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
Gustavian Sofa from Sweden 1700-1800's
Located in Copenhagen, DK
I'm selling this stunning sofa from a costumer.
Category
Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Harewood
Gustavian Style Dining Chairs
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Swedish Neo-Classic Gustavian style dining chair, with a chalky white painted finish, carved upholstered top rail about turned acanthus...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
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
19th Century Gustavian Sofa
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Fine gold painted 19th century Swedish Gustavian sofa with it's original padding. Currently in muslin and un upholstered. Ca 1810 Sweden.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Stools
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Pair of 19th C Swedish Gustavian style stools. Great decoration to legs and apron. Great worn paint revealing traces of original paint. 1880
These need to be recovered as one of t...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Beech
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 chairs...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
Six Swedish Gustavian Style 1850s Painted Wood Side Chairs with Carved Rosettes
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of six Swedish Gustavian style painted wood stick back side chairs from the mid 19th century, with tapered legs, carved rosettes and used...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Stools
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Pair of 19th C painted Swedish stools with fluted tapered leg and floral decoration to the corners. 1890
These need to be recovered. I can remove the current fabric if needed.
...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Beech
Original Painted Swedish Gustavian Sofa
Located in Hollywood, FL
This Original Painted Swedish Gustavian sofa was found at an Estate Auction in Stockholm Sweden. its 100% Original except for the restored seat...
Category
1810s Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
19th c. Swedish Sofa
Located in Houston, TX
Early 19th century Swedish sofa with hand carved details and sunburst motif in pediment back. Hand scraped to original finish with patina showing both paint and wood grain. Reupholstered in 1860's hand woven linen fabric and hand tied. The sofa includes two round arm...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Set of Eight Queen Anne Style Pale Grey Lime Washed Dining Chairs
Located in Essex, MA
A very fine set of eight Swedish-style grey lime-washed dining chairs in the Queen Anne style with pierced splat backs, carved and shaped seat rail, refined cabriole legs, and H-stre...
Category
20th Century Swedish 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
19th Century Light-Grey Danish Set of Six Antique Scandinavian Small 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
Late 19th Century Small Swedish Gustavian Style Sofa
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish small sofa in gustavian style. The back of the sofa consist of 3 sections with the typical gustavian decor and shape. The sofa is from the late...
Category
Late 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
19th Century Swedish Day-Bed
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Swedish 19th century daybed with carved decorative detailing throughout. This elegant daybed has the refined neoclassical style that defined the Gustavian era. The carved wood frame ...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Loveseat Sofa
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Swedish Gustavian loveseat sofa. it has been restored and repainted with milk paints "Oyster White" All new cushion and Muslin added.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Seating
Materials
Birch
Antique Hand Painted Wood Setee with Open Fret Work & Plaid Upholstery
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Unicorn hand painted Setee of unknown European origins. Stately yet accessible piece will fit in your formal spaces as well as your family corners. Plaid upholstery nods to the tradi...
Category
Early 20th Century European Gustavian Seating
Materials
Cotton, Wood
Armchair Swedish Gustavian 1790-1810 Greenish Frame with Black Upholstery Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Armchair Swedish Gustavian 1790-1810 Greenish Frame with Black Upholstery Sweden. A single armchair made during the Gustavian period 1790-1810 in Sweden. Frame in original paint. Uph...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Giltwood "Tub" Armchair Attributed to Ephraim Ståhl
Located in Stockholm, SE
A Swedish Gustavian giltwood so called "tub" armchair attributed to Ephraim Stahl (1768-1820). Made in Stockholm, circa 1810.
Category
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
Pair of 19th Century Gustavian Chairs
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Fine pair of 19th century Gustavian chairs in secondary historical color and it's original padding, ca 1810 Stockholm, Sweden.
This ...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
Gustavian Paint Decorated Storage Bench, New Wool Shearling, Sweden, 19th C.
Located in Stamford, CT
Gustavian paint decorated storage bench, new wool shearling, Sweden 19th Century
Wonderful gustavian bench or daybed having a brand new white wool shearling/sheepskin upholstery ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wool, Wood
Armchairs Swedish Gustavian Original Paint Black Leather Carvings Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Armchairs Swedish Gustavian original paint black leather carvings sweden. A pair of armchairs made during the Gustavian period in Sweden. Frame in...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
Gustavian Sofa
Located in New York, NY
Elegant period Gustavian sofa with wonderful original carved details. Lion heads on top of armrest and female bust to arm armrest, acanthus ornamentati...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Folk Art Country Sofa or Bench
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish gustavian country sofa or bench from the early 19th century. The sofa is a country house furniture in folk art with an unusual straight shape. The sofa has profiled or fluted...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Chairs Original Painted "The Swedish model"
Located in Boden, SE
Early 19th century Swedish Gustavian chairs " The Swedish Model"
A beautifully pair of Gustavian chairs scraped by hand to its well preserved...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
Haga, Gustavian Style Armchair
Located in Mjöhult, 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
Swedish Gustavian Roseback Dining Chairs White Paint Set of 8 1940s 2 Carvers
Located in LONDON, GB
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 wit...
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Seating
Materials
Birch
19th Century Grey Danish Gustavian Set of Six Antique Pine Dining Room Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A white-grey, antique Danish Gustavian set of six dining room chairs made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, detailed in the Neoclassical Greek style, in ...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Pine, Cotton
19th Century Grey Danish Gustavian Set of Eight Scandinavian Dining Room Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Danish set of six side chairs and two armchairs in a chalky grey finish made of hand crafted Pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian chairs have a rounded backrests and a centered floral decoration, possibly Denmark. The seats have been newly created in a cotton fabric with a Vichy checker pattern combining dark blue grey and light grey. Wear consistent with age and use, circa 1880, Scandinavia.
Armchair 39" H x 23" W x 18.5" D; Seat 19...
Category
Late 19th Century Danish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Fabric, Pine, Upholstery, Cotton
Louis XV Style, Gustavian, Sofa, Beige Boucle, Beige Wood, 1930s
Located in Stamford, CT
Swedish style parcel gilt and paint decorated sofa, settee or loveseat in the Louis XV Fashion. This finely detailed settee has been recently recovered in a Beige Bouclé Fabric by Jo...
Category
1930s Vintage Gustavian Seating
Materials
Textile
Swedish Gustavian Sofa Couch Loveseat White Carved, Late 19th Century 3-Seat
Located in LONDON, GB
Swedish antique Gustavian sofa in classic white finish with delicately carved detailing decorative front fluted legs and a central carved motif ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Birch
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
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
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
Swedish Rococo Original Painted Carved Shell Detailed Chair, circa 18th Century
Located in London, GB
A lovely 18th century 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 bac...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Oak
Mid-Century Desgn Safari Chair by Hyllinge Møbler Denmark, 1970’s
Located in Delft, NL
Mid-century desgn safari chair by Hyllinge Møbler Denmark, 1970’s.
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Gustavian Seating
Materials
Canvas, Wood
19th Century Three Swedish Gustavian Chairs with Untouched Originalpaint
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century three Swedish Gustavian chairs with untouched originalpaint from Boden Norrbotten,Northern Sweden.
Pleasent charming model with unusually fine hand carved urn in the ba...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
100% Original Painted Swedish Gustavian Sofa
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a 100% original painted Swedish Gustavian sofa. the seating has been restored and covered in Muslin.
Category
1840s Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Birch
6 Swedish Gustavian Dining Chairs
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a set of 6 Swedish Gustavian dining chairs. They have been restored and repainted with milk paints "Oyster White" the seating is new a...
Category
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
19th Century Pair Antique White Painted and Gilt Gustavian Swedish Armchairs
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Very rich decorative set off two mid 19th century white Gustavian armchairs with gilded and painted details.
Both wooden frames are in good condition. The gold colored velvet upholst...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Gold Leaf
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
Pair Gustavian Style Linen Lounge Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Gustavian style linen lounge chairs. It has a painted wood frame.
Category
Early 20th Century Gustavian Seating
Materials
Linen, Wood
Pair of Swedish Carved Stools
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Pair of late 19th C original painted Swedish carved stools in a Gustavian style. 1890.
Dimensions
16 inches (41 cms) wide
16 inches (41 cms) dee...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Beech
100% Original Painted Swedish Gustavian Sofa
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a 100% original painted Swedish Gustavian sofa. the seating has been restored and covered in Muslin.
Category
1850s Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Birch
Pair of Swedish Veranda Chairs
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Pair of Gustavian style armchairs with decorative lyres on both sides.
These wonderful pair of chairs have been later painted and newly upholstered in neutral coloured linen.
Originally, these chairs were used as veranda chairs...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Linen, Wood
Swedish Neoclassical Carved And Painted Three Piece Salon Set
Located in Norwood, NJ
Hand carved Swedish Empire painted 3 piece salon set. Settee with two fauteuils armchairs. Beautifully carved details with urn form in elongated diam...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style 1890s Painted Wood Armchairs with Guilloches
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Swedish Gustavian style painted wood armchairs from the late 19th century, with carved guilloche frieze and upholstery. Created in Sweden during the later years of the 19th...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of 1920’s Armchairs Hand-Scraped to Their Original Paint
Located in London, GB
A lovely pair of 1920’s Swedish armchairs which have been hand-scraped back to their original paint. The drop-in seats have been recovered in a vintage French linen.
The open back ha...
Category
20th Century Swedish Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
Fine 19th Century Gustavian Daybed Sofa
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Fine 19th century late Gustavian daybed sofa in its original color and fine carvings, circa 1810 Stockholm, Sweden. Attributed to Ephraim Stahl, (1767-1820). Supplier to the Royal Co...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
Gustavian Leksand Swedish Dining Chairs Pair in Gilt, 20th Century
Located in LONDON, GB
Pair of Swedish Gustavian dining chairs in the Classic Leksand style with the distinctive fluted legs and rosette detailing.
Unusually for Leksands which are a more country style,...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Gustavian Seating
Materials
Birch
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
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
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Chairs with Untouched Originalpaint
Located in Boden, SE
A pair of 19th century Swedish Gustavian chairs with untouched originalpaint from Sundsvall Medelpad, Northern Sweden.
Nice model and genuine patina.
Made in painted pine.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Chairs with Originalpaint
Located in Boden, SE
A pair of 19th century Swedish Gustavian chairs from Lindome Halland, Southern Sweden.
A Very nice and decorative Chair model with a cut lily in the back of the chair.
Nicely cut ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
19th Century 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
100% Original Painted Swedish Gustavian Settee
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a 100% original painted Swedish Gustavian settee. the seating has been restored and covered in Muslin.
Arm height 26 inches.
Category
1850s Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Birch
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
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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