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Gustavian Canapes

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
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofa Original Paint in Vintage French Linen
Located in London, GB
Lovely Swedish circa 18th century hand-scraped to the original paint upholstered Gustavian sofa. The decoration to the wood is classical and it's been reupholstered in a neutral vintage French linen...
Category

1780s Swedish Antique Gustavian Canapes

Materials

Pine

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofa Original Paint in Vintage French Linen
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofa Original Paint in Vintage French Linen

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofa Original Paint in Vintage French Linen

Swedish Late Gustavian Sofa by Ephraim Stahl Stockholm circa 1800 Gilded
By Ephraim Stahl
Located in Epfach, DE
Swedish late Gustavian sofa by Ephraim Stahl Stockholm circa 1800 gilded Small sofa by Ephraim Stahl Stockholm circa 1800 late Gustavian Original painting, with a lion in Bronze,...
Category

Early 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Gustavian Canapes

Materials

Bronze

Swedish Late Gustavian Sofa by Ephraim Stahl Stockholm circa 1800 Gilded
Swedish Late Gustavian Sofa by Ephraim Stahl Stockholm circa 1800 Gilded

Swedish Late Gustavian Sofa by Ephraim Stahl Stockholm circa 1800 Gilded

Gustavian Painted and Parcel Gilt Canape or Sofa, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
Gustavian Painted and Parcel Gilt Canape or Sofa; having a shell carved crest rail above a padded back and a stuffover seat, raised on cabriole legs, 19th Century
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Canapes

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Painted and Parcel Gilt Canape or Sofa, 19th Century
Gustavian Painted and Parcel Gilt Canape or Sofa, 19th Century

Gustavian Painted and Parcel Gilt Canape or Sofa, 19th Century

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H 38.5 in W 52 in D 22 in
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18th c. Swedish Sofa Bench in Original Patina, Gustavian Period
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18th c. Swedish Sofa Bench in Original Patina, Gustavian Period

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H 36.63 in W 72.44 in D 28.75 in
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H 27.56 in W 86.62 in D 37.41 in
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Early 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Painted and Parcel Gilt Sofa or Canape

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Swedish Gustavian Giltwood "Tub" Armchair Attributed to Ephraim Ståhl
By Ephraim Stahl
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Swedish Gustavian Giltwood "Tub" Armchair Attributed to Ephraim Ståhl
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Swedish Gustavian Settee, Late 18th Century, Lindome

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H 37 in W 59 in D 24 in
18th Century Gustavian Painted Sofa, Sweden, circa 1775
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1770s Swedish Antique Gustavian Canapes

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18th Century Gustavian Painted Sofa, Sweden, circa 1775
18th Century Gustavian Painted Sofa, Sweden, circa 1775

18th Century Gustavian Painted Sofa, Sweden, circa 1775

H 36.23 in W 74.81 in D 25.99 in
19th Century Swedish Painted Day Bed, Bench
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century Swedish painted daybed ~ bench is a jewel of a find, with a high gallery rail on three sides perfect for bunching up pillows. Use it for a sofa during the day, and for e...
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19th Century Swedish Painted Day Bed, Bench

19th Century Swedish Painted Day Bed, Bench

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H 46 in W 53 in D 27 in
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Swedish Style Carved Paint Decorated Sofa / Couch

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Sofa Gustavian Period Sweden

Sofa Gustavian Period Sweden

H 37 in W 86.5 in D 24 in

Gustavian canapes for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Gustavian canapes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage canapes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Gustavian canapes 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 canapes, popular names associated with this style include and Ephraim Stahl. 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 canapes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $5,000 and tops out at $9,456 while the average work can sell for $6,116.

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