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.
$1,440Sale Price / set|62% Off
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Painted Corner Armchairs
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair of Swedish 1810s-1830s corner chair scraped down to the original black paint. Seat are loose and be easily re-upholstered.
Wood
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 painted Pinewood in good condition. The l...
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Pine
$2,080Sale Price / item|20% Off
Haga, Gustavian Style Armchair
Located in Allerum, SE
Limited edition reproductions by D. Larsson, inspired by the finest 18th - 19th-century Swedish furniture. HAGA, a fine reproduction Gustavian barrel back armchair is influenced by ...
Beech
Stunning 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Barrel Back Chairs, Pair
Located in San Angelo, TX
A gorgeous and unique pair of late 18th century Swedish barrel backs from the Gustavian period that have been dry scrapped and then had a recent paint touch up with grays and white h...
Linen, Wood, Paint
$5,582Sale Price / set|20% Off
Swedish Gustavian Rococo Armchairs Pair White Color Gold Detail Early 1900s
Located in Lewes, England
This is a Classic pair of original Swedish Gustavian neo rococo early 1900s armchairs in probable original paint with highly carved detailing on the frames , arm and legs, unusual de...
Birch
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
Stockholm, Gustavian Style Armchair
Located in Allerum, SE
Limited edition reproductions by D. Larsson, inspired by the finest 18th - 19th-century Swedish furniture. STOCKHOLM, This Gustavian style armchair...
Beech
19th Century Set of Swedish Gustavian Armchairs Attributed to Ephraim Ståhl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A grey, antique Swedish Gustavian set of similar armchairs made of hand crafted painted Birchwood, designed and produced most likely by Ephraim Ståhl in good condition. The Scandinav...
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Birch
$2,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Swedish Empire Mahogany Armchairs 19th Century Sweden
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair of Stockholm Mahogany Armchairs in the Empire / Karl Johan period, circa 1810-1830 Sweden. A pair of armchairs are veneered in a beautiful dark brown mahogany and are very clas...
Mahogany
Gustavian Bucket chair, made in Stockholm
Located in SE
A Swedish Gustavian Bucket Chair. Made in Stockholm about 1790. Decorated with beautiful lion heads at the armrest and leaf shaped border. The legs are elegantly carved. Gently hand ...
Wood, Birch
Armchair Swedish Gustavian 1775-1790 White Washed, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Armchair Swedish Gustavian 1775-1790 white washed, Sweden. An armchair made during the early part of the Gustavian period circa 1775-1790. A rounded open back...
Swedish Gustavian Neoclassical Giltwood Fauteuil by Ephraim Ståhl, circa 1800
Located in Kinderhook, NY
An exceptional museum-calibre Swedish circa 1800 late Gustavian period armchair of neoclassical form by Swedish royal cabinetmaker Ephraim Ståhl (1768 -1820), the giltwood frame in o...
Upholstery, Giltwood, Paint
Pair, 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Armchairs
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair, attractive Swedish country Gustavian style painted arm chairs with distinctive round back topped by carved rosettes. Turned, fluted legs and carved accents along the skirt add ...
Linen, Wood, Paint
Fine 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Corner armchair with original paint
Located in Boden, SE
This Gustavian corner " powder chair" features a beautiful original painting and has sticks in the back for added comfort. It stands on brass wheels, making it easy to move. A perfec...
Pine
$12,500 / set
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Barrel Back Chairs
Located in San Angelo, TX
A gorgeous and unique pair of late 18th Century Swedish barrel backs from the Gustavian period that have been dry scrapped and then had a recent paint touch up with grays and white h...
Linen, Wood, Paint
Antique Limed Oak Gustavian Style Urn Back Carver or Armchair. C.1920
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
An elegant Gustavian style carver or armchair A lovely shell inspired carved detail on the top rail It has been recently limed to enhance the beautiful grain in the wood. The seat...
Burlap, Oak
Pair Of Painted Birchwood Swedish Gustavian Style Armchairs.
Located in Montreal, QC
Pair Of painted birchwood swedish Gustavian style armchairs. Sweden: circa 1900 provenance: Coconut Company, New York Acquired from the previous by the present owner
Beech
Sturehov, Gustavian Style Armchair
Located in Allerum, SE
Limited edition reproductions by D. Larsson, inspired by the finest 18th - 19th-century Swedish furniture. STUREHOV, This fine Gustavian style armchair is inspired by a remarkable Gustavian period square back armchair from our own collection. With fine carvings thru out the entire chair. Originally designed and made by Stockholm chair master Melchior Lundberg...
Beech
Pair of Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Oval Back Armchairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A refined pair of Gustavian style armchairs from Sweden, dating to the early 20th century and crafted in the neoclassical tradition. Each chair features an oval backrest with molded ...
Beech
$10,400 / set
Pair of Swedish Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Swedish armchairs. Vintage pair of Gustavian style painted open-arm chairs with neoclassical details; recovered in camel silk velvet with matching silk cotton piping; carved...
Velvet, Wood, Giltwood
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Armchair with Originalpaint
Located in Boden, SE
18th Century Swedish Gustavian armchair from Lindome, Southern Sweden. A beautiful well carved chair with nice details & in form of flowers & leaves . Handscraped to its well prese...
Pine
19th Century Swedish Provincial Barrel Back Armchair
Located in Allerum, SE
Rare 19th century Swedish provincial barrel back armchair in it's original finish. ca 1800 Sweden.
Pine
Traditional early 19th century Swedish small armchair
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Rustic early 19th century Swedish child's chair circa 1820. Beautiful rustic piece of Swedish rural furniture. Presented in its original condition. Although listed as a child's ch...
Pine, Paint
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Gilt and Painted Wood Armchairs
Located in Bradenton, FL
Beautiful Rare Pair of Swedish Gilt and Painted Wooden Armchairs, ca. 1790. Exquisitely carved scrolled and curved frame with distal part of each arm terminating into gilt eagle head...
Textile, Wood
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Tub Chairs with Carved Campanula Friezes
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Swedish Gustavian style painted wood tub chairs from the late 19th century, with curving backs, carved campanula friezes and waterleaf motifs. Created in Sweden during the last decade of the 19th century, each of this pair of tub chairs captures our attention with its Neoclassical lines and delicately carved motifs. A curving back comes to rest on a rectangular seat which is ready, like the back for reupholstery. The apron is adorned with a delicate campanula frieze running on three sides. Each chair is raised on two cylindrical tapering legs in the front, carved with waterleaves and two saber legs in the back. They are all accented with carved rosettes on the knees and are painted in a soft color typical of the Swedish taste for light palettes aiming at brightening the rooms during the dark winters of Scandinavia. 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. With their elegant Gustavian style lines and skillfully carved motifs, this pair of Swedish tub...
Wood
18th Century Giltwood Gustavian Bucket Chairs, Set of 4, Sweden, Circa 1790-1800
Located in New York, NY
18th Century Gustavian bucket chairs, set of four (4), giltwood, origin: Stockholm, Sweden, circa 1790 - 1800. Elegant proportions, beautif...
Giltwood
Pair of Swedish 1910s Painted Wood Armchairs with Carved Splats and Stretchers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Swedish painted wood armchairs from the early 20th century, with carved splats, serpentine arms and black fabric. Created in Sweden during the early years of the 20th centu...
Wood, Fabric
$15,000 / set
19th Century Gustavian Barrel Back Chairs
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine early 19th century Gustavian barrel back armchairs in their original condition. Attributed to master chair maker Ephraim Sthal (1767-1820) Supplier to the Royal Court and one of...
Pine
Pair Of Gustavian Style Armchairs With Gilt Plume & Shell Motif
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of distressed white paint decorated armchairs with back splats having carved gilt plume and shell motif. The chairs with inset carved geometric motifs, baluster form armrest sup...
Wood
Pair of Hendrix Allardyce Key West Caned Bergère Armchairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing pair of bergère armchairs custom made by Hendrix Allardyce. The bespoke chairs feature a large gracefully curved frame inset with double caned sides. Known as Key West chairs...
Fabric, Cane, Beech
Set of Four Louis XVI Gustavian Style Painted Dining Armchairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Charming set of four French dining armchairs made in the grand Louis XVI taste. Crafted from beech and featuring a Swedish Gustavian style white painted finish with a desirable aged,...
Fabric, Beech
$5,456 / set
Pair of 19th Century Gustavian Bellman Chairs
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Pair of unusual 19th Century Gustavian Bellman armchairs. Scraped to original colour in newly upholstered in linen, these chairs have had some minor restoration over the years.
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Style Unique Arm Chair
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a very Unique Swedish Gustavian Style Arm Chair. The seat is covered n Muslin. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Style 1900 Painted Wood Armchairs with Carved Aprons
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Swedish Gustavian style painted wood armchairs from the early 20th century, with scrolling arms, carved waterleaf and rosette motifs and fluted legs. Created in Sweden duri...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Hendrix Allardyce Key West Caned Bergere Armchairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Sublime pair of bergere armchairs custom made by Hendrix Allardyce, Hollywood, CA. The bespoke chairs feature a large gracefully curved frame inset with double caned sides and back. ...
Fabric, Cane, Beech
$15,181 / set
Swedish, Gustavian Bucket Chairs, about 1800
Located in SE
A pair of Swedish Gustavian Bucket Chairs. Made in Stockholm about 1800. Attributed to Ephraim Ståhl who was operative between 1794–1810. De...
Wood, Birch
Pair, Antique Gray Painted Gustavian Arm Chairs, Sweden, circa 1880
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair, gray painted gustavian arm chairs. Turned fluted legs and decorative carving throughout, crowned with rosettes. Restored, stable. Any scrat...
Wood, Paint
A pair of early 19th Century Late Gustavian Armchairs
Located in SE
A pair of Late Gustavian Armchairs, made by Ephraim Stahl, who worked in Stockholm 1794- 1820. The armchairs are not signed. Ephraim Sthal made several chairs and armchairs for the ...
Birch
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 ...
Wood
Pair of Antique Swedish Neoclassical Solid Elm Armchairs
Located in London, GB
An impressive and beautifully designed pair of antique Swedish neoclassical solid elm armchairs. They are in the Gustavian style, they were recently imported from Sweden and date fro...
Cotton, Elm
Armchairs Gustavian 1780-1800 Swedish Gray Frame Brown Leather Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Armchairs Gustavian 1780-1800 Swedish gray frame brown leather, Sweden. A pair of armchairs made during the early Gustavian period in Sweden 1780-1800. Pa...
Leather, Wood
Gustavian, Italian Renaissance Style, Chair, Burlap, Distressed Paint, Giltwood
Located in Manhasset, NY
Gustavian, Italian Renaissance Style, Chair, Burlap, Distressed Paint, Giltwood A Gustavian paint decorated armchair. The later burlap tweed upholstery added to this piece creates w...
Burlap, Wood
Swedish Gustavian Single Chair White Color Gold Detail, Early 1900s
Located in Lewes, England
This original Swedish Gustavian early 1900s chairs in probable original paint has highly carved detailing on the frame, arm and legs, unusual delicately fluted feet and wide seat Th...
Birch
Armchair Swedish Gustavian Dark Apricot Velvet, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Armchair Swedish Gustavian dark apricot velvet, Sweden. An armchair made in Sweden during the Gustavian period (1790-1810). Carvings on backrest and frieze in the shape of a so calle...
20th Century Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Armchairs
Located in Madrid, ES
Elegant pair of Swedish Gustavian-style armchairs inspired by late 18th-century neoclassical design. Featuring carved rectangular backs with fluted splats and central rosette motifs...
Wood
2 Swedish Gustavian Armchairs
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a set of 2 Swedish Gustavian armchairs . They have been restored and repainted with Milk paints "Oyster White" the seating is new an...
Wood
Set of 4 Swedish Gustavian Armchairs
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a set of 4 Swedish Gustavian armchairs. They have been restored and repainted with milk paints "Oyster White" the seating is new and covered in Muslin.
Wood
1960s, Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Armchairs Newly Upholstered
Located in London, GB
These comfortable tub square armchairs are a classic Swedish design from the 1960s. They have been reupholstered in a light cream bouclé fabric and the walnut frames have been lacque...
Fabric, Walnut
Pair of 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Armchairs by Johan Erik Höglander
Located in Huntington, NY
A stunning pair of Gustavian armchairs made in Stockholm and signed by Johan Erik Höglander (1758-1813). Arched shield back style with bow ...
Linen, Wood, Paint
19th Century Grey Danish Gustavian Set of Eight Scandinavian Dining Room Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Danish set of six side chairs and two armchairs in a chalky grey finish made of hand crafted Pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian chairs have a rounded backrests and a centered floral decoration, possibly Denmark. The seats have been newly created in a cotton fabric with a Vichy checker pattern combining dark blue grey and light grey. Wear consistent with age and use, circa 1880, Scandinavia. Armchair 39" H x 23" W x 18.5" D; Seat 19...
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Pine
$3,583Sale Price / set|35% Off
Swedish Gustavian Armchairs Pair White Color Gold Detail Early 1900s A
Located in Lewes, England
This is a Classic pair of original Swedish Gustavian early 1900s armchairs in probable original paint with highly carved detailing on the frames , arm and legs, unusual delicately fl...
Birch
Swedish Gustavian Arm Chair Circa Early 1900's Painted Warm White
Located in London, Park Royal
A Swedish, Gustavian style arm chair from the early 1900's, carved in solid beech wood and hand painted in a warm white which has naturally aged to reveal some of the wood beneath. T...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of 19th century Swedish carved gilt armchairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of 19th century swedish gilt and ebonised armchairs circa 1860. Pair of fine quality shaped back gilt armchairs. Unusual shaped back with ebonised leaf detailing contrasting wi...
Fabric, Giltwood
18th Century Swedish antique genuine Gustavian armchair with original paint.
Located in Boden, SE
Armchair Swedish Gustavian 1775-1790 , Sweden. Called the "Swedish model" .An armchair made during the early part of the Gustavian period circa 1775-1790. Scraped by hand to its we...
Pine
Fine 19th Century Gustavian Barrel Back Armchair
Located in Allerum, SE
Rare 19th century late Gustavian barrel back chair in it's original condition with lion paw back feet and lion heads, attributed to master chair maker Carl Christoffer Gjorwell (1766...
Wood
Pair of Gustavian Style Armchairs Newly Upholstered in Christopher Farr Fabric
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of Gustavian Style Armchairs Newly Upholstered in Christopher Farr "Carnival in Green" Fabric
Fabric, Wood
$13,500 / set
Pair of Pickled Wood Swedish Style Tub Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Gustavian style tub armchairs with painted finish showing natural wear, each arched and bowed channeled backrest carved with gadrooning and upholstered with Rococo-print line...
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Genuine Swedish Gustavian Upholstered Armchair
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish gustavian upholstered armchair from the late 18th century, circa 1790. The armchair has a straight shape with hand carved woode...
Pine
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Cream and Gilt Armchairs
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A very decorative pair of early 19th Century Swedish armchairs in old velvet. Showing elements of both late Gustavian and Carl Johan style, these chairs are a wonderful statement of...
Velvet, Giltwood, Paint
Pair of 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Armchairs by Erik Öhrmark
By Erik Öhrmark
Located in Huntington, NY
A stunning pair of Swedish Gustavian armchairs made in Stockholm and signed (OEM) by Erik Öhrmark (1747-1813). In 1777 Öhrmark was granted the right, as a master chair maker, to prod...
Linen, Wood, Paint
Late 18th Century Gustav III White-Painted and Upholstered Chair
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A late 18th century Swedish Gustav III armchair, white-painted with carved floral details and reeded legs. The shield-form back and seat are upholstered in soft blue leather with bra...
Leather, Wood, Paint