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Gustavian Settees

GUSTAVIAN STYLE

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.

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Style: Gustavian
Antique Continental Possibly Austrian Settee c. Early 19th Century
Located in Westfield, MA
This refined early 19th century Continental settee, possibly Austrian in origin, reflects the elegant simplicity of neoclassical seating furniture of the period. The frame is crafted...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Gustavian Settees

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Swedish 18th Century Painted & Upholstered Settee
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A unique Swedish Gustavian settee from the late 18th century with painted wood frame sheltering the fully upholstered interior of a single bench cushion, matching seatback, and two s...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Settees

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Paint

18th c. Swedish Sofa Bench Settee in Original Paint, Gustavian Period
Located in Wichita, KS
A beautiful Swedish sofa bench from the Gustavian period dry scraped to it's original patina. The sofa frame is adorned with a lovely leaf motif and rests upon tapered and fluted leg...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Settees

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

Neoclassical Swedish Gustavian Style Lacquered Cabriole Sofa Settee
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Sublime bespoke cabriole sofa, settee, or canapé made in the neoclassical Swedish Gustavian style. The sofa feature a gracefully curved cabriole style ha...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Gustavian Settees

Materials

Brass

Swedish Gustavian Barrel Back Sofa Bench with Griffin Carvings in Original Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A rare Gustavian style barrel back sofa with beautiful wood carved griffins, hand-scraped to the original paint and newly upholstered, circa 1900. Exquisite carved detail. The seat f...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Settees

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

19th Century Gustavian Sofa Bench
Located in Houston, TX
19th century Gustavian sofa bench with original paint. Exquisite carving on the front and side panels and along the perimeter of the upholstered a...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Settees

Materials

Wood

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Grey Painted Benches or Settees
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair Of Swedish Gustavian style grey painted benches Complimentary delivery to most areas of London UK.
Category

1920s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Settees

Materials

Pine

18th C. Swedish Gustavian Settee or Bench c. 1790
Located in Charlottesville, VA
18th C. Swedish Gustavian Settee or Bench c. 1790. Having original paint. The beautifully foliate carved back supported by turned and foliate spindles over a rectangular seat with ...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Settees

Materials

Wood

Swedish Gustavian Sofa Couch Loveseat White Carved, Late 19th Century 3-Seat
Located in Lewes, England
Swedish antique Gustavian sofa in classic white finish with delicately carved detailing decorative front fluted legs and a central carved motif along the back. Fine example of the l...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Settees

Materials

Birch

19th c. Swedish Gustavian Barrel Back Sofa with Lion Heads in Original Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A beautiful 19th century Swedish barrel back sofa or settee in the Gustavian style, newly upholstered in linen, circa 1890. Hand scraped to reveal the original paint. The frame featu...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Settees

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

19th Century Louis XVI Gustavian style Salon Suite 1 Sofà 6 Chairs 2 Armchairs
Located in Vigonza, Padua
They can be sold separately. -Sofa: measures cm. W 140, D 70, H 115/45 cm PRICE US$ 6,500.00 -2 Armchairs : measures cm. W 60 , D 60 , H 95/45 PRICE US$ ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Gustavian Settees

Materials

Silk, Walnut

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Stickback Settee
Located in Huntington, NY
A stunning Swedish Gustavian stickback settee. Rectangular back with vertical leaf cut detailing on upper frame topped by round finials. Back and sides are carved with a unique arrow...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Settees

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

Early 19th Century Gustavian Swedish Period Settee with Antique Linen
Located in Charleston, SC
Very rare. Swedish Gustavian period bench, circa 1800, finished on all three sides with Guilloché carvings on carved round fluted legs. Scraped to original cream /white finish and u...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Gustavian Settees

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

Swedish Neoclassical Carved And Painted Three Piece Salon Set
Located in Norwood, NJ
Hand carved Swedish Empire painted 3 piece salon set. Settee with two fauteuils armchairs. Beautifully carved details with urn form in elongated diam...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Settees

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Paint

Late 19th Century Gustavian Style Gilt Settee and Matching Chair
Located in New York, NY
Late 19th century Gustavian style gilt settee and matching chair newly reupholstered. Former restorations and repair to back left leg of sett...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Settees

Materials

Wood

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19th Century Swedish Gustavian Period Day Bed Sofa
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19th Century Swedish Gustavian Period Day Bed Sofa
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H 31.25 in W 43 in D 26 in
Previously Available Items
19th c. Swedish Gustavian Sofa Bench with Griffins in Original Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
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Long Gray Gustavian Settee Bench, Sweden circa 1860-80
Located in Round Top, TX
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19th Century Swedish Gustavian Painted Settee With Trundle
Located in Houston, US
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Located in Houston, US
Early Swedish settee/trundle bed hand made with well realized back splats, turned corner supports and subtly accented with delicate leaf shape carved decorations. The settee is in i...
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Swedish Gustavian Style Settee with Spindle Back
Located in Houston, US
Early Swedish settee in the Gustavian style which echoes the Louis XVI style in France. The influence of the French style is further evidence with subtle banded and ribboned decorati...
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Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Settees

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Gustavian Style Sofa with Black and White Striped Upholstery
Located in Madrid, ES
Swedish gustavian style sofa from circa 1900 with lacquered wood frame with carved leaf and flower details. Back, seat and armrests reupholstered in black and white striped fabric.  
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Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Settees

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Swedish Gustavian Period Lindome Settee, circa 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
Painted Gustavian period sofa, having the signature fruit and flower carving of the hops plant used by Lindome furniture makers. Hand scraped to the most original color and seat upho...
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19th Century Swedish Gustavian Settee
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
19th century period Gustavian settee. With decorative crisp barley twist carvings to the arms and of a five leg design. Repainted in soft grey and newly upholstered in linen.
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19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Settees

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19th Century Swedish Gustavian Settee
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Settee
H 32.29 in W 57.88 in D 24.41 in
Antique Swedish Gustavian White Painted Settee Sofa Bench, circa 1820-40
Located in Round Top, TX
This exceptional sofa or settee is from the Swedish Gustavian period with white paint and exquisitely carved details including the side panels. Please enlarge and examine the close ...
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Gustavian settees for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Gustavian settees for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage settees created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Gustavian settees made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Sweden pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for settees differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,584 and tops out at $16,000 while the average work can sell for $5,933.

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