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Gustavian Club Chairs

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
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 Club Chairs

Materials

Oak

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Barrel Back Armchairs
Located in Wichita, KS
A pair of Swedish chairs with classic sulla barrel backs in the Gustavian style with plaster decorative details, newly upholstered in linen. Beautifully carved bell flowers around th...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Club Chairs

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

19th C. Swedish Gustavian Period Upholstered and Painted Klismos Chair
Located in Wichita, KS
An early 19th century Klismos chair from the Gustavian period, newly upholstered in linen fabric. Made in Lindome, Sweden. The Klismos design orig...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Club Chairs

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

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 Club Chairs

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 Club Chairs

Materials

Birch

Gustavian Style Barrel Chairs
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a set of 2 Gustavian style Barrel chairs. They have been restored and repainted with milk paints "Oyster White" seating is covered in muslin.
Category

1920s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Club Chairs

Materials

Wood

Related Items
Pair, Gray Painted Swedish Gustavian Armchairs, circa 1920
Located in Round Top, TX
This pair of Swedish Gustavian style armchairs have a gently curved back, turned fluted legs and decorative carving embellishments which all add to the graceful appeal of each. The n...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Club Chairs

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

Sheepskin, 1950s Swedish Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful period 1950s armchairs upholstered in Scandinavian sheepskin. Very minor wear and stunning in its shape and proportions.
Category

Mid-20th Century European Gustavian Club Chairs

Materials

Sheepskin, Wood

Sheepskin, 1950s Swedish Armchairs
Sheepskin, 1950s Swedish Armchairs
H 29.14 in W 28.75 in D 19.69 in
Superb Pair of Club Chairs, Upholstered in Pure Alpaca
Located in London, GB
Superb pair of deep seated modern club chairs, upholstered in pure Alpaca. High quality hand-made beech frames and newly upholstered in a brown/grey premium 100% alpaca fabric. Fast ...
Category

2010s British Gustavian Club Chairs

Materials

Alpaca, Beech

Vladimir Kagan Sculptural Velvet Upholstered Lounge Chairs, Pair
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Mid-Century Modern club chairs or lounge chairs By Vladimir Kagan USA, 1970s Sculptural design, with light gray velvet upholstery. Measures: 30.25"W x ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Gustavian Club Chairs

Materials

Velvet

Superb Club Chair, Upholstered in Pure Alpaca
Located in London, GB
Superb modern club chair, upholstered in pure Alpaca. High quality handmade beech frame and upholstered in an ivory premium 100% alpaca fabric. Handmade in England. Available in C...
Category

2010s British Gustavian Club Chairs

Materials

Alpaca, Beech

Superb Club Chair, Upholstered in Pure Alpaca
Superb Club Chair, Upholstered in Pure Alpaca
H 30.71 in W 38.59 in D 37.01 in
Art Deco Pair of Club Chairs in the style of Jules Leleu
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Club Chairs made out of a frame of solid Rosewood and upholstered in a Pearl White color silk velvet. These chairs were designed in France in the style of Jules Leleu. Jule...
Category

20th Century French Gustavian Club Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Rosewood

Superb Pair of Round Club Chairs, Upholstered in Pure Alpaca
Located in London, GB
Superb pair of round, leaning modern club chairs, upholstered in pure Alpaca. High quality handmade beech frames and newly upholstered in a soft, grey (with a hint of brown) premium ...
Category

2010s British Gustavian Club Chairs

Materials

Alpaca, Wood

Arne Jacobsen Pot Chair Upholstered in Sheepskin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Arne Jacobsen pot chair designed in 1959 and produced by Fritz Hansen.
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Gustavian Club Chairs

Materials

Sheepskin

Skirted Upholstered Club Chair, Customizable
Located in Greenwich, CT
Our Madison chair features a t-cushion and loose pillow back for additional comfort. The chair is framed in maple and birch. Price does not include fabric. Fabric shown is for imag...
Category

2010s American Gustavian Club Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Maple

Superb Pair of Club Chairs, Upholstered in Pure Alpaca
Located in London, GB
Superb pair of modern club chairs, upholstered in pure Alpaca. High quality beech frames and upholstered in an ivory premium 100% alpaca fabric. Handmade in England. Fast shipping...
Category

2010s British Gustavian Club Chairs

Materials

Alpaca, Beech

Neotraditional Fully Upholstered Camel Ultra Suede Lounge Chair
Located in Chicago, IL
Similar to the Donghia Luciano chair, this fully upholstered neotraditional armchair has many of the characteristic John Hutton hallmarks; uphols...
Category

Late 20th Century American Gustavian Club Chairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of Milo Baughman Upholstered Lounge Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish pair of matching Mid-Century Modern lounge chairs feature timeless Milo Baughman design for Thayer Coggin. The tapered vintage walnut legs and shapely seat frames are pe...
Category

1960s American Vintage Gustavian Club Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Previously Available Items
Swedish Biedermeier Gustavian Barrel Back Armchairs Pair Early 1900s Tube Chair
Located in LONDON, GB
This is a rare pair of original Swedish Gustavian Biedermeier Barrel Back armchairs with golden birch veneers and inlaid marquetry in a rich honey color French polish finish and with...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Club Chairs

Materials

Birch

Blue and Cream Carved and Painted Club Chairs with Swedish Styling, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a lovely pair of blue and cream carved and painted club chairs with Gustavian / Swedish styling. The carved scallop backs are a nice detail, and the vintage embroidered strip...
Category

1950s American Vintage Gustavian Club Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Down

Swedish Gustavian Barrel Chairs
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a set of 2 Swedish Gustavian Barrel chairs. They have been restored and repainted with milk paints "Oyster White".
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Club Chairs

Materials

Wood

Swedish Gustavian Barrel Chairs
Swedish Gustavian Barrel Chairs
H 31 in W 24 in D 20 in
Rams Head Berger Chair
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Rams Head Berger chair, it has been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White". The seating has been covered with Muslin.
Category

1920s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Club Chairs

Materials

Birch

Rams Head Berger Chair
Rams Head Berger Chair
H 26 in W 23 in D 20 in
Gustavian Wing Chairs
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a set of 2 Gustavian wing chairs, they have been restored and repainted with milk paints "Oyster White" the seating has also been rebuilt and covered in Muslin.
Category

1890s Swedish Antique Gustavian Club Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Gustavian Wing Chairs
Gustavian Wing Chairs
H 42 in W 28 in L 42 in
Swedish Rams Head Bergère Chair
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Swedish ram's head bergère chair. Its been restored and repainted with milk paints "Oyster White" its also been recovered in Muslin.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Club Chairs

Materials

Birch

Swedish Rams Head Bergère Chair
Swedish Rams Head Bergère Chair
H 29 in W 26 in D 21 in
Vintage Neoclassical Club Chair
Located in Sheffield, MA
The vintage neoclassical armchair is newly upholstered in beige linen and has panelled legs and frame painted gold and white. Brass nailheads secure the upholstery. The seat is extra deep. Can be used in Louis XVI, Directoire or Gustavian decor...
Category

Late 20th Century American Gustavian Club Chairs

Materials

Linen, Wood

Vintage Neoclassical Club Chair
Vintage Neoclassical Club Chair
H 31 in W 28 in D 34.5 in
19th Century Pair of Swedish Gustavian Barrel Back Armchairs
Located in Wichita, KS
A pair of Swedish armchairs in the Gustavian style with barrel backs. These comfortable chairs have been newly upholstered in linen. There is laurel leaf and bell flower carved moldi...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Club Chairs

Materials

Linen

Pair of Period Gustavian Neoclassical Chairs
Located in Essex, MA
Pair
Category

18th Century and Earlier Swedish Antique Gustavian Club Chairs

Materials

Beech

Pair Of Stylishly Appointed Period Gustavian Chairs By Ephraim Stahl
Located in Essex, MA
PAIR of Period Swedish Gustavian Armchairs --Barrel Back Form --Neoclassical in Styling with Parcel Gilt Laurel and Lion Heads --Newly Upholstered --Attributed to Stockholm Ma...
Category

18th Century and Earlier Swedish Antique Gustavian Club Chairs

Gustavian club chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Gustavian club chairs for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage club chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Gustavian club chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Sweden pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 club chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,525 and tops out at $14,000 while the average work can sell for $4,194.

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