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Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

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
Elegant Swedish Gustavian Desk with Fluted Decor and a Large Drawer, Circa 1790
Elegant Swedish Gustavian Desk with Fluted Decor and a Large Drawer, Circa 1790

Elegant Swedish Gustavian Desk with Fluted Decor and a Large Drawer, Circa 1790

$4,583

Elegant Swedish Gustavian Desk with Fluted Decor and a Large Drawer, Circa 1790

Located in Kramfors, SE

Swedish desk from the gustavian period around 1790. The desk is made by hand with a unique frame in solid pine. Original fluted decor around the whole apron and straight tapered legs...

Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Round Black Pedestal Dining Table, Sweden 1920
Round Black Pedestal Dining Table, Sweden 1920

Round Black Pedestal Dining Table, Sweden 1920

$2,900Sale Price|25% Off

Round Black Pedestal Dining Table, Sweden 1920

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Early Swedish 20th Century Pedestal Dining Table in Black Paint. This round table has beautiful Gustavian ribbed details with a border going around the table edge.

Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish White Painted Desk or Side Table
19th Century Swedish White Painted Desk or Side Table

19th Century Swedish White Painted Desk or Side Table

$2,800

19th Century Swedish White Painted Desk or Side Table

Located in Round Top, TX

19th century Swedish desk or side table, crafted in pine. The table is raised on tapered legs topped by simple carved floral medallions, giving the piece a refined and classic Swedis...

Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine, Paint

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desk with Marble Imitaition Original Paint
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desk with Marble Imitaition Original Paint

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desk with Marble Imitaition Original Paint

$6,382

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desk with Marble Imitaition Original Paint

Located in Boden, SE

19th century Swedish Gustavian desk from Sundsvall Medelpad, Northern Sweden. A stunning desk with fantastic patina. Scraped and washed to its well Preserved Originalpaint. Lovely...

Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desk with Original Paint
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desk with Original Paint

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desk with Original Paint

$5,234

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desk with Original Paint

Located in Boden, SE

19th century Swedish Gustavian desk from Umeå Västerbotten, Northern Sweden. Nice Gustavian Desk scraped to its original paint. The table has a lovely blue color. Reeded legs. Marble...

Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Early 19th C. Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Drop Front Writing Desk
Early 19th C. Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Drop Front Writing Desk

Early 19th C. Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Drop Front Writing Desk

$5,200

Early 19th C. Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Drop Front Writing Desk

Located in Houston, US

Early 19th C. Swedish Gustavian style painted drop front desk light blue grey in color with brick red painted interior, brass hardware and working locks. When open, desk measures 33...

Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine, Paint

Swedish Gustavian Writing Desk, Late 18th Century, Late 1700s
Swedish Gustavian Writing Desk, Late 18th Century, Late 1700s

Swedish Gustavian Writing Desk, Late 18th Century, Late 1700s

$17,100

Swedish Gustavian Writing Desk, Late 18th Century, Late 1700s

Located in New York, NY

A Swedish late Gustavian writing desk, late 18th century in excellent antique condition. Key included. Restored with additions. Slight damages, wear and repairs due to age and as sh...

Category

Late 18th Century Scandinavian Antique Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desk with Original Paint
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desk with Original Paint

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desk with Original Paint

$4,943

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desk with Original Paint

Located in Boden, SE

19th century Swedish Gustavian desk from Lulea Norrbotten, Northern Sweden. A beautiful desk with nice propotion & fine condition. Untouched base, the top is scraped and washed to it...

Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Antique Gustavian Work Table, Genuine Swedish Country Desk Table with Drawer
Antique Gustavian Work Table, Genuine Swedish Country Desk Table with Drawer

Antique Gustavian Work Table, Genuine Swedish Country Desk Table with Drawer

$4,177

Antique Gustavian Work Table, Genuine Swedish Country Desk Table with Drawer

Located in Kramfors, SE

Gustavian styled work table from the county Norrbotten in northern Sweden. The table was made during the late 18th century and has a faux painted leg frame. The wooden drawer pull on...

Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Swedish Gustavian Single Drawer Stand, Table or Nightstand, Paint Decorated
Swedish Gustavian Single Drawer Stand, Table or Nightstand, Paint Decorated

Swedish Gustavian Single Drawer Stand, Table or Nightstand, Paint Decorated

$1,800

Swedish Gustavian Single Drawer Stand, Table or Nightstand, Paint Decorated

Located in Stamford, CT

Swedish Gustavian Single Drawer Stand, Table or Nightstand, Paint Decorated A Sweet One Drawer Original Paint Decorated Stand or End Table, Writing Desk. Having long sleek tapering...

Category

1890s Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Custom Build Swedish Style Dressing Table
Custom Build Swedish Style Dressing Table

Custom Build Swedish Style Dressing Table

$3,336

Custom Build Swedish Style Dressing Table

Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

Custom build Swedish style five drawer dressing table / kneehole desk. Can be made to your chosen dimensions and paint colour. Kneehole dimensions: 20" wide x 24" high. Reference: ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desk with Marble Paint
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desk with Marble Paint

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desk with Marble Paint

$4,815

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desk with Marble Paint

Located in Boden, SE

19th Century Swedish desk from Skelleftea Vasterbotten, Northern Sweden. Untouched originalpaint with fantastic Marble paint on table top. Made in painted Pine.  

Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Table
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Table

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Table

$3,780

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Table

Located in Kramfors, SE

Gustavian table from northern Sweden in untouched original condition. The table is from the years circa 1780-1790 with traces of thin paint on the frame and a white painted tabletop....

Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Table Swedish Gustavian Style
Table Swedish Gustavian Style

Table Swedish Gustavian Style

$1,890

Table Swedish Gustavian Style

Located in Hollywood, FL

This is a unique Swedish Gustavian style Desk/Table. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"

Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

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

Large 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Fall Front Desk

$6,265

Large 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Fall Front Desk

Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire

Large early 19th Century Swedish fall front desk. With copious amounts of drawer storage the work space to the desk, below three drawers opening to further storage. Repainted in soft...

Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

19th Century Antique Swedish Gustavian Writing Table / Desk Original Paint
19th Century Antique Swedish Gustavian Writing Table / Desk Original Paint

19th Century Antique Swedish Gustavian Writing Table / Desk Original Paint

$5,685

19th Century Antique Swedish Gustavian Writing Table / Desk Original Paint

Located in Boden, SE

19th century Swedish Gustavian desk from Umeå Västerbotten, Northern Sweden. A high-class & beautiful desk with wood-cut details & beautiful tapered legs. The beautifully cut leave...

Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Gustavian Style Unique 5 Drawer Desk
Gustavian Style Unique 5 Drawer Desk

Gustavian Style Unique 5 Drawer Desk

$2,895

Gustavian Style Unique 5 Drawer Desk

Located in Hollywood, FL

This is a Gustavian Style Unique 5 Drawer Desk. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"

Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Pair of Gustavian Style Painted Tables, Repainted in Light Gray
Pair of Gustavian Style Painted Tables, Repainted in Light Gray

Pair of Gustavian Style Painted Tables, Repainted in Light Gray

$6,500 / set

Pair of Gustavian Style Painted Tables, Repainted in Light Gray

Located in Atlanta, GA

A rare and elegant pair of Gustavian style tables, repainted in a soft light gray that enhances their timeless neoclassical form. Finding such tables as a matched pair is unusual, ma...

Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish Gray Painted Two-Drawer Table or Writing Desk
19th Century Swedish Gray Painted Two-Drawer Table or Writing Desk

19th Century Swedish Gray Painted Two-Drawer Table or Writing Desk

$3,500

19th Century Swedish Gray Painted Two-Drawer Table or Writing Desk

Located in Round Top, TX

19th century Swedish table or writing desk crafted with two drawers fitted with brass pulls. The table stands on tapered fluted legs. A newer professionally applied painted finish pr...

Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Desk Swedish Gustavian Style 2 Drawer
Desk Swedish Gustavian Style 2 Drawer

Desk Swedish Gustavian Style 2 Drawer

$2,495

Desk Swedish Gustavian Style 2 Drawer

Located in Hollywood, FL

This is a unique Swedish Gustavian style desk. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"

Category

1880s Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Swedish Gustavian Antique Table White Gold Carved Detail, 1800s
Swedish Gustavian Antique Table White Gold Carved Detail, 1800s

Swedish Gustavian Antique Table White Gold Carved Detail, 1800s

$2,723Sale Price|20% Off

Swedish Gustavian Antique Table White Gold Carved Detail, 1800s

Located in Lewes, England

Very rare Swedish antique gustavian table from Skabersjö Castle in Sweden. It is later 1800s in age and has terrific detail to it with decorative ribbing on the top edge - perfect ...

Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish antique rustic genuine Gustavian Desk
19th Century Swedish antique rustic genuine Gustavian Desk

19th Century Swedish antique rustic genuine Gustavian Desk

$3,771

19th Century Swedish antique rustic genuine Gustavian Desk

Located in Boden, SE

19th Century Swedish Gustavian desk from Unbyn Boden ,Northern Sweden. Nice Gustavian Desk scraped to its original paint. Stable in construction. Made in painted pine.

Category

1820s Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Pine

Writing Desk In Gustavian Style Painted In Grey From 1840s
Writing Desk In Gustavian Style Painted In Grey From 1840s

Writing Desk In Gustavian Style Painted In Grey From 1840s

$1,850

Writing Desk In Gustavian Style Painted In Grey From 1840s

Located in Lejre, DK

Grey painted writing desk in the style Gustavian from the 1840s. The desk is freestanding and stamped with "Nordisk Films Kompagni". H - 128 cm, W - 62 cm and D - 62 cm.

Category

1840s Danish Antique Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Antique Gustavian-Style Grey-Painted Dining Table w/ Dark Faux-Bois Grained Top
Antique Gustavian-Style Grey-Painted Dining Table w/ Dark Faux-Bois Grained Top

Antique Gustavian-Style Grey-Painted Dining Table w/ Dark Faux-Bois Grained Top

$6,250

Antique Gustavian-Style Grey-Painted Dining Table w/ Dark Faux-Bois Grained Top

Located in INTERLAKEN, NY

A rectangular dining table with hardwood top & square tappering legs. Base was newly painted in a grey-white Gustavian color with a faux bois tooled & grained top, made to look like ...

Category

Early 20th Century Scandinavian Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Birch, Oak

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Two Part Pine Bureau, Scandinavian Secretaire
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Two Part Pine Bureau, Scandinavian Secretaire

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Two Part Pine Bureau, Scandinavian Secretaire

$26,900

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Two Part Pine Bureau, Scandinavian Secretaire

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A 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 is compo...

Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Swedish Writing Table
Swedish Writing Table

Swedish Writing Table

$2,036

Swedish Writing Table

Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

Original painted Swedish 3 drawer writing table. Nicely decorated with fluted legs and swag carving. Carved on all sides so can be a free standi...

Category

20th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Swedish Gustavian Antique Table Desk Grey White Carved Detail, C.1860-1870
Swedish Gustavian Antique Table Desk Grey White Carved Detail, C.1860-1870

Swedish Gustavian Antique Table Desk Grey White Carved Detail, C.1860-1870

$4,755

Swedish Gustavian Antique Table Desk Grey White Carved Detail, C.1860-1870

Located in Lewes, England

Beautiful Gustavian writing table desk from the second half of the 19th century with stunning patina in a grey white painted finish with the usual marks of age. It has a lovely feel...

Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

19th Century Gustavian Writing Desk by Johan Oman
19th Century Gustavian Writing Desk by Johan Oman

19th Century Gustavian Writing Desk by Johan Oman

$5,800

19th Century Gustavian Writing Desk by Johan Oman

By Johan Öman

Located in New York, NY

A 19th century writing desk by Swedish Master Cabinet Maker Johan Öman (1789-1833) who worked for King Charles XIV. The desk having two drawers with ornate ...

Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Desk Swedish 18th Century Green Original Paint Sweden
Desk Swedish 18th Century Green Original Paint Sweden

Desk Swedish 18th Century Green Original Paint Sweden

$5,500

Desk Swedish 18th Century Green Original Paint Sweden

Located in New York, NY

Desk Swedish 18th Century Green Original Paint Sweden. A writing desk Swedish made during the 18th century in Sweden. Original paint in dark green. Interior with shelving, drawers an...

Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bentwood

Gustavian desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Gustavian desks and writing tables 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 desks and writing tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, case pieces and storage cabinets, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, pine and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Gustavian desks and writing tables 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 desks and writing tables, popular names associated with this style include and Johan Öman. 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 and writing tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,320 and tops out at $26,900 while the average work can sell for $4,460.

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