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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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Item Ships From: Europe
Style: Gustavian
Late 18th Century Gustavian Chandelier
Located in Ljungby, SE
A late Gustavian chandelier crafted in Stockholm at the end of the 18th century. The chandelier features four arms for candles and a frame made of fire-gilded bronze. Its elegance is...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Swedish 19th century hand painted pine occasional table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century hand painted pine occasional table circa 1890. Good quality table with many possible uses and with a knee height of 23.5 inches it could function as a small desk. Bare...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Stockholm, Gustavian Style Armchair
Located in Allerum, SE
Limited edition reproductions by D. Larsson, inspired by the finest 18th - 19th-century Swedish furniture. STOCKHOLM, This Gustavian style armchair...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Beech

Antique Northern Swedish Classic Gustavian Chest of Drawers
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique chest of drawers or commode from northern Sweden made in a classic straight gustavian shape from the late 1700s. The chest is a genuine Swedish antique made by hand in pine a...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Late 19th Century Gustavian Swedish Sideboard
Located in Kvidinge, SE
Swedish Gustavian sideboard The sideboard is painted in pink and the inside in antique white, Both in an old traditional scandinavian way with fantastic patina. The sideboard has tr...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desk with Marble Imitaition Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish Gustavian desk from Sundsvall Medelpad, Northern Sweden. A stunning desk with fantastic patina. Scraped and washed to its well Preserved Originalpaint. Lovely...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Buffet with Original Paint, Swedish Antiques
Located in Boden, SE
18th century Swedish Gustavian Buffet with original paint from Burtrask Vasterbotten, Northern Sweden. An elegant Gustavian period buffet with beautifully carved reeded details on t...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Table with Originalpaint Swedish Antiques
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century Swedish Gustavian table from Boden Norrbotten,Northern Sweden. Nice little neat table scraped by hand to its origina...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish Gustavian Painted Chest of Drawers Commode Black C.1860
Located in Lewes, England
Circa 1860/1870 antique Swedish Gustavian black painted brakefront chest of drawers commode in gustavian style with classic Gustavian ribbing detail on the drawer fronts and leadin...
Category

Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

18th Century Swedish antique genuine Gustavian armchair with original paint.
Located in Boden, SE
Armchair Swedish Gustavian 1775-1790 , Sweden. Called the "Swedish model" .An armchair made during the early part of the Gustavian period circa 1775-1790. Scraped by hand to its we...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Pair of Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Side Tables
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of side tables in Gustavian style, crafted from pine and painted in light grey. The tabletops have a profiled edge, and the apron features decorative carvings, including flora...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish White Gustavian Extendable Dining Table C. 1940 8 10 Seat
Located in Lewes, England
Swedish Gustavian white extendable dining table which extends from a round 110 cm approximately to 245 cm long with three leaves. It has ...
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Birch

Gustavian brass box with perpetual calender based on the rune staff
Located in Knivsta, SE
Gustavian brass box with perpetual calender based on the rune staff. The box is from the late 18th Century and was used as a perpetual calendar and...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

Swedish Gustavian Faux Marble Painted Console Table
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A light grey painted Gustavian painted with faux marble original imitation painting on the top. The Swedish console table with brass hardware on the front is from around 1800-1820 an...
Category

Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Swedish 18th Century Gustavian Grey and Blue Display Cabinet
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique Swedish Glass-Top Cabinet Made in Two-parts. The base has a set of 4 drawers and the top display cabinet has two glass doors that is pati...
Category

1770s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish antique genuine small Gustavian table original paint
Located in Boden, SE
A fantastically pretty & elegant Gustavian table. It is easy to place & fits in any room. The Gustavian table comes from Umeå Västerbotten, Northern Sweden. It has been in an old V...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

C1810 Swedish Gustavian buffet
Located in London, GB
Wonderful early c19th Gustavian painted two door Swedish buffet with four small galleried drawers. The buffet features good interior storage space with a shelf behind two reeded pan...
Category

1810s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Fine 18th Century Scandinavian Gustavian Chair
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine antique 18th century Gustavian chair in great original condition. This type of chair is called the Swedish model. This particular ex...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Swedish Corner Cabinet in Gustavian Style with Carved Stylised Flowers
By Jonas Lust
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish corner cabinet in gustavian style. The cabinet is in two parts and likely made by master carpenter Jonas Lust (1794-1845) in Forsa, Hälsingland during the early 1800s...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Rare Antique Swedish Gustavian Period Corner Cabinet with Authentic Glass Doors
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rare gustavian period corner cabinet with glass doors from Sweden made during the 1790s. The cabinet is made by hand in solid pine into two parts. Made during the transition period b...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Corner Hanging Cabinet with Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century swedish Gustavian Hanging corner cabinet from Råneå Norrbotten, Northern Sweden. A beautiful cabinet scraped by hand to its well preserved original paint. Stunning blu...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

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 Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Softwood

Antique Limed Oak Gustavian Style Urn Back Carver or Armchair. C.1920
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
An elegant Gustavian style carver or armchair A lovely shell inspired carved detail on the top rail It has been recently limed to enhance the beautiful grain in the wood. The seat...
Category

1920s English Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Burlap, Oak

Swedish Gustavian White Grey Painted Marble Top Chest of Drawers Commode 1875
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish Gustavian White Grey painted plain front chest of drawers commode in gustavian style with classic Gustavian detail on the drawer fronts and leading edges. It has a...
Category

Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish 19th century painted pine cupboard
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish 19th century painted cupboard circa 1890. Good quality sideboard/cabinet which would be ideal as a linen cupboard or the kitchen. Double door cupboard with channeled detail...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Late 18th Century Gustavian Sideboard
Located in Ljungby, SE
A Gustavian Stockholm piece, circa 1790-1800. It features a decorative tooth-cut pattern across the two drawers. The doors have fluted mirrors, and inside the cabinet are two shelves...
Category

1790s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Iron

Swedish pair of white 19th century painted chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish pair of white 19th century painted chest of drawers circa 1880. Good quality pair of Swedish painted commodes. Top surface with hand painted faux marble effect, canted corn...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Large 19th Century Swedish Period Gustavian Buffet
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
A large 19th Century Swedish, period Gustavian buffet. Featuring galleried top below a run of four doors with carved reeded design, opening to shelf storage. Repainted in a soft bl...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Gustavian Dining Table
Located in Ljungby, SE
A large Gustavian dining table, made in Sweden during the 19th century. The table comes with five additional detachable extension leaves. It features a magnificent pull-out mechanism...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Wall Clock signed Jacob Kock
Located in Ljungby, SE
Large Gustavian wall clock with a movement signed by Jacob Kock (1737-1805). He was a court clockmaker in Stockholm and supplied clocks to the court of King Gustav III. This pendulum...
Category

18th Century Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass, Enamel, Iron

20th Century Black Painted Display Bookcase Glazed Cabinet
Located in Kvidinge, SE
A gorgeous Bookcase Display with two glazed cabinet doors Painted and refinished in a black with a delicate hint of red under and distress for an authentic antique feel The inside i...
Category

20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

Vintage Gustavian Chest of Drawers with Marble, 1950s
Located in Radomsko, Województwo łódzkie
This unique chest of drawers will be a stylish and practical addition to any room, providing both storage and a sophisticated aesthetic.
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Marble

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Black Painted Console Table
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A black painted Gustavian early 19th Century Console table. This pine Swedish free-standing console table is from around 1800-1820. It can stand freely in a room since there is not front or back and can be used as a cocktail table, a nightstand or a lamp table, anywhere in a house. This antique small...
Category

Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Antique Mora Clock Swedish White 1800s Gustavian
Located in Lewes, England
Shipping special update - We have negotiated a special flat rate shipping cost to the USA with our main US shipping partner for our 1st dibs clients of only £995 export crated by ai...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Swedish Desk in Gustavian Style
Located in Kvidinge, SE
Nice desk in antique Gustavian style Fits perfectly in any home, modern or old style The table has straight tapered legs, 3 drawers and brass handles in typical gustavian style . Ma...
Category

Early 1900s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

Rare Untouched Antique Swedish Gustavian Corner Cabinet
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rare untouched corner cabinet from Sweden in gustavian style. This antique corner cabinet is from Hälsingland in central Sweden. Made by hand in solid Swedish pine the cabinet has it...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

White Mora Clock Swedish Early 1800s Antique Gold Carved Crown
Located in Lewes, England
Shipping special update - We have negotiated a special flat rate shipping cost to the USA with our main US shipping partner for our 1st dibs clients of only £995 export crated by ai...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish antique rustic Gustavian Secretary with Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
A Swedish antique rustic Gustavian slant front secretary from early 19th century that is perfect for any home. This originalpainted features a slanted top that pulls down to make a ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish 19th century painted breakfront chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish 19th century painted breakfront chest of drawers circa 1880. Elegant and fine quality Swedish painted commode.  Breakfront shaped top and block fronted drawer fronts. Stepp...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Gustavian table from northern Sweden in untouched original condition. The table is from the years circa 1780-1790 with traces of thin paint on the frame and a white painted tabletop....
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Round Black Pedestal Dining Table, Sweden 1920
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early Swedish 20th Century Pedestal Dining Table in Black Paint. This round table has beautiful Gustavian ribbed details with a border going around the table edge.
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Demi-lune Console Table in Gustavian Style, Sweden
Located in Kastrup, DK
Demi-lune table in Gustavian style featuring a black-painted top and a light gray-painted base. The apron includes two drawers with fluted fronts and elegant brass knobs. The legs a...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

Swedish Gustavian Roseback Dining Chairs White Set of 8 1940s 2 Carvers
Located in Lewes, England
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 with ...
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Birch

Swedish mid 19th century birch buffet sideboard
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish mid 19th century birch buffet sideboard circa 1860. Fine quality Swedish buffet of grand proportions.  Top surface with shallow gallery on the back. 2 lockable drawers below...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Birch

6 equal chairs, early 19th Century, Late Gustavian, made by Ephraim Sthal
Located in SE
6 Late Gustavavian chairs made by Ephraim Ståhl. The chairs are beautifully hand carved with nail clippers and leaf shaped decorations. The chairs are made by Ephraim Stahl, who wor...
Category

1790s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Birch

Exceptional 19th Century Swedish Late Gustavian Console Table
Located in Allerum, SE
Exceptional early 19th century Late Gustavian console table. Gilded, bronzed and painted. Front legs in the form of winged caryatids with goat feet. Stockholm work ca 1810. Sweden.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble

Swedish Painted Desk with Five Carved Reeded Drawers, Gustavian Style
Located in Kvidinge, SE
A Swedish five drawer desk from early 20th century in Gustavian style The desk is painted in green and the top in black, Both in an old traditional scandinavian way with fantastic pa...
Category

Early 1900s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

18th Century Gustavian Buffet
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
18th Century Swedish Gustavian buffet dating to 1780. 110cm Gallery height and 103cm front height.
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Pedestal table with original paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish Gustavian pedestal table from Skelleftea, Northern Sweden. A charming classic 19th century Swedish round Pedestal table...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

19th Century Gustavian Style Walnut Secretaire Avatant
Located in Madrid, ES
A Swedish writing desk, made of walnut wood, also decorated with gilded lateral grooves in the late Gustavian style. The writing desk is divided into two parts, each of which has bro...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Bronze

18th Century Gustavian Sofa
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
18th Century Gustavian sofa. Scraped to original paint with exquisite carving and recently reupholstered in linen.
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Linen, Wood

Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Style Two-Drawer Dresser with Brass Hardware
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish 19th century Gustavian style two-drawer dresser with brass hardware. EUR 175 delivery to most areas of London UK, The Net...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

20th Century Gustavian Style Glazed Display Cabinet / Bookcase
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
20th Century Gustavian Style Glazed Display Cabinet / Bookcase An early 20th century display painted in the Gustavian style. The Cabinet consi...
Category

20th Century German Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Oak

Late 19th Century Black Painted Swedish Gustavian 3 Drawer Chest
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late 19th Century chest of drawers painted in black. This classic Gustavian commode is a very versatile piece that works well in a foyer, living room or bedroom.
Category

Late 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique Mora Clock Swedish 1800s Antique Folk Art Kurbits Hand Painted
Located in Lewes, England
Shipping special update - We have negotiated a special flat rate shipping cost to the USA with our main US shipping partner for our 1st dibs clients of only £995 export crated by ai...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mid 19th century Swedish painted long case clock
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century Swedish decorative column long case clock circa 1837. Beautiful long case clock from Sweden. Made with a decorative fluted column which forms a demi lune shape. Clo...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Swedish Writing Table
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Original painted Swedish 3 drawer writing table. Nicely decorated with fluted legs and swag carving. Carved on all sides so can be a free standi...
Category

20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish Antique Mora Clock Green Early 1800s 210m Åman Arboga A
Located in Lewes, England
Shipping special update - We have negotiated a special flat rate shipping cost to the USA with our main US shipping partner for our 1st dibs clients of only £995 export crated by ai...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

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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