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
Pair of Gustavian-Style Demilune Console Tables, Sweden Approx. 1900
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of Demilune console tables in Gustavian style.
Gray marble painted tabletop with profiled edge.
Blue-painted base with curved apron. Tapered legs with fluting.
Sold as a pair.
Category
20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
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
Swedish Gustavian Neoclassical Settee
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a beautifully elaborated c. 1800 Swedish Gustavian bench or settee. The bench retains its original painted surface which has acquired a superb natural patina over its 200 yea...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Chest of Drawers Bureau
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Blue Painted Swedish Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Bureau.
This three drawer bureau is based on an 18th Century Gustavian antique chest. The chest is handmade and hand painted with...
Category
Early 2000s Swedish Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Brass
Swedish Pair of Painted Wood Gustavian Style Four-Drawer Side Chests
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish pair of painted wood four-drawer side chests, designed in Gustavian style. This vintage pair of petite chests from Sweden each have a r...
Category
20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Sideboard
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Unusual Gustavian sideboard with carved top.
Below are six short and one long drawer with decorative star handles.
Reeded doors opening to further storage.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Side Tables Bedside
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This pair of Swedish style single drawer with cabinet below Swedish blue nightstand or bedside tables have been constructed from solid wood. Classic d...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Brass
Swedish Gustavian 19th Century Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A rustic Gustavian painted pine table from the 1820’s, Sweden. The waxed pine table top is removable and sits over its worn painted base. The base has many layers of paint and has re...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Swedish 19th century painted breakfront chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish 19th century painted breakfront chest of drawers circa 1880.
Elegant and fine quality swedish painted commode. Breakfront shaped top and block fronted drawer fronts.
Stepp...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine, Paint
Swedish Gustavian Unique Scalloped Desk
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Swedish Gustavian Unique Scalloped Desk. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category
1850s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
19th Century Rare antique Northern Swedish pine Secretary clock desk country
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century Swedish Antique clock cabinet from Umeå Västerbotten ,Northern Sweden. . A good example of old ingenuity and compact living this piece combines three functions in one –...
Category
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Writing Desk
Located in Houston, US
Beautifully painted in a contemporary turquoise, this Swedish Gustavian style desk is handmade with mortise joints and dovetailed drawers.
On each drawer there is horizontal fluting...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Black Painted Gustavian Demilune Table Consoles
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Black Painted Gustavian Demilune Table Consoles, A Pair
Impressive Pair of Black Swedish Half-Round Demi-Lune Tables with Brass Hardware. Put together this set makes a fantastic rou...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Early 19th Century Swedish Pale Grey Bench with Classic Decorative Detail
Located in London, GB
An early circa 19th century painted and upholstered Swedish bench in oak and beech.
The bench would make an elegant and functional addition to the end of a bed. The bench is decorat...
Category
1810s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Beech, Oak
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
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
Unusual 18th Century Swedish Provincial Gustavian Chest of Drawers
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Unusual 18th century Swedish provincial Gustavian period bachelor Chest of Drawers with an fold out writing desk containing five drawers and one compartment. Original colour with fan...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Bespoke Gustavian Style Bench
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Stunning bespoke Swedish Gustavian style painted bench with reeded panels and decoration.
Seat height - 17"
This bench has been painted in an F&B Old White No.4
Reference: 8339
D...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Early 20th Century Swedish Cabinet
Located in Houston, TX
The Early 20th Century Swedish Cabinet epitomizes the grace and sophistication of Swedish craftsmanship during this period. Its distinguished features include intricate dental moldin...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
18th c. Swedish Gustavian Period Painted Sofa 'Trägsoffa'
Located in Wichita, KS
This is a stunning 18th c. Swedish Trägsoffa (sofa bed) from the Gustavian period newly upholstered in linen, circa 1790. Shaped arms and beautiful guilloche carving around the seat ...
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Linen, Wood, Paint
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
Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Antique Swedish Mora clock from the 18th Century with Chinoiserie hand painted details. The dial of this clock carries the name of its maker 'Peter Englund'.
Width: 58.5cm / 23""
D...
Category
Early 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Italian Hand Painted Blue And White Italian Commode / Chest Att. Niermann Weeks
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a hand painted Italian commode with lovely Gustavian styling. It is intentionally and heavily distressed. The drawers are paper lined. I believe it to be a good reproductio...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Brass
Gustavian Style 9 Drawer Desk
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Gustavian Style 9 Drawer Desk. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
18th c. Swedish Gustavian Period Painted Sofa 'Trägsoffa'
Located in Wichita, KS
This is a stunning 18th c. Swedish Trägsoffa (sofa bed) from the Gustavian period newly upholstered in linen, circa 1790. Shaped arms and beautiful carving detail around the seat fra...
Category
18th Century 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
Antique Swedish Lift Top "Kökssoffa" Bench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Turn of the 19th - 20th century Swedish lift top bench or bed in a light blue color. These were placed in farm house kitchens and typically the milkmaid's bed, thus the name "kökssof...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine, Paint
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
Gustavian Window Seat
Located in Salisbury, GB
A very beautiful Swedish period gustavian window seat - window seats are differentiated by stools and benches because they are carved on all four sides - and are quite rare
This exa...
Category
Early 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood, Upholstery
Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Desk
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Gustavian style 3 drawer desk. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category
1920s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Stool made in Stockholm about 1790
Located in Stockholm, SE
A Gustavian stool made in Stockholm about 1790. The stool is hand crafted with an elegantly leaf shaped border. The stool has fine originally paint with much of indigenous textures r...
Category
1790s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood, Birch
Gustavian table from 1800, made in Sweden
Located in Stockholm, SE
A gustavian table made in Sweden about 1800. The secondary color has been removed by hand and the rest is original color.
The iron urns are a pair ...
Category
1790s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood, Birch
Late 18th Century Transition Chairs in Original Color
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of transition chairs made in Stockholm about 1780:s. Chairs that are made between the rococo period and the gustavian period are called transition chairs. So for example the b...
Category
1780s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Birch
Gustavian Bucket chair, made in Stockholm
Located in Stockholm, SE
A Swedish Gustavian Bucket Chair. Made in Stockholm about 1790.
Decorated with beautiful lion heads at the armrest and leaf shaped border.
The legs are elegantly carved.
Gently hand ...
Category
1790s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood, Birch
18th Century Gustavian Chairs
Located in Stockholm, SE
Four gustavian chairs made in Sweden about 1790. The chairs secondary color have been removed and what is left, is the original color.
Category
1790s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Birch
Pair of 18th Century Gustavian chairs, made in Stockholm
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair gustavian chairs in original color, about 1780, made in Stockholm,
attributed to Johan Lindgren, who became member of Stockholms chair mak...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Birch
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
Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Of Drawers. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category
1910s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Late 18th Century sconces, made in Sweden
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of gustavian sconces, made in Sweden about 1790. The sconces have gilding with much of indigenous textures remains. The top is decorated with a beautiful, hand carved bow.
G...
Category
1790s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
6 equal chairs, early 19th Century, Late Gustavian, made by Ephraim Sthal
Located in Stockholm, SE
6 Late Gustavavian chairs made by Ephraim Ståhl. The chairs are beautifully hand carved with nail clippers and leaf shaped decorations.
The chairs are made by Ephraim Stahl, who wor...
Category
1790s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Birch
18th Century Gustavian mirror signed Johan Åkerblad, Stockholm
Located in Stockholm, SE
Mirror made by Johan Åkerblad, signed IÅ. Johan Åkerblad were working in Stockholm 1754 - 1799 as manufacturer of mirrors. He also delivered mirrors to the Royal Castels.
Gustavian ...
Category
1780s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine, Giltwood
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
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
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
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 silver spoon by Arvid Floberg dated 1785 with baronial coat of arms
Located in Knivsta, SE
Gustavian silver spoon by Arvid Floberg (1730-1804), Stockholm, Sweden dated 1785(C2) with baronial coat of arms. Rare and of extremely high quality. Simple beauty.
Wear consistent ...
Category
1780s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Silver
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
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
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
Swedish Gustavian Style Reeded Sideboard Cabinet
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
White Painted Gustavian 3 Drawer Painted Commode Cabinet with Doors
Hand painted Gustavian style sideboard constructed from solid wood with a hand-applied distressed finish with bra...
Category
Early 2000s Swedish Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
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
Set of Twelve 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Dining Chairs includes 2 Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of Twelve 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Dining Chairs includes 2 Armchairs were built to grace an elegant mansion in Sweden, now ready to add style, flair and timeless elegance ...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Mohair, Elm
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
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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