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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
Rare Antique Genuine Swedish Sideboard in Gustavian Style Made by Hand in Pine
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rare antique genuine sideboard from Sweden. The sideboard is a country house furniture in gustavian style from northern Sweden. Made by hand in solid pine with double doors with clas...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

19th century Swedish birch fitted cupboard
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish birch fitted cupboard circa 1880. Beautifully fully restored Swedish birch sideboard / cupboard which could serve for mul...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Birch

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

19th Century Swedish antique Gustavian Table with Untouched Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish Gustavian table from Piteå Norrbotten, Northern Sweden. Small neat Gustavian table with untouched originalpa...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Pair of 18th Century Gustavian Bronze Candlesticks with Egyptian Female Figures
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of Gustavian bronze candlesticks featuring stems in the form of a standing Egyptian woman with crossed arms. The candleholders are adorned with intricate ciselé work. Displays a...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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 Paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century Swedish desk from Skelleftea Vasterbotten, Northern Sweden. Untouched originalpaint with fantastic Marble paint on table top. Made in painted Pine.  
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Mid-19th Century Tall Black Swedish Gustavian 4 Drawer Chest
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-19th Century chest of drawers painted in black. This classic Gustavian commode or dresser is a very versatile piece that works well in a foyer, living room or bedroom.
Category

Mid-19th Century Scandinavian Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

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 Furniture

Materials

Pine

Early 19th Century Swedish antique rustic Gustavian Desk with Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
Early 19th century Swedish Gustavian antique rustic desk from Umeå Västerbotten, Northern Sweden. Nice Gustavian Desk Scraped by hand to its origi...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Pair of 18th Century Swedish Pine Folk Side Chairs
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A superb and stylish pair of mid-18th Century Swedish 'Folk' Chairs with their original faded original paint. These are from Hellsingland and would probably have been part of a large...
Category

Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

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

19th Century Gustavian Dining Chairs
Located in Allerum, SE
Set of six early 19th century Swedish Gustavian chairs in Egyptian taste. Ca 1810 Stockholm, Sweden. Attributed to Ephraim Sthal (1767-1820). Supplier to the Royal Court and one of ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Chair with Originalpaint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish Gustavian chair from Burträsk Västerbotten, Northern Sweden. The chair is scraped by hand to its well-preserved original painting. Beautifully carved pilasters ...
Category

1820s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Corner Cabinet with Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century Swedish Gustavian corner cabinet from Umea Vasterbotten, Northern Sweden. Scraped by gentle hand to its well preserved original color. The cabinet is divisible into tw...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

19th Century Gustavian Buffet with Fall Front Desk
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Magnificent 19th Century Gustavian period buffet of large proportions. With original paint, this buffet features a fall front desk with decorative oval-reeded panels. A very useful...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Bridal Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Rare bridal mora clock (Angermanlandsbrud) from the 1800s. The body of the clock with carving details was made to resemble a brides dress. Original mechani...
Category

Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Birch

19th Century Large Gustavian Style Chest of Drawers
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century Gustavian Style Chest of Drawers, Germany, 1850 Ashwood A decorative Swedish Gustavian style chest of drawers made of solid ashwood, three drawers with brass hardware....
Category

1850s German Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Ash

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

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Round Table
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
19th Century Swedish Gustavian style round table. With decorative carved detailing around the around the table. Re-painted in soft grey. Circa 1860.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Gustavian Column Cabinet
Located in Boden, SE
Exceptional Gustavian 19th century column cabinet from Burträsk Vasterbotten, North of Sweden. The cabinet is a very unusual piece of furniture. Its shaped lika a pillar with a door...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish Painted Linen Cupboard
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Early 19th Century Swedish painted pine linen cupboard. Circa 1820. Interior depth of top section: 12" (30cm).
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Grey Painted Benches or Settees
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair Of Swedish Gustavian style grey painted benches Complimentary delivery to most areas of London UK.
Category

1920s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Armchair with Originalpaint
Located in Boden, SE
18th Century Swedish Gustavian armchair from Lindome, Southern Sweden. A beautiful well carved chair with nice details & in form of flowers & leaves . Handscraped to its well prese...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

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

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 Furniture

Materials

Pine

18th Century Swedish Serpentine Chest
Located in Faversham, GB
A fabulous 18th century Gustavian serpentine chest of arc-en-arbelet form. The generous molded top leads to three deep and wide graduating each with moldings to the surrounds. Eac...
Category

Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

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

Swedish Gustavian Painted Chest of Drawers Pair Commode Grey White Bedroom
Located in Lewes, England
Circa 1850 antique Swedish Gustavian Grey White painted chest of drawers commode in Gustavian style with classic Gustavian carved detail on the drawer fronts and leading edges. Thi...
Category

Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Antique Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Antique Swedish Mora clock 1800's in off-white with gold hand painted intricate detailing. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 weights and a bell chime on the hour. W...
Category

Early 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Column Cabinet, 1810
Located in Ljungby, SE
A late Gustavian column cabinet from 1810. The cabinet features crowned, profiled cornices. Each side is adorned with blue-painted Medusa heads. It opens with the accompanying key, r...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Swedish Mora clock from the 1960's in original colour. Cream with gold carved detailing. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 weights and a bell chime on the hour. Wid...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Swedish Genuine Gustavian Neoclassic Small Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish gustavian table from around 1810. The table is gustavian, also known as neoclassic, and made in solid Swedish pine. The table has the original paint with a rustic cha...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

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 Furniture

Materials

Pine

Mid 19th century Swedish painted table top writing desk
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century Swedish painted table top writing desk circa 1850. Good quality table top bureau, presented in original scraped back paint.  Made from solid pine and scraped back t...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

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

Classic Louis XV Style Midnight blue Chests with marble top
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Gustavian Hauptbyrå with marble slab and frame in midnight blue. Marble slab has the same finish as the midnight blue of the chest. Fine original fittings in solid brass. Width: 76c...
Category

1950s European Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Flower Table with Originalpaint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish flower table from Skelleftea Vasterbotten, Northern Sweden. Untouched originalpaint. Small wood damage on one foot. Made in pai...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Late 18th Century Gustavian Column Cabinet
Located in Ljungby, SE
A Gustavian column cabinet from around the 1780s/1790s, most likely made in Stockholm, Sweden. The cabinet features two opening doors with working locks. The original painting (retou...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish Antique Mora Clock White Early 1800s Carved Detail 218cm handpainted
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

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

Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Buffet
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
An elegant and well-carved Gustavian buffet from Sweden, Circa 1790. This piece reflects the refined Neo-Classical lines of the period, with panelled doors featuring distinctive ree...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

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 Furniture

Materials

Birch

Swedish Gustavian White Grey Gold Painted Chest of Drawers Commode C.1790
Located in Lewes, England
Circa late 1700s/early 1800s very unusual and large rare antique Swedish ( or possibly french) Gustavian White Grey painted chest of drawers commode with classic rococo style feet a...
Category

Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Set of 6 Gustavian Chairs, 18th Century
Located in Ljungby, SE
Set of 6 Gustavian chairs. These are Stockholm pieces signed “IHS” by Johan Hammarström (active 1794–1812), with some bearing the label of th...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Swedish Mora clock from the 1960's in original wood. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 weights and a bell chime on the hour. Width:48cm / 18.9"" Depth: 25cm / 9.8""...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

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 Furniture

Materials

Pine

Gustavian 19th Century Grey Painted 3 Drawer Dresser
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late Swedish 19th century painted chest of drawers. This 3 drawer dresser has a charming break front style with the original brass hardware.
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Gustavian Style Hanging Cabinet Painted In Grey From 1820s
Located in Lejre, DK
Tall grey painted hanging glass cabinet in Gustavian style from circa 1820. The cabinet is in great vintage condition.    
Category

1820s Danish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Gustavian Bedside Table wuth Marble Top
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Gustavian style bedside tables with white marble top. Made in second half of 20th century. Greay color with gold detailing. Width: 50cm / 19.7" Depth: 54cm / 21.3" Height: 73cm / ...
Category

1950s European Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Exceptional Pair of 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Gilt Wood Mirrors
Located in Allerum, SE
Exceptional, rare and unusually large pair of late Gustavian gilt wood mirrors with gouaches in neoclassical Pompeian style and faux porphyry marble mirror frame. Stockholm, ca 1790.
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood, Giltwood

Swedish early 19th century painted pine chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish early 19th century painted pine chest of drawers circa 1800. Fine quality chest of drawers, fitted with 4 graduating drawers that open on the key.  Bold red paint that has w...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Klismos Chairs
Located in Rīga, LV
An elegant pair of 19th Century Gustavian Klismos chairs are very comfortable and have wonderful proportion. The chairs have robust frame and s...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Swedish Gustavian and Empire Chest of Drawers
Located in Kramfors, SE
Chest of drawers from northern Sweden made during the transition time between the Gustavian and Empire period. Made between 1810 and 1820 from painted pine with original faux paint. ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish 19th century alder root tilt top side table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish 19th century alder root tilt top side table circa 1860. Fine quality square top table made from alder root.  Top when down is secured by peg and latch and provides a stable ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Birch, Pine

18th Century Scandinavian Painted Baroque Chest of Drawers
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
19th century Scandinavian painted baroque chest of drawers Fine quality solid oak chest of drawers, circa 1840. The chest has 4-drawer and the ...
Category

Mid-18th Century Danish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Oak

Swedish 19th century painted chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century painted chest of drawers circa 1870. Substantial baroque revival swedish chest of drawers.  Presented in later paint which is best described as a very light grey or a d...
Category

1870s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Oak, Paint

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

Gustavian Swedish Extendable Dining Table Mahogany, Early 20th Century seats 8
Located in Lewes, England
Unusual early 1900s Gustavian extendable dining table with top grade quilted mahogany veneers, Lovely pyramid fluted legs with a rosette detailing and brass feet. It is approximate...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Birch

Antique Gustavian Work Table, Genuine Swedish Country Desk Table with Drawer
Located in Kramfors, SE
Gustavian styled work table from the county Norrbotten in northern Sweden. The table was made during the late 18th century and has a faux painted leg frame. The wooden drawer pull on...
Category

Late 18th 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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