Skip to main content

Gustavian Fabric

to
17
194
63
254
4
9
4
2
2
1
1
46
143
64
4
20
27
6
3
2
2
7
3
7
5
3
251
246
60
39
39
239
206
200
20
6
256
256
256
1
1
1
1
1
Sort By
Louis XVI, Gustavian, Armchairs, White Painted Wood, Scalamandre Fabric, 1890s
Louis XVI, Gustavian, Armchairs, White Painted Wood, Scalamandre Fabric, 1890s

Louis XVI, Gustavian, Armchairs, White Painted Wood, Scalamandre Fabric, 1890s

Located in Manhasset, NY

Pair of 19th-20th century armchairs in a Scalamandre upholstery having a Swedish Finish. These French Louis XVI style chairs are wonderfully painted having fine carvings and are all ...

Category

Vintage 1910s Gustavian Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Late 18th Century Gustavian Sofa
Late 18th Century Gustavian Sofa

Late 18th Century Gustavian Sofa

Located in Gloucestershire, GB

Fantastic late 18th century Gustavian sofa. This lovely sofa has a great carved form which has

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Swedish Gustavian Style Barrel Chairs Set Of 4
Swedish Gustavian Style Barrel Chairs Set Of 4

Swedish Gustavian Style Barrel Chairs Set Of 4

Located in Hollywood, FL

This is a Rare and unique set of 4 Swedish Gustavian style Barrel chairs. they have been restored

Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Gustavian Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Swedish Gustavian Chairs, circa 1800
Swedish Gustavian Chairs, circa 1800

Swedish Gustavian Chairs, circa 1800

Located in Huntington, NY

A set of four 19th century Swedish Gustavian Ax (also known as Vase) chairs from Lindome featuring

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Paint

Gustavian Sofa Made In Oak From 1840s
Gustavian Sofa Made In Oak From 1840s

Gustavian Sofa Made In Oak From 1840s

Located in Lejre, DK

Crafted from oak in the Gustavian style, this sofa from the 1840s exudes timeless elegance and

Category

Antique 1840s Danish Gustavian Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Oak

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Gray Painted Bench Settee
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Gray Painted Bench Settee

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Gray Painted Bench Settee

Located in Round Top, TX

19th century Swedish Gustavian bench crafted in pine. Decorative hand-carved Greek key meander

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Fabric, Pine, Paint

19th Century Swedish Gustavian White Backless Bench Settee
19th Century Swedish Gustavian White Backless Bench Settee

19th Century Swedish Gustavian White Backless Bench Settee

Located in Round Top, TX

This backless sofa or settee is from the Swedish Gustavian period with carved details and fluted

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Benches

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Paint

Swedish Set of Five Gustavian Dining Chairs
Swedish Set of Five Gustavian Dining Chairs

Swedish Set of Five Gustavian Dining Chairs

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

A set of five (5) Gustavian style dining chairs, circa 1810, with fantastic potential in any space

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Paint

Set of Twelve Louis XVI Gustavian Style Painted Dining Chairs
Set of Twelve Louis XVI Gustavian Style Painted Dining Chairs

Set of Twelve Louis XVI Gustavian Style Painted Dining Chairs

Located in Rio Vista, CA

Glorious set of twelve Swedish dining chairs crafted in the Louis XVI Gustavian taste. The chairs

Category

20th Century Swedish Gustavian Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Beech

19th Century Swedish Gustavian White Square Ottoman
19th Century Swedish Gustavian White Square Ottoman

19th Century Swedish Gustavian White Square Ottoman

Located in New York, NY

A 19th century Gustavian footstool having ornate carvings along the wooden base. The border having

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Fabric, Birch

Set of Four Louis XVI Gustavian Style Painted Dining Armchairs
Set of Four Louis XVI Gustavian Style Painted Dining Armchairs

Set of Four Louis XVI Gustavian Style Painted Dining Armchairs

Located in Rio Vista, CA

and featuring a Swedish Gustavian style white painted finish with a desirable aged, distressed patina

Category

20th Century French Gustavian Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Beech

Neoclassical Style Swedish Grey Gustavian Storage Sofa Hand Carved
Neoclassical Style Swedish Grey Gustavian Storage Sofa Hand Carved

Neoclassical Style Swedish Grey Gustavian Storage Sofa Hand Carved

Located in Essex, MA

Classic Swedish Gustavian grey-painted hand-carved bench/ sofa with storage. One missing ball

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Benches

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Wooden Sofa Bench with Striped Upholstery
Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Wooden Sofa Bench with Striped Upholstery

Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Wooden Sofa Bench with Striped Upholstery

Located in Karis, Nyland

A beautifully aged 19th-century Swedish Gustavian wooden sofa bench, showcasing the handcrafted

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Benches

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Pine

Swedish Gustavian Méridienne / Chaise in Original Paint, 18th c.
Swedish Gustavian Méridienne / Chaise in Original Paint, 18th c.

Swedish Gustavian Méridienne / Chaise in Original Paint, 18th c.

Located in Wichita, KS

A rare Swedish chaise from the Gustavian period with beautifully shaped seat in original paint. Egg

Category

Antique 18th Century French Gustavian Chaise Longues

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Paint

1960s, Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Armchairs Newly Upholstered
1960s, Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Armchairs Newly Upholstered

1960s, Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Armchairs Newly Upholstered

Located in London, GB

reupholstered in a light cream bouclé fabric and the walnut frames have been lacquered to a black semi-gloss

Category

Vintage 1960s Swedish Gustavian Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Pair of Gustavian-style medallion chairs, late 19th century
Pair of Gustavian-style medallion chairs, late 19th century

Pair of Gustavian-style medallion chairs, late 19th century

Located in Greding, DE

have been newly upholstered with an antique white linen fabric with studded decoration.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century German Gustavian Armchairs

Materials

Wood, Fabric

Antique Swedish Gustavian Daybed, Handcrafted Pinewood, Circa 1870
Antique Swedish Gustavian Daybed, Handcrafted Pinewood, Circa 1870

Antique Swedish Gustavian Daybed, Handcrafted Pinewood, Circa 1870

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A late 19th Century, antique Swedish Gustavian pull-out daybed made from hand crafted painted

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Daybeds

Materials

Fabric, Cotton, Linen, Upholstery, Pine

Antique Gustavian Armchairs by Ephraim Ståhl, Birchwood, Circa 1800
Antique Gustavian Armchairs by Ephraim Ståhl, Birchwood, Circa 1800

Antique Gustavian Armchairs by Ephraim Ståhl, Birchwood, Circa 1800

By Ephraim Stahl

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A grey, antique Swedish Gustavian set of similar armchairs made of hand crafted painted Birchwood

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Birch, Velvet, Upholstery

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Pair of Antique Painted Pinewood Armchairs
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Pair of Antique Painted Pinewood Armchairs

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Pair of Antique Painted Pinewood Armchairs

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

An antique Swedish Gustavian pair of armchairs with a loose seat cushion, made of hand crafted

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Pine, Upholstery, Cotton

Swedish Gustavian Footstools in Ephraim Ståhl Style, circa 1830
Swedish Gustavian Footstools in Ephraim Ståhl Style, circa 1830

Swedish Gustavian Footstools in Ephraim Ståhl Style, circa 1830

By Ephraim Stahl

Located in Huntington, NY

A beautiful pair of Gustavian footstools. In the style of Ephraim Ståhl. Rectangular frame with

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Footstools

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint, Fabric

Set of Eight 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Neoclassical Dining Chairs
Set of Eight 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Neoclassical Dining Chairs

Set of Eight 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Neoclassical Dining Chairs

Located in Dallas, TX

Set of Eight 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Neoclassical Dining Chairs were very recently

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Pair of Late18th century Swedish Period Gustavian Chairs 'The Swedish Model"
Pair of Late18th century Swedish Period Gustavian Chairs 'The Swedish Model"

Pair of Late18th century Swedish Period Gustavian Chairs 'The Swedish Model"

Located in Charleston, SC

Pair of late 18th century Swedish period Gustavian chairs with hand scraped to its most original

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Paint

Antique Gustavian Armchairs by Ephraim Ståhl, Birchwood, Circa 1800
Antique Gustavian Armchairs by Ephraim Ståhl, Birchwood, Circa 1800

Antique Gustavian Armchairs by Ephraim Ståhl, Birchwood, Circa 1800

By Ephraim Stahl

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A grey, antique Swedish Gustavian pair of armchairs made of hand crafted painted Birchwood

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Birch

Set of Four 18th c. Swedish Gustavian 'Model' Chairs in Original Paint
Set of Four 18th c. Swedish Gustavian 'Model' Chairs in Original Paint

Set of Four 18th c. Swedish Gustavian 'Model' Chairs in Original Paint

Located in Wichita, KS

inside setup with debris removal. Please inquire for more information. The Gustavian style, named after

Category

Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Paint

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Pine Bench - Antique Daybed Attributed to Lindome
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Pine Bench - Antique Daybed Attributed to Lindome

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Pine Bench - Antique Daybed Attributed to Lindome

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A late 18th Century, antique freestanding Swedish Gustavian daybed attributed to Lindome school, in

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Daybeds

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Pine

Set of Two Gustavian Armchairs from circa 1810
Set of Two Gustavian Armchairs from circa 1810

Set of Two Gustavian Armchairs from circa 1810

Located in Lejre, DK

The set of two Gustavian armchairs from circa 1810 appear with a beautiful patina that adds

Category

Antique 1810s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Armchairs with Original Paint, circa 1820
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Armchairs with Original Paint, circa 1820

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Armchairs with Original Paint, circa 1820

Located in Atlanta, GA

Refined pair of Swedish Gustavian armchairs, circa 1820, retaining their original pale painted

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Pine

Pair of Swedish Gustavian-Style Chairs with Dark Blue Upholstery
Pair of Swedish Gustavian-Style Chairs with Dark Blue Upholstery

Pair of Swedish Gustavian-Style Chairs with Dark Blue Upholstery

Located in Atlanta, GA

A refined pair of Swedish Gustavian-style chairs, distinguished by their neoclassical form and

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Set of Six Gustavian Chairs by Jacob Malmsten, Stockholm, circa 1780
Set of Six Gustavian Chairs by Jacob Malmsten, Stockholm, circa 1780

Set of Six Gustavian Chairs by Jacob Malmsten, Stockholm, circa 1780

Located in Atlanta, GA

An exceptional set of six Swedish Gustavian chairs attributed to Jacob Malmsten of Stockholm

Category

Antique 18th Century Swedish Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Maison Jansen Style, Gustavian, Louis XVI, Armchairs, Gray Distressed Paint
Maison Jansen Style, Gustavian, Louis XVI, Armchairs, Gray Distressed Paint

Maison Jansen Style, Gustavian, Louis XVI, Armchairs, Gray Distressed Paint

By Maison Jansen

Located in Manhasset, NY

Maison Jansen Style, Gustavian, Louis XVI, Armchairs, Gray Distressed Paint, Pink Scalamandré

Category

Vintage 1920s French Louis XVI Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Set of Six Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Cane Dining Chairs
Set of Six Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Cane Dining Chairs

Set of Six Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Cane Dining Chairs

Located in Rio Vista, CA

Exquisite set of six Swedish painted dining chairs crafted in the Gustavian Louis XVI taste. The

Category

20th Century Swedish Louis XVI Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Cane, Beech

Set of Six Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Cane Dining Chairs
Set of Six Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Cane Dining Chairs

Set of Six Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Cane Dining Chairs

Located in Rio Vista, CA

Exquisite set of six Swedish painted dining chairs crafted in the Gustavian Louis XVI taste. The

Category

20th Century Swedish Louis XVI Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Cane, Beech

Pair of Antique Swedish Neoclassical Armchairs
Pair of Antique Swedish Neoclassical Armchairs

Pair of Antique Swedish Neoclassical Armchairs

Located in London, GB

the Gustavian style, they were recently imported from Sweden and date from around the 1890-1900 period

Category

Antique 1890s Swedish Gustavian Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Vintage French Regency Fauteuils With Embroidered Jacquard Uoholdtery - A Pair
Vintage French Regency Fauteuils With Embroidered Jacquard Uoholdtery - A Pair

Vintage French Regency Fauteuils With Embroidered Jacquard Uoholdtery - A Pair

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

a distressed grey-wash paint, evoking a sophisticated Gustavian or French Country aesthetic. They

Category

Mid-20th Century French Gustavian Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood

Vintage Rustic Patinated Dining Chairs - Set of 4
Vintage Rustic Patinated Dining Chairs - Set of 4

Vintage Rustic Patinated Dining Chairs - Set of 4

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

inspiration from the timeless Gustavian and French Country traditions. Each chair is masterfully crafted from

Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood

Unique Antique Sofa Newly Upholstered and with Cut Decor
Unique Antique Sofa Newly Upholstered and with Cut Decor

Unique Antique Sofa Newly Upholstered and with Cut Decor

Located in Budapest, Budapest

This late Gustavian-style sofa is painted with bronzed accents and decorated with carved details

Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Gustavian Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Pair of Hendrix Allardyce Key West Caned Bergere Armchairs
Pair of Hendrix Allardyce Key West Caned Bergere Armchairs

Pair of Hendrix Allardyce Key West Caned Bergere Armchairs

By HENDRIX ALLARDYCE

Located in Rio Vista, CA

" chairs (model #HA-123) made in the Gustavian style with a grey painted frame. The painted finish is

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Gustavian Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Cane, Beech

Pair of Swedish 1910s Painted Wood Armchairs with Carved Splats and Stretchers
Pair of Swedish 1910s Painted Wood Armchairs with Carved Splats and Stretchers

Pair of Swedish 1910s Painted Wood Armchairs with Carved Splats and Stretchers

Located in Atlanta, GA

, serpentine arms and black fabric. Created in Sweden during the early years of the 20th century, each of this

Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Armchairs

Materials

Wood, Fabric

Pair of Hendrix Allardyce Key West Caned Bergère Armchairs
Pair of Hendrix Allardyce Key West Caned Bergère Armchairs

Pair of Hendrix Allardyce Key West Caned Bergère Armchairs

Located in Rio Vista, CA

) with a Gustavian style distressed robin's egg painted finish having subtle parcel gilt accents on the

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Gustavian Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Cane, Beech

Antique Danish Set of Six Pinewood Side Chairs, Floral Design, 1880
Antique Danish Set of Six Pinewood Side Chairs, Floral Design, 1880

Antique Danish Set of Six Pinewood Side Chairs, Floral Design, 1880

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

cotton fabric with a Vichy checker pattern combining dark blue grey and light grey. Wear consistent with

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Danish Gustavian Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Pine

Set of six 19th Century Grey Danish Antique Pine Dining Room Chairs
Set of six 19th Century Grey Danish Antique Pine Dining Room Chairs

Set of six 19th Century Grey Danish Antique Pine Dining Room Chairs

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A white-grey, antique Danish Gustavian set of six dining room chairs made of hand crafted painted

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Danish Gustavian Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Cotton, Fabric, Pine, Upholstery

Pair of 19th century Swedish carved gilt armchairs
Pair of 19th century Swedish carved gilt armchairs

Pair of 19th century Swedish carved gilt armchairs

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

in original condition with wear and losses.  Fabric in good order with minor fading. Seat height: 18

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Giltwood

Gustavian Swedish Chair from 1850 with Antique Suzani Fabric
Gustavian Swedish Chair from 1850 with Antique Suzani Fabric

Gustavian Swedish Chair from 1850 with Antique Suzani Fabric

By Momiq Design

Located in Haarlem, Noord Holland

This is a Gustavian Swedish chair from the first half of 1800. It has a curved back with vertical

Category

Antique 1840s Swedish Gustavian Chairs

Materials

Cotton

Chairs, Gustavian, Lindome, circa 1800
Chairs, Gustavian, Lindome, circa 1800

Chairs, Gustavian, Lindome, circa 1800

Located in Malmo, SE

Gustavian chairs, Lindome, circa 1800. Dry scraped to original color and retouched.

Category

Antique Early 1800s Swedish Gustavian Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Pair of Gustavian Chairs
Pair of Gustavian Chairs

Pair of Gustavian Chairs

Unavailable|$6,000

Pair of Gustavian Chairs

Located in San Francisco, CA

This pair of 19th Century Gustavian chairs have great detail to the wood frame, with a distressed

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

A Pair of Armchairs, Gustavian, Sweden, circa 1790
A Pair of Armchairs, Gustavian, Sweden, circa 1790

A Pair of Armchairs, Gustavian, Sweden, circa 1790

Located in Malmo, SE

Armchairs, a pair, Gustavian, circa 1790. Sweden Dry scraped to original color and retouched

Category

Antique 1790s Swedish Gustavian Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

A Pair of Late Gustavian Chairs, Hallmarked circa 1810, Stockholm
A Pair of Late Gustavian Chairs, Hallmarked circa 1810, Stockholm

A Pair of Late Gustavian Chairs, Hallmarked circa 1810, Stockholm

Located in Malmo, SE

A pair of late Gustavian chairs, circa 1810, Stockholm. Dry scraped to original color and retouched.    

Category

Antique 1810s Swedish Gustavian Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Set of Three Late Gustavian Stools, Stockholm, 1820
Set of Three Late Gustavian Stools, Stockholm, 1820

Set of Three Late Gustavian Stools, Stockholm, 1820

Located in Malmo, SE

Set of three late Gustavian stools, Stockholm, circa 1820.

Category

Antique 1820s Swedish Gustavian Stools

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Gustavian Settee/ Sofa
Gustavian Settee/ Sofa

Gustavian Settee/ Sofa

Unavailable|$5,200

Gustavian Settee/ Sofa

Located in US

Wonderful Substantial Swedish Settee In Greyish White Milk Paint. Original Brocade Upholstery. Beautiful Carved Wood Details. Back Unpainted.

Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier Swedish Settees

Materials

Wood, Paint, Fabric

Large Painted Gustavian Periode Armchair, Stockholm, Sweden, Late 18th Century
Large Painted Gustavian Periode Armchair, Stockholm, Sweden, Late 18th Century

Large Painted Gustavian Periode Armchair, Stockholm, Sweden, Late 18th Century

Located in Basel, BS

A large period Gustavian armchair with wood carved decor. The chair is unmarked, but is a typical

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

  • 1
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Gustavian Fabric", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Gustavian Fabric For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic piece of gustavian fabric available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, fabric and pine, every item from our selection of gustavian fabric was constructed with great care. Your living room may not be complete without a choice in our collection of gustavian fabric — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. When you’re browsing for the right object in our assortment of gustavian fabric, those designed in Scandinavian Modern, Louis XVI and Mid-Century Modern styles are of considerable interest. Many designers have produced at least one well-made option in this array of gustavian fabric over the years, but those crafted by Bob Christian, Jaroslav Smidek and Carl Malmsten are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Gustavian Fabric?

The average selling price for a piece of gustavian fabric at 1stDibs is $4,500, while they’re typically $650 on the low end and $38,600 for the highest priced.

A Close Look at Gustavian Furniture

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.

Finding the Right Seating for You

With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.

Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.

Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.

The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.

Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.

With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.

Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.

No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.