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
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Klismos Chairs
By Erik Öhrmark
Located in Rīga, LV
An elegant pair of 19th Century Gustavian Klismos chairs are very comfortable and have wonderful proportion. The chairs have robust frame and s...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
$26,244 / set
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Carved and Whitewashed Bench
Located in Dallas, TX
This 19th century Swedish Gustavian carved and whitewashed bench exudes a sense of vintage charm and elegance. With intricate carvings and a classic whitewashed finish, it is a timel...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
19th c. Pair of Swedish Gustavian Painted Barrel Back Armchairs with Lion Heads
Located in Wichita, KS
A pair of Swedish antique barrel back armchairs in the Gustavian style, circa 1880. These stunning chairs have shaped barrel backs with li...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Linen, Wood, Paint
$10,320 Sale Price / set
25% Off
Swedish Style Rams Head Chair
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique Swedish Style Rams Head Chair. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
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
Large Swedish Trag Sofa/Bench, 18th Century
Located in New Orleans, LA
Long trag bench from Sweden. Beautiful finish in shades of blue, nicely distressed. Upholstered in flax linen.
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
Long Early 19th Century Swedish Stool
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
An early 19th century Swedish long stool or bench. With fine hand carved detail to front and sides in original paint. The seat has been reupholstered with antique linen in traditiona...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Linen, Upholstery, Wood
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 19th century Swedish Gustavian Accent Chair
Located in Leesburg, VA
Anonymous
Mid-19th century; Sweden
Pine, linen.
Approximate size: 35 (h) x 23 (w) x 18.5 (d) in.
(seat height is 16.5 in.)
This beautiful period chair showcases a lovely white wa...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
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
Pair Gustavian Style Square-Back, Cane Painted Side Chairs by John Widdicomb
Located in Chicago, IL
A beautiful pair of Gustavian style painted wood, square-back cane and upholstered side chairs by John Widdicomb Co. of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
USA, Circa 1950s
Solid sculpted wood...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Gustavian Seating
Materials
Hardwood
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
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Chairs with Original Paint Swedish Antiques
Located in Boden, SE
A pair of 19th century Swedish Gustavian chairs from Smaland, Southern Sweden.
Scraped by hand to its original paint.
The seats are upholstered in a linen fabric.
Nice model with ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Axet Dining Chairs Grey Green Set of 4, 20th Century
Located in Lewes, England
Unusual early second half of the 20th century set of 4 Gustavian axet dining chairs in distressed paint finish with wheatsheaf motifs.
Lovely detail in the fluted legs and rosettes ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Gustavian Seating
Materials
Birch
$2,648 Sale Price / set
31% Off
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Armchair with Originalpaint
Located in Boden, SE
18th Century Swedish Gustavian armchair from Lindome, Southern Sweden.
A beautiful well carved chair with nice details & in form of flowers & leaves .
Handscraped to its well prese...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
19th Century Set of 12 Side Chairs Circa 1880
Located in Atlanta, GA
This set of 12 19th-century side chairs, circa 1880, exemplifies the refined elegance of Swedish design from the late 19th century. Each chair features a gracefully curved frame craf...
Category
19th Century European Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
$9,580 / set
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 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
18th century Swedish Gustavian Period Side Chair
Located in Charleston, SC
18th century Swedish Gustavian period side chair hand-scraped to its most original paint, with oval back, pierced slats and carved wheat sheaf, cross...
Category
Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Linen, Wood
Pair of Late18th century Swedish Period Gustavian Chairs 'The Swedish Model"
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of late 18th century Swedish period Gustavian chairs with hand scraped to its most original finish. This type of chair is called the Swedish model, oval back frame with carved r...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Paint
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Grey Painted Benches or Settees
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair Of Swedish Gustavian style grey painted benches
Complimentary delivery to most areas of London UK.
Category
1920s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
Pair of 19th century Swedish carved gilt armchairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of 19th century Swedish gilt and ebonised armchairs circa 1860.
Pair of fine quality shaped back gilt armchairs. Unusual shaped back with ebonised leaf detailing contrasting wi...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Fabric, Beech, Giltwood
18th c. Swedish Gustavian Period Blue 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 wearing blue paint and newly upholstered in linen, circa 1790. Shaped arm...
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Linen, Wood, Paint
Daybed Swedish Gustavian Style 100% Original paint
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Unique Swedish Gustavian style Daybed / Love Seat. The seating has been restored and covered in Muslin.
Category
1820s Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
19th Century Swedish Sofa
Located in Atlanta, GA
This charming Gustavian sofa, dating back to the early 1800s, is a stunning example of Swedish craftsmanship and design. The sofa has been meticulously scraped back to reveal its ori...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Barrel Back Chairs
Located in San Angelo, TX
A gorgeous and unique pair of late 18th Century Swedish barrel backs from the Gustavian period that have been dry scrapped and then had a recent paint touch up with grays and white h...
Category
Late 18th Century European Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Linen, Wood, Paint
$12,500 / set
Pair of 18th Century Late Gustavian Stools
Located in Ballard, CA
Pair of late Gustavian X-framed stools with lion feet, circa 1770.
Original paint.unique pair of Gustavian stools, made in Sweden circa 1770. ...
Category
Late 18th Century Austrian Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Silk, Upholstery, Fruitwood
$3,990 / set
Pair of Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Chairs "The Swedish Model"
Located in Boden, SE
A pair of early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Chairs " The Swedish Model." from Skelleftea Vasterbotten, Northern Sweden.
Scraped by hand to the original color. Retouches are made...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Late Gustavian Footstools by Ephraim Ståhl
Located in Huntington, NY
A beautiful pair of Late Gustavian footstools. In the style of Ephraim Ståhl. Rectangular frame with slight bowfront and back. Featuring a decorative hand-carved scroll with fleurons...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Linen, Wood, Paint, Fabric
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Provincial Taburettes/ Stools with Originalpaint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish Gustavian Provincial taburettes / stools.
Handscraped to its originalcolor.
Beautiful fluted legs.
The taburettes is reholstery in beautiful linen fabric.
Th...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
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
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Stickback Settee
Located in Huntington, NY
A stunning Swedish Gustavian stickback settee. Rectangular back with vertical leaf cut detailing on upper frame topped by round finials. Back and sides are carved with a unique arrow...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Linen, Wood, Paint
18th Century Giltwood Gustavian Bucket Chairs, Set of 4, Sweden, Circa 1790-1800
Located in New York, NY
18th Century Gustavian bucket chairs, set of four (4), giltwood, origin: Stockholm, Sweden, circa 1790 - 1800.
Elegant proportions, beautif...
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Giltwood
19th Century Set of Swedish Gustavian Armchairs Attributed to Ephraim Ståhl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A grey, antique Swedish Gustavian set of similar armchairs made of hand crafted painted Birchwood, designed and produced most likely by Ephraim Ståhl in good condition. The Scandinav...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Birch
19th Century Gustavian Period Swedish Pine Bench with Storage
Located in Pasadena, TX
19th century Gustavian period Swedish pine bench with storage
This bench is a nice example of Gustavian furniture, the Swedish interpretation of French neoclassical design. Decor...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
18th century Swedish original painted pair of Gustavian chairs
Located in London, GB
These late C18th chairs are a lovely example of Swedish Gustavian style.
The oval backrest has decorative cutouts and delicate carving to the top rim and the wood is painted in a typ...
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
19th Century Large Swedish Gustavian Sofa with New Cushions
Located in San Angelo, TX
A beautiful, large and very rare large Swedish Gustavian sofa with new upholstered seat cushions added. This piece is very unique and rare with the grande scale and featuring side cu...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Period Footstools
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
19th Century Swedish period pair of Gustavian footstools.
Decorative carving to both sides, re-upholstered in Belgium linen.
Circa 1840.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Sofa Couch Loveseat White Carved, Late 19th Century 3-Seat
Located in Lewes, England
Swedish antique Gustavian sofa in classic white finish with delicately carved detailing decorative front fluted legs and a central carved motif along the back.
Fine example of the l...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Birch
$2,414 Sale Price
50% Off
A pair of early 19th Century Late Gustavian Armchairs
Located in SE
A pair of Late Gustavian Armchairs, made by Ephraim Stahl, who worked in Stockholm 1794- 1820. The armchairs are not signed.
Ephraim Sthal made several chairs and armchairs for the ...
Category
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Birch
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 Gustavian Stick Back Sofa
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 19th-century Gustavian stick back sofa is a stunning example of Swedish neoclassical design, offering both elegance and functionality. Characterized by its clean, architectural ...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Pine, Paint
Unique Swedish Gustavian Style Armchairs
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Unique Swedish Gustavian Style Armchairs.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Seating
Materials
Muslin, Wood
Early 20th Century Gustavian Style Painted Daybed
Located in New Orleans, LA
A Swedish painted daybed with brass accents in the Gustavian style.
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Seating
Materials
Brass
Gustavian inspired 19th century Swedish pine bench
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Gustavian inspired 19th century Swedish pine bench circa 1890.
Elegant painted pine bench from the late 19th century, very much in the taste of the gustavian period.
Upright back w...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine, Paint
19th C. Swedish Continental Brass Mounted & Parquetry Inlaid Cherry Chairs, Pair
Located in Germantown, MD
A magnificent pair of 19th century Swedish continental brass mounted and parquetry inlaid cherry chairs. Beaitiful inlay and parquetry work on backs.
very comfortable, firm seats w...
Category
1840s Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Brass
Pair of 20th Century Gustavian Style Armchairs
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Pair of 20th century Gustavian style armchairs, repainted in soft grey.
Newly upholstered in linen.
Category
20th Century Swedish Gustavian Seating
Materials
Linen
$5,656 / set
Pair of Gustavian Light Gray Painted Stools
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of Gustavian stools circa 1810. Scrapped back to remnants of gray paint. Sold together and priced $6,800 for the pair.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Cotton, Upholstery, Pine
$6,800 / set
19th c . Swedish Gustavian Painted Stools Signed by Johannes Ericsson
Located in Wichita, KS
Beautifully carved pair of Swedish benches from the late Gustavian period, newly upholstered in linen with nailhead trim, circa 1830. Signed by Johannes Ericsson, 1803-1865, a chair ...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Linen, Wood, Paint
Pair of Louis XVI Chairs, Signed by Georges Jacob
Located in SE
A pair of Medallion chairs (Louis XVI)
Gustavian chairs made in France, Paris, by Georges Jacob. Paris most eminent and productive carpenter, lived ...
Category
1780s French Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
$10,139 / set
Swan Chairs
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique set of Swan Chairs, they have been restored and repainted with Milk paints "Oyster White" all the seating has been restored and waiting for you to put your finis...
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
$3,410 / set
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 Gustavian Style Side Chairs 8
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique set of 8 Swedish Gustavian side chairs. they have been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White" all the seating has been restored and waiting for y...
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Seating
Materials
Birch
$8,160 / set
Gustavian Style Desk or Dining Chair
Located in Sheffield, MA
Wonderful Swedish white washed side or office chair with carved details.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Barrel Back Sofa Bench with Griffin Carvings in Original Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A rare Gustavian style barrel back sofa with beautiful wood carved griffins, hand-scraped to the original paint and newly upholstered, circa 1900. Exquisite carved detail. The seat f...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Seating
Materials
Linen, Wood, Paint
19th Century Danish Set of Six Antique Scandinavian Small Pinewood Side Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-grey, antique Danish set of six small side or Boudoir chairs in a chalky grey finish with square backrests and a centered floral decoration, possibly Denmark. The Scandinavian dining end chairs...
Category
Late 19th Century Danish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Pine
Swedish, Gustavian Bucket Chairs, about 1800
Located in SE
A pair of Swedish Gustavian Bucket Chairs. Made in Stockholm about 1800. Attributed to Ephraim Ståhl who was operative between 1794–1810.
De...
Category
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood, Birch
$14,911 / set
19th Century Period Gustavian Pair of Benches Carved Rams Head and Hoof
Located in Miami, FL
19th century period Gustavian pair of benches, Savonarolas, carved rams head and hoof with original leather seat.
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Walnut
Fine pair of 19th Century Gustavian Chairs
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine pair of 19th century Gustavian (the Swedish Model) chairs in their original colour with great wear to the surface.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
$7,800 / set
Pair of Louis XVI Stools, Late 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of square stools with elegant tapered and fluted legs, accented by protruding corners and a delicate ribbon decoration on the apron. The seats are upholstered in green velvet, a...
Category
Late 18th Century European Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Velvet, Softwood
$3,101 / set
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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