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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
Early 19th century Swedish painted baroque revival chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 19th century Swedish painted baroque revival chest of drawers circa 1820. 3 drawer commode with shaped sides and serpentine shaped drawer fronts.  Made from oak with later ear...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Oak, Paint

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 Furniture

Materials

Pine

A Large Scale 18th Century Swedish Original Painted Slag Board Drop Leaf Table
Located in Basingstoke, Hampshire
A charming large scale 18th century Swedish Slag Board table. Displaying traces of original paint, which has worn beautifully over the years. The table features an unusually large rectangular top, which can easily fold away. Raised on square legs, the base presents a drawer to either end of the table with a pair of gate...
Category

18th 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

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

Antique Northern Swedish Genuine Gustavian Light Drop-Leaf Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique drop-leaf table in Gustavian style, dating from around 1820 to 1840. This table is an authentic piece of country house furniture from northern Sweden, featuring double leaves...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

antique swedish gustavian corner cabinet 18th century
Located in Kiel, SH
Swedish Period Gustavian painted wood corner cabinet, circa 1770-1780. This Swedish late 18th century antique corner cabinet features a curvy bow front shape, with recessed upper cab...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Exceptional pair of 19th Century Gustavian Stools
Located in Allerum, SE
Exceptional and unusually large pair of early 19th century Gustavian stools in their original finish. Ca 1800 Stockholm, Sweden.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Late Gustavian Chair with original paint, Sweden 1850’s.
Located in Valby, 84
Original painted chair in a classic late gustavian style by a Swedish cabinetmaker in the 1850’s. The chair is a perfect piece in any style of interior from a classic antique style o...
Category

1850s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wool, Wood, Paint

19th Century Antique Provincial Swedish Gustavian Table
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century antique provincial Gustavian table from Skellefteå Västerbotten,Northern Sweden. It has original condition with original untouched paint. Fine color combination with g...
Category

1840s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Late 18th Century Late-Gustavian Chandelier with Blue Bowl
Located in Ljungby, SE
A late-Gustavian chandelier with a blue bowl, made in Stockholm in the 1790s. The burnished gilded central ring is decorated with lion mask carvings. The ring features six light arms...
Category

1790s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century, Swedish Gustavian Tilt Top Table with Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century Swedish Gustavian tilt top table / pedestal table from Skellefteå Västerbotten Northern Sweden. Beautiful table scraped by hand ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish Mora Clock White Gold Paint, Early 1800s Carved Detail Antique 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 £1050 export crated by ai...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish Gustavian Axet Dining Chairs Grey Green Set of 4, 20th Century
Located in Lewes, England
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 rosettes ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Birch

Gustavian Commode
Located in Hellerup, DK
Antique Swedish Gustavian dresser or chest of drawers with 3 large drawers and with the original red paint and marbled top. The dresser has b...
Category

1770s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Tilt Top Table with Originalpaint
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Tilt Top Table from Umea Vasterbotten, Northern Sweden. A nice Tilt Top Table with a beautiful hand carved fo...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish Tilt Top Table with Original Paint from Northern Sweden
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish tilt top table from Degerbyn Skelleftea Vasterbotten ,Northern Sweden. A fantastically beautiful tilt top table with fine proportions & fine wood imitation pain...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Rare pair of 19th Century Gustavian Faux Bamboo Chairs
Located in Allerum, SE
Rare pair of early 19th century Gustavian faux bamboo chairs in their original finish. Ca 1810 Stockholm, Sweden. The chairs are attributed to Ephraim Sthal. Supplier to the Royal ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Oval Gustavian Giltwood Wall Mirror
Located in Kastrup, DK
Classic Gustavian or Louis Seize carved giltwood wall mirror. Features an oval mirror with pearl beading on the interior perimeter, exterior frame decorated with a bow-tied ribbon on...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

Pair of 19th Century Gustavian Bellman Chairs
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Pair of unusual 19th Century Gustavian Bellman armchairs. Scraped to original colour in newly upholstered in linen, these chairs have had some minor restoration over the years.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Set of 4 Antique Gustavian Style Urn Back Dining Chairs.English C.1920
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
A delightful matching set of 4 English limed oak chairs. They have been recently limed to enhance the beautiful grain in the wood. The seats have been re-upholstered in hessian or...
Category

Early 20th Century English Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Oak

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

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Cabinet with Originalpaint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Gustavian Cabinet from Ranea Norrbotten, Northern Sweden. Av stunning Gustavian cabinet with untouched original paint date...
Category

1830s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

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

19th Century Gustavian Bookshelf with Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century Gustavian bookshelf with beautiful original paint. A fantastic charming bookshelf with brass & wood wheels. So decorative & beautifu...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

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

Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Pine Wall Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish country wall table or console table in gustavian style from Northern Sweden. Made around 1810 to 1820 in painted pine. Unusual profiled edge on the front and short sides. The...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Late 18th century Scandinavian metal bound box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Late 18th century Scandinavian metal bound box circa 1790. Rare baroque inspired strong box with 3 locks on the front.  Quite likely to have been a box of some importance during it'...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Metal

Swedish Gustavian Single Chair White Color Gold Detail, Early 1900s
Located in Lewes, England
This original Swedish Gustavian early 1900s chairs in probable original paint has highly carved detailing on the frame, arm and legs, unusual delicately fluted feet and wide seat Th...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Birch

Gustavian Brass Candlesticks, Sweden 18th century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Gustavian Brass Candlesticks. Made in Sweden during the reign of Gustav III. The brass used in these candlesticks have high levels of copper, giving ...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

18th c, Swedish Gustavian Mirror
Located in Allerum, SE
Swedish 18th century Gustavian gilded mirror in it's original condition with an nice patinated surface . Ca 1790 Sweden.
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Side Table in Pine
Located in Kramfors, SE
Gustavian side table manufactured in northern Sweden, circa 1790. The table is in untouched original condition with original blue marbled paint. The painting technique imitates the s...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish Mora Clock Flowers and Wreath Painted Detail Antique, Early 1800s
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 Chest with Marble Top
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 European Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Set of 10 Gustavian Style Dining Chairs
Located in Brussels, BE
Set of 10 Gustavian Style Dining Chairs
Category

20th Century European Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood

18th Century Gustavian Drawer Mirror
Located in Ljungby, SE
An early Gustavian work from Stockholm, Sweden dating back to the 1770s. The drawer mirror features a sophisticated lower section with flat-carved decoration and a rose in high relie...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish Antique Mora Clock Black Folk Art Feathers 1800s 203cm AAS 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

Swedish Gustavian Painted Sideboard Buffet Commode White C.1890
Located in Lewes, England
Circa 1870/1890 antique Swedish Gustavian White painted Sideboard Buffet commode in gustavian style with classic Gustavian diamond ribbing detail on the drawer fronts and leading edg...
Category

Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish Antique Mora Clock Folk Art Paint 1800s 230cm C Palmlöf Sala 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 £1050 export crated by a...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Pair of Swedish Pillar Console Tables, Early 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair of Narrow Scraped Two Pillar Console Tables, Sweden, circa 1830.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Oak

Pair of Late Gustavian Candlesticks
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of late-Gustavian candlesticks made in Stockholm around 1800. The stems are made of glass columns with a porphyry-imitation paper on the inside. The fittings and light sockets...
Category

Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble, Bronze

C18th century Swedish rococo original painted carved shell detailed chair
Located in London, GB
A lovely C18th 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 back, with...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Oak

Mirror Gustavian Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Description: A guilded mirror made from carved wood with a mirror glass in two pieces. Made in Sweden between 1775-1810 and the Gustavian period.
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Custom Build Swedish Style Dressing Table
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Custom build Swedish style five drawer dressing table / kneehole desk. Can be made to your chosen dimensions and paint colour. Kneehole dimensions: 20" wide x 24" high. Reference: ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Unusual Northern Swedish Gustavian Country Pine Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Northern Swedish country pine table in gustavian style. The table is a rare example and has a large centered drawer and straight tapered legs with flutes. Hand made and in genuine un...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Sturehov, Gustavian Style Armchair
Located in Allerum, SE
Limited edition reproductions by D. Larsson, inspired by the finest 18th - 19th-century Swedish furniture. STUREHOV, This fine Gustavian style armchair is inspired by a remarkable Gustavian period square back armchair from our own collection. With fine carvings thru out the entire chair. Originally designed and made by Stockholm chair master Melchior Lundberg...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Beech

Swedish Gustavian Painted Chest of Drawers Commode Tallboy, 19th Century White A
Located in Lewes, England
19th century antique Swedish Gustavian painted chest of drawers commode with detailed hand painted designs on the top rail and gilt detailing. It has four drawers with brass ring pu...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Birch

Pair of Late 18th Century Gustavian Side Chairs
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Pair of chairs made by master craftsman Johan Erik Hoglander in Stockholm (1750-1813). Considered to be one of Sweden's best chair makers during t...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mora Clock Swedish Antique Folk Art Painted, Early 1800s, Gustavian
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish mora clock from early 1800s Gustavian in possible original folk art paint of great quality showing a folk scene and a good face with lots of detail and nicely shaped ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Swedish Desk 19th Century in Black Original Paint
Located in Meulebeke, BE
A rustic writing desk made during the 19th century in Sweden. Made of pine wood and original black paint. With great patina on the wood.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

C18th century Swedish Gustavian painted & gilt chairs
Located in London, GB
From the late C18th this elegant pair of side chairs highlight Gustavian style elements. The curved backs have delicate spindles with stylised wheat motifs and their tapered legs enh...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Set of 10 Late Gustavian Chairs attributed to Ephraim Ståhl
Located in Ljungby, SE
Set of 10 exquisite late Gustavian Stockholm-made chairs from the early 19th century, attributed to the master chair maker Ephraim Ståhl. The front l...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Gustavian Style One Door Cabinet
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century Gustavian Style One Door Cabinet, 1820, Sweden Oak wood, Painted One Door Cabinet with one drawer above in Gustavian Style. Condition: This piece of furniture is in ve...
Category

1820s Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Oak

Antique Mora Clock Swedish 1800s White Hand Painted Roses
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 air. This is price is only available when paid directly to the shipper. Message us now and we will explain how this works. Antique Swedish mora clock from early 1800s in lovely white finish with polychromatic hand painted...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Gustavian Stools
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of high-quality Gustavian works from Stockholm, signed by Johan Erik Höglander (Sweden, 1750-1813). The stools are elegantly curved on all sides, adding extra sophistication. ...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Antique Genuine Swedish Gustavian Detailed Decorated Console Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish gustavian console table in painted pine. The table is made around 1790 to 1800 and has detailed carved wooden decor. The surface has been scraped by hand to the original pain...
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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