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.
Swedish Gustavian Loveseat Sofa
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Swedish Gustavian loveseat sofa. it has been restored and repainted with milk paints "Oyster White" All new cushion and Muslin added.
Birch
Grey Painted Swedish Settee with Shell and Foliate Carving
Located in Essex, MA
Grey painted Swedish settee with shell and foliate carving with turned stretcher bottom and gently curved legs. Off-white muslin seat cover. Measures: 44" H x 50.5" W x 21" D.
Wood
Lovely Petite Hollywood Regency Tufted Loveseat Sofa
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Lovely petite Hollywood Regency tufted loveseat with a down filled lose seat cushion. This piece will definitely need to be re-upholstered but that's what yo...
Upholstery, Wood
Danish Banana Form Curved Sofa or Loveseat Early 1950s
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful and very elegant 1940s curved two-seat sofa from the 1940s. Often called banana sofas by the Danes due to the curved shape. This sofa has slightly more straight backrest an...
Brass
$3,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 27.25 in W 67.5 in D 36 in
Fantastic Pencil Reed Loveseat Sofa Mid-Century Modern
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Fantastic Adrian Pearsall for Comfort Designs bent pencil reed loveseat sofa. This piece is spectacular in person and the light blue linen uphol...
Rattan, Wood
Danish 1950s Banana Form Curved Sofa or Loveseat
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Viggo Boesen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful and very elegant Danish 1950s curved two-seat sofa raised on a beech frame and legs. These type of sofas was manufactured from the 30's and up through the early 50's. The 5...
Wool, Beech
Italian Modern Curved Sculptural Loveseat or Sofa
By Ico Parisi, ISA Bergamo, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Federico Munari
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern curved sculptural loveseat or sofa. This stunning Italian Federico Munari inspired postmodern sofa, chaise or loveseat has interesti...
Stainless Steel
Rare Egyptian Revival Ebony and Inlaid Settee, Late 19th Century
Located in Southampton, NY
Egyptian Revival ebony and inlaid settee, late 19th century "Of architectural form with geometric borders and inlaid with fruitwoods, ivory, mother of pearl and wire, the carved giltwood cresting rail in the form of serpents centred by a tablet inlaid with a winged bird, probably the symbol of the Egyptian Goddess, Nekhbet, clutching a payrus stalk, the padded back between two moulded cartouches depicting Horus and Iris, the arm supports in the form of Canopic jars surmounted by the head of Anubis, with a padded seat and shaped legs terminating in paw feet. Measures: 26" deep x 56" wide x 45.5" high x 18" seat height In the nineteenth century, the Egyptian Revival became fashionable following the Napoleonic campaigns in Egypt with the publication of Voyage (1802) by Vivant Denon...
Wire
1990s Salotti Post Modern Black Leather Loveseat Sofa
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Transport yourself back to the sleek and sophisticated 1990s with this exquisite black leather loveseat. The ultra rare loveseat exudes an air of luxury and refinement. Outstanding d...
Leather, Wood
Maxwell Royal Settee
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A tall and sculptural settee with tapered wood arms and back, often attributed to Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Designed by Maxwell Royal in the 1950's. Hig...
Upholstery, Wood
Edward Wormley Pair of Sofas / Settees
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Highland, IN
These lovely, lightly scaled sofas or loveseats designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, are not only an uncommon form, having a matched pair available is also very rare. They are stru...
Upholstery, Wood
Italian Venetian Grotto Seashell Settee
By Pauly et Cie
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Venetian Grotto (19th cent.) silver gilt settee with triple seashell seat and dolphin & seahorse motif (att: Pauly et Cie, Venice)
Silver Leaf
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 39 in W 70 in D 30 in
Stunning Swedish Modern Beautiful tall Red Leather loveseat Sofa pine frame
By Arne Norell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century swedish Scandinavian Modern Beautiful tall Red Leather loveseat Sofa with solid pine frame. Beautiful Red leather is soft and shows si...
Leather, Pine
Danish 1960s Midcentury Settee in Teak and Leather
By Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen, France & Daverkosen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful and elegant small 1950s easy style Danish settee with the frame, legs and armrests in solid teak. Very high design quality and workmanship. The piece is unmarked but the de...
Teak, Leather
Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Sofa
Located in Round Top, TX
Beautiful faint pale creamy light green painted and scraped Swedish sofa with new blush pink upholstery. Measures: 57.25 W x 26 D x 37.5 T x 17 T seat.
Wood
Sold
H 40 in W 62 in D 25 in
Solid Acacia Wood Gustavian Swedish Style Window Bench Settee with Cushion
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a hand carved solid acacia that was made to look like an antique Gustavian settee. The piece has some imperfections and flaws that add...
Beech
Swedish Italian Parcel Gilt and Paint Decorated Settee or Sofa
Located in Manhasset, NY
Swedish Italian parcel-gilt and paint decorated settees or sofa. This simply stunning recently upholstered settee is sure to be a big hit in any...
Fabric, Wood
Gustavian Style Painted and Upholstered Loveseat Settee
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Dreamy scoop back settee bench with grayish white painted wood, reeded legs and wonderfully shaped arms, urn shaped finials, newly upholstered in white duck. Measures: Seat height...
Wood
Gustavian Style Love Seat
Located in Norwalk, CT
Featuring a tufted back and fine quality all down single cushion, this small sofa combines great lines with comfort. The original silk fabric is quite clean but shown some signs of w...
Gustavian Style Love Seat
Located in New York, NY
Carved wood frame with an off-white pickled painted finish. Has a down filled loose seat, upholstered back, original fabric and fluted legs.
Wood, Upholstery
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Bench
Located in New York, NY
A Gustavian bench, Swedish, 19th century. Without upholstery. Its original pale blue painted frame, shows the classic aged patina which characterizes the style. With the combinatio...
Wood