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Gustavian Seating

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
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Pine Bench - Antique Daybed Attributed to Lindome
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A late 18th Century, antique freestanding Swedish Gustavian daybed attributed to Lindome school, in good condition. This Scandinavian sofa bench is hand crafted from solid Pinewood a...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Pine

Harlequin Set of 10 Antique Gustavian Style Urn Back Dining Chairs
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
A wonderful set of ten English limed oak chairs. Not quite matching. There are actually 3 different models ( 4 + 3 + 3 ). Each chair has a variation of the same basic characteristi...
Category

Early 20th Century English Gustavian Seating

Materials

Oak

Set of 4 Antique Gustavian Style Urn Back Dining Chairs.English C.1920
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
A delightful matching set of 4 English limed oak chairs. They have been recently limed to enhance the beautiful grain in the wood. The seats have been re-upholstered in hessian or...
Category

Early 20th Century English Gustavian Seating

Materials

Oak

20th Century Set of 10 Swedish White Gustavian Style Dining Chairs
Located in Round Top, TX
Set of 10 dining chairs from the early 1900's. Newer white painted finish accents the Swedish styling with carved details along the arched back, and floral motif topping the turned a...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Seating

Materials

Linen, Foam, Wood, Paint

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Pinewood Daybed - Antique Scandinavian Sofa Bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A late 19th Century, antique Swedish Gustavian pull-out daybed made from hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. This freestanding Scandinavian wood bench...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Fabric, Cotton, Linen, Upholstery, Pine

Set of 6 Antique 18 C Gustavian Dining Chairs W Carolina Irving Andaluz Linen
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Set of 6 Antique 18 C Gustavian Dining Chairs W Carolina Irving Andaluz Linen Fabric
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Wood

Antique Swedish Genuine Gustavian Period Decorated Foot Stool with Original Seat
Located in Kramfors, SE
Genuine antique foot stool from the Swedish gustavian period around 1770 to 1780. This Swedish antique has classic carved wooden decor on the legs and sides. Original paint from the ...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Pine

Swedish early 19th century Gustavian painted sofa
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish early 19th century Gustavian painted sofa circa 1810. Stunning sofa in original paint.  This would have been a day bed with a pull out section to the front, but it has since...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Pine, Paint

Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Gray Settee Bench
Located in Round Top, TX
This exceptional Swedish Gustavian sofa or settee has exquisitely carved details along back and skirt, all raised on six turned feet. Please enlarge and examine the close up photos t...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Fabric, Foam, Pine, Paint

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 Seating

Materials

Pine

Long Black Painted Upholstered Bench by Chelsea Textiles
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Hand-carved and hand-painted, this 18th Century Gustavian inspired bench from Chelsea Textile features a linen seat on rosette medallion corners, atop tapered fluted legs. The seat h...
Category

Early 2000s European Gustavian Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Paint, Linen

19th Century Swedish Gray Gustavian Bench
Located in Round Top, TX
This lovely bench is a wonderful example of Swedish Gustavian craftsmanship with turned finials and feet, slat back and egg and dart carving adding to its timeless appeal. The gray p...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Linen, Pine, Paint

Set of Twelve Louis XVI Gustavian Style Painted Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Glorious set of twelve Swedish dining chairs crafted in the Louis XVI Gustavian taste. The chairs feature beech frames that have been painted or glazed with an intentionally distressed and faded patina to mimic age. The grey painted frames have a sculptural flared back ending with a scroll. The generous seats have carved rosettes on the front apron corners and decorative red accents throughout the frames. The seats are supported by fluted, tapered legs. The chairs have been recently reupholstered in a neutral muslin style fabric. The chairs are sturdy and strong with excellent joinery and craftsmanship. Sold as a set of twelve chairs. Erin Lane Estate...
Category

20th Century Swedish Gustavian Seating

Materials

Fabric, Beech

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 Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Paint

Early 19th century painted Swedish Gustavian sofa
Located in London, GB
A nice C19th painted Swedish Gustavian sofa. It features a typical high back with a classical understated decorative border detail and two turned wood finials at each end. Repainted ...
Category

1810s Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Oak

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Painted Corner Armchairs
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair of Swedish 1810s-1830s corner chair scraped down to the original black paint. Seat are loose and be easily re-upholstered.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofa
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A very beautiful early 19th Century Swedish period Gustavian sofa in original paint. Richly carved paired griffons holding spears pointing to a central sun symbol - a rare model. Cir...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Antique Genuine Swedish Gustavian Pine Provincial Sofa Bench
Located in Kramfors, SE
Northern Swedish Gustavian provincial sofa crafted in pine, showcasing its original scraped paint. This sofa, dating back to the early 19th century, around 1800 to 1810, exemplifies ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Pine

Set of Ten 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Dining Chairs
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A rare and elegant set of ten 19th Century Gustavian dining chairs crafted in the renowned furniture-making province of Lindome, Sweden. Circa 1820. These chairs exemplify the refin...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Set of 8 - Ralph Lauren Style Barley Twist Leather Chairs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Fantastic set of eight dining chairs with oak barley twist frame and tastefully aged brown leather seat and back cushions. This is a high-quality chair that combines traditional and...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Gustavian Seating

Materials

Leather

Gustavian Klismos Dining Chairs by Nierman Weeks, Set of 8
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Set of 8 exquisite Gustavian Klismos dining chairs by Niermann Weeks. Inspired by Grecian 18th century design, this Swedish style version is generous...
Category

Early 2000s American Gustavian Seating

Materials

Faux Leather, Wood, Paint, Upholstery

Set of Six 19th Century Gustavian Chairs
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine set of six 19th century Gustavian laughing chairs in their original condition. Ca 1800, Sweden.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Pine

Swedish Art Deco, Set of 4 Klismos Chairs in Birch & Elm, Griffin Inlays, 1930s
Located in Odense, DK
A set of four exquisite dining chairs from the 1930s, crafted in solid elm with elegantly curved backrests adorned in birch root veneer. Each backrest is enhanced with intricate grif...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Seating

Materials

Bone, Fabric, Bakelite, Birch, Elm

Exceptional 19th Century Gustavian Sofa
Located in Allerum, SE
Exceptional, elegant and unusually long 19th century Gustavian sofa in it's original condition. Signed by Ephraim Sthal (1767-1820). Supplier to the Royal Court and one of the most s...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Wood

Elegant Newly Upholstered 19th Century Rare Carved Swedish Gustavian Sofa
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Spectacular newly upholstered early 19th century Swedish Gustavian sofa or settee, having its original wood color (never painted; very rare!) and in amazing condition. Ca 1810 Swed...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Extraordinary 19th Century Gustavian Paint Decorated And Gilt Sofa
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine and elegant example of the type of 19th century neoclassical Gustavian paint decorated square frame upholstered sofa. Paint decorated overall in pale gray with gilt details. ...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Wood

19th Century White Painted Swedish Bench
Located in Round Top, TX
This lovely bench is a wonderful example of Swedish Gustavian craftsmanship with turned finials and feet adding to the timeless appeal and style. The professional newly applied white...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Fabric, Foam, Wood, Paint

Gustavian White Painted Bench, Sweden circa 1820
Located in Round Top, TX
This lovely 6' long bench is a wonderful example of Swedish Gustavian craftsmanship with it's fluted carved skirt and back all resting on turned fluted legs. Restored, later professi...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Paint

Beautiful Set of 6 Period Gustavian Era Dining Chairs
Located in New York, NY
6 piece set of late Gustavian (circa 1800) era dining chairs with fluted legs and carved floret and leaf details on base and legs Upholstered back an...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Wood

18th-19th Century White Swedish Gustavian Pinewood Daybed, Antique Sofa Bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-grey, antique Swedish Gustavian daybed made of hand crafted painted Pinewood with two round pillows, in good condition. The sides of t...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Cotton, Pine, Linen, Damask

Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Dining Chairs W/ Beige Velvet - Set of 6
Located in Astoria, NY
A striking set of six Swedish dining chairs in the Gustavian style, sourced from Provence, France. Expertly handcrafted from solid wood, each chair features a distinctive square-shap...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Gustavian Seating

Materials

Gold Leaf

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Window Seat
Located in Huntington, NY
An unusual Swedish window seat from Lindome in the oval (or zero) style with incredible detailed carvings. The arched sides have an intricately detailed open design. The upper sectio...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofa with Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish Gustavian sofa from Skellefteå Västerbotten, Northern Sweden. Scraped by hand to its original color. The sofa has some retouches. The kitchen sofa...
Category

1820s Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Pine

Gustavian Bench
Located in Cirencester, GB
This beautiful antique Swedish bench is early 19th century from Northern Sweden. The layers of paint have been dry scraped revealing the original colours and beautiful carved deta...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Pine

Pair of Period Gustavian Chairs in Original Paint, Sweden, Late 18th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A charming pair of Swedish Gustavian side chairs from the late 18th century, each scraped back to reveal traces of their original soft grayish-white paint, now beautifully timeworn a...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Pine

Swedish Gustavian Blue Painted Slat Back Dining Chairs from circa 1790
Located in Round Top, TX
Lovely set of six Swedish period Gustavian chairs with original scraped blue paint and newly upholstered vintage linen seats.
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Wood

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 Seating

Materials

Wood, Paint

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Pinewood Daybed - Antique Freestanding Sofa Bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early 19th Century, antique Swedish Gustavian daybed made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The side rests of the Scandinavian Lit Du Jour are enhanced by uniqu...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Pine

Swedish Gustavian Open Arm Chair Upholstered in Linen
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
20th century Gustavian style chair crafted from solid fruitwood and painted in a charming oyster white finish. This chair is not only visually stunning but also robust and dependable...
Category

20th Century European Gustavian Seating

Materials

Linen, Fruitwood

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 Seating

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

Pair of Gustavian Swedish Beige Upholstered Bergere Armchairs
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Swedish Gustavian (18/19th Century) bergere armchairs with beige painted and carved frames in Neo-classic square form upholstered in beige fabric accented by a double-piped b...
Category

19th Century Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Wood

Swedish Gustavian Roseback Dining Chairs White Set of 8 1940s 2 Carvers
Located in Lewes, England
Rare Set of 6 Swedish Gustavian roseback dining chairs and 2 matching Roseback Carver Chairs in good condition in white with lovely carvings C 1940. Great for every day usage with ...
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Seating

Materials

Birch

Swedish Antique Rocking Chair 6 Legs 19th Century Hand Painted Black Gold
Located in Bochum, NRW
Antique Black Swedish Rocking Chair with Original Black Paint, Late 19th Century The chair is in excellent condition, given its age and use, showing minimal signs of time and use—nor...
Category

1920s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Seating

Materials

Wood

Swedish Gustavian Period Méridienne / Chaise in Original Paint, 18th c.
Located in Wichita, KS
A rare Swedish chaise from the Gustavian period with beautifully shaped seat in original paint. Egg and dart carved detail around the frame, rosettes on the leg posts with fluted rou...
Category

18th Century French Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Paint

Stockholm, Gustavian Style Armchair
Located in Allerum, SE
Limited edition reproductions by D. Larsson, inspired by the finest 18th - 19th-century Swedish furniture. STOCKHOLM, This Gustavian style armchair...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Gustavian Seating

Materials

Beech

Stockholm, Gustavian Style Armchair
Stockholm, Gustavian Style Armchair
$2,240 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Chair with Originalpaint Swedish Antiques
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century Swedish Gustavian chair from Umea Vasterbotten, Northern Sweden Nice unusual model with ribs in the back & hand carved flowers & leaves. Has style features of English ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Pine

Antique Swedish Painted Long Bench newly upholstered in Chelsea Textiles Fabric
Located in Atlanta, GA
Antique Swedish Painted Long Bench newly upholstered in Chelsea Textiles Fabric Purchased in the South of France 2025 Very Sturdy and Strong Just upholstered with all new insides....
Category

1920s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Seating

Materials

Fabric, 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 Seating

Materials

Birch

19th c. Swedish Gustavian Period Sofa Bench in Original Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A long 19th c. Swedish sofa bench from the Gustavian period, hand-scraped to reveal the original paint, circa 1800. This beautiful sofa has been newly upholstered in linen and has un...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

Fine 18th Century Scandinavian Gustavian Chair
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine antique 18th century Gustavian chair in great original condition. This type of chair is called the Swedish model. This particular ex...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Wood

18th Century Gustavian Daybed
Located in New Orleans, LA
This Gustavian daybed is a timeless example of Swedish neoclassical design, inspired by the refined aesthetic of 18th-century France but adapted with a lighter, more understated eleg...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Wood

18th c. Swedish Gustavian Period Painted Sofa Bench Tragsofa / 'Trägsoffa'
Located in Wichita, KS
This is a stunning 18th c. Swedish trag sofa bench Tragsofa / Trägsoffa (sofa bed) from the Gustavian period newly upholstered in linen, circa 1790. Shaped arms and beautiful guilloc...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

Swedish Set of 5 Gustavian Dining Chairs
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A set of five Gustavian- style dining chairs, circa 1810, with fantastic potential in any space. The curved backrests feature horizontal reeded texture on the outside and are perfect...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Paint

Circa 1800s set of six Swedish painted oak Provincial Gustavian dining chairs
Located in London, GB
A set of (6) Gustavian chairs of wonderful quality with rounded backs, open work, and cut decoration.The seats are removable and upholstered in woven horse tail hair. The oak is from...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Oak

Antique Swedish Sofa from the Gustavian Period, Hand-Made during the Late 1700s
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish antique sofa from the gustavian period around the late 1700s. The sofa has a hand-made frame in solid pine which has been dry scraped by hand down to the original, first laye...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Pine

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Tragsofa
Located in Huntington, NY
An intricately carved Swedish Gustavian tragsofa featuring a decorative hand carved Guilloché scrolling apron. Decorative fleurons sit atop fluted tapered legs. This piece has been t...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Wood, Paint

Set of Six 19th Century Gustavian Chairs
Located in Allerum, SE
Set of six fine 19th century Gustavian chairs with the original padding and muslin. dry scraped to reveal the original finish. Stockholm, Sweden ca 1800.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Pine

18th Century Rococo Sofa Circa 1760
Located in Atlanta, GA
This Swedish 18th-century Rococo sofa, circa 1760, epitomizes the elegance and artistry of the Rococo period. Crafted from hand-carved wood, likely beech or pine, it features a paint...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Pine

Long Early 19th Century Swedish Bench
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Early 19th Century long Swedish stool or bench with hand carved detail to front and both ends. Traces of soft grey green original paint. With traditional Swedish hand stitched ant...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Pine

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Chairs
Located in Huntington, NY
A pair of Swedish Gustavian chairs made in Stockholm by master craftsman Melker Falkberg (1746 - 1822). Stamped with Stockholm chairmaker's seal and maker signature. Scraped to their...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

Gustavian seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Gustavian seating 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 seating created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, building and garden elements, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Gustavian seating made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Sweden pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original seating, popular names associated with this style include Ephraim Stahl, Hendrix Allardyce, Boet, and Johan Hammarström. 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 seating differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $295 and tops out at $27,600 while the average work can sell for $4,764.

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