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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
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

Tall Oak Secretary Bureau from Sweden, circa 1800-20
Located in Round Top, TX
This 7' tall oak secretary is an elegant statement piece crowned with an elaborate carved pediment over paneled cabinet doors. The secretary has been given a professional custom laye...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

Antique Swedish Gustavian Painted Sideboard Buffet Commode White C.1850
Located in Lewes, England
Circa 1850 antique Swedish Gustavian White painted Sideboard Buffet commode in gustavian style with classic Gustavian ribbing detail on the door front and on the 2 drawers. It has p...
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

Original Painted Swedish Gustavian Sofa
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Original Painted Swedish Gustavian Sofa. the seating has been restored and covered in Muslin.
Category

1820s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Berlin Iron

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

Gustavian Cream Painted Four Poster Bed, US King
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Modern Gustavian Cream Painted Four Poster Bed. A wonderful combination of antique Gustavian design and modern details. The posters are in a tape...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

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 Gilded Pinewood Console Table by Jonas Frisk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique Swedish Gustavian freestanding console table made of hand crafted gilded Pinewood with a white-grey painted marble top, designed and produced most likely by Jonas Frisk in good condition. The edges, borders of the Scandinavian side table are enhanced by detailed tablecloths and palmettes carvings and porphyry-imitating sides, supported by four round twisted tapered legs, collar and ball, standing on a rectangular wooden base. Minor fading, scratches due to age. Circa 1810 - 1820, Stockholm, Sweden, Scandinavia. Jonas Frist was a Swedish artist and designer, born in 1787, in Stockholm, Sweden and passed away in 1849. In 1805, Frist received the rights to design and produce mirrors and console tables by the Kommerskollegium. From 1810 - 1814, his studio was located on the street Storkyrkobrinken and from 1814 - 1824, he moved to the public square Riddarhustorget, in Gamla stan...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Marble, Porphyry

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

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

18th Century Danish Gustavian Single Antique Fruitwood Console, End Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-brown, antique Danish Gustavian freestanding console table made of hand crafted Fruitwood, in good condition. The Scandinavian corner tables...
Category

Late 18th Century Danish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass, Metal

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

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

18th-19th Century Grey Swedish Gustavian Two Part Pinewood Bureau, Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 18th-19th century, light-grey, white antique Swedish Gustavian two part bureau made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian secretaire is composed wit...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Metal, Bronze

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Freestanding Pinewood Tray Top Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-green, antique Swedish Gustavian freestanding tray top table made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, designed by an unknown master, carpenter in ...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

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

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 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

Pair of Louis XVI Style Doors
Located in Sheffield, MA
Pair of tall painted doors with original hardware. Will need new glass. Other doors available but not with glass panel. Doors can work well in Swedish Gustavian style decor
Category

19th Century French Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Louis XVI Style Doors
Pair of Louis XVI Style Doors
$2,660 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Armchairs Gustavian 1780-1800 Swedish Gray Frame Brown Leather Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Armchairs Gustavian 1780-1800 Swedish gray frame brown leather, Sweden. A pair of armchairs made during the early Gustavian period in Sweden 1780-1800. Pa...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

Fine 19th Century Swedish Bench
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine 19th century Swedish bench From The Gustavian period in it's original finish. Can be used as a corner bench, long strait bench or two separate benches. Ca 1810 Sweden.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

19th Century White Pine Chest of Four Drawers, Sweden
Located in Round Top, TX
Gustavian style white painted pine chest of four drawers; two smaller over two longer. Newer professionally applied white painted finish, lightly distressed to fit age and grace of t...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

Daybed Swedish Gustavian Style 100% Original paint
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Unique Swedish Gustavian style Daybed / Love Seat. The seating has been restored and covered in Muslin.
Category

1820s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Blue Pedestal Side Table
Located in Round Top, TX
Small pine side table with decorative skirt and pedestal base. Restored, later professionally painted in layered shades of blue with white undertones, all lightly distressed to fit ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Pair of Pinewood Candle Holders - Antique Sticks
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Swedish pair of mid 19th Century Gustavian candle holders made of hand crafted Pinewood, in good condition. The sticks are patinated in...
Category

Late 19th 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

18th C. Swedish Gustavian Settee or Bench c. 1790
Located in Charlottesville, VA
18th C. Swedish Gustavian Settee or Bench c. 1790. Having original paint. The beautifully foliate carved back supported by turned and foliate spindles over a rectangular seat with ...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique 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

Painted Swedish Gustavian Style Full Size Headboard
Located in Sheffield, MA
Wonderfully styled Swedish Gustavian style painted full size headboard painted a pale grey with some distressing to add style and character. Bed is suitable for Louis XVI or Louis ...
Category

Early 20th Century European Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Swedish Gustavian Style Chest with Good Clean Lines
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style wooden chest from the turn of the 19th and 20th century. This antique chest from Sweden, in typical Gustavian style, features a simple, clean design with a ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Swedish Demi Lune Console Tables A Pair
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of 20th Century Swedish Demi Lune Console Tables. Tables feature straight, slender legs, slightly tapered at ends and painted in a soft white. Historically, console tables like ...
Category

20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

Swedish Gustavian Style Pine Farm Table or Console
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Charming late 19th century Swedish pine farmhouse table or console table. Constructed from pine having a two-board plank top with a natural or stripped finish on the pine. The Gustavian trestle...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Mid 19th Century Swedish Stone Top Black Chest of Three Drawers
Located in Round Top, TX
It is the original stone top that makes this small chest of three drawers a special find while the serpentine front adds intrigue as well. Please enlarge photos of the top to appreci...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Stone, Brass

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

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

White Painted Swedish Gustavian 19th Century Side Table Console
Located in Round Top, TX
Swedish Gustavian style side table, may also be used as a small desk. Lovely tapered fluted legs with applied carved embellishments along the skirt add to the romantic grace of this...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

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

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Pair of Antique Barrel Back Chairs
Located in New Orleans, LA
A refined pair of Gustavian barrel back chairs, showcasing gently curved backs, fluted legs, and simple carved details, upholstered in soft, neutral fabric—exemplifying the clean lin...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

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 Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Breakfront Chests with Fluted Posts
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Swedish Gustavian style painted wood breakfront chests from the 19th century, with three drawers, fluted side posts and carved rosettes. Created in Sweden during the 19th c...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Carved and Whitewashed Bench
Located in Dallas, TX
This 19th century Swedish Gustavian carved and whitewashed bench exudes a sense of vintage charm and elegance. With intricate carvings and a classic whitewashed finish, it is a timel...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Pair of Engraved Armorial Beakers with Dice and Coin
Located in Richmond, VA
Pair of engraved armorial beakers. The first is a "die" beaker, engraved with a coat-of arms on the front, and flowers on the reverse side. The second is a "token" beaker, the Utrach...
Category

Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Glass

Gustavian, Swedish Commodes, Beige Paint Distressed, Brass, Sweden, 19th C.
Located in Manhasset, NY
Gustavian, Swedish Commodes, Beige Paint Distressed, Brass, Sweden, 19th C. Stunning pair of step up commodes or nightstands having three diamond designed drawers on tapering turned legs with fluted column sides in a chic beige painted finish with a darker step up table...
Category

Early 1900s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Turquoise Swedish Gustavian Tray Table - Antique Pine Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Swedish Gustavian tray table in old paint and gilded colored Acanthus leaves on all sides with removable tray. The black-turquoise Scandinavian side table is made of hand ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Pine, Paint

Antique Swedish Gustavian /Empire Crystal Chandelier w/ Gilt Bronze & Ten Lights
Located in Miami, FL
A very fine and large-scale Antique Gustavian or Karl Johan Empire crystal chandelier with gilt bronze armature featuring a center ring with thinly pressed rosettes and foliage betwe...
Category

1790s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass

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

19th - 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Gilded Pinewood Wall Glass Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique Swedish Gustavian wall mirror made of handcrafted gilded Pinewood with its original mirrored glass, in good condition. The particularized carved Scandinavian wall déc...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Pine, Giltwood

Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian White Painted Pine Sideboard Cupboard
Located in Round Top, TX
Gustavian original white painted tall pine sideboard or server cabinet with traditional carved fluted diamond panels in doors, tapered feet. The original white painted finish has bee...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

18th century Swedish Gustavian Period Side Chair
Located in Charleston, SC
18th century Swedish Gustavian period side chair hand-scraped to its most original paint, with oval back, pierced slats and carved wheat sheaf, cross...
Category

Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Linen, 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 Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Demilune Benches
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand pair of matching painted demi-lune form benches made in the Louis XVI Swedish Gustavian taste. The benches feature a painted frame with an intentionally aged, distressed patina...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Painted Grandfather Clock
Located in Dallas, TX
This product is a Swedish Gustavian painted grandfather clock from the 19th century. It is a stylish and elegant piece of home decor that would make a statement in any room. The intr...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

Early 20th Century Gustavian Style Painted Daybed
Located in New Orleans, LA
A Swedish painted daybed with brass accents in the Gustavian style.
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th c. Swedish Secretary with Vitrine Library in Original Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A charming Swedish vitrine bureau secreatry made in two parts from the 19th century. Original paint on the exterior and later interior paint. The glass was replaced some time ago. Th...
Category

19th Century Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, 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

Swan Chairs
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique set of Swan Chairs, they have been restored and repainted with Milk paints "Oyster White" all the seating has been restored and waiting for you to put your finis...
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Swan Chairs
Swan Chairs
$3,410 / set

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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