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.
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Chair with Originalpaint Swedish Antiques
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century Swedish Gustavian chair from Umea Vasterbotten, Northern Sweden Nice unusual model with ribs in the back & hand carved flowers & leaves. Has style features of English ...
Pine
Fine 19th Century Gustavian Chairs
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine pair of raw 19th century Gustavian chairs with it's original padding, great carvings and patina. ca 1810 Sweden.
Pine
Pair, Gustavian White Painted Arm Chairs from Sweden, circa 1840-1860
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair, attractive Swedish country white gustavian painted arm chairs. Turned, fluted legs and carved accents including floral motif. White painted finish distressed fitting the age ...
Wood, Paint
Gustavian Barrel Back Armchair, Hand-Carved Wood, Linen, Sweden, 1810
Located in Wichita, KS
A Swedish antique armchairs from the Gustavian period with a unique shaped barrel back, circa 1810. The frame features carved bell flowers with front legs adorned with lotus flowers ...
Linen, Wood, Paint
$2,080Sale Price / item|20% Off
Haga, Gustavian Style Armchair
Located in Allerum, 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 ...
Beech
$3,259Sale Price / set|20% Off
18th century Swedish original painted pair of Gustavian chairs
Located in London, GB
These late C18th chairs are a lovely example of Swedish Gustavian style. The oval backrest has decorative cutouts and delicate carving to the top rim and the wood is painted in a typ...
Pine
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...
$4,705Sale Price / set|30% Off
Swedish Gustavian Roseback Dining Chairs White Set of 8 1940s 2 Carvers
Located in Lewes, England
Rare Set of 6 Swedish Gustavian roseback dining chairs and 2 matching Roseback Carver Chairs in good condition in white with lovely carvings C 1940. Great for every day usage with ...
Birch
Pair of 19th Century Period Gustavian Klismos Chairs
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Pair of early 19th Century Swedish period Gustavian klismos chairs. With carved detailing around the chairs and down the legs. Repainted in sof...
Linen, Wood
Pair of Late18th century Swedish Period Gustavian Chairs 'The Swedish Model"
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of late 18th century Swedish period Gustavian chairs with hand scraped to its most original finish. This type of chair is called the Swedish model, oval back frame with carved r...
Fabric, Wood, Paint
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...
Pine
Pair of Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Chairs
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Pair of early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian style chairs. Simply elegant, repainted in a soft grey. Reupholstered in linen. Circa 1910.
Wood
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
Stockholm, Gustavian Style Armchair
Located in Allerum, SE
Limited edition reproductions by D. Larsson, inspired by the finest 18th - 19th-century Swedish furniture. STOCKHOLM, This Gustavian style armchair...
Beech
$8,000 / set
Set of Six 18th Swedish Gustavian Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
An elegant set of six late 18th century Swedish Gustavian dining chairs, beautifully patinated in their original scraped finish. Each chair features a square backrest with reeded sla...
Wood, Down
Late 18th Century Transition Chairs in Original Color
Located in SE
A pair of transition chairs made in Stockholm about 1780:s. Chairs that are made between the rococo period and the gustavian period are called transition chairs. So for example the b...
Birch
$7,648Sale Price / set|30% Off
Swedish Gustavian Axet Dining Chairs Grey white Set of 11, 20th Century
Located in Lewes, England
Rare and Unusual early second half of the 20th century set of 11 Gustavian AXet dining chairs in distressed paint finish with wheatsheaf motifs. The set is 8+3 chairs Lovely deta...
Birch
Pair of Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Chairs "The Swedish Model"
Located in Boden, SE
A pair of early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Chairs " The Swedish Model." from Skelleftea Vasterbotten, Northern Sweden. Scraped by hand to the original color. Retouches are made...
Pine
$14,000 / set
Pair of 19th C. Swedish Gustavian Barrel Back Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of Swedish 19th Century Barrel Back Gustavian Chairs.
Wood
19th Century Three Swedish Gustavian Chairs with Untouched Originalpaint
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century three Swedish Gustavian chairs with untouched originalpaint from Boden Norrbotten,Northern Sweden. Pleasent charming model with unusually fine hand carved urn in the ba...
Pine
Antique 19th century Swedish Gustavian Accent Chair
Located in Leesburg, VA
Anonymous Mid-19th century; Sweden Pine, linen. Approximate size: 35 (h) x 23 (w) x 18.5 (d) in. (seat height is 16.5 in.) This beautiful period chair showcases a lovely white wa...
Pine
Pair of Gustavian Single Rose Carved Chairs with Carved Detailing
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
A set of 2 gustavian rose carved chair with hand carved single rose detailing to the top of the chairs. Antique off-white aged paint finish. Solid b...
Birch
Antique 18th Century Large Gustavian Klismos Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Antique 18th century Gustavian Klismos chair. This design was developed by the Greeks in the 5th century BC. The Klismos chair has four curving...
Wood
Lars Accent Chair - Swedish Scraped White
By Tara Shaw, Century Furniture
Located in New Orleans, LA
The Swedish Klismos chair features a dramatically curved backrest that extends beyond the seat, creating a striking silhouette that captivates t...
Bouclé, Upholstery, Wood
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Painted Open Armchair
Located in Basingstoke, Hampshire
an 18th century Swedish open armchair displaying dry scraped paint. Featuring a pierced splat back, raised on, cabriole legs, united by a cross s...
Fruitwood
Pair Of 20th Century French White Patinated Gustavian Upholstered Chairs
Located in High Point, NC
This pair of white patinated Gustavian upholstered chairs embodies the refined simplicity and symmetry characteristic of late 18th-century Swedish design. Crafted from wood with a so...
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Swedish antique genuine Gustavian Bellman Chair Original paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century Swedish Gustavian "Bellman Chair" The Bellman Chair is very genuine with untouched original paint. These antique chairs from Sweden has an airy design Quality to them wi...
Pine
$5,300 / set
Set of Four Swedish Gustavian Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
A finely carved set of four Gustavian period side chairs from Sweden, featuring square backs with pierced splats, fluted legs, and rosette carvings. Retaining traces of the original ...
Birch
Von Swedish Carved Dining Chair
By Century Furniture, Tara Shaw
Located in New Orleans, LA
Inspired by ancient Greek design and refined through Swedish craftsmanship, this Klismos dining chair features a gracefully curved backrest and gently sloping saber legs, crafted fro...
Linen, Wood
Fine 18th Century Scandinavian Gustavian Chair
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine antique 18th century Gustavian chair in great original condition. This type of chair is called the Swedish model. This particular ex...
Wood
Sturehov, Gustavian Style Armchair
Located in Allerum, 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...
Beech
A Fabulous Pair of Swedish Period Gustavian Chairs w/Carved Lion's Head Accents
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian pair of carved and painted wood barrel back chairs, with lion's head accents, from the early 19th century. These antique chairs from Sweden each have rounded/barr...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Swedish 1910s Painted Wood Armchairs with Carved Splats and Stretchers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Swedish painted wood armchairs from the early 20th century, with carved splats, serpentine arms and black fabric. Created in Sweden during the early years of the 20th centu...
Wood, Fabric
Swedish Gustavian Chairs by Johan Hammarström and Johan E. Höglander, circa 1790
Located in Huntington, NY
Two similar Swedish Gustavian chairs made in Stockholm. One chair by Johan Erik Höglander (1748-1813) and signed IEH. The other chair by Johan Hammarström (active 1794-1812) and sign...
Linen, Wood, Paint
Pair of Elegant Gustavian Chairs in Original Paint, circa 1780
Located in Jesteburg, DE
Fine pair of Gustavian dining chairs, retaining their original paint.
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Side Chairs w/New Linen Seats, 19th C.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian pair of slatted back side chairs from the early 19th century. These antique chairs from Sweden have straight top rails and slatted backs. The lines are mostly cle...
Wood, Linen
Rare pair of 19th Century Gustavian Faux Bamboo Chairs
Located in Allerum, SE
Rare pair of early 19th century Gustavian faux bamboo chairs in their original finish. Ca 1810 Stockholm, Sweden. The chairs are attributed to Ephraim Sthal. Supplier to the Royal ...
Wood
$10,042 / set
Pair of Louis XVI Chairs, Signed by Georges Jacob
By Georges Jacob
Located in SE
A pair of Medallion chairs (Louis XVI) Gustavian chairs made in France, Paris, by Georges Jacob. Paris most eminent and productive carpenter, lived ...
Wood
$9,100 / set
Swedish Gustavian Chairs, circa 1800
Located in Huntington, NY
A set of four 19th century Swedish Gustavian Ax (also known as Vase) chairs from Lindome featuring a balloon-shaped back with five vertical, interconnected slats. In the center, five...
Fabric, Wood, Paint
Pair, Antique Gray Painted Gustavian Arm Chairs, Sweden, circa 1880
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair, gray painted gustavian arm chairs. Turned fluted legs and decorative carving throughout, crowned with rosettes. Restored, stable. Any scrat...
Wood, Paint
Gustavian, Dining Chairs, Spindle Back, White Paint, Giltwood, Blue Fabric
Located in Manhasset, NY
Gustavian, Dining Chairs, Spindle Back, White Paint, Giltwood, Blue Fabric Set of 5 white distressed paint decorated and gilt gold Gustavian Style side chairs. Each seat with new u...
Wood, Fabric
18th Century Giltwood Gustavian Bucket Chairs, Set of 4, Sweden, Circa 1790-1800
Located in New York, NY
18th Century Gustavian bucket chairs, set of four (4), giltwood, origin: Stockholm, Sweden, circa 1790 - 1800. Elegant proportions, beautif...
Giltwood
Pair of 19th Century Gustavian Chairs
Located in Bozeman, MT
Fine pair of 19th century Gustavian chairs in secondary historical color and it's original padding, ca 1810 Stockholm, Sweden. This particular model is called Bellman, after Carl M...
Wood
6 equal chairs, early 19th Century, Late Gustavian, made by Ephraim Sthal
Located in SE
6 Late Gustavavian chairs made by Ephraim Ståhl. The chairs are beautifully hand carved with nail clippers and leaf shaped decorations. The chairs are made by Ephraim Stahl, who wor...
Birch
$7,800 / set
Fine pair of 19th Century Gustavian Chairs
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine pair of 19th century Gustavian (the Swedish Model) chairs in their original colour with great wear to the surface.
Pine
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...
$4,304Sale Price / set|30% Off
Swedish Gustavian Dining Chairs Grey Lindome Style Set of 6, Mid-20th Century
Located in Lewes, England
Unusual set of 6 Gustavian lindome dining chairs in good structural condition with fine carved detailing in Grey with trap seats. Lovely fluted legs and Classic rose detail on the ed...
Birch
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...
Leather, Wood
$8,000 / set
Set of 6 Gustavian Chairs, 18th Century
Located in Ljungby, SE
Set of 6 Gustavian chairs. These are Stockholm pieces signed “IHS” by Johan Hammarström (active 1794–1812), with some bearing the label of th...
Wood
$4,278Sale Price / set|30% Off
Swedish Gustavian Oval back Dining Chairs White Set of 6 mid C20th
Located in Lewes, England
Unusual Set of 6 Swedish Gustavian oval back dining chairs in good condition in grey paint with lovely detailed carvied oval back rests , fluted legs and decorative embellishment Gr...
Birch
$5,329 / set
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...
Linen, Wood
Early 19th Century Late Gustavian chair
Located in SE
Chair made in Sweden about 1800. The original and first secondary color give the chairs surface indigenous textures. The seat is original as well as the leather.
Pine
Pair of Late 18th Century Gustavian Side Chairs
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Pair of chairs made by master craftsman Johan Erik Hoglander in Stockholm (1750-1813). Considered to be one of Sweden's best chair makers during t...
Wood, Upholstery
$5,735Sale Price / set|30% Off
Swedish Gustavian Axet Dining Chairs Grey white Set of 8, 20th Century
Located in Lewes, England
Rare and Unusual early second half of the 20th century set of 8 Gustavian AXet dining chairs in distressed paint finish with wheatsheaf motifs. The set is 8 chairs Lovely detail ...
Birch
$4,591Sale Price / set|30% Off
Swedish Gustavian Square Back Dining Chairs Grey Green Set of Six, 20th Century
Located in Lewes, England
Unusual early second half of the 20th century set of six Gustavian padded back dining chairs in distressed paint finish. Lovely detail in the fluted legs and rosettes with carved fr...
Birch
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Chairs with Original Paint Swedish Antiques
Located in Boden, SE
A pair of 19th century Swedish Gustavian chairs from Smaland, Southern Sweden. Scraped by hand to its original paint. The seats are upholstered in a linen fabric. Nice model with ...
Pine
$8,895 / set
Swedish Gustavian Style Barrel Chairs Set Of 4
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Rare and unique set of 4 Swedish Gustavian style Barrel chairs. they have been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White". the seating has also been restored w...
Fabric, Wood
$5,692Sale Price / set|30% Off
Swedish Gustavian Axet Dining Chairs Grey white Set of 8, 20th Century
Located in Lewes, England
Rare early second half of the 20th century set of 11 Gustavian Axet dining chairs in distressed paint finish with wheatsheaf motifs. The set is 8 Lovely detail in the fluted legs ...
Birch
$1,776Sale Price / set|35% Off
Pair of Gustavian Carved Canework Dining Chairs Natural Finish, Early 1900s A
Located in Lewes, England
Unusual early 1900s pair of Gustavian carved canework dining chairs in natural finish with fully webbed seats and lots of detail. The carved canework is really lovely with the delic...
Birch
$4,278Sale Price / set|30% Off
Swedish Gustavian Bellman White Dining Chairs, Set of Six, Late 19th Century
Located in Lewes, England
Set of six late 19th century antique Swedish Gustavian Bellman dining chairs with webbed seats and lovely brass style detailing on backrest and at the top of the pyramid legs. Very h...
Wood
$5,656Sale Price / set|30% Off
Swedish Gustavian padded back Dining Chairs White Set of 6 early 1900s
Located in Lewes, England
V Rare Set of 6 Swedish Gustavian padded back dining chairs in good condition in white paint with lovely detailed carvings , fluted legs and gilt style embellishment Great for caref...
Birch