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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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 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
$4,924 / item
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
$5,876
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
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
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
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
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
Early 19th century Swedish Gustavian Sofa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fine 19th century late Gustavian sofa inspired by the Roman Empire and ancient Egypt. Hand Crafted with Gold Leaf Wood Trimmed Hand-Carved Rosette Details. The removable back allows...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Gold Leaf
$12,000 Sale Price
38% Off
Pair, 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Armchairs
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair, attractive Swedish country Gustavian style painted arm chairs with distinctive round back topped by carved rosettes.
Turned, fluted legs and carved accents along the skirt add ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Seating
Materials
Linen, Wood, Paint
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
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 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
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
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 Painted Banquette-Trundle
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 se...
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
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
$660 Sale Price
40% Off
Fine 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofa
Located in Bozeman, MT
Fine 19th century Swedish sofa from the Gustavian period in its original colour newly upholstered in a raw linen. Ca 1810 Sweden.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Neoclassical Giltwood Fauteuil by Ephraim Ståhl, circa 1800
Located in Kinderhook, NY
An exceptional museum-calibre Swedish circa 1800 late Gustavian period armchair of neoclassical form by Swedish royal cabinetmaker Ephraim Ståhl (1768 -1820), the giltwood frame in o...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Giltwood, 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 Century Swedish Gustavian Sofa
Located in Bozeman, MT
Fine early 19th century Swedish Gustavian period sofa or daybed in Its original finish. circa 1810, Sweden.
Category
Early 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
$3,835 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Set of Six Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Axet Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous set of six Swedish axet dining chairs crafted in the Gustavian taste. The chairs feature carved beech frames with a gracefully curved back. The back is decorated with wheat ...
Category
20th Century Swedish Gustavian Seating
Materials
Fabric, Beech
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Rustic Gustavian Sofa with Original paint
Located in Boden, SE
Early 19th Century Antique Rustic Swedish Gustavian Provincial Sofa from Råneå Norrbotten ,Northern Sweden.
A beautiful Swedish Gustavian sofa ...
Category
Early 19th 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
19th Century Gustavian Dining Chairs
Located in Allerum, SE
Set of six early 19th century Swedish Gustavian chairs in Egyptian taste. Ca 1810 Stockholm, Sweden.
Attributed to Ephraim Sthal (1767-1820). Supplier to the Royal Court and one of ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
$18,000 / set
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
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
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
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 Seating
Materials
Wood
$11,360 / set
20th Century Swedish Bench
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant 20th-century Swedish bench showcases the refined craftsmanship and timeless simplicity characteristic of Scandinavian design. Constructed from carved pine, the bench fea...
Category
20th Century Swedish Gustavian Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Beech
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
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
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
$4,314 Sale Price / set
55% Off
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 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
Fine 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Corner armchair with original paint
Located in Boden, SE
This Gustavian corner " powder chair" features a beautiful original painting and has sticks in the back for added comfort. It stands on brass wheels, making it easy to move. A perfec...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
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
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
Swedish Gustavian Blue Painted Slat Back Dining Chairs from circa 1790
Located in Houston, 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
Pair of Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Oval Back Armchairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A refined pair of Gustavian style armchairs from Sweden, dating to the early 20th century and crafted in the neoclassical tradition. Each chair features an oval backrest with molded ...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
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
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
Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Upholstered Bench
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Upholstered Bench. Hand painted and hand distressed wood bench fully upholstered in a neutral linen textile. Wonderful addition to any style home, use...
Category
Early 2000s Swedish Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood, Pine
Good 19th Century Gustavian Sofa
Located in Bozeman, MT
Good early 19th century Gustavian sofa in Its original colour and newly upholstered. Ca 1810 Sweden.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
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
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofa with Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
A lovely small Gustavian sofa from Ersnäs Luleå, Northern Sweden .
The sofa has untouched blue original paint.
Nice model, very easy to place.
Good storage under the lid.
The sea...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
18/19th Century Swedish Late Gustavian Sofa by Ephraim Stahl Stockholm Gilded
Located in Epfach, DE
Swedish Late Gustavian Sofa by Ephraim Stahl, Stockholm circa 1800
This exquisite piece, a small sofa crafted by Ephraim Stahl in Stockholm around 1800, represents the refined elega...
Category
Early 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Bronze
Set of Ten 19th Century Swedish Late Gustavian Chairs
Located in Huntington, NY
A rare and stunning set of ten Swedish Late Gustavian chairs made in Lindome. Rectangular back with leaf cut detailing on three sides. The top has a floral motif leading to a crown o...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Linen, Wood, Paint
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
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
$2,240 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Neoclassical Style Swedish Grey Gustavian Storage Sofa Hand Carved
Located in Essex, MA
Classic Swedish Gustavian grey-painted hand-carved bench/ sofa with storage. One missing ball finial has been replaced and painted to match. Sorry, not in the photos. Simple Swedis...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
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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