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Gustavian Side Chairs

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
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Chairs with Originalpaint
Located in Boden, SE
A pair of 19th century Swedish Gustavian chairs from Lindome Halland, Southern Sweden. A Very nice and decorative Chair model with a cut lily in the back of the chair. Nicely cut ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Side Chairs

Materials

Pine

Pair, Gustavian White Painted Arm Chairs from Sweden, circa 1840-1860
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair, attractive Swedish country white gustavian painted arm chairs. Turned, fluted legs and carved accents including floral motif. White painted finish distressed fitting the age ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Side Chairs

Materials

Wood, Paint

Early 19th Century Gustavian Paint Finished Side Chair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Charmingly distressed antique side chair with traces of the original green paint. The chair with Stylized Urn form back splat and decorative appliqués. Custom upholstered in a Diamon...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

Set of Six Swedish Gustavian Period Dining Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Striking set of six 18th century Gustavian dining chairs with original paint and silk fabric seat cushions.
Category

Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

19th Century Grey Danish Gustavian Set of Six Antique Pine Dining Room Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A white-grey, antique Danish Gustavian set of six dining room chairs made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, detailed in the Neoclassical Greek style, in ...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Gustavian Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Pine, Cotton

10 Swedish Gustavian Side Chairs 100% Original Paint
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a very Rare set of 10 Swedish Gustavian style side chairs in 100% Original painted finish. all the seating has been restored and waiting for you to put your finished mater...
Category

1910s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

Swedish Gustavian Style Side Chairs 8
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique set of 8 Swedish Gustavian side chairs. they have been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White" all the seating has been restored and waiting for y...
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Side Chairs

Materials

Birch

Six Swedish Gustavian Style 1850s Painted Wood Side Chairs with Carved Rosettes
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of six Swedish Gustavian style painted wood stick back side chairs from the mid 19th century, with tapered legs, carved rosettes and used upholstery. Created in Sweden during t...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Late Gustavian Chair with original paint, Sweden 1850’s.
Located in Valby, 84
Original painted chair in a classic late gustavian style by a Swedish cabinetmaker in the 1850’s. The chair is a perfect piece in any style of interior from a classic antique style o...
Category

1850s Swedish Antique Gustavian Side Chairs

Materials

Wool, Wood, Paint

8 Swedish Gustavian Style Original Painted Side Chairs
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique set of 8 - 100% Original painted Swedish Gustavian Style side chairs. all the seating have been restored and waiting for you to put your finished material on.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Side Chairs

Materials

Birch

18th century Swedish Gustavian Period Side Chair
Located in Charleston, SC
18th century Swedish Gustavian period side chair hand-scraped to its most original paint, with oval back, pierced slats and carved wheat sheaf, cross...
Category

Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Side Chairs

Materials

Linen, Wood

Stunning 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Barrel Back Chairs, Pair
Located in San Angelo, TX
A gorgeous and unique pair of late 18th century Swedish barrel backs from the Gustavian period that have been dry scrapped and then had a recent paint touch up with grays and white h...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Side Chairs

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

19th Century Danish Set of Six Antique Scandinavian Small Pinewood Side Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-grey, antique Danish set of six small side or Boudoir chairs in a chalky grey finish with square backrests and a centered floral decoration, possibly Denmark. The Scandinavian dining end chairs...
Category

Late 19th Century Danish Antique Gustavian Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Pine

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Barrel Back Chairs
Located in San Angelo, TX
A gorgeous and unique pair of late 18th Century Swedish barrel backs from the Gustavian period that have been dry scrapped and then had a recent paint touch up with grays and white h...
Category

Late 18th Century European Antique Gustavian Side Chairs

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

18th century Swedish Gustavian Period Lindome Side Chair
Located in Charleston, SC
Gustavian period side chair, 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 uphols...
Category

18th Century Antique Gustavian Side Chairs

Materials

Pine

Pair, Carved Gray Painted Swedish Gustavian Side Chairs, Circa 1840-60
Located in Round Top, TX
This impressive pair of Swedish Gustavian side chairs have stylish fluted saber legs and decorative carved braided trim throughout. The newer professionally applied antique pewter gr...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Paint

Gustavian Style Desk or Dining Chair
Located in Sheffield, MA
Wonderful Swedish white washed side or office chair with carved details.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

Dining Chairs Swedish Set of Four Gustavian Original Paint Green Sweden
Located in New York, NY
A set of four side chairs made during the Gustavian period in Sweden 1790-1810. The original paint in a grayish green which has a stunning patina. Rounded legs with channeled details.
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Side Chairs

Pair of Swedish Empire Mahogany Armchairs 19th Century Sweden
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair of Stockholm Mahogany Armchairs in the Empire / Karl Johan period, circa 1810-1830 Sweden. A pair of armchairs are veneered in a beautiful dark brown mahogany and are very clas...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Side Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Gustavian 18th Century Swedish Painted and Gilded Side Chairs
Located in Hudson, NY
This pair of nice old side chairs are of the period called Gustavian. This correlates to that time in Sweden between 1772 and 1809. These chairs were made circa 1790 and are typical ...
Category

Late 18th Century Finnish Antique Gustavian Side Chairs

Materials

Pine

19th C. Swedish Continental Brass Mounted & Parquetry Inlaid Cherry Chairs, Pair
Located in Germantown, MD
A magnificent pair of 19th century Swedish continental brass mounted and parquetry inlaid cherry chairs. Beaitiful inlay and parquetry work on backs. very comfortable, firm seats w...
Category

1840s Swedish Antique Gustavian Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

Set of Four 18th Century Gustavian Period Chairs
Located in Charleston, SC
Family of four 18th century Gustavian period folk art chairs, Leksand model, with original patina and re-covered cushions in linen. Note: One chair slightly different- please see the...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Side Chairs

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

C18th century Swedish rococo original painted carved shell detailed chair
Located in London, GB
A lovely C18th Swedish rococo single chair which is full of original character. It was made in 1760. The chair features carved shell detailing to the front of the seat and back, with...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Side Chairs

Materials

Oak

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Side Chairs Attributed to Ephraim Ståhl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A grey, antique Swedish Gustavian pair of armchairs made of hand crafted painted Birchwood, designed and produced most likely by Ephraim Ståhl in good condition. The Scandinavian Neo...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Birch

A Swedish Walnut Upholstered Salon Chair With Inlay & Ceramic Castors
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Swedish Gustavian Designed Walnut Upholstered Salon Chair With Decorative Inlay & Ceramic Castors 1800s
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Side Chairs

Materials

Ceramic, Walnut

Vintage Regency 19th Century Gustavian Side Chairs - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Introduce a touch of sophisticated historical elegance to your home with this exquisite pair of Vintage Regency 19th Century Gustavian Side Chairs. Each chair is a testament to the r...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Gustavian Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Chair Corner Swedish Leather Rustic Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Chair Swedish leather 1775-1790 Sweden. Made during the transition between the Rococo period and Gustavian period. Frame made from beech wood and a seat, back and armrests in worn le...
Category

1780s Swedish Antique Gustavian Side Chairs

Circa 1800s painted Gustavian side chair with decorative flower carving
Located in London, GB
Delightful painted late c18th Swedish Gustavian chair. Retaining much of its original paint there is a decorative carved wood flower at the top of the back and its drop in seat has ...
Category

1790s Swedish Antique Gustavian Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

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18th Century Swedish Gustavian Svenska Model Chair
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Set of Twelve 18th c. Swedish Gustavian Painted Oval Back Wheat Sheaf Chairs
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Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Folk Art Chair, Original Paint Dated 1781
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19th Century Grey-White Swedish Pair of Antique Gustavian Pinewood Armchairs
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Set of Six Gustavian Period Painted Dining Chairs, 19th c. Swedish
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Fine Pair of 19th Century Gustavian Chairs
Fine Pair of 19th Century Gustavian Chairs
H 33.86 in W 20.08 in D 17.72 in

Gustavian side chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Gustavian side chairs for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage side chairs 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 side chairs 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 side chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,150 and tops out at $20,968 while the average work can sell for $4,719.

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