Gustavian Vitrines
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 Vitrine
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exceptional Swedish vitrine cupboard, dating back to around 1850, is a remarkable example of classic Scandinavian design. Crafted from solid pine, the piece retains its original...
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19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Vitrines
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swedish 19th Century Cabinet with Glass Fronted Doors
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19th century Swedish cabinet with glass fronted doors in late Gustavian style.
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Swedish 19th Century Painted Wood Vitrine Cabinet with Glass Door and Rosettes
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style painted wood vitrine from the 19th century, with carved rosettes. Created in Sweden during the 19th century, this vitrine cabinet features a beveled cornice...
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19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Vitrines
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Grey Painted Hanging Glass Cabinet In Gustavian Style From 1820s
Located in Lejre, DK
The grey painted hanging glass cabinet in Gustavian style, dating back to circa 1820, exudes the elegance and sophistication characteristic of th...
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Wood
Antique Display Cabinet, Gustavian Style, Sweden, C. 1840
Located in Kastrup, DK
Display cabinet in two parts.
Upper part with pair of slatted glass doors with inside Pompeii red color.
Below top list with tooth cut. Lower part drawer with diamond-shaped fillin...
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Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Vitrines
Materials
Glass, Pine
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Gustavian vitrines for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Gustavian vitrines 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 vitrines 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, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Gustavian vitrines 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 vitrines differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,108 and tops out at $24,000 while the average work can sell for $8,950.