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
Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Wooden Sofa Bench with Striped Upholstery
Located in Karis, Nyland
A beautifully aged 19th-century Swedish Gustavian wooden sofa bench, showcasing the handcrafted character and rustic charm typical of rural furniture of the period. The frame is cons...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Pine
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Pine Daybed - Antique Scandinavian Sofa Bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A refined late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian daybed crafted in hand-carved Pinewood, in good original condition. This elegant antique sofa reflects the hallmark characteristics of t...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Pine
Set of Eight Swedish Gustavian Style Dining Chairs, 19th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant set of eight Swedish dining chairs in the Gustavian style, late 19th century. The chairs are finely carved with neoclassical detailing, including fluted legs with rosette acc...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Berlin Iron
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
$4,320 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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
$1,920 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Fine Pair of Gustavian Chairs by Ephraim Stahl
Located in Allerum, SE
Pair of 19th century Gustavian gilt wood chairs with hoof feet. Signed by Ephraim Sthal (1767-1820). Supplier to the Royal Court and one of the most sophisticated and inventive maker...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Giltwood
$18,000 / set
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
A set of four period Gustavian chairs scraped to original paint and newly covere
Located in Atlanta, GA
A refined set of four period Gustavian chairs from Sweden, late 18th to early 19th century, each scraped to reveal traces of their original paint. These chairs embody the restrained ...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Linen, Pine
A Petite 19th century Swedish Gustavian Bench
Located in Leesburg, VA
A Petite 19th century Swedish Gustavian Bench
Approximate size: 29.5”H x 64.5”W x 14”D
This exceptional 19th-century Swedish sofa bench, dating around 1800, perfectly embodies the ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
18th Century Gustavian Sofa
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine and unusually long late 18th century Gustavian sofa in it's original finish. ca 1790 Sweden.
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
$13,500
Rare Set of 8 Gustavian Period Side Chairs, Lindome, circa 1800
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare and elegant set of eight period Gustavian side chairs, crafted in Lindome, Sweden, circa 1800. These chairs exemplify the refined neoclassical aesthetic for which Gustavian fu...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Linen, Wood
Late 19th Century Swedish Period Gustavian Day Bed
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
A rare to source late 19th Century Swedish period freestanding Gustavian day bed repainted in soft blue.
This model is normally is decorated on just...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
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
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
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
Antique 19th Century Swedish Storage Bench with Blue/Gray Paint and Linen Cushio
Located in Centennial, CO
A beautiful antique late 1800s Swedish storage bench with distressed blue/gray paint and an optional custom made linen tie on cushion. This bench, also called a kitchen or trundle bench...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine, Paint
Set of 12 Antique Painted Gustavian Dining Chairs
Located in Nijlen, BE
Impressive set of 12 Swedish Gustavian chairs. In a warm grey paint with clear signs of age.
Pure simplicity and craftsmanship.
In very nice condition, all very sturdy.
Unique large ...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Ash
Swedish 18th Century Gustavian Painted Banquette
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A Swedish 18th century Gustavian banquette with its original hand-scraped, painted finish. The solidly constructed frame makes for a sheltering sofa as well, with a removable bench s...
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
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
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Pair of Antique Painted Pinewood Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Swedish Gustavian pair of armchairs with a loose seat cushion, made of hand crafted painted Pinewood in good condition. The l...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Fabric, Cotton, 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
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
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
$5,851
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
Swedish Gustavian Sofa/Bed Natural Finish
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is an incredibly Unique Swedish Gustavian Sofa bed, the seating was just restored.
when the sofa is pulled out the measurements are 41 deep 65 wide
Category
1790s Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
Pair Of Painted Birchwood Swedish Gustavian Style Armchairs.
Located in Montreal, QC
Pair Of painted birchwood swedish Gustavian style armchairs. Sweden: circa 1900 provenance: Coconut Company, New York Acquired from the previous by the present owner
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Seating
Materials
Beech
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
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
Fine 19th Century Gustavian Chairs
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine pair of raw 19th century Gustavian chairs with it's original padding, great carvings and patina. ca 1810 Sweden.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
19th c. Swedish Gustavian Painted Barrel Back Armchair
Located in Wichita, KS
A Swedish antique armchairs from the Gustavian period with a unique shaped barrel back, circa 1810. The frame features carved bell flowers with front legs adorned with lotus flowers ...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Linen, Wood, Paint
19th - 20th Century Grey Swedish Gustavian Set of Ten Pinewood Dining Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th–20th Century, light-grey antique Swedish Gustavian set of ten dining chairs, handcrafted in painted Pinewood and in good structural condition. The curved shield-back design ex...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Pine Hall Bench - Antique Scandinavian Wood Sofa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 18th Century, antique Swedish Gustavian Fållbänk, hall bench made of hand crafted Pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian three seater pull-out wood sofa has a tall curved ba...
Category
Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Metal
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
Set of Six 18th Swedish Gustavian Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
An elegant set of six late 18th century Swedish Gustavian dining chairs, beautifully patinated in their original scraped finish. Each chair features a square backrest with reeded sla...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood, Down
$8,000 / set
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
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
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
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
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
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 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 Five Gustavian Dining Chairs
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A set of five (5) Gustavian style dining chairs, circa 1810, with fantastic potential in any space. The curved backrests feature horizontal reeded texture and are perfectly balanced ...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Paint
$11,995 / set
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
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
19th Century Swedish White Tabouret Stool
Located in Round Top, TX
This lovely Swedish stool has a decorative carved skirt resting on turned and fluted legs.
The antique white painted finish has been gently scraped and distressed fitting the age and...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Muslin, Wood, Paint
Antique Limed Oak Gustavian Style Urn Back Carver or Armchair. C.1920
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
An elegant Gustavian style carver or armchair
A lovely shell inspired carved detail on the top rail
It has been recently limed to enhance the beautiful grain in the wood.
The seat...
Category
1920s English Vintage Gustavian Seating
Materials
Burlap, Oak
$715 Sale Price
35% Off
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
Swedish 18th Century Louis XVI Style Painted Daybed
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An impressive, elongated Swedish 18th century daybed perfect for bedrooms or living spaces as the arms of this daybed are symmetrical in height, carved with iconic Louis XVI style mo...
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Velvet, Wood
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
Haga, Gustavian Style Armchair
Located in Allerum, SE
Limited edition reproductions by D. Larsson, inspired by the finest 18th - 19th-century Swedish furniture.
HAGA, a fine reproduction Gustavian barrel back armchair is influenced by ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Gustavian Seating
Materials
Beech
$2,080 Sale Price / item
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 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
Large Gustavian 18th Century Painted Daybed
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An impressive (and long) Swedish Gustavian daybed from the 1790s. The bed frame is all hand carved with bell flower motifs and guilloche patterned carvings defining the graceful curv...
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Muslin, Upholstery, Wood, Paint
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
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 Seating
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
19th Century Gustavian Barrel Back Chairs
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine early 19th century Gustavian barrel back armchairs in their original condition. Attributed to master chair maker Ephraim Sthal (1767-1820) Supplier to the Royal Court and one of...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
$15,000 / set
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 Seating
Materials
Brass
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.