Skip to main content

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.

to
150
933
547
1,428
32
26
199,470
113,208
43,200
33,272
16,267
12,156
10,742
10,658
9,942
8,998
7,291
6,759
6,443
6,400
6,152
5,781
4,897
3,749
330
772
326
58
100
144
21
14
10
15
19
35
47
16
7
5
2
1,357
511
509
272
260
1,391
1,281
1,234
39
30
1,486
1,474
1,476
8
2
2
2
2
Style: Gustavian
Circa 1800s painted Gustavian side chair with decorative flower carving
Located in London, GB
Delightful painted late c18th Swedish Gustavian chair. Retaining much of its original paint there is a decorative carved wood flower at the top of the back and its drop in seat has ...
Category

1790s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Swedish Veranda Chairs
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Pair of Gustavian style armchairs with decorative lyres on both sides. These wonderful pair of chairs have been later painted and newly upholstered in neutral coloured linen. Originally, these chairs were used as veranda chairs...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Linen, Wood

Gustavian Style Unique 7 Drawer Chest of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Gustavian Style Unique 7 Drawer Chest of Drawers. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

1940s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Writing Desk In Gustavian Style Painted In Grey From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
Grey painted writing desk in the style Gustavian from the 1840s. The desk is freestanding and stamped with "Nordisk Films Kompagni". H - 128 cm, W - 62 cm and D - 62 cm.
Category

1840s Danish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Armchair Swedish Black Gustavian, 19th Century, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
An armchair made during the late Gustavian period and early part of the 19th century. Most likely later added blackened ball feet. Repainted in our custom paint "Laserow Black".   
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Hand Painted Architectural Wall Fragments, Plaster, Italian, Venetian
Located in Manhasset, NY
Pair of hand painted architectural wall fragments, Plaster, Italian, Venetian Style.
Category

Late 20th Century Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Composition

Antique Hollywood Regency Wall/Console Mirror, Parcel Gilt and Paint Decorated
Located in Manhasset, NY
Antique Gustavian wall/console mirror. This stunning, fnely carved mirror is wonderfully Parcel Gilt and Paint Decorated in a mint green color. The frame having shell and leaf motif ...
Category

Early 20th Century Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

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

1890s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Pair of Swedish Carved Stools
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Pair of late 19th C original painted Swedish carved stools in a Gustavian style. 1890. Dimensions 16 inches (41 cms) wide 16 inches (41 cms) dee...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Beech

Desk Swedish 18th Century Green Original Paint Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Desk Swedish 18th Century Green Original Paint Sweden. A writing desk Swedish made during the 18th century in Sweden. Original paint in dark green. Interior with shelving, drawers an...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Bentwood

Curved Swedish Buffet
Located in Washington, DC
A Curved Swedish Buffet designed for a corner.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Paint, Wood

Edmund Jorgensen Deco Walnut & Glass Coffee Table
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Walnut veneer. Glass top with frosted design, depicting woodland scene. Brass capped feet. Danish, circa 1930's.Dimensions: H 22" x W 38.5" x D 24.5".Condition: Few scuffs and rubs t...
Category

1930s Danish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Late Gustavian Table from Stockholm ca 1790
Located in Ljungby, SE
High-class Stockholm piece from around 1790. Crafted in veneered and partially solid mahogany with carved wooden decorations of corner florets. The core material is pine and alder. T...
Category

1790s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass, Other

Candlesticks Gustavian Swedish 18th Century Brass, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Candlesticks Gustavian Swedish 18th century 1790-1810 made in brass, Sweden. A pair of Gustavian candlesticks made in Sweden during the late part of 18th century and the Gustavian pe...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

Charming Gustavian Handblown Glass Bottle with Stopper, Late 18th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Charming Gustavian Handblown Glass Bottle with Stopper, Late 18th Century This delightful Swedish Gustavian glass bottle from the late 1700s features handblown craftsmanship with en...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Glass

Gustavian Style Unique 4 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Gustavian Style Unique 4 Drawer Chest Of Drawers . its been restored and repainted with Milk paints "Oyster White"
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Gustavian White Square Ottoman
Located in New York, NY
A 19th century Gustavian footstool having ornate carvings along the wooden base. The border having inset bellflower frieze supported by four tapered legs shaped as palmette fluted co...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Birch

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

1960s Italian Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

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

1950s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Birch

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

1960s Italian Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Gustavian Cupboard
Located in Hellerup, DK
Beautiful antique Swedish Gustavian (1770-1810) cupboard scraped back to the original color - wonderful patina and with 3 shelves behind the 2 doors.
Category

1770s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Gustavian Cupboard
Gustavian Cupboard
$4,312 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Drop Front Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
19th Century Swedish Gustavian hand painted drop top desk. Writing top H 31”
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

1900s Scandinavian Wooden Table
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden table from Scandinavia, produced circa 1900. A graceful side table featuring a sliding drawer with original lock and key. Looking like it sprang from a Hans Christen Anderse...
Category

Early 1900s Scandinavian Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Very Fine Gustavian Period Giltwood Pier Mirror, Swedish Circa 1800
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
The very fine water-gilded frame showing an architectural cornice above a rectangular frieze decorated with burnished relief moulded neoclassical motifs, surmounting a very old recta...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Giltwood, Mirror

1960s, Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Armchairs Newly Upholstered
Located in London, GB
These comfortable tub square armchairs are a classic Swedish design from the 1960s. They have been reupholstered in a light cream bouclé fabric and the walnut frames have been lacque...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Table luster from about 1800 made in Stockholm
Located in 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

Josef Ekberg, 1908
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a handmade vase, this is a very rare 2 tone green. The only one of its kind. Signed and dated, J-Ekberg 1908. A Swedish Artist that started working for the Gustavsberg Cerami...
Category

Early 1900s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

18th century Gustavian Chest of Drawers, Sweden 1780
Located in Leimen, DE
Gustavian chest of drawers, Sweden, 1780-1800. This elegant chest of drawers is made of yew tree and has a mahogany veneer. Furthermore, it has its original bronze fittings and escut...
Category

1780s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

King Gustaf III Cast Iron Fire Place Side
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a, "King Gustaf III" cast Iron fire place siding. Very rare piece to find.
Category

1780s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Iron

Very Decorative Early 19th Century Gustavian Swedish Console Table with Lyre
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An elegant Gustavian giltwood console table from the early 19th century. The console with inset white marbleized wooden top above a lyre-shaped support and white and faux porphyry pa...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Frame Lacquered in Imitation Marble
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
O/6349 - Sober and elegant large frame since the end of eighteenth century, simply lacquered in imitation marble. Perfect for a beautiful picture.
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

Antique Rustic Swedish Farm House Table With Chalk Blue Patina Circa 1860
Located in London, Park Royal
An antique Swedish farm house table, Circa 1860. Hand made in solid, European pine, wood. It has a naturally, age-textured, blond -wood top on an elegant cross frame which has a love...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Pair of Swedish Gustavian Side Chairs, 1820-30
Located in Leimen, DE
Explore the refined charm of this pair of Swedish Gustavian Side Chairs, dating back to the period around 1820-30. With slender legs and a delightful mahogany veneer, these chairs ep...
Category

1820s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Late Gustavian Demilune Tables with Leaf
Located in Huntington, NY
A pair of Swedish Gustavian demilune tables featuring decorative hand carved Guilloché scrolling. Rosettes sit atop hand carved tapered legs. This piece has been tastefully hand pain...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Demilune Tables
Located in Huntington, NY
A pair of Swedish Gustavian style demilune tables featuring decorative hand carved Guilloché scrolling. Rosettes sit atop hand carved tapered legs. This piece has been tastefully han...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Pair of Karl Johan Stools
Located in Hudson, NY
Pair of Karl Johann stools.
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Linen, Wood

1780s Exceptional Gustavian Original Painted Center Table, Stockholm
Located in Aalsgaarde, DK
An exceptional 1780s-1790s original painted Gustavian center table, richly carved, probably made in Stockholm. It's in a stunning original red color and faux painted marble top.
Category

Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

C19th Century Swedish long case clock with gilded decoration and 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

Gustavian Metal Tray, circa 1790
Located in Aalsgaarde, DK
Very fine Gustavian painted metal tray, circa 1790.
Category

18th Century Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Metal

Gustavian Style Unique 3 Drawer Chest of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Gustavian Style Unique 3 Drawer Chest of Drawers . Its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

1940s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Birch

Gustavian Neoclassical Console Table and Mirror, Sweden, Early 19th Century
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Very decorative set of a Gustavian demilune console table with white marble top and matching pier mirror, signed by one of the leading Stockholm makers Lars Magnus Thiem, (1782-1814)...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Marble

Swedish Gustavian White Painted Drop Leaf Antique Dining Table
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A VERY GOOD GUSTAVIAN DROP-LEAF DINING TABLE IN EARLY WHITE PAINT Sweden, circa 1st half of the 19th century 29 1/2" H x 22 1/8" D x 78 1/4" W (opened) This very attractive origin...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Pair of Gustavian Style Blue Painted Chest of Drawers Commodes
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish Gustavian Style Blue Painted Chest of Drawers Commodes, A Pair Classic Pair Swedish Style Painted Chest of Drawers. Two drawer c...
Category

Early 2000s European Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Unusual Pair of Gustavian Corner Clock Cabinets, Origin Mora, Sweden, Circa 1780
Located in New York, NY
Unusual pair of Gustavian corner clock cabinets, origin: Mora, Sweden, circa 1780 Each cabinet with matching working, tall case clocks decorated with four fluted diamond patterns an...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

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.

Recently Viewed

View All