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.
Antique Swedish Gustavian Daybed, Handcrafted Pinewood, Circa 1870
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A late 19th Century, antique Swedish Gustavian pull-out daybed made from hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. This freestanding Scandinavian wood bench...
Fabric, Cotton, Linen, Upholstery, Pine
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Pine Bench - Antique Daybed Attributed to Lindome
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A late 18th Century, antique freestanding Swedish Gustavian daybed attributed to Lindome school, in good condition. This Scandinavian sofa bench is hand crafted from solid Pinewood a...
Fabric, Upholstery, Pine
Swedish 18th Century Louis XVI Style Painted Daybed
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An impressive, elongated Swedish 18th century daybed perfect for bedrooms or living spaces as the arms of this daybed are symmetrical in height, carved with iconic Louis XVI style mo...
Wood, Velvet
Late 19th Century Swedish Period Gustavian Day Bed
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
A rare to source late 19th Century Swedish period freestanding Gustavian day bed repainted in soft blue. This model is normally is decorated on just...
Wood
18th-19th Century White Swedish Gustavian Pinewood Daybed, Antique Sofa Bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-grey, antique Swedish Gustavian daybed made of hand crafted painted Pinewood with two round pillows, in good condition. The sides of t...
Cotton, Damask, Linen, Pine
19th c. Swedish Gustavian Period Upholstered Daybed in Original Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
An elegant Gustavian period daybed from the 19th century wearing original paint and newly upholstered in linen. This piece could easily float in a room as it is finished on all four...
Linen, Wood, Paint
Large Gustavian 18th Century Painted Daybed
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An impressive (and long) Swedish Gustavian daybed from the 1790s. The bed frame is all hand carved with bell flower motifs and guilloche patterned carvings defining the graceful curv...
Paint, Wood, Upholstery, Muslin
Antique Swedish Gustavian Daybed, Handcrafted Pine, Circa 1810-1830
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early 19th Century, antique Swedish Gustavian daybed made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The side rests of the Scandinavian Lit Du Jour are enhanced by uniqu...
Pine
18th Century Swedish Kistsäng Box Chair with Pull-Out Bed
Located in Mckinney, TX
18th-century Swedish box chair, or kistsäng, crafted in pine and designed as a multifunctional piece for everyday living. This traditional form combines seating, storage, and a pull-...
Pine, Paint
Swedish Gustavian-Style Painted Daybed, c. 1910
Located in New Orleans, LA
A beautifully proportioned Swedish daybed with brass accents in the Gustavian style, showcasing the restrained elegance and neoclassical refinement that defines the Gustavian aesthet...
Brass
Exceptional 18th Century Swedish Daybed
Located in New Orleans, LA
Highly decorative 18th century Swedish daybed with original patina.
Wood
Gustavian Paint Decorated Storage Bench, New Wool Shearling, Sweden, 19th C.
Located in Stamford, CT
Gustavian paint decorated storage bench, new wool shearling, Sweden 19th Century Wonderful gustavian bench or daybed having a brand new white wool shearling/sheepskin upholstery ...
Wool, Wood
$10,084 / item
H 19.69 in W 70.87 in D 27.56 in
Custom Oak & Cream Bouclé Daybed by Fosfeen Handcrafted, Made to Order
Located in Plymouth, GB
A handcrafted oak and cream bouclé daybed from Fosfeen’s Sunday Collection. Made to order with full customisation available, including COM, finishes, and dimensions. The Sunday Dayb...
Bouclé, Oak, Fabric, Textile, Upholstery, Wood, Hardwood
Swedish Designer, Daybed, Birch, Fabric, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A floral-printed fabric and stained birch daybed designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1930s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 17.0"H x 76.0"W x 32.75"D...
Fabric, Birch
$11,673 / item
H 19.69 in W 70.87 in D 47.25 in
Custom Walnut & Bouclé Daybed by Fosfeen Handcrafted, Made to Order (Wide)
Located in Plymouth, GB
This is the wide version of the original Sunday Daybed, featuring the double-bolster cushion setup. This model measures 112 cm in width/depth, offering a more spacious lounging surfa...
Brass
19th Century Howard & Sons Daybed
Located in Tetbury, England
Turned walnut legs with gilt brass castors, buttoned upholstrey. Factory impressed marks to the castors, paper label and factory marked hessian base covering. Factory code 16226-69...
Walnut
19th Century French Napoleon III Walnut Daybed or Bench
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive 19th century walnut daybed or bench seat made in the grand French Napoleon III period. The walnut frame features large round padd...
Fabric, Walnut
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofa
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
An early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian sofa or bench in old paint. Recently upholstered seat and bolster cushions in linen. Circa 1810.
Pine
Elegant 18th Century Tuscan Rococo Daybed, Newly Upholstered
Located in Brussels, BE
Elegant 18th century Tuscan Rococo daybed, newly upholstered.
Wood, Giltwood
Art Deco Daybed, circa 1930's
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of Fabric,Wood The Fabric shows signs of use Original condition.
Fabric, Wood
$9,800
H 16.54 in W 63 in D 29.53 in
Fine French 1930s Bedroom Bench / Daybed attributed to Maurice Dufrene
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine French Art Deco walnut daybed / large bedroom bench attributed to Maurice Dufrene.
Wood, Upholstery
Italian Daybed Attributed to Augusto Romano
Located in Dallas, TX
An Italian daybed attributed to Augusto Romano from the 1950s with a solid wood frame, tapered legs, and a low, streamlined profile. The piece features a loose seat cushion and cylin...
Metal
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofa, c. 1815
Located in Houston, TX
This elegant Swedish Gustavian sofa, circa 1815, reflects the refined neoclassical aesthetic that defined late 18th- and early 19th-century Scandinavian design. Crafted in painted wo...
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
$3,112Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 80.71 in D 34.26 in
19th Century French Louis XV Period Carved Walnut Daybed
Located in Miami, FL
Magnificent 18th century French Louis XV period daybed. The bed needs a reupholstered , we can do it with the color velvet you choose.
Velvet, Walnut
19th-C. French Painted Daybed In New Linen W/ Gustavian Swedish Styling
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a wonderful piece! It is a French Louis XVI style daybed and with the addition of the neutral linen upholstery, it can have a Gustavian flare. The painted French gray is orig...
Linen, Beech
Sold
H 38 in W 76 in D 25.5 in
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Pine Daybed - Antique Scandinavian Sofa Bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A refined late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian daybed crafted in hand-carved Pinewood, in good original condition. This elegant antique sofa reflects the hallmark characteristics of t...
Upholstery, Pine
Sold
H 36.25 in W 70.5 in D 31.5 in
Gustavian, Distressed White Paint, Linen, Swedish Daybed, Sweden, 20th c.
Located in Stamford, CT
Gustavian, Distressed White Paint, Linen, Swedish Daybed, Chaise, Sweden, 20th c. Louis XV style daybed or chaise lounge having a white paint distressed frame and later off-white li...
Fabric, Wood
19th c. Swedish Gustavian Period Daybed / Bench in Original Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A striking 19th century Swedish Gustavian period daybed, circa 1800. This piece has been hand-scraped to reveal the original paint surface. Finials above rosettes on the arms. Beauti...
Fabric, Wool, Paint
18th Century Gustavian Daybed
Located in New Orleans, LA
This Gustavian daybed is a timeless example of Swedish neoclassical design, inspired by the refined aesthetic of 18th-century France but adapted with a lighter, more understated eleg...
Wood
Daybed Swedish Gustavian Style 100% Original paint
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Unique Swedish Gustavian style Daybed / Love Seat. The seating has been restored and covered in Muslin.
Wood
19th century Gustavian Sofa Bed
Located in Charleston, SC
Gustavian sofa bed, Sweden circa 1850 with beautiful Gustavian details; openwork lyres and foliage carved back. The finish has been scraped to reveal much of the original cream/whit...
Linen, Wood, Paint
Sold
H 34.25 in W 78.75 in D 31.1 in
18th Century Gustavian Swedish Grey Daybed with Carved Rosettes and Fluted Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian period grey painted daybed from the 18th century with out-scrolling sides, fluted apron and legs and carved rosettes. Step into an ambiance of timeless elegance with this 18th-century Swedish Gustavian daybed. Painted in a classic Gustavian grey that exudes sophistication, the finish is tantalizingly distressed to allow hints of the original wood to emerge. The weight and solid construction of this piece attest to its heritage—born of exceptional craftsmanship and designed to stand the test of time. Feast your eyes on the exquisitely out-scrolling sides, fluted apron, and legs that effortlessly marry form and function. Elegant carved rosettes grace each knee, imbuing the daybed with a touch of floral flair. For modern practicality, the daybed is fully reupholstered in a new, heavy canvas duck fabric...
Upholstery, Wood
Gustavian Sofa in Pink Linen
Located in Faversham, GB
A wonderful Swedish sofa in Gustavian style made of Scots Pine. The seat ends collapse, allowing the bench to fold down into a flatbed, which extends the length of the sofa and prov...
Linen, Upholstery, Pine
18th Century Gustavian Sofa Bench In Original Gray Paint, Sweden
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish Late 18th century sofa or settee bench with old grey paint and the Unbeatable Original Patina. The sofa has been carefully and professionally hand-scraped in order recover ...
Pine
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofa with Original Paint
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
End of 18th century Swedish Gustavian Sofa or Daybed, featuring greyish old paint and its original patina. Sofa has carefully and ...
Pine
19th century Swedish Gustavian Sofa Bed
Located in Charleston, SC
Early 19th century Swedish Gustavian sofa with carved decoration around the apron and storage/bed underneath the seat. Hand dry-scraped to its most original color and newly upholstered seat in linen. Long and narrow sofa...
Linen, Pine, Paint