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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
Late 18th Century Gustavian Chandelier
Located in Ljungby, SE
A late Gustavian chandelier crafted in Stockholm at the end of the 18th century. The chandelier features four arms for candles and a frame made of fire-gilded bronze. Its elegance is...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Mid 19th Century Gray Painted Swedish Drop Leaf Dining Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Faded gray painted drop leaf table Beautiful patina the height of Swedish style Gate legs fold to a narrow side table
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Pair of 19th Century Late Gustavian Footstools
Located in Huntington, NY
A beautiful pair of Swedish Late Gustavian footstools. Featuring a decorative hand-carved Guilloché scroll with reeded fleurons on the corners. Turned legs are tapered and fluted. Su...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

18th Century Gustavian Sconce Mirror with Center Cameo, Sweden, Circa 1780
Located in New York, NY
18th century Swedish Gustavian single arm candle sconce mirror with center cameo, origin: Sweden, circa 1780 In Scandinavia, candlelight is an important element found in any interio...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

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

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

19th Century Swedish Late Gustavian Buffet
Located in Huntington, NY
A large Swedish Late Gustavian buffet with elaborate wood carvings – bands of leaf cut detail surround the horizontal reeded drawer fronts and continue along the sides. Additional re...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

Gustavian, Louis XVI Style, Swedish Commode, Mahogany, Marble, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Manhasset, NY
Gustavian, Louis XVI Style, Swedish Commode, Mahogany, Marble, Sweden, 1950s Gustavian dresser or chest of drawers designed and produced in Sweden circa 1950s. This example features...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Bench Swedish Gustavian Style
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Swedish Gustavian style bench, The seating has been restored and covered in Muslin. and its been painted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category

1880s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Gustavian style 3 drawer chest, its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White".
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Gustavian 18th Century Swedish Painted and Gilded Side Chairs
Located in Hudson, NY
This pair of nice old side chairs are of the period called Gustavian. This correlates to that time in Sweden between 1772 and 1809. These chairs were made circa 1790 and are typical ...
Category

Late 18th Century Finnish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Pair of 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Footstools
Located in Huntington, NY
A rare pair of Gustavian footstools with Stockholm chairmaker’s seal on both. Frames are decorated with upright leaf cut. The corners meet in decorative medallions. The legs are fini...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

Pair of 19th Century Gustavian Chairs
Located in Bozeman, MT
Fine pair of 19th century Gustavian chairs in secondary historical color and it's original padding, ca 1810 Stockholm, Sweden. This particular model is called Bellman, after Carl M...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Gilded Gustavian Armchairs
Located in Vienna, AT
Sculpted and gilded wood. Gustavian armchairs, early part of the 19th century. Scratches, marks, stains, Complete restoration with new upholstery on request possible.
Category

1810s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Custom Made Commodes
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Pair of custom made Swedish style commodes Reference: 7718 Dimensions 40 inches (102 cms) wide 18.5 inches (47 cms) deep 32 inches (81 ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Antique Swedish Gustavian Painted Sideboard Buffet Commode White C.1860
Located in Lewes, England
Circa 1860 antique Swedish Gustavian White painted Sideboard Buffet commode in gustavian style with classic Gustavian diamond ribbing detail on the door front and on the drawer. It ...
Category

Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

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

Set of Eight 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Neoclassical Dining Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of Eight 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Neoclassical Dining Chairs were very recently reupholstered in a high quality fabric and will make a great choice for your dining and ente...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Fabric, 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

19th Century Round Gustavian Table
Located in Houston, TX
Round Swedish table on 4 legs with criss-crossed stretcher below. Carved detail around the apron and rectangular medallions at the top of each leg....
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Wood Mantle Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
Very ornate white washed wood mantle clock with gold details. The face is behind a functional glass door with latch. The top is crowned by an urn with a cascading laurel garland that...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

1950s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Vintage Swedish Pine Carpentry Table
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th Century, antique Swedish Gustavian style carpentry bench made of hand crafted Pinewood. Circa 1910 - 1930, Sweden, Scandinavia. The Scandinavian work table is composed wit...
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish Gustavian Carved-Wood and Upholstered Tub Sofa, Early 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish period Gustavian upholstered and carved-wood sofa from the early 19th century. This antique tub style sofa from Sweden features an elegantly arch...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Style 3 Drawer 2 Door Sideboard
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Gustavian Style 3 drawer 2 door sideboard, its been restored and repainted with milk paints "Oyster White".
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Swedish Gustavian Chest of Drawers with Internal Dividers, circa 1800
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare and finely detailed Gustavian chest of drawers, crafted in Sweden around 1800 and finished in a soft, patinated Gustavian grey. This elegant piece stands on classic straight t...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish Gustavian Style 5 Drawer Chest
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique Swedish Gustavian Style 5 Drawer Chest. Its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster Grey"
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Desk Swedish Gustavian Style 2 Drawer
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique Swedish Gustavian style desk. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category

1880s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Pair of Gustavian Carved Canework Dining Chairs Natural Finish, Early 1900s A
Located in Lewes, England
Unusual early 1900s pair of Gustavian carved canework dining chairs in natural finish with fully webbed seats and lots of detail. The carved canework is really lovely with the delic...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Birch

Gustavian Period Table with Faux Marble-Top, 18th Century
Located in New Orleans, LA
Late 1700s Gustavian style table with faux marble top - beautifully carved, lovely color, and great scale.
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Swedish Painted Desk with Five Carved Reeded Drawers, Gustavian Style
Located in Kvidinge, SE
A Swedish five drawer desk from early 20th century in Gustavian style The desk is painted in green and the top in black, Both in an old traditional scandinavian way with fantastic pa...
Category

Early 1900s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish Gustavian Style Matching Mirror & Chest Of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique Swedish Gustavian Style Matching Mirror & Chest Of Drawers. They been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White" Mirror 50 h x 36 w
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood

19th Century Swedish antique rustic black Gustavian table
Located in Boden, SE
A decorative Antique Swedish gustavian desk from the gustavian period. Easy to place in any room. Made by hand in northern Sweden around 1800- 1820 with a frame in solid pine. Str...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Exceptional 18th Century Swedish Daybed
Located in New Orleans, LA
Highly decorative 18th century Swedish daybed with original patina.
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of 20th Century Gustavian Style Armchairs
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Pair of 20th century Gustavian style armchairs, repainted in soft grey. Newly upholstered in linen.
Category

20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Linen

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Late Gustavian Footstools by Ephraim Ståhl
Located in Huntington, NY
A beautiful pair of Late Gustavian footstools. In the style of Ephraim Ståhl. Rectangular frame with slight bowfront and back. Featuring a decorative hand-carved scroll with fleurons...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint, Fabric

19th Century Gustavian Period Swedish Pine Bench with Storage
Located in Pasadena, TX
19th century Gustavian period Swedish pine bench with storage This bench is a nice example of Gustavian furniture, the Swedish interpretation of French neoclassical design. Decor...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Antique Mora Clock Swedish 1800s Antique Burgundy and Gold
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

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of 18th Century Gustavian Armchairs
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of exceptional Gustavian armchairs crafted in Stockholm during the 1780s. These chairs represent the classic medallion-back style that was widely popular during the period. Th...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Swedish Painted Grandfather Clock
Located in Houston, TX
The Early 20th Century Swedish Painted Grandfather Clock stands as a testament to the exquisite craftsmanship and timeless beauty of its era. Gilded and intricately carved around its...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paint

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

Pair of Swedish sconces 19th c
Located in PARIS, FR
Pair of late Gustavian Swedish sconces in brass and glass 2 lights not wired
Category

1880s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

18th/19th Century Cranberry and Glass Lantern with Gilt Metal and Cut Glass
Located in Stamford, CT
A large cranberry glass and gilt metal lantern / chandelier composed of late 18th century and early 19th century parts. Having been in its current at least since 1969. Acquired from Denton-Grant, 1969. Christies - Collection of Anthony Hail...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

4 Ornate Italian Planters
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a set of 4 Ornate Italian Planters made by one of the TOP Garden Planter companies in Italy, Bitossi, they are in 100% Original condition.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Limestone

Swedish Gustavian 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Swedish Gustavian 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White".
Category

1910s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chest Of Drawers Gustavian Style
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique 4 drawer Gustavian style Chest of Drawers / Show Cabinet. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Painted Side End Tables Bedside
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Classic pair of side tables, hand painted in a neutral creamy shade. The tables tops with rounded corners and baluster form and scrolled base create an architectural balance, imbuing...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Gustavian Neoclassical 18th Century Pedestal, Origin: Sweden, Circa 1780-1795
Located in New York, NY
Gustavian, neoclassical 18th century pedestal, origin; Stockholm, Sweden, circa 1780 - 1795, with exceptionally painted, all original faux-marble finishes Provenance: Private Collec...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

18th c. Swedish Gustavian Period Foot Stools in Original Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A charming pair of Swedish benches from the early Gustavian period in original paint, circa 1780. These stools display beautiful carved egg and dart detail on the seat frame, rosette...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Late-Gustavian Chandelier with Blue Bowl
Located in Ljungby, SE
A high-quality late-Gustavian chandelier with six arms. The burnished gilded central ring is adorned with lion mask carvings and fleurons. The top features a so-called "bishop's mitr...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique Swedish Rustic Gustavian Pedestal Table with Distressed Original Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish antique pedestal table from the early 1800s in gustavian style. The table has a square table top on a pedestal with three elongated legs. Made in solid pine in northern Swede...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish Monarchs - Set of 4 Lithographs
Located in Savannah, GA
A set of 4 lithographs depicting the Swedish Monarchs, Erik XIV, Christina, Carl XIII and Oscar I, circa 1900. sight: 6 ½ by 10 ¼ inches frame: 8 ⅜ by 12 inches
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Gustavian, Swedish Commode, Grey Paint Distressed, Brass, Sweden, 1930s
Located in Manhasset, NY
Gustavian, Swedish Commode, Grey Paint Distressed, Brass, Sweden, 1930s Gustavian chest of drawers designed and produced in Sweden circa 1930s. This example features a gray paint di...
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Paint

Swedish Gustavian Four Drawer Chest
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a very Unique Swedish Gustavian Style 4 drawer chest of drawers. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category

1910s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Grey Painted Swedish Settee with Shell and Foliate Carving
Located in Essex, MA
Grey painted Swedish settee with shell and foliate carving with turned stretcher bottom and gently curved legs. Off-white muslin seat cover. Measures: 44" H x 50.5" W x 21" D.
Category

Early 1900s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Swedish Gustavian Giltwood Long Bench, circa 1805
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A rare and elegant circa 1805 Swedish late Gustavian period neoclassical long bench, the upholstered seat atop carved giltwood frame having tripartite curule leg supports connected b...
Category

Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Giltwood

Gustavian Swedish Sofa
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Stunning 18th century Swedish sofa with original paint, 1810. Seat height: 20" (51cm) Dimensions: 84 inches (213 cms) wide 24 inches (61 cms) dee...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Oak

Pair of Antique Gustavian Wall Appliques, Sweden 1820-30
Located in Belmont, MA
Discover the timeless elegance of a pair of antique Swedish Gustavian Glass Appliques, meticulously crafted from handcrafted brass and adorned with prism glass drops. These Scandinav...
Category

1820s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Wall Mirror
Located in Godstone, GB
18th Century Swedish Gustavian giltwood mirror. Simple and elegant design, signed by master mirror maker Johan Akerblad . Original split...
Category

1780s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Style Painted Commode
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Late 19th C Gustavian style Swedish pine 4 drawer painted commode. 1890. Dimensions 40 inches (102 cms) wide 19.5 inches (50 cms) deep 39 inches (99 cms) high.       
Category

19th 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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