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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
Antique Swedish Secretary Cabinet 19th Century
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century Swedish Secretary Desk with open book shelves above the fall front desk and bottom cabinet doors. The desk section has multiple sma...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gray Gustavian Pine Sideboard Buffet, Sweden circa 1860-80
Located in Round Top, TX
Tall Swedish Gustavian gray painted pine sideboard with attractive curved sides and traditional fluted diamond details. The curved long cabinet doors and drawers make this cabinet a ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

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

Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish Neoclassical Painted Bench, Trundle Bed
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century Swedish Neoclassical Painted Bench ~ Trundle Bed is an amazing approach to practicality with style! The neoclassical influence in the design is readily apparent, with a ...
Category

1870s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

White Painted Pine Sideboard Buffet, Sweden circa 1880
Located in Round Top, TX
Swedish pine sideboard with turned columns, top with profiled edge, fluted carving along drawers all resting on large bun feet. Newer, professionally applied white painted finish sli...
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Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

A Handsome Swedish Gustavian Alder Root Parquetry Chest
Located in San Francisco, CA
A handsome Swedish Gustavian alder root parquetry 3-drawer chest; the well-figured top with canted corners above a body fitted with 3 graduated drawers with parquetry veneer; raised ...
Category

18th Century and Earlier Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Exceptional 19th Century Gustavian Chest of Drawers
Located in Allerum, SE
Exceptional early 19th century Gustavian chest of drawers veneered with amaranth, birch, jacaranda and maple. Limestone top, gilt brass fittings, à la greque upper case and sides, fr...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

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...
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18th Century Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Vintage Swedish Style White Washed Table Painted Base Dining Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
A timeless Swedish Gustavian inspired painted farmhouse table made with reclaimed whitewashed wood table top and a red painted colored wood table base. The table makes a perfect addi...
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Early 20th Century Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Set of Six 19th Century Swedish Dining Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of Six 19th century Swedish dining chairs feature classic, stylish lines that are tailored, yet cleverly engineered. The curvature of the seat back with three slats conforms to your back with comfort, and the seatback crown is curved and reverse-arched to enhance your comfort as well. The seatback uprights in the back curve gracefully backwards to the floor for added stability, with sturdy tapered and fluted front legs for stylish support. Notice the pegged mortise & tenon joinery, a sign of master craftsmanship! Relatively recently upholstered in a damascene...
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1890s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Oak

19th Century Provincial Gustavian Cabinet
Located in Allerum, SE
Charming 19th century Swedish provincial Gustavian cabinet in its original colour and dated 1827.
Category

19th 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

18th Century Swedish Neoclassical Painted Secretary Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
18th century Swedish neoclassical painted secretary desk will make the perfect addition to your home whether your decor is modern, traditional,...
Category

1790s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Steel

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....
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1850s German Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Ash

Swedish Circa 1858 Gustavian Pine Buffet
Located in Round Top, TX
This 19th century Gustavian style buffet originated from Sweden. It has wonderful craftmanship throughout with hand carved wooden pulls, wood pegging, faux marbleized paint on the to...
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19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

18th Century Swedish Trag Sofa with Cushions
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exquisite 18th Century Swedish Trag sofa is a beautiful blend of comfort and historical elegance. The sofa showcases the understated sophistication typical of Swedish design fro...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Wood

19th Century Swedish Painted Chest of Drawers
Located in Houston, TX
The 19th Century Swedish Painted Chest of Drawers is a charming piece of furniture that exudes timeless elegance and rustic charm. Pain...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

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

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

Fine Pair of Swedish Early 19th Century Gustavian Chandeliers
Located in Allerum, SE
Important pair of Swedish early 19th century Gustavian chandeliers. Very rare with identical pairs in this quality. Ca 1800.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Swedish Gustavian Antique Table White Gold Carved Detail, 1800s
Located in Lewes, England
Very rare Swedish antique gustavian table from Skabersjö Castle in Sweden. It is later 1800s in age and has terrific detail to it with decora...
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Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Red Painted Gustavian Bookcase Display Cabinet, Sweden circa 1790-1820
Located in Round Top, TX
The details in this large red Gustavian pine bookcase are impressive with carved molding and Greek key pattern along the crown, carved inset columns at side and fluted carved details...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Glass, Pine, Paint

Chest Of Drawers Swedish Gustavian Style
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Swedish Gustavian style Chest of Drawers. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
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1950s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Painted Open Armchair
Located in Basingstoke, Hampshire
an 18th century Swedish open armchair displaying dry scraped paint. Featuring a pierced splat back, raised on, cabriole legs, united by a cross s...
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18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

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

18th Century Swedish Painted Two-Tiered Corner Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
18th Century Swedish painted two-tiered corner cabinet represents the essence of tailored elegance, with a rustic charm that only the Swedes can produce! Encompassing a quarter of a ...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish Gustavian Style 4 Door Sideboard
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique Swedish Gustavian Style 4 Door Sideboard. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chest Of Drawers Gustavian Style
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique Gustavian Style 5 drawer chest of drawers. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

Mirrored Wall Sconces Swedish Gustavian 18th Century Signed Gilded Sweden, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A pair of mirrored wall sconces made during the early part of the Gustavian period 1775-1790. Made and signed by frame maker Johan Martin ...
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Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Set of 12 Antique Painted Gustavian Dining Chairs
Located in Nijlen, BE
Impressive set of 12 Swedish Gustavian chairs. In a warm grey paint with clear signs of age. Pure simplicity and craftsmanship. In very nice condition, all very sturdy. Unique large ...
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19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Ash

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...
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Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

Eric Wahlberg 18th Century Gustavian Mirror, Stockholm, Sweden, Dated 1792
By Eric Wahlberg, Lago Lundén
Located in New York, NY
Eric Wahlberg (1760 Stockholm, Sweden 1811), 18th century Gustavian mirror with center cameo, origin: Stockholm, Sweden, hallmarked and stamped on verso: Eric Wahlberg and Lago Lunde...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Giltwood, Paint

Pair of Gustavian Demilune Tables
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
An unusually large scale pair of Gustavian period demilune tables in traces of original decoration.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Late 18th C. Swedish Chest w/Traditional Swedish-Red Color &Faux-Marble Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish painted wood chest of three drawers, with faux marble top, from the turn of the 18th and 19th century. This period Gustavian chest from Sweden, designed in clean lines, features a hand-painted faux-marble top, with lovely dentil trim just beneath the top ledge, and case which houses three full-sized and graduated drawers. The skirt is linear and and the case is raised up on four squared legs. Brass ring pulls flank the escutcheon set between them (note that hardware is not original). The darker faux-marble color of the top contrasts nicely against the traditional Swedish red color of the rest of the body; we believe the finish to be either original or quite old. This late 18th century Swedish...
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Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Style Unique 5 Drawer Desk
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Gustavian Style Unique 5 Drawer Desk. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage 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

Gray Gustavian Side Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
The antique gray finish highlights the table's refined features, including a bow front, a ribbed drawer front and beautifully reeded tapered legs with subtle turnings. Each architec...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Exceptional Antique Gustavian Style Carved And Painted Oval Mirror
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Large and impressive time-worn Gustavian Style Mirror in a Pale Grey and Gilt Paint finish. The dish form surround in off white paint with an outer band of gilt acanthus leaves, the...
Category

19th Century Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gustavian, Louis XVI Style, Small Swedish Chest, Brass, Marble, Sweden, 1970s
Located in Manhasset, NY
Gustavian, Louis XVI Style, Small Swedish Chest, Brass, Marble, Sweden, 1970s Small Gustavian chest of drawers in brown wood designed and produced in Sweden circa 1970s. This piece ...
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

Two Similar 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Chairs by Johan Hammarström
Located in Huntington, NY
Two similar Swedish Gustavian chairs made in Stockholm. One chair by Johan Erik Höglander (1748-1813) and signed IEH. The other chair by Johan Hammarström (active 1794-1812) and sign...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

Swedish Gustavian Side Chairs w/New Linen Seats, 19th C.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian pair of slatted back side chairs from the early 19th century. These antique chairs from Sweden have straight top rails and slatted backs. The lines are mostly cle...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Linen

Mid 19th century Swedish painted pine rocking cradle
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century Swedish painted pine rocking cradle circa 1860. Traditional Swedish painted cradle in original paint.  Ideal for use as toy storage or the perfect decorative object...
Category

Mid-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

Gustavian Alpine Scandinavian Pewter Wine Can Flask Metalwork Decanter Flagon
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Very evocative piece of decor, a real old world relic of nobility and or wealth. Noted as a Swiss Swirl Wine Can by last collector owner, but could also be Austrian or German made. V...
Category

18th Century Swiss Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pewter

Gustavian Tray Table
Located in Ljungby, SE
A Gustavian tray table from southern Sweden with a carved wooden monogram on both sides of the apron. The table is freestanding. It features carved decorative details, such as flutin...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Sideboard
Located in Huntington, NY
A small provincial Gustavian Style sideboard with original hardware and repainted in light grey. One wide drawer with two reeded diamond-shaped details on the pulls. Sits atop two ve...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century Danish Late Gustavian Commode
Located in Huntington, NY
A Danish Late Gustavian commode with old (possibly original) brass hardware and locks. Notched corners with two wide drawers over a crisscross patterned apron. Square legs with small...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

Swedish Gustavian Period Gilt Pier Mirror with Ribbon & Foliate Swag Decoration
Located in Milford, NH
A Swedish Gustavian Period gilt pier mirror with pierce carved ribbon and foliate crest decoration, accented with foliate swags, continued on the beveled mirror surround and base. Da...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Gesso, Glass, 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

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Bench
Located in Houston, TX
19th century Swedish Gustavian bench with carving around all sides and tapered square legs.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Antique Gustavian Gray and Gold Mirror, Sweden circa 1880
Located in Round Top, TX
Lovely Gustavian style mirror with light gray painted finish with white undertones. Carved accents in gold gilt with red undertones. At just under 4' tall, its size allows it to be d...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood, Paint

White Gustavian Side Table with Cabriolet Legs, Sweden circa 1800-20
Located in Round Top, TX
Swedish Gustavian side table with cabriolet legs and large scalloped skirt. Restored, later professionally painted in layered shades o...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Desk Secretary
Located in San Angelo, TX
This beautiful and unique 19th century Swedish Gustavian writing desk is perfect for any room or hallway. The colors are amazing with th...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Pine, Paint

Early Gustavian Sofa
Located in Hudson, NY
Early Gustavian (Swedish Rococo) sofa with two bolsters and seat cushion.
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Swedish Gustavian Style Chest Of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Swedish Gustavian Style Chest Of Drawers. its been restored and repainted with Milk paints "Oyster White"
Category

1890s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Pair of Painted Italian Pine Cabinets
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stately and sophisticated pair of large Gustavian-style cabinets, masterfully crafted from reclaimed Italian pine and finished in a soft, hand-painted cream tone. Drawing inspirati...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Gustavian ‘Spelbord’ Game Table
Located in Savannah, GA
A fine Gustavian period ‘spelbord’ game table, 18th century. Four small drawers on each side with one larger drawer; original brasses. 26 ¼ inches wide ...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Swedish Gustavian Single Drawer Stand, Table or Nightstand, Paint Decorated
Located in Manhasset, NY
Swedish Gustavian Single Drawer Stand, Table or Nightstand, Paint Decorated A Sweet One Drawer Original Paint Decorated Stand or End Table, Writing Desk. Having long sleek tapering...
Category

1890s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

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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