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 C. Rococo Gustavian Ebonized and Partial Gilt Upholstered ArmChairs, Pair
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of Rococo Gustavian / Swedish Arm Chairs for him and her. Light greenish. Measures 21"W x 22"D x 32H. Seat height is 17" and arm height is 23" and 22". Seat interior width 17"...
Upholstery, Hardwood, Giltwood
$16,500 / set
Pair Gustavian Style Linen Lounge Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Gustavian style linen lounge chairs. It has a painted wood frame.
Linen, Wood
Mid-Century Desgn Safari Chair by Hyllinge Møbler Denmark, 1970’s
Located in Delft, NL
Mid-century desgn safari chair by Hyllinge Møbler Denmark, 1970’s.
Canvas, Wood
Pair of Fine Gustavian Style Paint Decorated Arm Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A particularly fine pair of Gustavian style armchairs. A pair of custom upholstered arm chairs with intentionally distressed paint decorated frames in bluish taupe. The carved palmet...
Wood
$26,175 / set
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Klismos Chairs
By Erik Öhrmark
Located in Rīga, LV
An elegant pair of 19th Century Gustavian Klismos chairs are very comfortable and have wonderful proportion. The chairs have robust frame and s...
Fabric, Wood
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 of Art Deco Style Lounge Chairs
Located in Pasadena, TX
Pair of Art Deco style lounge chairs Burl framed lounge chairs upholstered in a rich eggplant fabric. Measures: 31.25 Width x 29.5 Depth...
Burl
19th Century Swedish Empire Klismos Chairs
Located in Allerum, SE
Pair of 19th century Swedish mahogany Empire klismos chairs. Sweden ca 1820.
Mahogany
19th Century Irish Mahogany Library Armchair
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine early 19th century mahogany framed library armchair, the curved top-rail above button back upholstered in leather, with raised padded arm rests and down scrolled arms whi...
Leather, Mahogany
$3,000
H 29 in W 29 in D 27 in
Mid century Brazilian Leather Safari Sling Low lounge Chair by Michel Arnoult
By Percival Lafer, Jean Gillon, Michel Arnoult
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Brazilian modern Michel Arnoult leather sling with Brazilian wood frame Safari Sling Lounge Chair. Brazilian Modern jacaranda hardwood frame safari sling chair with light...
Leather, Hardwood
Unavailable|$600
H 30.6 in W 31.8 in D 31 in
Floral Upholstered Lounge Chair Danish Mid-Century Modern 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This plush lounge chair features an inviting contoured frame with deep seating and wide padded armrests. Its vibrant traditional profile offers classic Scandinavian comfort. A charmi...
Fabric
Elegant 18th Century Tuscan Rococo Daybed, Newly Upholstered
Located in Brussels, BE
Elegant 18th century Tuscan Rococo daybed, newly upholstered.
Wood, Giltwood
19th Century Pair of Round-back Upholstered Armchairs
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th century pair of round-back upholstered armchairs. Dates from the transition period between square William IV lolling chairs and curvilinear Victorian; the carved embellishment t...
Mahogany
Danish 1960's Lowback Easy Lounge Chair by Ryesberg Mobler
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic 1960s easy chair by Ryesberg Mobler, Denmark, possibly designed by Kurt Østervig. Charming clean design with a strong statement for a little chair. Original wool showing som...
Wool, Teak
Pair, 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Armchairs
Located in Round Top, TX
This graceful pair of Swedish Gustavian arm chairs have a wonderfully warm patina thanks to the soft, scraped finish revealing much of the natural pine wood below. Note the residual ...
Pine
Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Chair - 1 available
By Melchior Lundberg
Located in Bozeman, MT
Fine pair of Swedish early 19th century late Gustavian chairs in their original finish by master chair maker Melchior Lundberg (active in Stockholm 1795-1834) . Ca 1810 Stockholm, Sw...
Pine
" Klismos" chair, 19th century
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
"Klismos" chair Stained walnut Of unusual design, the chair has a curved back attached to the seat by a triple support, Square seat, saber feet. Northern Europe, probably Denmark. ...
Wood, Walnut
Sold
H 35 in W 23.5 in D 25.25 in
Maison Jansen, Swedish Louis XVI Style, Wood, Fabric, Lounge Chairs, 1940s
Located in Stamford, CT
Maison Jansen, Gustavian, Louis XVI Style, Lounge Chairs, Grey Painted Wood, Fabric, 1940s A pair of Gustavian Louis XVI lounge chairs from 20th century France. The Directoire style...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 27.56 in D 23.63 in
Swedish Tan / Brown Nailed Leather Lounge Chair By Otto Schulz For Boet 1940s
By Boet, Otto Schulz
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
This 1940s Swedish Tan/Brown Nailed Leather Lounge Chair by Otto Schulz for Boet is a remarkable piece of early Scandinavian design. The chair features rich tan/brown leather upholst...
Metal
Sold
H 33 in W 24.5 in D 24 in
19th c. Pair of Swedish Gustavian Painted Barrel Back Armchairs with Lion Heads
Located in Wichita, KS
A pair of Swedish antique barrel back armchairs in the Gustavian style, circa 1880. These stunning chairs have shaped barrel backs with li...
Linen, Wood, Paint
19th c. Pair of Swedish Gustavian Painted Barrel Back Armchairs
Located in Wichita, KS
A pair of Swedish antique armchairs from the Gustavian period, circa 1810. These stunning chairs have shaped barrel backs. The frame features...
Linen, Wood, Paint
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 wood carved decor, four splayed legs, and newly upholstered in linen. We offer expedited, full...
Linen, Wood, Paint
Sold
H 29.94 in W 23.63 in D 20.07 in
Pair of 19th C. Swedish Gustavian Sulla Chairs in Original Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A pair of Swedish chairs with unique sulla barrel backs. Stunning chairs from the Gustavian period wearing original paint and newly upholstered in antique linen with nail head trim. ...
Linen, Wood, Paint
Sold
H 33.83 in W 24.94 in D 24.94 in
19th c. Pair of Swedish Gustavian Painted Barrel Back Armchairs with Lion Heads
Located in Wichita, KS
A Swedish late Gustavian pair of antique barrel back armchairs. These stunning chairs have shaped barrel backs with lion head carvings. T...
Linen, Wood, Paint
Sold
H 29.94 in W 24 in D 22.82 in
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...
Linen, Wood, Paint
Sold
H 39.75 in W 24 in D 23.25 in
18th C. Swedish Gustavian Period Upholstered Armchair in Original Patina
Located in Wichita, KS
A Swedish armchair from the Gustavian period in Stockholm quality, hand-scraped to the original paint and newly upholstered in linen. Exquisitely carved floral and leaf motif on the back and seat frame. Beautifully tapered and fluted legs with rosettes on the corner posts. The arm height is 25.75". We offer expedited, fully-insured, custom packaged / crated, global shipping, including delivery to the door service, delivery to a receiver service, and white glove service, which includes inside setup with debris removal. Please inquire for more information. The Gustavian style, named after King Gustav III...
Linen, Wood, Paint
Sold
H 38.19 in W 24.19 in D 23.25 in
18th c. Swedish Gustavian Period Upholstered Armchair in Original Patina
Located in Wichita, KS
An 18th c. Swedish Stockholm quality armchair from the Gustavian period, hand scraped to the original paint and newly upholstered in linen fabric. Beautiful guilloché carved detail with rosettes on the corner posts raised on tapered and fluted round legs. We offer expedited, fully-insured, custom packaged / crated, global shipping, including delivery to the door service, delivery to a receiver service, and white glove service, which includes inside setup with debris removal. Please inquire for more information. The Gustavian style, named after King Gustav III...
Linen, Wood, Paint
Sold
H 30.88 in W 23 in D 22.88 in
Pair of 18th C. Swedish Gustavian Period Original Paint Sulla Chairs
Located in Wichita, KS
A pair of Swedish chairs with classic sulla barrel backs from the Gustavian period wearing original paint and newly upholstered in linen. Beautifully carved bell flowers around the b...
Linen, Wood, Paint
Sold
H 35.44 in W 20.88 in D 20.07 in
18th c. Swedish Gustavian Period Laughing Chair in Original Patina
Located in Wichita, KS
A rare 18th c. Swedish 'Laughing' Chair from the Gustavian period in original patina, newly upholstered. Named a laughing chair, because the chair back resembles a laughing mouth. Th...
Wood, Paint