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.
Custom Neoclassical Style Painted Mirror made by BH&A
Located in Sheffield, MA
Made to sit on the mantel above a fireplace or hung, the trumeau mirror has two silvered mirrors framed in gilt and painted grey. The top overhang is also gilt. Can work well in Gust...
Wood
Late Gustavian or Early Biedermeier Painted Wall Mirror
Located in Atlanta, GA
Antique painted mirror with gilded accents and beveled mercury mirror. The painted finish has been distressed over time, but we will be happ...
Mirror
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Period Trumeau Mirror with Swag and Roses
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish period Gustavian painted and gilt trumeau mirror from the late 18th century with original paint and original split mercury glass. This exquisite Swedish trumeau mirror feat...
Mercury Glass, Wood, Giltwood
$5,800Sale Price|73% Off
H 66 in W 57 in D 6 in
Early 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Style Giltwood Trumeau Mirror Ca 1820
Located in Encinitas, CA
Finely ornamented, large Italian Neoclassic Style Italian Trumeau mirror. Patinated beige lacquer antiqued by age, combines with gold giltwood details to create a grande & impres...
Mirror, Giltwood
$84,500
H 121 in W 72 in D 6.25 in
Palatial Italian 19th Century Rococo Carved Giltwood Figural Mirror, circa 1850
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Very Fine and Palatial Italian 19th Century Rococo Carved Giltwood Figural Mirror, the sectional arched mirror plates within scroll and foliate deco...
Mirror, Giltwood
Petit Louis XVI Period Giltwood Trumeau Mirror
Located in Pembroke, MA
A petit French Louis XVI period giltwood mirror with a pair of doves and wreath cartouche, laurel leaves and other neoclassical detailing, and nice old mercury glass ("trumeau de mar...
Giltwood, Wood
Late 18th Century French Trumeau Mirror
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Late 18th Century French trumeau with original mirror and painted decoration.
Mirror, Wood
$34,500
H 61 in W 38.5 in D 10 in
Belle Epoque 19th-20th Century Louis XV Style Giltwood Carved Cherub Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and large French 19th-20th century Louis XV style Belle Epoque giltwood and gesso carved figural mirror frame, surmounted with a hovering cherub, a cherub mask, scrolls, ...
Mirror, Gesso, Wood
Late 18th Century French Louis XV Style Trumeau Mirror
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and impressive painted and gilt mirror dating to the last quarter of the 18th Century. Green painted and having applied carved and gilt cartouche and floral mouldings the upp...
Mirror
$22,950Sale Price|46% Off
H 96 in W 58 in D 6.5 in
French 19th Century Louis XV Style Carved Giltwood & Gesso Trumeau Cherub Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and palatial French 19th century Louis XV style carved giltwood and gesso figural beveled mirror frame trumeau. The arched plate within a main...
Mirror, Gesso, Giltwood
19th Century Trumeau Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
19th century fragments made into a trumeau mirror with antique mercury mirror. This mirror has been manufactured recently to look old. From bot...
Wood
$2,995
H 71.75 in W 30 in D 1.5 in
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Period Painted Trumeau Mirror, Wall Mirror
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This late eighteenth century Louis XVI period painted trumeau mirror originally hung above the mantel in a grand French manor house. Hand-carved with a crossed torch and quiver, clar...
Mirror, Oak
$4,875Sale Price|35% Off
H 73.38 in W 45.25 in D 2.5 in
Antique French Trumeau Mirror Completely All Original and Unrestored c1770-1790
Located in Highwood, IL
Trumeau Mirrors are a type of Mirror originally manufactured by the French in the late 1700’s and we would date this Antique Trumeau Mirror from that period of time. The word Trumeau...
Gold Leaf
$3,450
H 39.75 in W 17.5 in D 2.5 in
18th Century French Louis XVI Painted and Giltwood Armorial Trumeau Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
18th century French Louis XVI painted and giltwood Armorial Trumeau mirror. Beautifully executed 18th century French Louis XVI painted and gilt trumeau with shield design. This antiq...
Glass, Wood
Louis XVI Period Marriage Trumeau Mirror with Birds
Located in Pembroke, MA
Very charming, French, Louis XVI period parcel gilt and painted marriage Trumeau mirror, featuring two birds kissing on the pediment. Other neoclassic...
Wood, Gesso, Giltwood, Mirror
19th Century Swedish Gold Gilt and Blue Trumeau Mirror
Located in Round Top, TX
19th-century Swedish trumeau mirror crafted in wood with a gold gilt finish set against a blue painted background. The mirror features applied carved details throughout, including an...
Mirror, Wood, Paint
Bronze Gilt Trumeau Mirror with Sphinx, Sweden circa 1820-40
Located in Round Top, TX
Striking black and bronze gilt trumeau mirror. At almost 4.5' tall, it will provide a dramatic decorative presence. Applied carvings of a pair of sphinx adorn the upper section while...
Mirror, Wood, Paint
Antique Gold Gilt Trumeau Mirror, Sweden circa 1820-40
Located in Round Top, TX
Lovely trumeau mirror with applied carved swags, flower medallions, and beaded trim. At 4' tall, it will provide a striking decorative presence. Restored, the gold and bronze gilt is accented with soft burnished red undertones and dramatic black accents to the carved areas...
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
Sold
H 71.5 in W 28 in D 2.25 in
Tall White Painted Trumeau Mirror with Greek Figures, Sweden circa 1900
Located in Round Top, TX
Tall decorative trumeau mirror with carved accents. Upper section portrays Greek figures against a blue painted background. The antique white painted finish is lightly distressed cre...
Mirror, Wood, Paint
Painted Trumeau Mirror, Sweden circa 1820-80
Located in Round Top, TX
Lovely trumeau mirror with upper painted and carved thistle design and smaller octagon shaped mirror create a striking crown. Beautiful shades of gold, antique white, muted red and p...
Mirror, Wood, Paint
Gold and Green Painted Trumeau Mirror, Sweden circa 1820-40
Located in Round Top, TX
Lovely trumeau mirror painted in soft shades of green, pale red, and gold. At just under 4' tall, its size allows it to be displayed in a wide variety of spaces. In solid condition r...
Mirror, Wood, Paint
Swedish Gustavian 19th Century Trumeau
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A Swedish Gustaian trumeau is tall and interesting. The top of the trumeau has a carved scene of Greek Mythology painted blue and gold with faux marbling. The mirror plate is origina...
Brass
Antique Trumeau Mirror with Giltwood Frame, Sweden circa 1840
Located in Round Top, TX
Lovely decorative trumeau mirror with applied carved accents including two soldiers wielding shield and sword, florals and garland. Note how the giltwood frame is enhanced with a sof...
Mirror, Giltwood, Paint
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Gilded Wall Mirror
Located in Kastrup, DK
Antique Swedish rectangular wall mirror made of handcrafted giltwood, in good condition. Frame enhanced by softly painted blue background and hand-carved elements, upper section of t...
Gesso, Mirror, Giltwood
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Gilt Wall Mirror
Located in Kastrup, DK
An early 19th century Swedish Gustavian mirror with carved gilt wood, original gesso and red paint. The original mirrored glass is 2 parts and in good condition with light age relate...
Gesso, Mirror, Giltwood
Sold
H 67 in W 29.25 in D 2.5 in
Swedish Gustavian Period 1780s Painted Giltwood Mirror with Carved Quiver Motif
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian period giltwood painted mirror circa 1780 with hand-carved ribbon-tied quiver and arrows as well as torch motifs. Indulge in the elegance of the 18th century with...
Wood, Giltwood
Sold
H 54.5 in W 30.5 in D 3.5 in
Swedish Late Gustavian, Early Empire Giltwood Trumeau Form Mirror, circa 1810
Located in Kinderhook, NY
Circa 1810 Swedish late Gustavian / early Empire period neoclassical pier mirror of trumeau form having acanthus leaf ogee cornice surmounting frieze with radiating lyre (harp) design centered between acanthus leaf appliques; the original rectangular glass mirror...
Glass, Giltwood