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 Ships From: Europe
Style: Gustavian
1960s, Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Armchairs Newly Upholstered
Located in London, GB
These comfortable tub square armchairs are a classic Swedish design from the 1960s. They have been reupholstered in a light cream bouclé fabric and the walnut frames have been lacque...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
Stockholm, Gustavian Style Armchair
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Limited edition reproductions by D. Larsson, inspired by the finest 18th - 19th-century Swedish furniture.
STOCKHOLM, This Gustavian style armchair is inspired by one of the finest ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Gustavian Armchairs
Materials
Beech
Pair of Late 19th Century Swedish Gripsholm Armchairs
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Scandinavian Gripsholm Painted Grey Armchairs, A Pair
A pair of elegant Swedish armchairs, modeled after the traditional Gripsholm type. The model is named after the Gripsholm castl...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Armchairs
Materials
Wood, Paint
Gustavian Bucket chair, made in Stockholm
Located in Stockholm, SE
A Swedish Gustavian Bucket Chair. Made in Stockholm about 1790.
Decorated with beautiful lion heads at the armrest and leaf shaped border.
The legs are elegantly carved.
Gently hand ...
Category
1790s Swedish Antique Gustavian Armchairs
Materials
Wood, Birch
A pair of early 19th Century Late Gustavian Armchairs
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of Late Gustavian Armchairs, made by Ephraim Stahl, who worked in Stockholm 1794- 1820. The armchairs are not signed.
Ephraim Sthal made several chairs and armchairs for the ...
Category
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Armchairs
Materials
Birch
Pair of 19th century Swedish carved gilt armchairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of 19th century Swedish gilt and ebonised armchairs circa 1860.
Pair of fine quality shaped back gilt armchairs. Unusual shaped back with ebonised leaf detailing contrasting wi...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Armchairs
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
Pair of Gustavian-style medallion chairs, late 19th century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of chairs with medallion-shaped upholstered backrests and upholstered armrests and seats. The beige paintwork with dark green accents is new and has been given a light antique p...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Gustavian Armchairs
Materials
Wood, Fabric
Pair of Large Swedish 19th Cantury Oak Armchairs in Beige Fabric
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair of stylish, as well as comfortable, Swedish Grace club or lounge chairs in beige fabric with formed wooden armrests from the first part of the 20th Century. This important perio...
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Armchairs
Materials
Oak
Pair of Gustavian-style medallion chairs, late 19th century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of chairs with medallion-shaped upholstered backrests and upholstered armrests and seats. The beige paintwork is new and has a light antique patina. The chairs have been covered...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Gustavian Armchairs
Materials
Wood, Fabric
Pair of 20th Century Gustavian Style Armchairs
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Pair of 20th century Gustavian style armchairs, repainted in soft grey.
Newly upholstered in linen.
Category
20th Century Swedish Gustavian Armchairs
Materials
Linen
Gustavian gilt Armchairs with Lions heads, a pair, Sweden, end 19th century
Located in Paris, FR
This pair of large Swedish Armchairs represents a summit in élégance and comfort.
The Light Neo-classical shape with half round back generously re...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Armchairs
Materials
Giltwood
Sturehov, Gustavian Style Armchair
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Limited edition reproductions by D. Larsson, inspired by the finest 18th - 19th-century Swedish furniture.
STUREHOV, This fine Gustavian style armchair is inspired by a remarkable Gustavian period square back armchair from our own collection. With fine carvings thru out the entire chair. Originally designed and made by Stockholm chair master Melchior Lundberg...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Gustavian Armchairs
Materials
Beech
18th Century Swedish antique genuine Gustavian armchair with original paint.
Located in Boden, SE
Armchair Swedish Gustavian 1775-1790 , Sweden. Called the "Swedish model" .An armchair made during the early part of the Gustavian period circa 1775-1790.
Scraped by hand to its we...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Armchairs
Materials
Pine
Pair of 19th Century Gustavian Bellman Chairs
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Pair of unusual 19th Century Gustavian Bellman armchairs.
Scraped to original colour in newly upholstered in linen, these chairs have had some minor restoration over the years.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of 19th century Swedish Gothenburg gilt armchairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of 19th century Gothenburg gilt armchairs circa 1870.
Fine quality pair of Swedish Gothenburg gilt armchairs circa 1870. Slipper like shaped backs, the shaped arms supported by...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Armchairs
Materials
Silk, Beech, Giltwood
A pair of Gustavian armchairs
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of Gustavian armchairs made in Sweden, Stockholm around 1780. The chairs have a rectangular back with two open, padded arms. They ar...
Category
1780s Swedish Antique Gustavian Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Antique Genuine Swedish Gustavian Upholstered Armchair
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish gustavian upholstered armchair from the late 18th century, circa 1790. The armchair has a straight shape with hand carved woode...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Armchairs
Materials
Pine
Antique Swedish Gustavian Bergère Armchair
Located in Kastrup, DK
Antique Gustavian Swedish bergère chair. Scraped to its original delicate blue-green paint.
The chair features a barrel back and wood carved decor. A beautiful chair with great seat...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Beech
Pair of Swedish Empire Mahogany Armchairs 19th Century Sweden
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair of Stockholm Mahogany Armchairs in the Empire / Karl Johan period, circa 1810-1830 Sweden.
A pair of armchairs are veneered in a beautiful dark brown mahogany and are very clas...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Haga, Gustavian Style Armchair
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Limited edition reproductions by D. Larsson, inspired by the finest 18th - 19th-century Swedish furniture.
HAGA, a fine reproduction Gustavian barrel back armchair is influenced by ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Gustavian Armchairs
Materials
Beech
Leather Swivel Hairdressing Salon Chair, 1980s
Located in Prague 8, CZ
Vintage Leather swivel hairdressing salon chair from the 1980's. It was made in the former Czechoslovakia and used in a hair salon.
The armchair is functional, the hydraulics are wo...
Category
Late 20th Century Czech Gustavian Armchairs
Materials
Chrome, Metal
Swedish, Gustavian Bucket Chairs, about 1800
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of Swedish Gustavian Bucket Chairs. Made in Stockholm about 1800. Attributed to Ephraim Ståhl who was operative between 1794–1810.
De...
Category
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Armchairs
Materials
Wood, Birch
Swedish Gustavian Arm Chair Circa Early 1900's Painted Warm White
Located in London, Park Royal
A Swedish, Gustavian style arm chair from the early 1900's, carved in solid beech wood and hand painted in a warm white which has naturally aged to reveal some of the wood beneath. T...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Swedish Gustavian Single Chair White Color Gold Detail, Early 1900s
Located in LONDON, GB
This original Swedish Gustavian early 1900s chairs in probable original paint has highly carved detailing on the frame, arm and legs, unusual delicately fluted feet and wide seat
...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Armchairs
Materials
Birch
Swedish Gustavian Armchairs Pair White Color Gold Detail Early 1900s
Located in LONDON, GB
This is a Classic pair of original Swedish Gustavian early 1900s armchairs in probable original paint with highly carved detailing on the frames , arm and legs, unusual delicately fl...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Armchairs
Materials
Birch
Pair of Midcentury Shell Fiberglass Lounge Chairs, Czechoslovakia, 1960s
Located in Prague 8, CZ
These shell lounge chairs are an interesting example of Czechoslovak midcentury furniture design. They were designed by Miroslav Navratil or František Jirák. They are associated with...
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Gustavian Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Laminate, Wood
Armchairs Swedish Gustavian Original Paint Black Leather Carvings Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Armchairs Swedish Gustavian original paint black leather carvings sweden. A pair of armchairs made during the Gustavian period in Sweden. Frame in...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Armchairs
Materials
Wood
19th Century Pair Antique White Painted and Gilt Gustavian Swedish Armchairs
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Very rich decorative set off two mid 19th century white Gustavian armchairs with gilded and painted details.
Both wooden frames are in good condition. The gold colored velvet upholst...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Armchairs
Materials
Gold Leaf
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
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
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
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
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
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
Antique Limed Oak Gustavian Style Urn Back Carver or Armchair
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
An elegant Gustavian style carver or armchair
A lovely urn shaped splat and unadorned cabriole leg
It has been recently limed to enhance the beautiful grain in the wood.
Th...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Gustavian Armchairs
Materials
Burlap, Oak
Antique Limed Oak Gustavian Style Urn Back Carver or Armchair
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
An elegant Gustavian style carver or armchair
A lovely urn shaped splat, cabriole leg and scroll detail to the top rail
It has been recently limed to enhance the beautiful grai...
Category
Early 20th Century English Gustavian Armchairs
Materials
Burlap, Oak
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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