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
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
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
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
$6,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Set of 8 - Ralph Lauren Style Barley Twist Leather Chairs
By Ralph Lauren
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
$8,000 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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
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
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 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
$4,941 / item
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
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
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
Antique Swedish Sofa Bench in Gustavian Style, Solid Pine with Blue Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish sofa bench in gustavian style. The sofa is a genuine country house furniture from northern Sweden made around 1820 to 1840. The fr...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
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
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
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
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
$1,440 Sale Price / set
62% Off
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
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofa Circa 1820
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant 19th-century Swedish Gustavian sofa, circa 1820, is a striking example of the timeless beauty and functionality of Scandinavian design. Crafted from pine, the sofa featu...
Category
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
Gustavian Sofa from Hälsingland, Sweden, circa 1800-1830
Located in Farsta, SE
Gustavian Sofa ca 1800-1830 from Hälsingland, Sweden
An extendable sofa 'daybed' featuring a stylish sunburst-patterned backrest, exemplifying elegant Gustavian design.
Retains its...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
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
Gustavian Sofa Ephraim Stahl attributed
Located in New York, NY
Antique Gustavian sofa attributed to Ephraim Stahl. Wonderfully carved Lion & Female busts, bulbous toped legs leaf toped, acanthus ornamentation throughout all signature details at...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
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
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
$15,000 / set
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
19th Century Swedish Provincial Barrel Back Armchair
Located in Allerum, SE
Rare 19th century Swedish provincial barrel back armchair in it's original finish. ca 1800 Sweden.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
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
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
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 ori...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
$5,896
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
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 Seating
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
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
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
$11,995 / set
Large Gustavian 18th Century Painted Daybed
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An impressive and elongated Swedish Gustavian daybed from the 1790’s. The bed frame is all hand carved with bell flower motifs and guilloche patterned carvings under layers of light ...
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Muslin, 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
$7,800 Sale Price / set
35% Off
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
$6,800 Sale Price / set
31% Off
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
19th Century Gray Swedish Gustavian Bench
Located in Round Top, TX
This elegant Swedish Gustavian sofa or settee has graceful decorative arms curving outward.
Please enlarge and examine the close up photos to appreciate the newer, professionally ap...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Muslin, Pine, 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 Seating
Materials
Linen, Wood, Paint
Exceptional pair of 19th Century Gustavian Stools
Located in Allerum, SE
Exceptional and unusually large pair of early 19th century Gustavian stools in their original finish. Ca 1800 Stockholm, Sweden.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
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
Pair 1930s Swedish Chairs With Black Frames and New Upholstery
Located in Troy, MI
Found in France, this pair of Swedish armchairs date from the 1930s. Streamlined hardwood frames with a black painted finish and brass casters on the front legs. Chairs have tight ba...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Seating
Materials
Brass
19th Century Gustavian Swedish Sofa Bench
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century Gustavian Swedish sofa bench, newly upholstered with a hand-scraped painted finish circa 1800. Features decorative carved detailing including Griffons. This piece combin...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
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
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
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 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
$4,329 Sale Price / set
55% Off
19th Century Swedish Sofa Circa 1800
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning 19th-century Swedish sofa, circa 1800, crafted in the neoclassical tradition. This elegant piece is constructed from pine and retains its original painted finish, now soft...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Dining Chairs Grey Lindome Style Set of 6, Mid-20th Century A
Located in Lewes, England
Unusual set of 6 Gustavian lindome dining chairs in good structural condition with fine carved detailing in Grey with trap seats. Lovely fluted legs and Classic rose detail on the ed...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Gustavian Seating
Materials
Birch
$3,848 Sale Price / set
30% Off
One of a Kind Antique Gustavian Spindle Back Swedish Bench Settee
Located in West Hartford, CT
Exceptional antique spindle-back settee crafted from solid wood. This bench features gracefully curved arms, delicately carved flourishes at the corners, and a distinctive spindle-b...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
19th century Swedish Bench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rustic Swedish bench embodies a simple yet charming Scandinavian folk design, likely from the 19th or early 20th century. Made entirely from solid wood, it features a timeworn, ...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
$1,200 Sale Price
33% Off
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
Gray-Green Painted Gustavian Sofa
Located in Houston, TX
Gray-green painted Gustavian sofa circa 1790-1809, Sweden. Neoclassical style Swedish sofa, hand-carved in pine. Scraped back to layers of early gray-green over light gray-blue paint...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Linen, Upholstery, Wood, Pine
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
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
$15,000 / set
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
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Dining Chairs
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine set of six 19th century Swedish Gustavian dining chairs. Very unusual with their straight legs ending with paw feet. ca 1810 Sweden.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofa
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
An early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian sofa or bench in old paint.
Recently upholstered seat and bolster cushions in linen.
Circa 1810.
Category
1810s Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
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.