Swedish Antiques - Everything You Need To Know

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(Above photo - Scandanavian Swedish Commode Marquetry Chest of Drawers 1920 )

One of the reasons for the growing popularity of Swedish antiques is their rarity. Compared to antiques from France and England, they are very scarce. Most of the antiques originate in 18th-century Sweden and feature the Gustav and Rococo styles. Gustavian pieces were produced during the reign of King Gustav III. They had strong influences from Italian classism and French neoclassical style. King Gustav had an extreme interest in art, design, fashion, and architecture.

Unlike the antiques from elsewhere in Europe, Swedish antiques have very similar characteristics. Yet they are rarer, having been made in very minimal numbers. The antiques were less ornamented, with artisans focusing more on cleaner lines and quality. That’s why you are likely to find very few carvings on Swedish antiques.

How to Assess Genuine Swedish Antiques

Whether from Sweden or outside the country, you need to know how to assess an antique. Here are a few suggestions on the things you should do:

When determining the period of the antique, prod the story behind it. If there is has a romantic story to it, connecting the piece to a particular period is much more comfortable. For example, antique furniture could have belonged to a king or a famous noble. That fact alone can drastically raise its price.

Check for details beyond the surface. In that case, you should be interested to know if any restoration has been carried out on the piece of art. Check for features that determine how valuable the piece is. Restored items usually have a lower value than the originals.

(Above photo - Scandinavian Biedermeier Round Centre Dining Table Inlay )

Know the artist behind a particular piece of art. Take note of the fact that 18th-century Sweden had artists making all sorts of items, including clockmakers, mirror makers, and furniture makers. Knowing the names behind each antique can help you quickly determine its price.

Importantly, learn to differentiate Swedish antiques from others. In Sweden, a period would end before another one began. The situation is different in England and France, where periods often overlapped. Upon the end of a particular period, the Swedes stopped making a specific style of antique. That’s why the pieces are very scarce.

Why Are Swedish Antiques Costly?

(Above photo - Pair Swedish Sconces - Painted Eagle Wall Placque Lights )

As we have already seen, Swedish antiques are scarcer than those from France and England. Finding an original antique Swedish chair can be very hard. That’s why you should expect to pay a lot of money to acquire one.

Even so, antiques from the 18th century tend to be more expensive than those from the 19th century. That’s because originals from the Gustav period were made in the 18th-century. During the 19th century, there were large reproductions of the original pieces. Hence the copies should cost much lower than the originals.

(Above photo - Swedish Biedermeier Dressing Table Side Tables )

You don’t have to travel to Sweden to buy Swedish antiques. The experts in our store will help you to differentiate between original chairs and those reproduced in the 19th century. So, you don’t have to hook up with an antique expert from Sweden. We have all the experience required to equip you with all the knowledge you need.