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Gustavian Furniture

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
Color:  Blue
Late Gustavian or Early Biedermeier Painted Wall Mirror
Located in Atlanta, GA
Antique painted mirror with gilded accents and beveled mercury mirror. The painted finish has been distressed over time, but we will be happ...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Mirror

Late Gustavian or Early Biedermeier Painted Wall Mirror
Late Gustavian or Early Biedermeier Painted Wall Mirror

Late Gustavian or Early Biedermeier Painted Wall Mirror

Genuine Antique Blue Swedish Gustavian Style Country Pine Desk Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Blue gustavian style country desk in pine from Hälsingland in northern Sweden. The table is a genuine Swedish country house furniture and has the authentic patina of time. Made with ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Genuine Antique Blue Swedish Gustavian Style Country Pine Desk Table
Genuine Antique Blue Swedish Gustavian Style Country Pine Desk Table

Genuine Antique Blue Swedish Gustavian Style Country Pine Desk Table

Antique Mora Clock Swedish White Teal 1800s Gustavian
Located in LONDON, GB
Antique Swedish mora clock from the early 1800s in lovely later white finish and teal detailing on the neck and body and a clean face with extravagant roman numerals in good conditio...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Mora Clock Swedish White Teal 1800s Gustavian
Antique Mora Clock Swedish White Teal 1800s Gustavian

Antique Mora Clock Swedish White Teal 1800s Gustavian

Swedish Gustavian Giltwood "Tub" Armchair Attributed to Ephraim Ståhl
By Ephraim Stahl
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 Furniture

Materials

Wood

Swedish Gustavian Giltwood "Tub" Armchair Attributed to Ephraim Ståhl
Swedish Gustavian Giltwood "Tub" Armchair Attributed to Ephraim Ståhl

Swedish Gustavian Giltwood "Tub" Armchair Attributed to Ephraim Ståhl

Imperial Russian Crystal Cobalt Blue Glass and Gilt Bronze Girandoles Tsar Era
By Johann Zech
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A pair of very rare exquisite Imperial Russian crystal girandoles, each with five scrolling candle branches set in a cobalt blue glass baluster vase mounted in gilt bronze, the centr...
Category

Early 19th Century Russian Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Marble, Bronze

Imperial Russian Crystal Cobalt Blue Glass and Gilt Bronze Girandoles Tsar Era

Imperial Russian Crystal Cobalt Blue Glass and Gilt Bronze Girandoles Tsar Era

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Antique Swedish Gustavian Bergère Armchair
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H 36 in W 26.25 in D 27 in
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Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Gilded Wall Mirror
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Gilded Wall Mirror

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H 43.71 in W 15.75 in D 1.38 in
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Swedish Period Gustavian Cabinet w/Arch Motif Top-Rail & Reed Carved Doors, Blue
Swedish Period Gustavian Cabinet w/Arch Motif Top-Rail & Reed Carved Doors, Blue

Swedish Period Gustavian Cabinet w/Arch Motif Top-Rail & Reed Carved Doors, Blue

H 50 in W 40.5 in D 21.75 in
Swedish Pair of 19th Century Painted Blue Commodes
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
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Swedish Pair of 19th Century Painted Blue Commodes
Swedish Pair of 19th Century Painted Blue Commodes

Swedish Pair of 19th Century Painted Blue Commodes

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Pair of Blue Painted Gustavian Style Chest of Drawers
Pair of Blue Painted Gustavian Style Chest of Drawers

Pair of Blue Painted Gustavian Style Chest of Drawers

H 29.53 in W 38.98 in D 19.3 in
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19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

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Blue Velvet Swedish Gustavian Sofa
Blue Velvet Swedish Gustavian Sofa

Blue Velvet Swedish Gustavian Sofa

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Located in Kramfors, SE
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Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

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Blue 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Country Table or Desk
Blue 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Country Table or Desk

Blue 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Country Table or Desk

H 31.11 in W 47.05 in D 30.91 in
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Located in Haddonfield, NJ
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Swedish Chest Of Drawers In Light Blue Paint Gustavian Style
Swedish Chest Of Drawers In Light Blue Paint Gustavian Style

Swedish Chest Of Drawers In Light Blue Paint Gustavian Style

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Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish chandelier with brass frame, cobalt blue blown glass, 12-light and crystal pendants. The chandelier recently wired for the U.S.A. electricity.          
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Swedish Cobalt Blue Glass and Crystal Chandelier, circa 1880
Swedish Cobalt Blue Glass and Crystal Chandelier, circa 1880

Swedish Cobalt Blue Glass and Crystal Chandelier, circa 1880

H 34 in Dm 25 in
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Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An early 19th century Swedish chest of drawers with its scraped old blue color. The simplicity of the Scandinavian Folk Art style "allmoge" is all reflected in this rural Gustavian p...
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Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

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Early 19th Century Swedish Chest of Drawers with Original Blue Scraped Paint
Early 19th Century Swedish Chest of Drawers with Original Blue Scraped Paint

Early 19th Century Swedish Chest of Drawers with Original Blue Scraped Paint

H 30.7 in W 39 in D 17.7 in
18th Century Gustavian 2-Door Cabinet with Beautiful Blue Color Inside
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Beautiful Danish Louis XVI (Gustavian) cabinet with paned glass doors. Light gray color with beautiful blue color inside. Original base with fake drawer front. Denmark, 1780-1790. ...
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Late 18th Century Danish Antique Gustavian Furniture

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18th Century Gustavian 2-Door Cabinet with Beautiful Blue Color Inside
18th Century Gustavian 2-Door Cabinet with Beautiful Blue Color Inside

18th Century Gustavian 2-Door Cabinet with Beautiful Blue Color Inside

H 75.6 in W 45.67 in D 15.75 in
19th Century Baltic Neoclassical Chandelier with Cobalt Blue Glass Plates
Located in Essex, MA
Early to mid-19th century Baltic or Scandinavian neoclassical chandelier. Bronze with period crystals and blue glass plates. Can be French wired f...
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19th Century Baltic Antique Gustavian Furniture

19th Century Baltic Neoclassical Chandelier with Cobalt Blue Glass Plates
19th Century Baltic Neoclassical Chandelier with Cobalt Blue Glass Plates

19th Century Baltic Neoclassical Chandelier with Cobalt Blue Glass Plates

H 42 in Dm 25 in
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Table
Located in Charleston, SC
19th century Swedish late Gustavian writing table/side table with two apron drawers with vertical reedings on tapering square legs. Sweden, circa 1850.
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Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Table
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Table

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Table

H 30.75 in W 42 in D 20.25 in

Gustavian furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Gustavian furniture 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 furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, seating, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, softwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Gustavian furniture 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 furniture, popular names associated with this style include Ephraim Stahl, Hendrix Allardyce, Hans-Agne Jakobsson, and Jonas Frisk. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $50 and tops out at $49,500 while the average work can sell for $4,473.

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