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Gustavian Decorative Objects

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
Mora Clock 1800s Swedish Green Gold Antique Swedish Painted Gustavian A
Located in Lewes, England
Swedish antique mora clock dating from early/mid-1800s featuring green paint with gold detail painted on the body and it has a clean face. It is structurally sound and will be check...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Swedish Mora clock with hand painted decorative floral details and clockmakers initials BEOS. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 weights and a bell chime on the hour....
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Original Painted Swedish Mora Clock , Dated 1823
Located in Round Top, TX
Original 19th-century Swedish Mora clock dated 1823, crafted from pine with its original blue and faded red painted finish. Exceptional carved details include fluted base, ribbon, tu...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Mora Clock 1800 s
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Swedish Mora clock with hand painted decorative floral details and carving detail. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 weights and a bell chime on the hour. Width: 64...
Category

Early 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Mid 19th century Swedish pine long case mora clock
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century Swedish pine long case mora clock circa 1850. Large Swedish long case mora clock, presented in scraped back paint. Scraped back down to reveal a partial colour of ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

19th Century Swedish Birchwood Veneer Jewelry Box, Hand-Crafted
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish 19th Century wood veneer jewelry box found in Copenhagen. The box features a brass plate in the shape of a heart for for keyhole and knob t...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Birch

Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Swedish Mora clock from the 1960's in original wood. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 weights and a bell chime on the hour. Width: 56cm / 22.0" Depth: 16.5cm / 6.5...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Swedish Mora clock from the 1960's in original colour. Cream with gold carved detailing. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 weights and a bell chime on the hour. Wid...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Antique Swedish Mora clock from the 1800's. Original paint; grey with gold detailing. Not function tested. Measures: Width:58cm / 22.8" Depth: 20cm / 7.8" Height: 215cm / 84.6".
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Birch

Antique Mora Clock Swedish 1800s Folk Art Brown Faux wood grain
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish mora clock from the early 1800s in Folk Art faux wood finish and simple detailing with a countryshape body and a roman numeral face in good condition. Measures: 205 c...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Mora Clock Swedish 1800s Antique Folk Art 200cm Faux Wood Grain 1800s
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish mora clock from C. 1844 in rare faux wood grain Kurbitz folk art finish finish and a superb rare detailed metal face roman numeral face in generally good condition fo...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Swedish Gustavian Mora Clock in Original Green Orange Colors, Early 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish antique mora clock dating from early/ 1800s featuring green paint with orange details that is painted on the body. The clockwork is sold 'as is' and should be considered as...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Rococo Style Mora Clock 1700 s
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Rococo longcase Mora Clock dated 1777 by Anders Swensson with original decorative paint detailing. Carved detailing to crown. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 weigh...
Category

Early 18th Century European Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Swedish Painted Longcase Clock
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century painted pine tall clock by Mogens Peter Westh. Painted brass face. Clock face contains the designer's name and is dated 1879. Intricate details were created by a true cr...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Original Painted Swedish Mora Grandfather Clock , Dated 1850
Located in Round Top, TX
Swedish Mora grandfather clock dated 1850, crafted in pine with original brick-red or burgundy paint now softly scraped to reveal the natural wood beneath. A hand-painted monogram an...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Tall Case Closk
Located in Mckinney, TX
An exquisite Swedish tall case clock boasting a rounded crown and clean lines, complemented by a dry-scraped finish. The clock retains its original blue-green and alabaster paint wit...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Iron

Antique 1904 Swedish Large Chocolate Tin
Located in Centennial, CO
A charming antique 1904 Swedish large dome top trunk shaped chocolate tin would add a beautiful Scandinavian accent to most anywhere in your house. The exterior is a stunning turquoi...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Tin

Swedish Antique Mora Clock White Paint 1800s 203cm Crowned
Located in Lewes, England
Shipping special update - We have negotiated a special flat rate shipping cost to the USA with our main US shipping partner for our 1st dibs clients of only £995 export crated by ai...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Antique Swedish Gustavian Longcase Clock
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique gustavian long case clock in painted pine from Sweden. The clock has a hand carved decor in wood with older paint from the late 1800s. The paint has become slightly distresse...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Gustavian Tallcase Clock
Located in Greenwich, CT
An elegant tall-case Gustavian clock having an imposing bonnet with an three-finial arched cornice on a sinuous bombe body with shaped door and narrow waist over a curved plinth, all...
Category

Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Swedish Mora clock dated 1870 with hand painted Swedish floral details. Inscription inside the clock and initial of clock maker: APL and vilage of Mora. Working Longcase clock mechan...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Swedish Mora clock have carving and elegant lyre-form case
Located in Charlottesville, VA
An early 19th century Swedish Mora clock with elegant lyre-form case, richly carved crest and floral medallions, and a deeply scalloped skirt base. Retaining its original salmon-hued...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Swedish Antique Mora Clock Black Folk Art Feathers 1800s 203cm AAS A
Located in Lewes, England
203cm rare early 1800s antique Swedish mora clock with carved detail in a black and gold finish with fine folk art feather motifs and detailed face with the makers name AAS Mora ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Antique Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Antique Swedish Mora clock 1800's in cream with gold detailing and hand painted floral details. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 weights and a bell chime on the hou...
Category

Early 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Antique Bridal Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Rare bridal mora clock (Angermanlandsbrud) from the 1800s. The body of the clock with carving details was made to resemble a brides dress. Original mechani...
Category

Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Birch

Gustavian Swedish Long Case Clock from the Late 1700s, Unusual Straight Shape
Located in Kramfors, SE
Gustavian long case clock from Sweden made during the late 1700s. Unusual straight column-shaped case with the classic gustavian ribbed decor. The clock was made in Stockholm during ...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Swedish Antique Mora Clock White Early 1800s Carved Detail 218cm handpainted
Located in Lewes, England
Very decorative early 1800s antique Swedish mora clock with elaborate handpainted detail on the hood and body in a white paint finish with floral wreaths and flowers Measures: 218c...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Exquisite Swedish 19th Century Clock with Carved Crest and Volutes on the Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
An exquisite Swedish 19th century floor clock with carved crest topped with a ball. This clock retains it's original metal face, hands and movement. This Swedish clock has very sub...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Wood

A Swedish 19th C. Long-Case or Floor Clock w/ Beautifully Exaggerated Crown
Located in Atlanta, GA
A 19th century Northern Swedish painted wood clock. This Swedish clock from Norrbotten County, Sweden (Northern region) features a nicely carved, exaggerated and raised crest adorned...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Wood

Antique Mora Clock Swedish 1800s Antique Burgundy and Gold
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish mora clock from the 1800s in lovely rich burgundy finish with a wide belly body and a good face with unusual small second hand dial. Measures: 207 cm. It has the Cla...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Swedish Mora clock from the 1960's in original colour with painted floral decoration. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 weights and a bell chime on the hour. Width:...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Mid 19th century Swedish painted long case clock
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century Swedish decorative column long case clock circa 1837. Beautiful long case clock from Sweden. Made with a decorative fluted column which forms a demi lune shape. Clo...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

C19th Century Swedish long case clock with gilded decoration and original paint
Located in London, GB
Wonderful early C19th Swedish long case clock from kougsta in the Jamtland region in an area of natural beauty of central Sweden. The painted face is numbered simply and framed with ...
Category

Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Giltwood

Swedish White Painted Cutlery Tray
Located in Greenwich, CT
A 19th century Swedish wooden cutlery tray with a curved slotted central handle and divider between two compartments, one with a notch for long utensils. Retains old painted finish.
Category

1840s Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Spruce

Swedish Mora Clock
Located in New York, NY
A beautifully aged Swedish longcase clock in the classic Mora style, featuring a gracefully curved silhouette and worn blue painted finish. The Roman-numeral face and hand-carved det...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Birch

19th Century Gray Painted Swedish Mora Grandfather Clock with Decorative Carving
Located in Round Top, TX
Swedish mora grandfather clocks are noted by their graceful curves and classic style as seen in this exceptional long case clock. Elaborate carving accents the body and face with sop...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood, Paint

Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Swedish Mora clock with hand painted decorative floral details and carving detail. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 weights and a bell chime on the hour. Width:54cm...
Category

Early 1800s European Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Handblown Green Glass Storage Jar or Vase, Gustavian Period
Located in Knivsta, SE
Handblown Green Glass Storage Jar or Vase, Gustavian Period A wonderfully characterful green glass vessel, likely dating from the late 18th to earl...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Gustavian Style Light Fixture
Located in New York, NY
Patinated brass and brass details copied from the pre-electricity Gustavian period, featuring six faux candles hanging on three decorative brass chains,...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Swedish Mora clock from the second half of the 20th Century. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 weights and a bell chime on the hour. Width: 60cm / 23.6" Depth: 15cm...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Swedish Mora clock from the 1960's in original colour and carved detailing. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 weights and a bell chime on the hour. Width:60cm / 23....
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Antique Mora Clock Swedish Early 1800s Blue Gold Star Motif
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish mora clock from early 1800s in lovely later deep blue finish with distressed gold detailing and simple country style hood decoration and a wide belly body and a good...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

24 Vintage European Christmas Ornaments Churches
Located in Boca Raton, FL
24 pcs of Vintage European Christmas Ornaments Church figurines in 3 colors. Blown Mercury glass Handpainted and with glitter. In a gift box.
Category

1970s German Vintage Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Elegant Pair of Swedish Gustavian Fire-Gilt Bronze Wall Appliques, 1780s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Fire-Gilt Bronze Wall Appliques, 1780s An exceptionally elegant and rare pair of Swedish Gustavian wall appliques, executed in finely chased fire-gilt bron...
Category

1780s Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Swedish Gustavian candelabras made ca year 1800. Rare model.
Located in Stockholm, SE
A rare pair of Gustavian crystal candelabra. The urns are made of carrara marble with mountings of gilt bronze. The chiseling of the bronzes is of unusually high quality and it is ra...
Category

1790s Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Marble

Original Blue Painted Tall Swedish Mora Grandfather Clock, circa 1820-40
Located in Round Top, TX
Exceptional hand painted mora grandfather clock with original light blue painted finish accented in soft red and white trim. The warm aged patina on this 8' tall clock is what collec...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paint

Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Swedish Mora clock from the 1800's with dial signed by E. Bergquist and inside the clock the date 1856 and village Aata. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 weights an...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

White Mora Clock Swedish Early 1800s Antique Gold Carved Crown
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish Mora clock early 1800s in lovely white paint finish with a delicate shape body with lots of gold detailing and intricately carved and detailed hood in generally good ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Wood Mantle Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
Very ornate white washed wood mantle clock with gold details. The face is behind a functional glass door with latch. The top is crowned by an urn with a cascading laurel garland that...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Pair of Gustavian Pewter Candlesticks from the late 18th or early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful Pair of Gustavian Pewter Candlesticks from the late 18th or early 19th Century. Period Gustavian design. Wear consistent with age and use
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Pewter

Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Swedish Mora clock from the 1960's in original colour with painted floral decoration. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 weights and a bell chime on the hour. Width:...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Pair of 18th Century Gustavian Bronze Candlesticks with Egyptian Female Figures
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of Gustavian bronze candlesticks featuring stems in the form of a standing Egyptian woman with crossed arms. The candleholders are adorned with intricate ciselé work. Displays a...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Swedish Mora clock from the 1960's in original colour and gold detailing. Hand carved detail ad hand painted floral decoration. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 wei...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Mid 19th century Swedish painted table top writing desk
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century Swedish painted table top writing desk circa 1850. Good quality table top bureau, presented in original scraped back paint.  Made from solid pine and scraped back t...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine, Paint

Unique 100% Original Finished Swedish Gustavian Wall Clock
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Unique 100% Original Finished Swedish Gustavian Wall Clock.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Mid 19th century painted Swedish water canteen
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century painted Swedish water carrier circa 1860. Although we have seen many of these on our travels this one without doubt is the best.  In original blue/green paint, clea...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine, Paint

Swedish Black Lacquered and Gilt Chinoiserie Tall Case Clock, Lanner, Circa 1775
By Josua Lanner
Located in Charleston, SC
Swedish black lacquered and gilt Chinoiserie tall case clock with arched decorative floral hood, flanking finials, turned bulbous columns, ormolu and steel engraved face, figural flo...
Category

1770s Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Ormolu, Steel

Antique Original Blue Painted Grandfather Clock, Sweden Dated 1844
Located in Round Top, TX
Hand painted grandfather clock with exceptional original soft blue painted finish accented in red trim. Panel details, curved bonnet, slender case with lovely balance to face and bas...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Swedish Gustavian Longcase Clock
Located in Ljungby, SE
Fantastic Swedish Gustavian longcase clock. The case is a Stockholm work from around 1770/1780. It is lacquered and gilded with rich wood-carved details of, among other things, garla...
Category

1770s Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Iron

19th Century Gustavian Longcase Clock
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Period Swedish Gustavian longcase clock from Malmo. This striking clock has been scraped back to its original dark grey paint which is beautifully distressed. Featuring neoclassical...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Gustavian decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Gustavian decorative objects 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 decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, folk art, lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Gustavian decorative objects made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Sweden pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include Carl A. Carlsson, Eric Ernander, Helle Allpass, and Henrik Beurling. 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 decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $275 and tops out at $35,000 while the average work can sell for $2,891.