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
Period: 19th Century
Swedish Center Table, Stockholm 1860
Located in Charleston, SC
Swedish Gustavian style round center table with very richly carved apron, tapering carved legs and saltire strecher with central medallion in painted worn cream patina, Sweden, circa...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Fine Set of Six 18th Century Gustavian Chairs
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Fine set of six Swedish 18th century Gustavian chairs in their original colour. ca 1790 Sweden.
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Genuine Antique Swedish Black Country Gustavian Style Table with Drawers
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish antique country table in Gustavian style from northern Sweden made around 1820. The table is a genuine country furniture and has a frame in solid pine. The table is painted a...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Period Bench with Antique Linen
Located in Charleston, SC
Very rare. Swedish Gustavian period bench, circa 1800, finished on all three sides with Guilloché carvings on carved round fluted legs. Scraped to original cream /white finish and u...
Category
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Linen, Wood, Paint
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. Painted in a creamy white hue, the chest of drawers...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Pair of 19th century painted pine Swedish chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of 19th century painted pine Swedish commodes circa 1880.
Here we have 2 decorative chest of drawers from Sweden painted in the gustavian taste.
Stepped rectangular top's and ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Antique Swedish Gustavian Neoclassical Painted Wooden Console Table
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning Swedish Gustavian period (1772-1809) console table.
Hand-crafted in Sweden in the early 19th century, Louis XVI Neo-classical taste, the muted dark cream with pale green...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Marble
Early 19th Century Late Gustavian pair of gilded stools, made in Stockholm
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of banquets made in Stockholm, Sweden, about 1810.
The banquetes are gilded, with sable formed legs. The legs corner are decorated with fleurons. As well as the sideboards, w...
Category
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Birch
A pair of early 19th Century Late Gustavian Armchairs
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of Late Gustavian Armchairs, made by Ephraim Stahl, who worked in Stockholm 1794- 1820. The armchairs are not signed.
Ephraim Sthal made several chairs and armchairs for the ...
Category
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Birch
Early 19th Century Late Gustavian chair
Located in Stockholm, SE
Chair made in Sweden about 1800. The original and first secondary color give the chairs surface indigenous textures. The seat is original as well as the leather.
Category
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Period 1820 Sideboard with Carved, Reeded Panels
Located in Charleston, SC
A richly, exclusively carved Swedish Gustavian period sideboard has reeded paneled doors and drawers with central diamond shape lozenges in hand scraped patina - in classic Gustavian...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Late 19th Century Swedish Gripsholm Armchairs
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Scandinavian Gripsholm Painted Grey Armchairs, A Pair
A pair of elegant Swedish armchairs, modeled after the traditional Gripsholm type. The model is named after the Gripsholm castl...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Early 19th Century chairs
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of Swedish chairs made about 1800. There are two pairs, so it is possible to get a set of four.
Gustavian style was the leading style in Swedish architecture, decor and craft...
Category
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Gustavian, Italian Renaissance Style, Chair, Burlap, Distressed Paint, Giltwood
Located in Stamford, CT
Gustavian, Italian Renaissance Style, Chair, Burlap, Distressed Paint, Giltwood
A Gustavian paint decorated armchair. The later burlap tweed upholstery added to this piece creates w...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Burlap, Wood
Fine Pair of Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Chairs
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Fine pair of Swedish early 19th century late Gustavian chairs in their original finish by master chair maker Melchior Lundberg (active in Stockholm 1795-1834) . Ca 1810 Stockholm, Sw...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
19th Century Swedish Demi-lune Table
Located in Calgary, Alberta
Antique Swedish demi-lune console table. The half moon table top is supported on cabriole legs. The original red paint along with its simplistic design is a perfect addition to Swedi...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Painted Swedish Gustavian Style Secretary
Located in Houston, US
Really beautiful Swedish secretary with drop front, interior drawers, cubbies and a secret compartment. Two doors sit on two drawers on the top and there are two small drawers over t...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Gueridon Wood Side Lamp Tables
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish Pair of Gustavian Painted Side Lamp Tables
A fantastic pair of painted wood side tables from the early 19th Century, with sc...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Mid 19th Century Primitive Gustavian Swedish Bench
Located in Calgary, Alberta
Mid 19th century Gustavian bench from the historic Uppland Provence of Sweden. This primitive bench has an unusual high back, slightly shaped and splayed legs with its original blue ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Pair of Painted Swedish Gustavian Style Chest of Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of antique Swedish Gustavian style light-grey painted chest of three drawers, dating from the 19th century.
Each chest features a black painted rectangular top with canted cor...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Gustavian Style Painted Sofa
Located in Houston, TX
In the opulent world of 19th-century Swedish design, the Gustavian style painted sofa stands as an epitome of elegance and craftsmanship. This magnificent piece, born in the heart of...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Paint
C19th Century Swedish Long Case Clock with Gilded Decoration & Original Paint
Located in London, GB
Wonderful early C19th Swedish long case clock from Kougsta in the Jamtland region in an area of natural beauty of central Sweden.
The painted face is numbered simply and framed with ...
Category
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Pair of Light Grey Painted Swedish Gustavian Style Side Lamp Tables
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of light grey painted Swedish Gustavian style side lamp tables resting on elegant narrow tapered and fluted legs.
Top with canted corners and a decorative carved skirt.
Sweden ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style 1870s Painted Chests with Two Fluted Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Swedish Gustavian style painted wood chests from circa 1870 with two fluted drawers, fluted side posts, tapered legs and classical hardware. This exquisite pair of Swedish ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Swedish Blue and White Genuine Country Gustavian Style Side Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Blue antique country table in Gustavian Style. The table has a very unusual and charming original paint in blue and white, which are rare colours. Healthy and stable frame as well as...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Red Chest with Faux Marble Painted Top
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Painted Chest of Drawers with Faux Marble Painted Top
Hand carved, hand painted and hand distressed in a muted Scandinavian red toned color. The clean lines and elegance of this 3 d...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair, Long Gray Painted Pine Chests of Two Drawers, Sweden circa 1800-40
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair, long pine chest of two drawers with newer, professionally applied light dove gray painted and distressed finish which fits the age and grace of the pair.
The unique size of 4.5...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Swedish Gustavian Style Settee with Spindle Back
Located in Houston, US
Early Swedish settee in the Gustavian style which echoes the Louis XVI style in France. The influence of the French style is further evidence with subtle banded and ribboned decorati...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Pine
19th Century Painted Swedish Gustavian Style Settee With Trundle
Located in Houston, US
Early Swedish settee/trundle bed hand made with well realized back splats, turned corner supports and subtly accented with delicate leaf shape carved decorations. The settee is in i...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Antique Swedish Folk Art Folding Bench, Original Paint & New Mohair Seat, 1800s
Located in Odense, DK
This Antique Swedish Folk Art folding bench is a true testament to the craftsmanship of 19th-century Swedish carpenters. Constructed with meticulous attention to detail, it embodies the rustic charm and practicality characteristic of traditional Swedish folk art furniture...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Antique Northern Swedish Country House White Gustavian Style Corner Cabinet
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique country corner cabinet in gustavian style from northern Sweden. The cabinet is made around the 1820s by hand in solid pine. It’s made in two parts with a detachable mid secti...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Antique Genuine Swedish Gustavian Style Country House Bench or Sofa
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish sofa in gustavian style. The sofa is a genuine country house furniture made by hand around 1820 in northern Sweden. The frame is m...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
19th Century Swedish Late Gustavian Chest of Drawers
Located in Huntington, NY
A provincial Late Gustavian chest of drawers with unusual wood carvings - diamond detailing across the top and sides, a heavily vertical reeded top drawer front, floral medallions in the upper corners and vertical front frames that are both recessed and carved. Sits atop simple tapered feet. Back has shipping label remnants. Original brass Swedish Coat of Arms...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Table luster from about 1800 made in Stockholm
Located in Stockholm, SE
Gustavian table lusters, made in Stockholm from about 1800. A pair of beautiful table lusters in gilded brass. The top is decorated with a cresent moon. In the center there is a blue...
Category
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Marble
19th Century Gustavian Style Round Table
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Late 19th Century Gustavian style centre table.
Decorative detailing to the table edges with a carved stretcher and central urn.
Made by E Bohman & Son Stockholm.
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Swedish early 19th century painted pine chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish early 19th century painted pine chest of drawers circa 1800.
Fine quality chest of drawers, fitted with 4 graduating drawers that open on the key. Bold red paint that has w...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine, Paint
Gray Painted Gustavian Bench With Storage, Sweden circa 1840
Located in Round Top, TX
This lovely bench is a wonderful example of Swedish Gustavian craftsmanship with delicately carved details seen best in the close up photos. Turned finials and tapered legs add to th...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Linen, Foam, Wood, Paint
Pair of 19th century Swedish carved gilt armchairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of 19th century Swedish gilt and ebonised armchairs circa 1860.
Pair of fine quality shaped back gilt armchairs. Unusual shaped back with ebonised leaf detailing contrasting wi...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
A Set Of 2 Gustavian Style Chairs From 1880s
Located in Lejre, DK
This set of two Gustavian style chairs from 1880 is a beautiful expression of early European furniture art and aesthetics. Inspired by the Swedish Gustavian period, these chairs are ...
Category
1880s Danish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Circa 1810 Swedish Gustavian Painted Two Door & Four Drawer Reeded Buffet
Located in London, GB
An early circa 19th century painted two door and four drawer Swedish Gustavian buffet. The reeded panel doors are flanked by reeded detail canted corners with four small galleried d...
Category
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Oak
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Pinewood Console Table - Antique End Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-grey, antique Swedish Gustavian console table made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The freestanding Scandinavian end table is composed with a white recta...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Pair of Gustavian-style medallion chairs, late 19th century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of chairs with medallion-shaped upholstered backrests and upholstered armrests and seats. The beige paintwork with dark green accents is new and has been given a light antique p...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood, Fabric
Pair of Gustavian-style medallion chairs, late 19th century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of chairs with medallion-shaped upholstered backrests and upholstered armrests and seats. The beige paintwork is new and has a light antique patina. The chairs have been covered...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood, Fabric
Antique Genuine Northern Swedish Country Gustavian Style Rustic Corner Cabinet
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique country corner cabinet in gustavian style from northern Sweden. The cabinet is from around 1820 to 1840 and has a frame in solid pine. Made in two parts with an upper and low...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Antique Swedish Gustavian Folk Art Chair, Original Paint, Circa 1800
Located in Bristol, GB
ANTIQUE SWEDISH CHAIR
A decorative and characterful chair with simple lines, a solid back, a solid seat and double box stretchers.
Peg joined construction made of pine with layers o...
Category
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Mid 19th century Swedish decorative column long case clock
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century swedish decorative column long case clock circa 1850.
Beautiful long case clock from sweden. Made with a decorative fluted column which forms a demi lune shape. Clo...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Swedish Late Gustavian Early 19th Century Sideboard with Carved Diamond Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian period painted wood sideboard from the early 19th century with carved diamond motifs. This Swedish Gustavian period sideboard, crafted in the first quarter of the...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Genuine Northern Swedish Gustavian Style Country Wall or Side Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Genuine antique Swedish table in gustavian style. This side or wall table is a genuine northern Swedish country house furniture from 1810 to 1820. Made in solid pine with straight ta...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
19th century Swedish Chair
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Lindome chairs early 1800s with regtangular shaped back surranded by criss-cross pierced splats and frames carved in classic Gustavian motifs.
Hand scraped ...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Linen, Pine, Paint
Swedish Gustavian Style 19th Century Light Painted Two-part Vitrine Cabinet
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style two-part vitrine cabinet from the 19th century with light gray / cream painted finish, glass doors, carved reeded panels and tapered feet. Immerse yourself ...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Gustavian Style 1870s Swedish Gray Painted Desk, Fluted Drawers and Tapered Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style gray blue painted desk from circa 1870 with five fluted drawers and tapered legs. Step back in time with this exquisite Swe...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Swedish Bench
Located in Westport, CT
Reupholstered in Robert Kime fabric
Category
1890s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
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
Gustavian gilt Armchairs with Lions heads, a pair, Sweden, end 19th century
Located in Paris, FR
This pair of large Swedish Armchairs represents a summit in élégance and comfort.
The Light Neo-classical shape with half round back generously re...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Swedish Gustavian Unique 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Swedish Gustavian Unique 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category
1890s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Swedish Painted Cupboard, 19th Century
Located in Free Union, VA
A flat backed Scandinavian cupboard with an interesting shape and lots of charm, suitable for wall mounting or it could be a quirky tabletop or countertop feature. Fitted with two sh...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine, Paint
Early 19th Century Swedish Wooden Clock
Located in High Point, NC
This antique wooden clock combines a striking silhouette with a muted patina. Built in Sweden in the early 1800s, the elegant simplicity of the d...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Metal
19th Century Swedish genuine Gustavian buffet with original paint
Located in Boden, SE
A late Gustavian antique buffet/ sideboard 1850-1870
A magnificent genuine sideboard that has never been repainted.
Beautiful top with marble paint.
Superb quality piece which would ...
Category
Mid-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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