge.
The interior is revealed when the writing surface is lowered and features a black...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Period 1790s Painted Slant Front Secretary with Three Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian period painted wood secretary from the late 18th century, with slant front desk, multiple drawers, dark painted interior, three drawers in the façade and rustic c...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Tall Swedish Oak Secretary Bureau, circa 1780-1800
Located in Round Top, TX
This striking oak secretary is an elegant statement piece crowned with an elaborate carved pediment and decorative skirt.
The secretary has been given a professional custom teal gree...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Oak, Paint
19th Century Gustavian Style Walnut Secretaire Avatant
Located in Madrid, ES
A Swedish writing desk, made of walnut wood, also decorated with gilded lateral grooves in the late Gustavian style. The writing desk is divided into two parts, each of which has bro...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Swedish Clock Secretary Circa 1820
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exceptional 19th-century Swedish clock secretary, circa 1820, combines functionality with timeless Gustavian elegance. Crafted from pine, this impressive piece features a beauti...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Pine, Paint
18th Century Grey Swedish Gustavian Pine Two Part Bureau - Antique Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 18th Century, light-grey, white antique Swedish Gustavian two part bureau made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian secretaire is composed with two...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Metal
19th century Swedish Gustavian Period Two Part Secretaire Cabinet
Located in Charleston, SC
Early 19th century Swedish Period Gustavian two part secretaire cabinet with writing surface.
The secrétaire cabinet is with two upper reeded door, two selves, two smaller drawer an...
Category
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
18th Century Swedish Gustavian One Part Pinewood Bureau - Antique Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A late 18th Century, antique Swedish Gustavian one part bureau made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian secretaire table, desk is composed with a wr...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Metal
Tall Oak Secretary Bureau from Sweden, circa 1800-20
Located in Round Top, TX
This 7' tall oak secretary is an elegant statement piece crowned with an elaborate carved pediment over paneled cabinet doors.
The secretary has been given a professional custom laye...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
19th Century Swedish antique rustic Gustavian Secretary with Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
A Swedish antique rustic Gustavian slant front secretary from early 19th century that is perfect for any home.
This originalpainted features a slanted top that pulls down to make a ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Painted Secretary Cabinet Bookcase
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Gustavian Painted Secretary Cabinet Bookcase, Sweden
Antique Swedish secretary cabinet in Gustavian Style. The cabinet is a well crafted pie...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
19th Century Swedish Small Gustavian Fall Front Desk with Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish Gustavian fall front desk from Burtrask Vasterbotten, Northern Sweden.
Scraped by hand to its original color.
Small cute model in child size.
Fits so nicely i...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Swedish 1820s Late Gustavian Period Painted Slant-Front Desk with Five Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Late Gustavian period secretary from circa 1820, with tan/cream painted finish, slant-front desk, five drawers, carved reeded motifs and bracket feet. Embrace the timeless ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Swedish Gustavian 1790s Painted Slant-Front Desk with Carved Diamond Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian period slant front desk from the late 18th century, with carved diamond motifs, multiple drawers, original lock and key. Created in Sweden during the last decade ...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Swedish Secretary Bureau
Located in South Salem, NY
A late 19th century Swedish secretary bureau with a drop front writing surface. Two over three drawers sits atop ogee bracket feet. Later paint.
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
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 Secretaires
Materials
Steel
Swedish Secretaire Cupboard
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Swedish 19th Century painted secretaire cupboard in the Gustavian style.
This cupboard dates from the late 19th Century and consists of two cupboard doors below the secretaire fal...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
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 Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Continental Gustavian Painted Secretary
Located in Queens, NY
Continental Gustavian-style (Possibly Swedish/ Danish 18th Century) off-white painted secretary with carved column sides and carved simple swag and t...
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Oak Secretary Bureau With Painted Finish from Sweden circa 1760-1800
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary or "bureau" reflects the grace and class of Swedish styling from the early 1800's.
The dramatic serpentine drawers and carved outer panel of the drop down desk add a romantic touch, accented by brass pulls and key escutcheon.
The traditional interior with 12 unique, small drawers and central “cubbie” with two petite drawers offers perfect space to organize.
Under the desk top is three standard large size drawers and upper narrow drawer, each has two brass pulls used to open drawer.
It was later professionally painted with an exceptional layered salmon/desert pink...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Writing Bureau or Secretaire
Located in Kramfors, SE
Painted writing bureau or secretaire from Sweden made during the early 1800s, 1810 to 1820. The bureau is a folk art furniture from the area Hälsingland in Sweden and is made in gustavian style. The bureau is a prime example of the Swedish gustavian period with clean, elegant lines and a timeless expression. A fun detail is the secret compartment hidden in the middle of the interior, see picture. This bureau is a solid antique furniture...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Antique Gustavian Secretary Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
Antique Gustavian drop-front secretary cabinet, hand-crafted in the early 19th Century in Sweden. It has a warm, light gray painted exterior with hi...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
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 Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Pine, Paint
Secretary in Mahogany With Inlaid wood and Brass Handles from the 1790s
Located in Lejre, DK
Light mahogany secretary decorated with inlaid wood decorations and brass handles from around the 1790s.
Measurements in cm: H:130 W:107 D:48
Category
1790s Danish Antique Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Gustavian secretaires for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Gustavian secretaires 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 secretaires created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Gustavian secretaires 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 secretaires differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,164 and tops out at $29,500 while the average work can sell for $6,950.