SOLD - A Swedish Gustavian Style painted wood chest from the mid 19th Century, with carved frieze, three graduated drawers and short tapered feet. Created in Sweden during the second quarter of the 19th Century, this painted chest features a rectangular top with canted corners, sitting above a carved frieze with arched motifs. The elegant façade showcases three graduated drawers of increasing size, fitted with Classical brass hardware. They are flanked with canted side posts with petite carved rosettes. The chest is painted in a soft color typical of the Swedish taste for light palettes aiming at brightening the rooms during the long and dark Scandinavian winters. The ensemble is raised on four tapered fluted feet, angled in the front. The sides are plain and the back is, of course, quite distressed.
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 subtle carved décor, this Swedish Gustavian Style three-drawer chest circa 1840 will bring a relaxed touch of elegance to any home, placed in a bedroom or living room.
Place of Origin: Sweden
Period: 19th Century
Dimensions: 35.5"W x 32.25"H x 18"D
Inventory Number: XX306
Price: $3,950