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Gustavian Armchairs

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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Item type: Antique and Vintage
Style: Gustavian
Pair of 1920’s Armchairs Hand-Scraped to Their Original Paint
Located in London, GB
A lovely pair of 1920’s Swedish armchairs which have been hand-scraped back to their original paint. The drop-in seats have been recovered in a vintage French linen. The open back ha...
Category

20th Century Swedish Gustavian Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style 1890s Painted Wood Armchairs with Guilloches
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Swedish Gustavian style painted wood armchairs from the late 19th century, with carved guilloche frieze and upholstery. Created in Sweden during the later years of the 19th...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Pair of Swedish Veranda Chairs
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Pair of Gustavian style armchairs with decorative lyres on both sides. These wonderful pair of chairs have been later painted and newly upholstered in neutral coloured linen. Originally, these chairs were used as veranda chairs...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Armchairs

Materials

Linen, Wood

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...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Armchairs

Materials

Pine

Armchair Swedish Black Gustavian, 19th Century, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
An armchair made during the late Gustavian period and early part of the 19th century. Most likely later added blackened ball feet. Repainted in our custom paint "Laserow Black".   
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of Swedish Gustavian 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.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of Gustavian Armchairs
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of Gustavian armchairs. Ready for upholstered seat and back. Beautiful fretwork on back section. Carved detail throughout the frame with fluted ...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Swedish Gustavian Giltwood "Tub" Armchair Attributed to Ephraim Ståhl
Located in Stockholm, SE
A Swedish Gustavian giltwood so called "tub" armchair attributed to Ephraim Stahl (1768-1820). Made in Stockholm, circa 1810.
Category

Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Louis XVI, Gustavian, Armchairs, White Painted Wood, Scalamandre Fabric, 1890s
Located in Stamford, CT
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 ...
Category

1910s Vintage Gustavian Armchairs

Materials

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...
Category

1920s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Armchairs

Materials

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.
Category

1920s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Armchairs

Materials

Wood

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...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

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...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Armchairs

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...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Armchairs

Original Painted Swedish Gustavian Armchairs
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a set of 2 original painted Swedish Gustavian armchairs. The seating has been restored and covered in Muslin.
Category

1830s Swedish Antique Gustavian Armchairs

Materials

Birch

Pair of Gilded Gustavian Armchairs
Located in Vienna, AT
Sculpted and gilded wood. Gustavian armchairs, early part of the 19th century. Scratches, marks, stains, Complete restoration with new upholstery on request possible.
Category

1810s Swedish Antique Gustavian Armchairs

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Painted Armchairs with Muslin Fabric
Located in Houston, TX
These are some of the most elegant Swedish chairs I have ever had. The original black paint peaks out from the light gray refreshed paint and they have new cotton muslin fabric.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Early 19th Century Late Gustavian armchairs made by Ephraim Stahl, Stockholm
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of armchairs, about 1800, made in Stockholm. The armchairs are made by Ephraim Stahl, who worked in Stockholm 1794- 1820, not signed. Ephraim Stahl sold several chairs and arm...
Category

Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Armchairs

Materials

Birch

Swedish Late Gustavian Mahogany Stained and Polished "Tub" Armchair
Located in Stockholm, SE
A Swedish late gustavian mahogany stained and polished "tub" armchair made in Stockholm around 1800-1810. Ephraim Stahl (1768-1820). Made in Stockholm ca. 1810. Good used condition. ...
Category

Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of 19th C. Swedish Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 19th century Swedish style painted armchairs. The chairs stand on four straight fluted legs. There is a carved laurel leaf design at the top of the chairs. The chairs are new...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Rare Saber Leg 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Lion Head Barrel Back Chair
Located in San Angelo, TX
A stunning late 18th century Swedish Gustavian barrel back armchair featuring the lions’ head detail on the arms. Dry scrapped down to the original paint along with touch up paint fe...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Armchairs

Materials

Wood, Paint

Gustavian armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Gustavian armchairs 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 armchairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Gustavian armchairs 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 armchairs, popular names associated with this style include Ephraim Stahl, Hendrix Allardyce, and Schumacher. 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 armchairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $484 and tops out at $18,000 while the average work can sell for $4,737.

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