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Gustavian Patio and Garden 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.

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Style: Gustavian
Rare 19th century Swedish stone and iron garden table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Rare 19th century Swedish stone and iron garden table circa 1860. The manufacture of cannons at the Stavsjo Bruk is well known and that is where the base of this table was made. Tax...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Patio and Garden Furniture

Materials

Stone, Iron

Rare 19th century Swedish stone and iron garden table
Rare 19th century Swedish stone and iron garden table

Rare 19th century Swedish stone and iron garden table

$21,521
3 Basket Weave Planters
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is an unique set of 3 Basket Weave Planters from Spain.
Category

1950s Spanish Vintage Gustavian Patio and Garden Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

3 Basket Weave Planters
3 Basket Weave Planters

3 Basket Weave Planters

$1,295 / set
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1950s Vintage Gustavian Patio and Garden Furniture

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Set of 6 Classical Basket Weave Garden Planters
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H 12 in W 41 in D 41 in
French 19th Century Cast Iron Garden Table
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A classic, Parisian-style bistro table from the late 19th century, for your garden or patio! The round stone top is quite unique for its patterning, in the color and texture of brick...
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20th Century French Gustavian Patio and Garden Furniture

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French 19th Century Cast Iron Garden Table
French 19th Century Cast Iron Garden Table

French 19th Century Cast Iron Garden Table

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H 28.75 in W 31.25 in D 31.25 in
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An antique English Victorian cast iron garden bench with scroll design, leaf décor, and centered motif on seat and backrest, in good condition. The seat is perforated, with a white p...
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19th Century English Antique Gustavian Patio and Garden Furniture

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19th Century Victorian Antique Cast Iron Garden Bench
19th Century Victorian Antique Cast Iron Garden Bench

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Located in Round Top, TX
A charming later 19th century Garden Dining Table from the South of France. Wonderfully constructed with a hand forged iron base with its iron top. Perfect as a kitchen table or for ...
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French 19th Century Garden Dining Table
French 19th Century Garden Dining Table

French 19th Century Garden Dining Table

$7,950
H 27 in W 59.5 in D 29.75 in
French Late 19th Century Garden Table
Located in Round Top, TX
A very charming later 19th century Garden Gueridon from the South of France. Beautifully crafted in iron. Perfect for any interior or garden.
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19th Century French Antique Gustavian Patio and Garden Furniture

Materials

Iron

French Late 19th Century Garden Table
French Late 19th Century Garden Table

French Late 19th Century Garden Table

$1,950
H 29 in Dm 27.88 in
French 19th Century Iron & Mosaic Garden Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Crafted in France circa 1900, this mosaic tiled garden or patio table will be a charming addition to an al fresco dining area in the garden or on the patio. Along the circumference o...
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20th Century French Gustavian Patio and Garden Furniture

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French 19th Century Iron & Mosaic Garden Table
French 19th Century Iron & Mosaic Garden Table

French 19th Century Iron & Mosaic Garden Table

$2,995
H 30.13 in W 47.88 in D 47.88 in
Willy Guhl Rectangular Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic rectangular planters by Willy Guhl. Great for succulents and indoor planting. 4 available. Priced individually.  
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1960s Swiss Vintage Gustavian Patio and Garden Furniture

Materials

Cement

Willy Guhl Rectangular Planters
Willy Guhl Rectangular Planters

Willy Guhl Rectangular Planters

$625 / item
H 3.2 in W 12 in D 16 in
English 19th Century Iron & Wood Garden Bench
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A fantastic painted iron and wooden garden bench. The styled base is forged iron, worked into scroll forms that are supporting the antique wooden...
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19th Century English Antique Gustavian Patio and Garden Furniture

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Iron

English 19th Century Iron & Wood Garden Bench
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English 19th Century Iron & Wood Garden Bench

$1,800
H 29.88 in W 88.38 in D 29.75 in
Pair of Antique Heavy Stone French Planters
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Pair of Antique Heavy Stone French Planters
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Pair of Antique Heavy Stone French Planters

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H 18 in W 18 in D 18 in
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Located in Round Top, TX
A very charming later 19th century Garden Table from the Provence region of France. Soundly constructed from painted iron and is collapsible. Super patina. Perfect for any garden ...
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French Late 19th Century Garden Table
French Late 19th Century Garden Table

French Late 19th Century Garden Table

$2,850
H 25.75 in Dm 39.5 in
Willy Guhl Half Moon Wall Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare concrete planters by Willy Guhl with factory drilled holes to hang on the wall. Semi circular front with faceted edges in back. Great vintage condition. 4 available. Priced indi...
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1960s Swiss Vintage Gustavian Patio and Garden Furniture

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Cement

Willy Guhl Half Moon Wall Planters
Willy Guhl Half Moon Wall Planters

Willy Guhl Half Moon Wall Planters

$1,450 / item
H 9 in W 24 in D 13 in
Previously Available Items
Two Gustavian Wood and Cane Plant Stands
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a set of two Gustavian wood and cane plant stands in there original condition.
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1930s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Patio and Garden Furniture

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Wood

Two Gustavian Wood and Cane Plant Stands
Two Gustavian Wood and Cane Plant Stands

Two Gustavian Wood and Cane Plant Stands

H 36 in Dm 13 in
Early Regency or Gustavian Bellman Chair After Sheraton, Set of Six Iron Chairs
Located in Miami, FL
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Mid-19th Century European Antique Gustavian Patio and Garden Furniture

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Early Regency or Gustavian Bellman Chair After Sheraton, Set of Six Iron Chairs
Early Regency or Gustavian Bellman Chair After Sheraton, Set of Six Iron Chairs

Early Regency or Gustavian Bellman Chair After Sheraton, Set of Six Iron Chairs

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Rustic Indoor or Outdoor Coffee or Side Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
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Mid-20th Century Unknown Gustavian Patio and Garden Furniture

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Rustic Indoor or Outdoor Coffee or Side Table
Rustic Indoor or Outdoor Coffee or Side Table

Rustic Indoor or Outdoor Coffee or Side Table

H 17.75 in W 23.88 in D 21.63 in
19th Century Swedish Green Slatted Garden Bench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Typical 19th century early 20th century Swedish garden park bench. Green slatted garden bench with iron base. Great old patina.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Patio and Garden Furniture

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Iron

19th Century Swedish Green Slatted Garden Bench
19th Century Swedish Green Slatted Garden Bench

19th Century Swedish Green Slatted Garden Bench

H 31 in W 68.5 in D 32 in

Gustavian patio and garden furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Gustavian patio and garden furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage patio and garden furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with cane, natural fiber and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Gustavian patio and garden furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Spain pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 patio and garden furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,295 and tops out at $4,800 while the average work can sell for $4,800.

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