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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.

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Style: Gustavian
Small Antique Gustavian Style Bleached Side Table. English C.1800
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Elegant bleached tropical hardwood table Lovely colour Recently bleached With 2 drawers Original brass hardware Free Uk shipping
Category

Early 1800s English Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

Danish Gustavian (Louis XVI) Pine Chest of Drawers with Original Brass Fittings
Located in Kastrup, DK
Decorative Gustavian chest of drawers (known in Denmark as Louis XVI) crafted in pine, carefully stripped back to its original black paint with a beautifully aged patina. The top is ...
Category

Late 18th Century Danish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

Antique Swedish Genuine Gustavian Period Decorated Foot Stool with Original Seat
Located in Kramfors, SE
Genuine antique foot stool from the Swedish gustavian period around 1770 to 1780. This Swedish antique has classic carved wooden decor on the legs and sides. Original paint from the ...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Chests in Blue Tones
Located in Kastrup, DK
A refined pair of Gustavian-style chests of drawers, crafted in Sweden circa 1840–1860. Made from pine and painted in a soft blue tone with darker blue geometric detailing. Each ches...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

Swedish Gustavian Style Chest of Drawers in Distressed Blue Paint, circa 1920
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare and beautifully patinated Gustavian-style chest of drawers, crafted in Sweden around 1920. This three-drawer chest stands on tapered legs and features classic neoclassical det...
Category

1920s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Pine

18th Century Gustavian Period Commode in Black Paint, circa 1780
Located in Atlanta, GA
An authentic late 18th-century Swedish Gustavian period commode, circa 1780, featuring its original structure with a later black-painted finish. This striking piece showcases the ele...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

19th century Scandinavian walnut chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Scandinavian walnut chest of drawers circa 1880. Good quality Swedish chest of drawers unusually made in walnut. Rectangular top with moulded edge and canted front cor...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Walnut, 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

Genuine Antique Swedish Gustavian Period Sideboard with Light Distressed Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
Genuine antique Swedish sideboard from the gustavian period around 1780. The sideboard is made in Stockholm by hand with a frame in solid pine. It has the straight classic shape with...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

A Swedish Gustavian painted fall front desk, C. 1820.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Crafted in two pieces, this Neoclassical form desk features clean lines and understated elegance, with a soft painted finish typical of the Gustavian palette. The upper section has o...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

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

Extraordinary 19th Century Gustavian Paint Decorated And Gilt Sofa
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine and elegant example of the type of 19th century neoclassical Gustavian paint decorated square frame upholstered sofa. Paint decorated overall in pale gray with gilt details. ...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

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

Pair of Period Gustavian Chairs in Original Paint, Sweden, Late 18th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A charming pair of Swedish Gustavian side chairs from the late 18th century, each scraped back to reveal traces of their original soft grayish-white paint, now beautifully timeworn a...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Pinewood Daybed - Antique Freestanding Sofa Bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early 19th Century, antique Swedish Gustavian daybed made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The side rests of the Scandinavian Lit Du Jour are enhanced by uniqu...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

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

Antique Genuine Swedish Gustavian Period Sideboard in Original Condition
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish antique sideboard from the gustavian period. The sideboard is a genuine antique from around 1820 made by hand in solid pine in northern Sweden. Classic gustavian straight sha...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Pair of Chelsea Textiles Gustavian Chest of Drawers Nightstands
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Hand painted, in a wonderful Scandinavian neutral creamy gray color, Gustavian style chest of drawers or nightstand. This piece has been constructed from solid wood with a hand-appli...
Category

Early 2000s European Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Tabouret-Stool
Located in New Orleans, LA
A charming 19th century Swedish footstool with simple neoclassical lines, tapered legs, and worn painted finish—offering a subtle elegance and utility rooted in Scandinavian craftsma...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Blue Oak Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary is a striking statement piece with panel doors, dramatic bonnet, and traditional lower three large drawers. The entire secretary has been given a professional cust...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

Set of Ten 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Dining Chairs
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A rare and elegant set of ten 19th Century Gustavian dining chairs crafted in the renowned furniture-making province of Lindome, Sweden. Circa 1820. These chairs exemplify the refin...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

19th Century White Painted Swedish Gustavian Pine Sideboard Console Buffet
Located in Round Top, TX
This lovely Gustavian sideboard comes from the Swedish countryside. The simple fluted carving along the panel doors was a traditional element in Swedish furniture from this era. The ...
Category

Mid-19th 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

Gustavian Swedish Kitchen Cabinet
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Good early 19th century Swedish pine kitchen cabinet with folk art decoration. 1804. Internal depths: Top - 11-inches Bottom - 18-inches Code: 89...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

19th century Swedish painted pine chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish painted pine chest of drawers circa 1880. Good quality 3 drawer chest of drawers painted in a light coral paint effect.  2 plank top surface, with 3 drawers of ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

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

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

Late 19th Century Swedish Astral Glazed Bookcase
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian bookcase. With two astral glazed doors, opening to storage shelves. Below two further doors, opening to ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Northern Swedish Gustavian Period Handmade Rustic Pine Sideboard
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish rustic sideboard from the gustavian period, made around 1810. The sideboard is made in northern Sweden by hand from solid pine. It has a straight shape with two doors...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Chest of Drawers
Located in Houston, TX
The commode features three nice sized drawers with sufficient storage. Solid wood painted in a soft white, brass handles and keyholes. This piece is a wonderful storage solution wit...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Side Occasional Bedside Table
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This Swedish style hand painted, in a Scandinavian neutral green color, table has been constructed from solid wood. Classic details on this table including a hand-applied finish and ...
Category

Early 2000s European Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

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

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

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

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

19th - 20th Century Swedish Mahogany Chest of Drawers - Antique Stone Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A late 19th Century, antique Swedish Gustavian chest, commode with three drawers made of hand crafted polished, partly veneered Mahogany, in good condition. The rectangular Scandinav...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Stone, Metal, Brass

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 Swedish Gustavian Painted Console Table
Located in Round Top, TX
Swedish Gustavian style console table with tapered legs. Applied carved embellishments top the legs and a lion medallion in the center of skirt each add to the romantic appeal of thi...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Swedish Mora clock from the 1960's in original wood. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 weights and a bell chime on the hour. Width: 56cm / 22.0" Depth: 16.5cm / 6.5...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Large Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Chest of Drawers Dresser
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Gray Painted Swedish Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Bureau. This three drawer bureau is based on an 18th Century Gustavian antique chest of drawers. The chest is handmade and hand pa...
Category

Early 2000s European Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

19th Century Pair of White Painted Swedish Gustavian Chest of Drawers
Located in Round Top, TX
A pair of decorative pine Gustavian chest of drawers with canted fluted side posts with upper carved flourish, raised on four tapered fluted feet. Restored, later professionally pain...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Pinewood Armoire - Antique Scandinavian Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, antique Swedish Gustavian armoire, wardrobe made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The tall blue-grey Scan...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Metal

18th Century Antique Swedish Red Painted Baroque Secretary
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
A two-tiered wooden cabinet from the 18th century Swedish Gustavian period. The top door opens to reveal a decorative top shelf and three other shelves. The top of the bottom shelf c...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Antique Rustic Gustavian Drop Leaf Table Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
Small, pretty, easily placed antique Drop leaf table from Boden Norrbotten, Northern Sweden. Nice untouched original paint in beautiful Englis...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish Vitrine
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exceptional Swedish vitrine cupboard, dating back to around 1850, is a remarkable example of classic Scandinavian design. Crafted from solid pine, the piece retains its original...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Glass, Pine

Swedish Gustavian Blue Painted Hall Console Table with Carving
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Painted Hand Carved Entry Hall Console Table Hand painted and hand distressed in authentic Scandinavian colors. This table has been painted in blue with ...
Category

Early 2000s Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Pair of Pinewood Chests - Antique Commodes
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, antique pair of light-grey 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

Late 18th century Swedish oak painted bureau bookcase
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Stunning baroque Swedish painted bureau bookcase circa 1780. Comprising of 2 parts.  Top section with a beautiful deep scrolling cornice, below...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Oak, Pine, Paint

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

19th century Swedish birch long case mora clock
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish mora long case clock, circa 1850. Presented in its original birch finish which has taken on a good patina. Naive hand painted enamel clock face with expected mi...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Metal

The Kiss by GUSTAV KLIMT Throw Pillow Cushion
By (after) Gustav Klimt
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The Kiss by GUSTAV KLIMT Throw Pillow Cushion Made in Belgium by Flemish Tapestries. Elevate Your Home with Premium Luxury Tapestry Cushion Throw Pillow Made in Flanders, Belgium Ind...
Category

Late 20th Century Belgian Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Cotton

19th century Swedish birch fitted cupboard
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish birch fitted cupboard circa 1880. Beautifully fully restored Swedish birch sideboard / cupboard which could serve for mul...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Birch

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Chests in Coral Red
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of Gustavian style chests, crafted from pine and painted in an elegant coral red color. Each chest has three drawers with panel detailing and brass hardware, with the top draw...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

Genuine rustic antique Gustavian Drop leaf table country original color.
Located in Boden, SE
Genuine gustavian drop-leaf table made around 1790 to 1810 in Luleå Norrbotten ,Northern Sweden. The frame is made from solid pine and it has the original paint with genuine distres...
Category

Early 19th 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.

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