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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
Swedish Gustavian Grey Painted Tall Case Clock
Located in Bradenton, FL
Incredibly rare Swedish Gustavian Neoclassical grey painted pine tall case clock, late 18th or early 19th century, having a circular hood surmounted by a cartouche, the face with Rom...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Period Gustavian Pair of Benches Carved Rams Head and Hoof
Located in Miami, FL
19th century period Gustavian pair of benches, Savonarolas, carved rams head and hoof with original leather seat.
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Swedish Chest of Drawers with original paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century Swedish Gustavian chest of drawers from Umeå Västerbotten ,Northern Sweden . The chest of drawers is a Swedish country house furniture from between 1820 and 1830. Made i...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

20th Century Swedish Bench
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant 20th-century Swedish bench showcases the refined craftsmanship and timeless simplicity characteristic of Scandinavian design. Constructed from carved pine, the bench fea...
Category

20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Beech

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Chess Game Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Gustavian game table from Sweden made during the late 18th century, around 1790. The table is painted pine with the original light coloured paint. The paint has notable distress which causes the pine underneath to shine trough causing the unmistakable antique patina. The underside of the table top is painted like a chess board. They would flip the table top when playing and the pieces would comfortably fit in the space underneath. The table also has extendable light...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Pair of Gilded Wood Wall Glass Mirrors
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique Swedish Gustavian pair of wall mirrors made of hand crafted gilded wood with its original mirrored glass, in good condition. The Scandinavian wall décor...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Glass, Mirror, Giltwood

18th Century Grey Swedish Gustavian Two Part Pine Secretary - Scandinavian Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-grey, white antique Sweden Gustavian two part bureau with a writing flap made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian writing table, desk is com...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Neoclassical Style Swedish Grey Gustavian Storage Sofa Hand Carved
Located in Essex, MA
Classic Swedish Gustavian grey-painted hand-carved bench/ sofa with storage. One missing ball finial has been replaced and painted to match. Sorry, not in the photos. Simple Swedis...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood

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

Black Painted Gustavian Chest of 3 Drawers, Sweden Early 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish Gustavian 1840s Black Painted and Carved Three-Drawer Chest With Faux Marble Top.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique 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

19th c. Pair of Swedish Gustavian Painted Barrel Back Armchairs with Lion Heads
Located in Wichita, KS
A pair of Swedish antique barrel back armchairs in the Gustavian style, circa 1880. These stunning chairs have shaped barrel backs with li...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

20th Century Swedish Folding Table Circa 1900
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant early 20th-century Swedish folding table is a perfect blend of simplicity, functionality, and timeless design, reflecting the refin...
Category

20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Metal

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

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Grey/ White Painted Commode/ Chest of Drawers
Located in Miami, FL
A lovely Swedish painted chest of drawers in oak with dental molding along ridge of top and half-corner columns extending from original turned feet to underside of molding. Has origi...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Oak

19th Century Gustavian Sofa Bench
Located in Houston, TX
19th century Gustavian sofa bench with original paint. Exquisite carving on the front and side panels and along the perimeter of the upholstered a...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Display Cabinet
Located in Westwood, NJ
Its hand-painted antique grey distressed finish lends an air of antiquity. Designed to showcase your most treasured collections, this bookcase features four adjustable shelves and a ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

20th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Pine Nightstand - Vintage Single Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 20th Century, single vintage Swedish Gustavian style nightstand, bed side table made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The detailed Scandinavian cabinet, cupboar...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Metal

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Oak Chest - Antique Scandinavian Marble Commode
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Swedish Gustavian chest made of hand crafted painted Oakwood, in good condition. The Scandinavian commode is composed with a white-grey marble top and three drawers, consisting its original metal hardware and keys. The front of the drawers contains cut corners with fluted carvings...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Marble, Metal, Brass

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 Sofa
Located in Atlanta, GA
This charming Gustavian sofa, dating back to the early 1800s, is a stunning example of Swedish craftsmanship and design. The sofa has been meticulously scraped back to reveal its ori...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

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

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 Swedish Gustavian Armoire Cupboard Cabinet
Located in San Angelo, TX
A beautiful Swedish Gustavian cabinet that has been painted and dry scrapped over its lifetime. It dissembles into two parts. This beautiful piece shows the original paint job with p...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

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

Swedish Gustavian Style 1860s Painted Three-Drawer Chest with Greek Key Frieze
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style painted wood chest from the mid 19th century, with Greek Key frieze, carved rosettes, fluted accents and wraparound feet. Created in Sweden during the third...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Gilt and Painted Wood Armchairs
Located in Bradenton, FL
Beautiful Rare Pair of Swedish Gilt and Painted Wooden Armchairs, ca. 1790. Exquisitely carved scrolled and curved frame with distal part of each arm terminating into gilt eagle head...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Textile, Wood

Swedish Gustavian Style Wardrobe 100% Original Paint
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Swedish Gustavian Style Wardrobe. its 100% Original paint and ALL the drawers are working perfect! inside depth is 18.5
Category

1920s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Oak

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

19th Century Swedish Chest of Drawers Circa 1880
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 19th-century Swedish chest of drawers, circa 1880, is a fine example of Scandinavian craftsmanship and design. Constructed from pine, a wood commonly used in Swedish furniture f...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish 1800s Gustavian White Painted Two-Part Cabinet
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
A two-tiered wooden cabinet from the early 19th century Swedish Gustavian period. The top section opens to a shelf for hanging wine glasses and a small drawer for storing cutlery. Th...
Category

19th 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

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

Swedish Gustavian Side Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A petite Swedish Gustavian side table made during the mid 1800’s. This table has a worn painted blue frame featuring a plank top with pink painted flowers over a splayed pedestal bas...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Footstools
Located in Huntington, NY
A pair of 19th century Swedish Gustavian style foot stools with detailed fleurons on the corners. The leg tops are finished with vertical reeded over-collaring atop turned and slight...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

Period Antique Swedish Gustavian White Painted Four-Drawer Chest
Located in Atlanta, GA
Rare period Gustavian chest of drawers in remarkable condition. Very well-crafted, layers of paint from the last two centuries add immense character. We are happy to restore any of t...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

Antique 19th century Swedish Gustavian Accent Chair
Located in Leesburg, VA
Anonymous Mid-19th century; Sweden Pine, linen. Approximate size: 35 (h) x 23 (w) x 18.5 (d) in. (seat height is 16.5 in.) This beautiful period chair showcases a lovely white wa...
Category

Mid-19th 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

19th Century Swedish Side Table Circa 1850
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 19th-century Swedish side table, circa 1850, is a charming example of Gustavian-inspired design, blending simplicity with elegant detailing. Crafted from pine, the table feature...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Center Hall Table, Side or End Table, Restored
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Swedish pedestal center hall table, or could be used as an end table or side table. We believe the restoration most likely occurred in Sweden, before being imported to the st...
Category

1910s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

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

18th century Swedish Gustavian Period Lindome Side Chair
Located in Charleston, SC
Gustavian period side chair, having the signature fruit and flower carving of the hops plant used by Lindome furniture makers. Hand scraped to the most original color and seat uphols...
Category

18th Century 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

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

Gustavian Style Side Tables
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique set of 2 Gustavian style side tables with drawers. They have just been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage 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

Swedish Gustavian Style Corner Cabinet 4 Door
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique 4 door Swedish Gustavian style corner cabinet. it was just restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Swedish Gustavian Style 4 Door Corner Cabinet
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique 4 door Swedish Gustavian style corner cabinet. I was just restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gustavian, Louis XVI Style, Commode, Marble, Brass, Sweden, 1960s
Located in Manhasset, NY
Gustavian, Louis XVI Style, Commode, Marble, Brass, Sweden, 1960s Gustavian dresser or chest of drawers designed and produced in Sweden circa 1960s. This example features book match...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Marble, 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

Gustavian Style 19th Century Painted Swedish Chests with Carved Greek Key Frieze
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Swedish Gustavian style chests from the 19th century with antique off white / cream painted finish, carved Greek Key frieze, two drawers and tapered legs. Step into the epi...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Six Swedish Gustavian Style 1850s Painted Wood Side Chairs with Carved Rosettes
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of six Swedish Gustavian style painted wood stick back side chairs from the mid 19th century, with tapered legs, carved rosettes and used upholstery. Created in Sweden during t...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Large Gray Chest of Four Drawers
Located in Round Top, TX
Stately Gustavian chest of four drawers with dentil molding carved along top and gentle fluted carving central to each drawer. The newer, professionally applied light gray painted la...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

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 Golden Swedish Grave 1920s Wall Lights
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful pair of large decorative Swedish Grace 1920s golden brass 2 armed wall lights. Rewired with e12 candelabra sockets.
Category

1920s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

Sophisticated Swedish Style Bench with Lovely Splayed Legs and New Upholstery
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Lovely Swedish style bench having beautifully sculpted shape, upholstered in a soothing greyish blue fabric, having elegant off white antiqued bleached splayed legs.
Category

1980s American Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Swedish 1900s Gustavian Style Painted Console Table with Two Drawers and Shelves
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style painted wood console table from the early 20th century with faux marble top, two drawers, brass rosettes, two shelves and curving feet. Created in Sweden du...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

18th Century Painted Gustavian Dresser / Commode / Chest of Drawers
Located in Carmine, TX
Commode hand-made in the Netherlands in the late 1700s using oak and dovetail construction. The commode features three drawers with serpentine fronts and beautifully made dovetail jo...
Category

Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Oak

Gustavian Style Italian Terracotta Planters
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a set of 2 original finish Gustavian style Italian terracotta planters. I actually have 6 sets of 2.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

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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