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.
$1,800 / set
Atelier Vierkant Style Terra Cotta Planters-Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A magnificent and highly sought-after pair of monumental crucible-form planters in the revered manner of Atelier Vierkant, Belgium. The silhouette is pure, primitive modernism: a t...
Terracotta
A Pair of 19th Century Gustavian-Style Painted Doors
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Swedish Gustavian-Style hand-painted pine cabinet doors. By repute, these doors were painted Danish-Norwegian painter and art critic Poul 'Pola' Gauguin (1883-1961), the so...
Pine
$4,500 / item
3 Antique Oversize Exterior Doors, Sold Singly
Located in Sheffield, MA
Three very large monumental over size rustic antique architectural paneled doors with oval top that will add character and style to any hou...
Wood
$2,660Sale Price / set|30% Off
Pair of Louis XVI Style Doors
Located in Sheffield, MA
Pair of tall painted doors with original hardware. Will need new glass. Other doors available but not with glass panel. Doors can work well in Swedish Gustavian style decor
Wood
$5,800 / set
Pair of Louis XVI Style Doors
Located in Sheffield, MA
Pair of tall painted doors with original hardware. Will need new glass. Other doors available but not with glass panel. Doors can work well in Swedish Gustavian style décor. Each do...
Wood
Pair of Gustavian Style Painted Pedestal Columns, 20th Century
Located in Rødding, DK
This pair of pedestal columns is painted in a soft cream tone with gilt detailing, produced in the Gustavian style during the 20th century. Each column is fluted along the shaft, wit...
Wood
Antique Swedish Gustavian Pine Obelisks, Distressed Decor, Circa 1820
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Swedish Gustavian pair of early 19th Century obelisks made of Pinewood, in good condition. Each is covered with distressed hand crafted hammered decorative round ornaments...
Pine
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...
Stone, Iron
Swedish 18th Century Hand-Carved Stairwell Ornament, Gustavian Style
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A masterfully carved stairwell ornament from the early part of the 18th century, Sweden. Dating to 1730, this convex triangular decorative detail was once a part of a grand staircase...
Copper
$990Sale Price|29% Off
Swedish Black and Giltwood Hanging Planter, Gustavian Period Sweden, 1810
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish black and giltwood ceiling hanging planter, Gustavian Period Sweden, 1810 The ceiling plater hangs with 3 black painted metal chains. The inside of the planter has a metal i...
Wood
Gustavian Style Italian Terracotta Planters
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a set of 2 original finish Gustavian style Italian terracotta planters. I actually have 6 sets of 2.
Terracotta
Pair Swedish Painted Jardinière Planters On Column Bases
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Pair of 19th Century Swedish painted Jardinière Planters. Planters feature removable iron liners and rest on column bases. These planters are designed to hold plants or flowers whi...
Wood
$695 / set
3 Gustavian Style Planters
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a set of 3 Original Finish Gustavian Style Planters. Middle planter: 10 H, 12 D, 23 W Left planter: 17 H, 15 W.
Terracotta
Swedish Gustavian Pair of Carved & Painted 39.5" Tall Display Pedestals
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian pair of carved and painted wood display pedestals from the turn of the 18th and 19th century. These Period Gustavian pedestals from Sweden, Circa 1800, have a han...
Wood, Paint
$695 / set
Large Gustavian Style Garden Pots
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a set of 2 Large Gustavian Style Garden Pots in original condition.
Concrete
Gustavian Style Italian Terracotta Planters
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a set of 2 original finish Gustavian style Italian terracotta planters. I actually have 6 sets of 2.
Terracotta
Gustavian Style Italian Terracotta Planters
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a set of 2 original finish Gustavian style Italian terracotta planters. I actually have 6 sets of 2.
Terracotta
Gustavian Style Italian Terracotta Planters
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a set of 2 original finish Gustavian style Italian terracotta planters. I actually have 6 sets of 2.
Terracotta
2 Gustavian Style Italian Terracotta Planters
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a set of 2 original finish Gustavian Style Italian terracotta planters. I actually have 6 sets of 2.
Terracotta
$1,495 / set
3 Basket Weave Planters
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is an original finish set of 3 basket weave planters.
Concrete
Pair of Monumental Atelier Vierkant Style Planters - Ocean Blue Patina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking and highly coveted pair of monumental bullet-form planters in the revered manner of Atelier Vierkant, Belgium. The form is pure modern sculpture: a tall, elegant ovoid, ...
Terracotta
$1,105Sale Price|43% Off
Antique Scandinavian Coal or Fireplace Bucket in Copper, 18th Cen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A fine quality Scandinavian (probably Swedish) coal or fireplace bucket. It dates to circa 1750. Perhaps a tat earlier. Finely hand forged brass handl...
Brass, Copper
$7,470 / item
Swedish Neoclassic Marble Top Vanity
Located in Westwood, NJ
The cabinet features reeded door panels outlined in antique white with subtle gold trim, complemented by solid brass ring pulls that add a sophisticated metallic accent. The marble b...
Marble, Brass
Swedish Gustavian Tall Painted Wood Column Stand
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Bring a touch of Scandinavian classical architecture into your home with this impressive vintage Column Pedestal. Certainly makes a wonderful addition to any home seeking a display p...
Wood, Paint
$1,895 / set
Ten Decorative Rectangular Italian Planters
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique set of 10 Decorative Rectangular Italian Planters with Concrete tray for each one.
Terracotta
Pair of Giltwood and Paint Decorated Italian Columns, Pedestals, Gustavian Style
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Table Top Diminutive Decorative Giltwood and Paint Decorated Italian Columns, Gustavian Style, 19th Century Europe. This fine pair of painted and gilt wood columns or pedesta...
Giltwood
Gustavian Style Italian Terracotta Planters
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a set of 2 original finish Gustavian style Italian terracotta planters. I actually have 6 sets of 2.
Terracotta
$1,695 / set
4 Ornate Italian Planters
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a set of 4 Ornate Italian Planters made by one of the TOP Garden Planter companies in Italy, Bitossi, they are in 100% Original condition.
Limestone
$1,295 / set
3 Basket Weave Planters
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is an unique set of 3 Basket Weave Planters from Spain.
Terracotta
King Gustaf III Cast Iron Fire Place Side
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a, "King Gustaf III" cast Iron fire place siding. Very rare piece to find.
Iron