Swedish Gustavian Style 1880s Three-Drawer Painted Chest with Carved Décor

A Swedish Gustavian style painted wood chest of drawers from the late 19th century, with swag frieze, carved side posts and tapered feet. Created in Sweden during the last quarter of the 19th century, this painted chest showcases the stylistic characteristics of the Gustavian era. The chest features a rectangular top adorned with delicate carved swags on the edges. The façade is made of three graduated drawers, fitted with Classical style hardware. Their dovetail construction reveals the piece's age. The side posts are adorned with carved falling campanulas at the top and fluted motifs at the bottom. Resting on short tapered feet, the chest is painted in a soft grey color typical of the Swedish taste for light palettes aiming at brightening the rooms during the long and dark Scandinavian winter.

The Gustavian style takes its roots in the Louis XVI era. Swedish King Gustav III resided in 1771 in Paris, at the beginning stages of the Louis XVI style. There, he was inspired by French art and fashion. With that in his luggage, he had a strong desire to introduce something similar in Sweden. The country had fine craftsmen with high quality craftsmanship, who produced a simple style with harmonious aesthetics. The Gustavian style was born and has been in vogue ever since. It is incredibly popular, especially in England but also in France and in the USA. Price and age are of course inextricably linked, the older and rarer, the higher the price!

With its clean lines and subtly carved décor, this Swedish Gustavian style painted three-drawer chest circa 1880 will bring an undeniable touch of elegance to any home, placed in a living room or a bedroom!