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.
Neo-Classical Gustavian Style Painted Curule Stools / Ottomans In Velvet - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of mid-century neo-classical or Gustavian style curule painted ottomans. The mushroom velvet upholstery is new. The carved frames are painted ivory with silver gilt ro...
Velvet, Poplar
19th Century Swedish Gustavian White Square Ottoman
Located in New York, NY
A 19th century Gustavian footstool having ornate carvings along the wooden base. The border having inset bellflower frieze supported by four tapered legs shaped as palmette fluted co...
Fabric, Birch
Fantastic Pair of 18th-19th Century Gold Gilt French Stools
Located in Richmond, VA
Fantastic pair of 18th-19th century French gold gilt wood stools in attractive upholstery from an estate in the residence side of the Carlyle in ...
Gold Leaf
Mid-Century Modern Ottoman by John Stuart
By John Stuart
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elegant vintage modern foot stool features black lacquered legs. Unique walnut cross beams connect each leg adding sturdiness and style. The sleek black vinyl top is molded for comfo...
Faux Leather, Walnut, Lacquer, Upholstery, Wood, Hardwood
$5,900 / set
H 14 in W 22 in D 22 in
Jacques Charpentier Mid-Century Modern Tufted Leather Ottoman Stool Pair
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Jacques Charpentière Mid-Century Modern 1970 French stool, ottoman side tables in original tufted brown leather upholstery and polished chrome base. Very good original condi...
Chrome
Pair of Karl Springer Souflee Ottomans/Stools
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of Karl Springer Souflee Ottomans Brass bases Re-upholstered in faux Shearling
Brass
Antique 19th Century American Empire Ottoman
Located in Sheffield, MA
Antique 19th century American Victorian Empire box seat ottoman or stool featuring large crotch flame mahogany wood veneer with rolling casters. The ottoman has a large size seat mak...
Mahogany
$2,282 / set
H 18.9 in Dm 15.75 in
ONIX Organic Modern Set of 2 Stools Ottomans in Dedar Jacquard Velvet
Located in Viseu, PT
Like a talisman for the home, Onix pouf exudes quiet luxury and natural beauty. Onix is upholstered with Tiger Beat, an opulent and luxurious jacquard velvet fabric from italian bra...
Bouclé
Modern Curule Stool
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Modern curule stool with a button tufted leather cushion seat above a pewter-finished iron curule form base with gilded accents. Dimensions: 20" W x 16" D x 21" H.
Iron
Early 20th C Ottoman Upholstered in a Distressed Leather
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very Nice Early 20th C ottoman upholstered in a distressed leather.
Leather, Wood
Pair of Silk Parsons Ottomans or Stools
Located in Redding, CT
Pair of Silk Parson Ottomans or stools. Gingham silk upholstery covers the pair. very good condition. In the Billy Baldwin style with button top. This ...
Fabric, Silk, Upholstery, Wood
Barcelona Knoll Styled Leather Chrome Ottoman / Stool
By Knoll
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very well crafted heavy chromed luxurious ottoman or stool with squared leather top cushion in the manner of Knoll and Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe. Perfect for extra seating or use as...
Chrome
Hollywood Regency Italian Gilt Rope & Tassel Ottoman Stool in Leopard Velvet
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Perch yourself up on a pedestal like Babe Paley did in this 1960s Italian Hollywood Regency gilded rope and tassel leopard ottoman stool. Famed interio...
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood, Giltwood
Slip-Covered Ottoman
Located in Ballard, CA
The Manou ottoman combines ultimate comfort with the refinement of an unique profile, carefully crafted in our workroom. Custom sizes and finishes available.
Oak, Walnut
Sold
H 21.5 in W 24.75 in D 16 in
Gustavian Inspired Cerused Pine Ottomans / Benches Blue Faux Bois Linen - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a wonderful pair of cerused and carved pine benches with new faux bois linen cushions with Gustavian styling. The upholstery is new, and they are unmarked.
Linen, Pine
Late Gustavian Swedish Painted Pine Footstool or Tabouret
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish late gustavian tabouret or footstool from the years around 1790 to 1810. The tabouret is from Sweden and made in pine. This piece is made with armrests or handles on each sid...
Pine
Early 19th Century Embroidered Footrest
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful footstool is in great condition with the original hand embrodiery still in excellent shape. Footstools have evolved throughout history starting in ancient Egypt, where it was utilized to ascend chairs perched high off the ground. It was also used to rest a person's feet when he or she was seated. In the 18th century a low footstool...
Cotton
Stools Pair of Swedish Gustavian 1790-1810 Green Velvet, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Stools pair of Swedish Gustavian 1790-1810 green velvet, Sweden. A pair of stools made during the Gustavian period 1790-1810 in Sweden. Frame with beautiful carvings painted in a sof...
Wood
Stool Gustavian Swedish 1790-1810 Original Paint, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Stool Gustavian Swedish 1790-1810 original paint, Sweden. Stool made during the Gustavian period in Sweden. Original paint. Upholstered in a waxed leather. Rounded and channeled legs.
Wood
Stools Pair Swedish Gustavian 18th Century Original Paint Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Stools pair of Swedish Gustavian 18th century original paint Sweden. A pair of stools made in Sweden during the Gustavian period 1790-1810. Original paint. Ribbon details, rounded an...
Wood
Monumental Swedish Belgium Linen Ottoman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Monumental Swedish ottoman upholstered in Belgium linen with nailhead trim detail. The ottoman stands on four 19th century bun shaped feet with a beautif...
Linen, Wood
Stools Assembled Pair of Swedish Gustavian Neoclassical Wood, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Stools assembled pair of Swedish Gustavian neoclassical wood, Sweden. An assembled pair of stools made during the Gustavian period in Sweden. Leaf tip carvings on frieze and legs. Up...
Pair of 19th Century Benches, Sweden
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Nice pair of Gustavian benches with grey linen upholstery. Carved decorations and in Gustavian-grey paint.
Wood
Gustavian Style Upholstered Bench, England, Contemporary
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary English Gustavian style upholstered bench. The bench has been recently reupholstered in linen and is in excellent condition. Decorative carvings adorn the sides of the s...
Gustavian Bed And Large Ottoman
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming Sweden bed that is collapsible and can double as a large oversized ottoman. Linen upholstered madras is included, that works as a bed madras and as...
Large Gustavian stool
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large Gustavian ottoman with cushion. 1840's
Pine