1850s Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Three-Drawer Chest with Carved Motifs

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A Swedish Gustavian Style painted wood chest from the Mid-19th Century, with three graduated drawers, carved motifs, block feet and … Read more A Swedish Gustavian Style painted wood chest from the Mid-19th Century, with three graduated drawers, carved motifs, block feet and Classical brass hardware. Created in Sweden during the 1850s, this painted chest showcases the stylistic characteristics of the Gustavian era. The chest features a slightly raised rectangular top surrounded by a carved edge depicting arched motifs. The façade presents three graduated drawers, fitted with Classical brass hardware. They are flanked with slender side posts accented with discreet fluted motifs. The sides are plain and the back is, planked and of course more distressed. 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 winters of Scandinavia. The ensemble is raised on block feet.
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 delicately carved décor, this Swedish Gustavian Style painted three-drawer chest circa 1850 will make for an elegant addition to any home, placed in a living room or bedroom. See less