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
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
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 Midcentury Settee by Frits Henningsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Elegant Danish settee or loveseat from circa 1950s by Master Furniture Maker, Frits Henningsen Solid and sturdy small piece with a strong presence and charming demeanor. Coil springs...
Wool, Beech
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
$1,195
H 27.5 in W 57.5 in D 35.5 in
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Cork and Chrome Settee
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates mid century cork and chrome settee The settee measures: 57.5 wide x 35.5 deep x 27.5 high, with a seat height of 16 inches and arm height of 22 ...
Chrome
$2,450
H 29 in W 59.5 in D 34 in
Mid-Century Swedish Cream Loveseat Sofa with Tapered Legs and Curved Arms
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An inviting example of Mid-Century Swedish design, this cream loveseat sofa offers comfort and elegant proportions. It features gracefully tapered wooden legs, each accented with a d...
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Italian Venetian Grotto Settee by Pauly et Cie
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
Danish 1940's Loveseat or Small Sofa in Blue Wool
By Viggo Boesen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Charming Danish 1940's loveseat. From the era of the "banana" sofas but with a more angular shape. Very plush and voluptuous. Sturdy and strong and very comfortable with coil springs...
Wool, Beech
$20,200Sale Price|27% Off
H 32 in W 48 in D 30 in
Rare Settee by Gio Ponti for Cassina, Refinished and Reupholstered, Italy 1950s
An exceptionally rare and coveted settee by Gio Ponti for Cassina, circa 1950s, with reupholstered white bouclé fabric cushions, refinished elm frames with incredible wood grain, sig...
Bouclé, Elm
Fritz Hansen 1940s Sofa or Settee with Open Armrests by Soren Hansen
By Frits Hansen/Soren Hansen, Fritz Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fantastic 1940s Fritz Hansen sofa designed by Soren Hansen in the company's characteristic style of open armrests. Made from stained beech wood showing great blond color and with coi...
Wool, Beech
$5,100Sale Price / item|26% Off
H 30 in W 78 in D 26 in
Channeled Back Armless Settee with Back Stretchers and Solid Seat on Wood Legs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Elliot sofa is all hand carved with channeled back and solid channeled seat. It is shown in light tone fabric and walnut wood frame and legs. Hand carved wood frame all hair fill...
Linen, Walnut
Italian Modern Curved Sculptural Loveseat or Sofa
By ISA Bergamo, Federico Munari, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Ico Parisi
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
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 Stamford, CT
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