Gustavian Furniture
GUSTAVIAN STYLE
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.
to
142
932
530
1,411
33
24
197,737
114,708
43,070
32,815
16,180
11,878
10,656
10,486
9,791
8,950
7,247
6,734
6,495
6,437
6,132
5,708
4,876
3,771
317
761
333
57
100
151
23
15
10
16
22
35
53
15
7
5
2
1,342
510
509
287
254
1,373
1,265
1,218
40
30
1,468
1,457
1,459
8
2
2
2
2
Style: Gustavian
Harlequin Set of 10 Antique Gustavian Style Urn Back Dining Chairs
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
A wonderful set of ten English limed oak chairs. Not quite matching. There are actually 3 different models ( 4 + 3 + 3 ).
Each chair has a variation of the same basic characteristi...
Category
Early 20th Century English Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Oak
Set of 6 Antique 18 C Gustavian Dining Chairs W Carolina Irving Andaluz Linen
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Set of 6 Antique 18 C Gustavian Dining Chairs W Carolina Irving Andaluz Linen Fabric
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Set of 4 Antique Gustavian Style Urn Back Dining Chairs.English C.1920
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
A delightful matching set of 4 English limed oak chairs.
They have been recently limed to enhance the beautiful grain in the wood.
The seats have been re-upholstered in hessian or...
Category
Early 20th Century English Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Oak
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Black & White Painted Commodes
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of elegant Gustavian-style commodes, crafted in pine and painted black with decorative light grey detailing.
Each commode features three drawers, the top one adorned with a cl...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Swedish Mora clock from the 1960's in original colour. Green with gold carved detailing. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 weights and a bell chime on the hour.
Wid...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Swedish hand painted 19th century pine cupboard
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish hand painted 19th century pine cupboard circa 1788.
We are pleased to offer this fine piece of traditional hand painted scandinavian furniture, in the form of a double door ...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine, Paint
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...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Antique Rare Low and Wide Northern Swedish Sideboard from the Gustavian Period
Located in Kramfors, SE
Wide Swedish antique sideboard. This sideboard is a country house furniture from the gustavian period made in northern Sweden around 1790. The proportions and craftsmanship makes it ...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Antique 18th C. Gustavian Swedish EmpireLinen Press Cabinet
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique 18th C. Gustavian Swedish EmpireLinen Press Cabinet
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Genuine Swedish Original Gustavian Period Handmade Chest of Drawers
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish chest of drawers from the 1700s in gustavian style. The chest is a genuine Swedish gustavian furniture with four drawers made by hand in solid pine around 1790. Class...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
19th Century Gray Swedish Gustavian Style Pine Sideboard Buffet Cabinet
Located in Round Top, TX
Gustavian pale gray painted pine sideboard or server cabinet with large doors and interior single shelf.
The newer, professionally applied soft gray-washed painted finish is lightly ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine, Paint
19th Century Swedish genuine Gustavian Column Cabinet from Northern Sweden
Located in Boden, SE
A rare Gustavian Column Cabinet from the early to mid 19th century, 1820 to 1840. The cabinet is from Umeå Västerbotten Northern Sweden and made in the shape of a round pillar with ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Swedish Mora clock from 1830 in original colour. Cream with hand painted floral detailing. Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 weights and a bell chime. This Mora clock conta...
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Rare Swedish Antique Cabinet, Genuine Country Furniture in Gustavian Style
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rare Swedish antique cabinet, a genuine country house furniture in gustavian style from northern Sweden. The cabinet is made by hand in solid p...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Painted Chest of Drawers Commode Tallboy Black C 1850
Located in Lewes, England
C 1850 antique Swedish Gustavian painted chest of 3 drawers commode with detailed gustavian ribbed decorative motifs on the top rail, front and brass detailing.
It has 3 drawers wi...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Early 19th Century Swedish Secretary from Skåne
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
An early 19th Century Gustavian secretary from Skåne, Sweden.
With decorative carved pediment and decorated doors opening to storage. Below, a fall front desk opening to workspace an...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
18th Century Blue Painted Gustavian Sideboard, Sweden
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A custom-made Swedish blue and grey painted Gustavian antique cupboard, circa 1780-1820. The clean and useful interior has three drawers that were used for cutlery tools. This Scandi...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Pair of 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Chests
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Pair of early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian style chest of drawers.
With nice carved detail, re-painted with faux marbled painted tops. Good heavy quality.
Circa 1900.
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Vintage large Scandinavian commode in pine from the 19 century
Located in SAINT-YRIEIX-SUR-CHARENTE, FR
Antique 19th century Scandinavian chest of drawers in solid pine opening to 5 drawers. The top drawer is thinner and has compartments. The whole structure is divided into two parts a...
Category
1850s Danish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Secretary Cabinet, Late 18th/Early 19th Century
Located in Stockholm, SE
A rare and finely crafted two-part Gustavian secretary cabinet from Sweden, dating from the late 18th to early 19th century. This piece is characterized by its stately architectural ...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Oak, Pine
Wardrobe Gustavian Style
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique 2 door 4 drawer Gustavian Style Wardrobe. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints Oyster White.
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Black Swedish Pine Tall Narrow Bookcase Display Cabinet
Located in Round Top, TX
Narrow and tall Swedish display cabinet with decorative lattice work along upper glass doors.
Note the striking black painted exterior and contrasting gray interior; while a newer f...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Glass, Pine, Paint
19th Century Swedish Original Painted Mora Clock
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An early 19th Century original painted long case clock or Grandfather clock from Sweden. This Scandinavian folk art clock from the famous (for ...
Category
1820s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
19th Century Swedish Gustavian White Painted Narrow Display Cabinet Bookcase
Located in Round Top, TX
This narrow Swedish display cabinet may also be used as a bookcase. Fluted panel doors and decorative carving along the crown add to the Gusta...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Glass, Pine, Paint
Set of Six 19th Century Gustavian Chairs
Located in Allerum, SE
Set of six fine 19th century Gustavian chairs with the original padding and muslin. dry scraped to reveal the original finish. Stockholm, Sweden ca 1800.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Mid 19th century Swedish pine long case mora clock
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century Swedish pine long case mora clock circa 1850.
Large Swedish long case mora clock, presented in scraped back paint.
Scraped back down to reveal a partial colour of ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Metal
19th Century Swedish Gustavian White Painted Sideboard Narrow Console Cabinet
Located in Round Top, TX
The attractive soft color pallet of this Swedish pine cabinet or console comes from the original hand-painted antique white finish which has been gently scraped and softly distressed...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine, Paint
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Pair of Pinewood Chests - Antique Commodes
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, light-grey antique pair of Swedish Gustavian chests made of hand crafted painted Pinewood with two large drawers and one small one, in good condition. The Scandinavia...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
A Swedish Gustavian blue painted pine secretary, C. 1800.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This beautiful slant front secretary desk is in two pieces with a stunning blue surface. The top cornice is of a Rococo design with two doors opening to reveal shelves. The slant f...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine, Paint
Blue Late 19th Century Swedish 3 Drawer Gustavian Chest
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late 19th Century chest of drawers painted in Gustavian blue. This classic Gustavian style commode is a very versatile piece that works well in a foyer, living room or bedroom.
Category
Late 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair, 19th Century Gustavian White Chest of Three Drawers, Sweden
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair of decorative Gustavian pine chest of drawers painted in shades of white, fitting their Swedish origin.
Canted fluted side posts with upper carved diamond medallion, carved flu...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Brass
Swedish early 19th century Gustavian painted sofa
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish early 19th century Gustavian painted sofa circa 1810.
Stunning sofa in original paint. This would have been a day bed with a pull out section to the front, but it has since...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine, Paint
19th Century Swedish Oval Pedestal Table Circa 1890
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant 19th-century Swedish oval pedestal table, circa 1890, beautifully blends form and functionality with its neoclassical design. Crafted from solid pine wood, the table fea...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine, Paint
18th Ctr. Gustavian Black-Painted Chest of Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
Gustavian chest of drawers in black-painted wood with beautiful patina.
An elegant chest of drawers with four drawers – one upper, smaller drawer featureing fine fluting, while the t...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Oak
Black Chest Of Drawers Gustavian Style
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a really unique Gustavian Style 3 drawer chest of drawers. on each side of the chest the Gustavian Ribbon is painted. its the only one I have seen like it in my 39 years in...
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Secretary / Writing Desk - Painted
Located in Kvidinge, SE
Swedish Gustavian Secretary / Writing Desk from early 19th century
A rectangular top sitting above a slant front desk opening to reveal a light blue painted interior and multiple sma...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Corner Cabinet
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish Gustavian corner cabinet from Piteå Norrbotten, Northern Sweden.
Highly stately Corner Cabinet with reeded doors at the ...
Category
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Set of 8 Mid Century Swedish Gustavian Style Dining Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted for those who appreciate the elegance of mid-century design, this set of 8 Gustavian style dining chairs offers a blend of sophistication and comfort. Each chair is a testame...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Architectural Hand-Painted Wall Shelves Brackets
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Gorgeous Pair of Acanthus Leaf Wall Shelves Hand-Carved and Hand-Painted in a Gustavian shade of gray blue. This set could certainly stand alone as a pair on a wall or functional to ...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
18th Century Large Blue Painted Chest of Four Drawers, Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
Large pine chest of four drawers flanked with turned columns and decorative carving along top and skirt.
The newer, professionally applied blue layered painted finish with white und...
Category
Mid-18th Century Danish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Genuine Swedish Gustavian Pine Provincial Sofa Bench
Located in Kramfors, SE
Northern Swedish Gustavian provincial sofa crafted in pine, showcasing its original scraped paint. This sofa, dating back to the early 19th century, around 1800 to 1810, exemplifies ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
19th Century White Swedish Gustavian Sideboard Buffet
Located in Round Top, TX
Swedish Gustavian painted pine sideboard with attractive curved sides and panel details.The curved end cabinet doors make this cabinet a special find.
Later professionally painted in...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Narrow White Chest of Three Drawers, Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
Decorative pine Gustavian chest of drawers with traditional carved dentil molding, canted fluted side posts, decorative upper drawer all raised on four tapered fluted feet.
Restored,...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Pine Living Room Cabinet - Scandinavian Cupboard
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early 19th Century, white-grey antique Swedish Gustavian living room cabinet made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The upper part of the Scandinavian buffet is...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Metal
Swedish Gustavian Painted Banquette-Trundle
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A Swedish 18th century Gustavian banquette with its original hand-scraped painted finish. The solidly constructed frame makes for a sheltering sofa as well, with a removable bench se...
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Oval Dining Table
Located in Astoria, NY
An exquisite late 19th-century dining table made in the Swedish Gustavian style, sourced from Provence, France. Beautifully hand-crafted from solid wood, it features a 48" long oval ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Gustavian Bench
Located in Cirencester, GB
This beautiful antique Swedish bench is early 19th century from Northern Sweden.
The layers of paint have been dry scraped revealing the original colours and beautiful carved deta...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Antique Rare Swedish Sideboard, Unusually Low Gustavian Style Original Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rare antique Swedish sideboard. The sideboard is unusually low and made in gustavian style. It is an authentic country house furniture from 1834 made in Hälsingland. The frame is mad...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Large Gray Painted Pine Swedish Cabinet, circa 1770-1800
Located in Round Top, TX
Beautifully crafted large Swedish Pine Cabinet with curved upper bonnet and graceful panel doors standing over 7' tall.
Newer custom professionally painted finish in layered shades o...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine, Paint
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Pair of Antique Scandinavian Pinewood Nightstands
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A late 19th Century, antique pair of Swedish Gustavian nightstands made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. Each of the detailed bed side tables are composed with tw...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Long 19th Century Swedish Bench
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
19th Century Swedish long stool or bench.
With hand carved detail to front and both ends with traditional Swedish hand stitched antique linen upholstery. Re-painted in soft blue.
...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Pine
Swedish mid 19th century carved pine rocking cradle
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish mid 19th century carved pine rocking cradle circa 1840.
We are pleased to offer this piece of traditional swedish furniture. Made from solid heavy pine, likely to have been...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Swedish Mora clock from the 1960's in original colour with painted floral decoration. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 weights and a bell chime on the hour.
Width:...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Swedish Two Part Gustavian Cabinet
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
19th Century Swedish two part Gustavian cabinet from the region of Varmland.
With carved decorative pediment, below two doors with reeded panels opening to useful storage. Or it cou...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Exceptional 19th Century Gustavian Sofa
Located in Allerum, SE
Exceptional, elegant and unusually long 19th century Gustavian sofa in it's original condition. Signed by Ephraim Sthal (1767-1820). Supplier to the Royal Court and one of the most s...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Reeded Swedish Gustavian Style Commode Chest of Drawers
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
White/greyish hand painted Gustavian style chest of drawers constructed from solid wood with a hand-applied distressed finish with brass ring hardware. These classic Swedish style th...
Category
Early 2000s European Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Brass
Round Black Pedestal Dining Table, Sweden 1920
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early Swedish 20th Century Pedestal Dining Table in Black Paint.
This round table has beautiful Gustavian ribbed details with a border going around the table edge.
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
18th Century Set Six Swedish Chairs Gustavian Period
By Melchior Lundberg
Located in Madrid, ES
A set of six elegant and exceptional Swedish chairs from the Gustavian period, two of which are marked by Melchior Lundberg, a chairmaker in Stockholm (1714-1816). Woodcut decoration...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Gustavian furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Gustavian furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, seating, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, softwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Gustavian furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Sweden pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Ephraim Stahl, Hendrix Allardyce, Hans-Agne Jakobsson, and Jonas Frisk. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $50 and tops out at $49,500 while the average work can sell for $4,473.