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.
Style: Gustavian
Color: Gray
Dining Chairs Swedish Set of Four Gustavian Original Paint Green Sweden
Located in New York, NY
A set of four side chairs made during the Gustavian period in Sweden 1790-1810. The original paint in a grayish green which has a stunning patina. Rounded legs with channeled details.
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Swedish Gustavian Painted Chest of Drawers Commode Tallboy 1860 Grey White
Located in LONDON, GB
C 1860 antique Swedish Gustavian painted chest of drawers commode with detailed decorative motifs on the top rail, f...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Pine Wall Glass Mirror - Antique Wall Décor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique Swedish Gustavian wall mirror made of handcrafted gilded Pinewood with its original mirrored glass, in good condition. The particularized carved Scandinavian wall déc...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Pine, Giltwood
4 Ornate Italian Planters
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a set of 4 Ornate Italian Planters made by one of the TOP Garden Planter companies in Italy, Bitossi, they are in 100% Original condition.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Limestone
Large Gustavian Style Garden Pots
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a set of 2 Large Gustavian Style Garden Pots in original condition.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Small Gustavian Grey Painted Chest Of Drawers With Original Paint From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
The small Gustavian grey-painted chest of drawers, retaining its original paint from the 1840s, is a charming testament to the elegance and craftsmanship of the Gustavian era. Crafte...
Category
1840s Danish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
3 Basket Weave Planters
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is an original finish set of 3 basket weave planters.
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Swedish Gustavian Painted Chest of 9 Drawers Commode Tallboy 1870 Grey White
Located in LONDON, GB
Please note - this item will be available to ship form march 2022
C 1870 antique Swedish Gustavian painted chest of 9 drawers commode with detailed...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Axet Dining Chairs Grey Green Set of 4, 20th Century
Located in LONDON, GB
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 rosette...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Birch
Swedish Gustavian Candleholders Late 1800th in Pewter
Located in Stockholm, SE
Swedish Gustavian candleholders. Made late 18th century in Pewter, signed N. Height ~ 16,5cm. Ribbed columns on a bell shaped postament, with loose light cuffs and charmingly patinat...
Category
1890s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pewter
Antique Gustavian Chest Of Drawers, Gray Marbled. c 1780-1790
Located in Kastrup, DK
Gustavian chest of drawers with 3 drawers.
Sides with fluted quartz columns.
Gray marbled - conservator restored.
Sweden / Denmark 1780-1790.
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Mora Clock Swedish Grey White Gustavian, Early 1800s
Located in LONDON, GB
Antique Swedish mora clock from the early 1800s in lovely Grey White finish and unique leaf shape pendulum window with an extended belly shape body, simple crown and detail and a cle...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Gustavian Crystal Candelabrum Made ca 1790
Located in Stockholm, SE
A Swedish Gustavian candelabrum. It is designed with a cobalt blue blown glass. This type of glass was the most expensive in the 18th c and these type of objects were really expensiv...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Marble
Large Antique Swedish Rörstrand Porcelain Signed Hand Painted Decorative Tray
By Rörstrand
Located in Forney, TX
A rare monumental Swedish Rörstrand porcelain (established in 1726) heavy high quality decorative serving tray.
Exquisitely hand-crafted in Sweden in the early 20th century, the dished and molded palatial rectangular shaped tray features exceptionally executed period Art Nouveau hand-painted polychrome decoration, adorned with neoclassical motif of florals, foliage, acanthus leaves, and urn with flowers.
Signed, marked Rorstrand with three crowns to verso, dated 1913, and lower right impressed HD Rorstrand CO 1/2.
Provenance / Acquisition:
Hailing from the estate of a former supermodel and actress, Kathy Speirs-Puccio, who spared no expense in the decorating of her massive, curated to perfection Weston home.
Kathy Speirs-Puccio, who throughout her acting and modeling career (she graced multiple magazine covers in the 1970s including Cosmopolitan. She collected, wore, and kept only the finest in designer fashion and accessories. Her passion for high design continued through until the end of her life.
Acquired from the reputable auction house Blackrock Galleries...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Porcelain, Paint
Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Style Painted Wood Slant-Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish mid-19th century painted wood Gustavian style slant-front desk or secretary with three lower drawers standing on short tapered feet.
Here are the measurements: 48" W x 2...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Early 19th Century Gray Painted 6 Drawers Chest Or Dresser
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early 19th century gray painted 6 drawers chest or dresser
The dresser has 6 drawers with slightly different heights, drawers are without locks and with brass hardware. The drawer...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Antique Swedish Gustavian Three Mirror Curved Dressing Table Early 20th Century
Located in LONDON, GB
Early 20th century antique Swedish Gustavian three mirror carved dressing table in later white paint with curved mirrors.
It has one central d...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
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 Furniture
Gustavian Alpine Scandinavian Pewter Wine Can Flask Metalwork Decanter Flagon
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Very evocative piece of decor, a real old world relic of nobility and or wealth. Noted as a Swiss Swirl Wine Can by last collector owner, but could also be Austrian or German made. V...
Category
18th Century Swiss Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pewter
Dos Gallos Custom Coffee Table in Driftwood Finish
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom coffee table with fluted apron and carved legs. Can be made in oak, teak, walnut or mahogany in a variety of sizes and finishes. Shown here in teak, with a grey driftwood and ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood, Oak, Walnut
18th Century Gustavian Coffee Table
Located in Hamburg, Hamburg
This exceptional Gustavian coffee table from the 18th century features not only interesting legs with an all-around footrest but also practical pullout extensions on each side perfec...
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Other
Pair of Engraved Armorial Beakers with Dice and Coin
Located in Richmond, VA
Pair of engraved armorial beakers. The first is a "die" beaker, engraved with a coat-of arms on the front, and flowers on the reverse side. The second is a "token" beaker, the Utrach...
Category
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Glass
Umbrella Stand Swedish Gustavian Style White Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Umbrella Stand Swedish Gustavian Style White Sweden. An umbrella stand made during in the Gustavian style in Sweden ca 1830. Painted in a grayish white. Shaped as a column.
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Painted Scandinavian Chest of Drawers, circa 1790
Located in Miami, FL
An 18th century Scandinavian chest with a painted white/grey finish consisting of five drawers which rest on a plinth base. From the Schleswig-Holstein region of Germany which was pa...
Category
Late 18th Century Scandinavian Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
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 Furniture
18th Century Gustavian Low Table
Located in Hamburg, Hamburg
This unique Gustavian low table has a very charming appearance due to its low height, front drawer, and overlapping tabletop. The darker tabletop which is removable adds strength to ...
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
A Gustavian Bench with Beautiful Plaster Caryatid Decoration on the back.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Gustavian Bench with Beautiful Plaster Caryatid Decoration on the back and hand carved all around.
Category
1790s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Pine, Plaster
Pair of Belgian Side Chairs
Located in Hamburg, Hamburg
Great pair of Belgian side chairs with basket weaved back and seat. Elegant carvings throughout the chair.
Category
18th Century Belgian Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Light Blue Terracotta 20th Century Room Size Pigeon Motif Persian Malayer Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century Persian Malayer rug. Abrashed blue field and terracotta border. A few pigeons are spotted in the field, circa 1920.
Measures...
Category
20th Century Persian Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wool
Candlesticks Swedish Gustavian Neoclassical Gray Marble Brass, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Candlesticks Swedish Gustavian neoclassical gray marble brass, Sweden. A pair of gorgeous white marble candlesticks made during the Gustavian period. Column shaped with polished bras...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Gustavian Console Table
Located in New York, NY
A 19th century Gustavian Console Table. Tall Gustavian Console Table with Faux painted Marble top having a marvelous speckled apron detail. Tall fluted turned narrow legs set to Pi...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Painted Armchairs with Muslin Fabric
Located in Houston, TX
These are some of the most elegant Swedish chairs I have ever had. The original black paint peaks out from the light gray refreshed paint and they have new cotton muslin fabric.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Vanity Dresser in Gustavian Style
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chest of drawers with vanity mirror in birch. The Gustavian gray painted finish has a nicely worn patina. Chest has four spacious drawers;...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Birch
Louis XVI Style Console or Card Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
Set against a wall as a console or lamp table, the top unfolds and the back legs slide to fully support the unfolded half of a square card table, sea...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Table Console Swedish Neoclassical 18th Century Marble Giltwood Sweden
By Per Ljungs Art
Located in New York, NY
Table Console Swedish Neoclassical 18th Century Marble Gilt wood Sweden.
An exquisite console table made in Per Ljungs Art (for reference See: Thorsten Sylven: Mastarens Mobler p.24...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Marble
Swedish Stone Top Pillar Table
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish stone-top black pillar table stone is earlier than 1850 and has a beautiful natural rough underbelly.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Stone
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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