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
Antique 18th Century Large Gustavian Klismos Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Antique 18th century Gustavian Klismos chair. This design was developed by the Greeks in the 5th century BC. The Klismos chair has four curving...
Category
18th Century Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
Armchairs Gustavian 1780-1800 Swedish Gray Frame Brown Leather Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Armchairs Gustavian 1780-1800 Swedish gray frame brown leather, Sweden. A pair of armchairs made during the early Gustavian period in Sweden 1780-1800. Pa...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood
Swedish Gustavian Carved-Wood and Upholstered Tub Sofa, Early 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish period Gustavian upholstered and carved-wood sofa from the early 19th century. This antique tub style sofa from Sweden features an elegantly arch...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
Grey Painted Swedish Settee with Shell and Foliate Carving
Located in Essex, MA
Grey painted Swedish settee with shell and foliate carving with turned stretcher bottom and gently curved legs. Off-white muslin seat cover. Measures: 44" H x 50.5" W x 21" D.
Category
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
Set of 10 Gustavian Style Dining Chairs
Located in Brussels, BE
Set of 10 Gustavian Style Dining Chairs
Category
20th Century European Gustavian Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
$5,010 / set
Set of Six Gustavian Chairs, Sweden, 1830
Located in Belmont, MA
A set of six Gustavian chairs, Sweden, 1830, birch veneer.
The chairs are in good original condition.
The chairs will be shipped from Germany. Th...
Category
1830s Scandinavian Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Birch
$6,900 / set
Original Painted Swedish Gustavian Sofa
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Original Painted Swedish Gustavian Sofa. the seating has been restored and covered in Muslin.
Category
1820s Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Berlin Iron
C18th century Swedish rococo original painted carved shell detailed chair
Located in London, GB
A lovely C18th Swedish rococo single chair which is full of original character. It was made in 1760. The chair features carved shell detailing to the front of the seat and back, with...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Oak
Set of Four 19th Century Swedish Late Gustavian Chairs
Located in Huntington, NY
A set of four 19th century Swedish Late Gustavian Ax (also known as Vase) chairs from Lindome featuring a balloon-shaped back with five vertical, interconnected slats. In the center,...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Paint
Swedish Gustavian Style Berger Chairs
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique set of 2 Swedish Gustavian Style Berger Chairs They have been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
$1,895 / set
Pair of 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Armchairs by Johan Erik Höglander
Located in Huntington, NY
A stunning pair of Gustavian armchairs made in Stockholm and signed by Johan Erik Höglander (1758-1813). Arched shield back style with bow ...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Linen, Wood, Paint
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Painted Open Armchair
Located in Basingstoke, Hampshire
an 18th century Swedish open armchair displaying dry scraped paint. Featuring a pierced splat back, raised on, cabriole legs, united by a cross s...
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Fruitwood
Fine Pair of Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Chairs
By Melchior Lundberg
Located in Bozeman, MT
Fine pair of Swedish early 19th century late Gustavian chairs in their original finish by master chair maker Melchior Lundberg (active in Stockholm 1795-1834) . Ca 1810 Stockholm, Sw...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Berger
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Beautiful Swedish Gustavian Berger, its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White" ALL seating is new and covered in Muslin.
Category
1880s Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
$1,495
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
Set of 4 Swedish Gustavian Armchairs
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a set of 4 Swedish Gustavian armchairs. They have been restored and repainted with milk paints "Oyster White" the seating is new and covered in Muslin.
Category
1920s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
Set of Four Swedish Gustavian Period Dining Chairs
Located in Southampton, NY
Set of four late Gustavian dining chairs in intricately carved decoration depicting leaves and grape vine. Fan shaped center is surrounded by intricate carving on sides. These chairs...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
Set of Eight 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Neoclassical Dining Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of Eight 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Neoclassical Dining Chairs were very recently reupholstered in a high quality fabric and will make a great choice for your dining and ente...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Fabric, 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
Pair of Elegant Gustavian Chairs in Original Paint, circa 1780
Located in Jesteburg, DE
Fine pair of Gustavian dining chairs, retaining their original paint.
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
Pair of Gustavian Carved Canework Dining Chairs Natural Finish, Early 1900s A
Located in Lewes, England
Unusual early 1900s pair of Gustavian carved canework dining chairs in natural finish with fully webbed seats and lots of detail.
The carved canework is really lovely with the delic...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Seating
Materials
Birch
$1,931 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Original Painted Swedish Gustavian Armchairs
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a set of 2 original painted Swedish Gustavian armchairs. The seating has been restored and covered in Muslin.
Category
1830s Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Birch
$2,895 / set
Pair of 18th Century Gustavian chairs, made in Stockholm
Located in SE
A pair gustavian chairs in original color, about 1780, made in Stockholm,
attributed to Johan Lindgren, who became member of Stockholms chair mak...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Birch
Swedish Gustavian Armchairs Pair White Color Gold Detail Early 1900s A
Located in Lewes, England
This is a Classic pair of original Swedish Gustavian early 1900s armchairs in probable original paint with highly carved detailing on the frames , arm and legs, unusual delicately fl...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Seating
Materials
Birch
$3,256 Sale Price / set
57% Off
Gustavian Style Swedish Stool
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
19th century Swedish Gustavian style carved stool. Seat is in need of upholstery, 1880
Dimensions:
21 inches (53 cms) wide
18 inches (46 cms) deep
18.5 inches (47 cms) high.
...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
Gustavian Sofa, Early 19th Century
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is an exceptional Early 19th Century Gustavian Sofa, c. 1800-1810. The sofa is in very good condition and it retains its original scraped surface. The raised center back panel f...
Category
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Oak
Late 18th Century Gustavian Sofa
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Fantastic late 18th century Gustavian sofa.
This lovely sofa has a great carved form which has been newly upholstered with simple ...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Bench
Located in Houston, TX
19th century Swedish Gustavian bench with carving around all sides and tapered square legs.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
Early Gustavian Bench with beautiful carved decoration all around.
Located in Washington, DC
A very early Gustavian Bench, scraped to its original color, with beautiful carved decoration all around.
The bench lift up to underneath storage: 20 ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Pair of 18th Century Gustavian Armchairs
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of exceptional Gustavian armchairs crafted in Stockholm during the 1780s. These chairs represent the classic medallion-back style that was widely popular during the period. Th...
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
$15,000 / set
2 Swedish Gustavian Armchairs
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a set of 2 Swedish Gustavian armchairs . They have been restored and repainted with Milk paints "Oyster White" the seating is new an...
Category
1920s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
Swedish Original Painted Stool
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
19th C original painted Swedish stool with carved detail. 1840.
Reference: 7535
Dimensions
22 inches (56 cms) wide
22 inches (56 cms) deep
22.5 inches (57 cms) high.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
Bespoke Gustavian Style Bench
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Stunning bespoke Swedish Gustavian style painted bench with reeded panels and decoration.
Seat height - 17"
This bench has been painted in an F&B Old White No.4
Reference: 8339
D...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
Pair of Gustavian Armchairs
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of Gustavian armchairs. Ready for upholstered seat and back. Beautiful fretwork on back section. Carved detail throughout the frame with fluted ...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
Pair of 19th Century Gustavian Chairs
Located in Bozeman, MT
Fine pair of 19th century Gustavian chairs in secondary historical color and it's original padding, ca 1810 Stockholm, Sweden.
This particular model is called Bellman, after Carl M...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
Armchair Swedish Gustavian 1775-1790 White Washed, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Armchair Swedish Gustavian 1775-1790 white washed, Sweden. An armchair made during the early part of the Gustavian period circa 1775-1790. A rounded open back...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Gustavian Swedish Sofa
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Stunning 18th century Swedish sofa with original paint, 1810.
Seat height: 20" (51cm)
Dimensions:
84 inches (213 cms) wide
24 inches (61 cms) dee...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Oak
$3,380
Early Gustavian Sofa
Located in Hudson, NY
Early Gustavian (Swedish Rococo) sofa
with two bolsters and seat cushion.
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
$11,500
Gustavian Living Room Set Decorated With Bronze Ornaments From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
The Gustavian set you described is a beautiful and rare find, reflecting the elegance and craftsmanship of the 19th-century Gustavian style.
Gustavian f...
Category
1840s Danish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Bronze
Swedish Gustavian Arm Chair Circa Early 1900's Painted Warm White
Located in London, Park Royal
A Swedish, Gustavian style arm chair from the early 1900's, carved in solid beech wood and hand painted in a warm white which has naturally aged to reveal some of the wood beneath. T...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Bench, Swedish with Griffons, 19th Century
Located in New Orleans, LA
With significant size and presence, this armed bench has a long single seat and three separate upholstered back rests and upholstered arm rests. The elaborately carved wood is painte...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
On Hold - Pair of 18th Century Gustavian Side Chairs with Original Paint from Li
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare and refined pair of period Gustavian side chairs from Lindome, Sweden, dating to the late 18th century. These chairs exemplify the graceful restraint of the Gustavian style, w...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
foley&cox HOME custom "Whitfield Hall Bench"
By Foley & Cox
Located in Hudson, NY
Hall bench with exposed frame detail. Front legs accented with antiqued brass mounts. Shown in medium espresso mahogany. Custom finishes also available in light cerused oak and mocha...
Category
2010s American Gustavian Seating
Materials
Brass
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Side Chairs Attributed to Ephraim Ståhl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A grey, antique Swedish Gustavian pair of armchairs made of hand crafted painted Birchwood, designed and produced most likely by Ephraim Ståhl in good condition. The Scandinavian Neo...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Birch
Pair of Gustavian Style Armchairs Newly Upholstered in Christopher Farr Fabric
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of Gustavian Style Armchairs Newly Upholstered in Christopher Farr "Carnival in Green" Fabric
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Gustavian Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
19th Century Swedish Sofa/Settee New Upholstery
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century Swedish Sofa/Settee New Upholstery Ready to Place
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Swedish Gustavian Style Gray Painted Sofa Bench with Raised Diamond Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style gray painted sofa bench from the 20th century with high back, raised diamond motifs and linen upholstery. This Swedish Gustavian style sofa bench captivates...
Category
20th Century Swedish Gustavian Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Swedish antique genuine Gustavian Bellman Chair Original paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century Swedish Gustavian "Bellman Chair"
The Bellman Chair is very genuine with untouched original paint.
These antique chairs from Sweden has an airy design Quality to them wi...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
Pair of 20th Century Swedish Benches
Located in Atlanta, GA
This sophisticated pair of 20th-century Swedish benches showcases the timeless elegance of Gustavian design, combining neoclassical influences with Scandinavian craftsmanship. Constr...
Category
20th Century Swedish Gustavian Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Pine
$6,950 / set
Pair of unique Swedish late 18th century chairs rough linen sittings Gustavian
Located in Forest, BE
Unique Swedish wooden chairs made of massive wood around the end of the 1700 (1780/90). Lots of history, patina and traces of time. Very good cond...
Category
1780s Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Linen, Birch
Pair of Antique Swedish Neoclassical Armchairs
Located in London, GB
An impressive and beautifully designed pair of antique Swedish neoclassical armchairs. They are in the Gustavian style, they were recently imported from Sweden and date from around t...
Category
1890s Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
$6,415 / set
Set of Four English 19th Century Painted Pine Chairs
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
These English painted pine dining chairs –exhibiting subtle Gustavian references– feature straight, slatted backs held with squared handrails and stiles. Well-patinated from a centur...
Category
19th Century English Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine, Paint
19th century Swedish Gustavian set of (4) painted dining chairs
Located in London, GB
Wonderful set of Swedish C19th white painted High back chairs.
Their is a slight variance of height for (2) chairs.
93 cm / 98 cm
Please note one seat is missing, they are ready for...
Category
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
Traditional early 19th century Swedish small armchair
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Rustic early 19th century Swedish child's chair circa 1820.
Beautiful rustic piece of Swedish rural furniture. Presented in its original condition. Although listed as a child's ch...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine, Paint
A Pair of Second Gustavian-Style Barrel Back Chairs
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Swedish Second Gustavian-style barrel back chairs with hand-carved giltwood frame. The saber-form legs support arched back and apron with hand-carved and composition giltwo...
Category
1880s Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Giltwood
Pair, Gustavian Style Wingback Gray Chairs, Sweden circa 1920-40
Located in Round Top, TX
Graceful with a romantic air, this pair of Gustavian style wingback armchairs have delicate carving along frame,crown and skirt and rest on cabriolet legs.
This pair of arm chairs ar...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Seating
Materials
Linen, Wood, Paint
Pair of 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant pair of 20th-century Swedish Gustavian-style chairs embodies the refined simplicity and timeless charm characteristic of this classic design era. Crafted from painted pi...
Category
20th Century Swedish Gustavian Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Pine, Paint
Swedish Painted "X" Rocking Bench with Linen Upholstery, circa 1930s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Swedish painted rocking stool that is newly upholstered in washed Belgium linen and finished with antique brass nailhead trim detail.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Seating
Materials
Brass
Set of Four Gustavian Chairs, Sweden beginning of 19th century
Located in Belmont, MA
Exquisite set of four Gustavian vintage chairs, Sweden around 1810. Finely carved, cream painted with gold details. Shimmering red silk fabric. In vi...
Category
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Tub Chairs with Carved Campanula Friezes
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Swedish Gustavian style painted wood tub chairs from the late 19th century, with curving backs, carved campanula friezes and waterleaf motifs. Created in Sweden during the last decade of the 19th century, each of this pair of tub chairs captures our attention with its Neoclassical lines and delicately carved motifs. A curving back comes to rest on a rectangular seat which is ready, like the back for reupholstery. The apron is adorned with a delicate campanula frieze running on three sides. Each chair is raised on two cylindrical tapering legs in the front, carved with waterleaves and two saber legs in the back. They are all accented with carved rosettes on the knees and are painted in a soft color typical of the Swedish taste for light palettes aiming at brightening the rooms during the dark winters of Scandinavia.
The Gustavian style takes its roots in the Louis XVI era. Swedish King Gustav III resided in 1771 in Paris, at the beginning stages of the Louis XVI style. There, he was inspired by French art and fashion. With that in his luggage, he had a strong desire to introduce something similar in Sweden. The country had fine craftsmen with high quality craftsmanship, who produced a simple style with harmonious aesthetics. The Gustavian style was born and has been in vogue ever since. It is incredibly popular, especially in England but also in France and in the USA.
With their elegant Gustavian style lines and skillfully carved motifs, this pair of Swedish tub...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
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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