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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
19th Century Swedish Tilt Top Accent Table
Located in Houston, TX
This exquisite 19th-century Swedish tilt-top accent table exudes timeless elegance. Crafted with precision, its intricate design reflects the grace of Scandinavian craftsmanship. Sea...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Maple

Pair of 20th Century Swedish Chest of Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant pair of Gustavian-style chests, crafted circa 100 years ago, embodies the refined simplicity and timeless charm of Scandinavian design. Constructed from pine, a wood com...
Category

20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish Gustavian Giltwood Console Table with Lyre and Marble Top, 1800s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Swedish Gustavian Giltwood Console Table with Lyre and Marble Top, 1800s. Exceptional Scandinavian late gustavian console table manufactured in Sweden between 1790 and 1820 by a mas...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Marble

Antique Oval Painted Side Table, Sweden circa 1850-70
Located in Round Top, TX
Lovely oval side table with turned legs, decorative carved skirt and egg shaped finial on X stretcher base. Restored, later professionally painted in muted shades of plum, white and ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Cabinet with Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish antique Gustavian corner cabinet from Umeå Västerbotten, Northern Sweden. Beautifully reeded doors. Scraped by gentle hand to its well preserved original color...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish Console Table Circa 1880
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 19th-century Swedish console table, circa 1880, captures the refined simplicity of Gustavian design. Constructed from pine, it features a painted faux-marble finish on the table...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Swedish mid 19th century birch buffet sideboard
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish mid 19th century birch buffet sideboard circa 1860. Fine quality Swedish buffet of grand proportions.  Top surface with shallow gallery on the back. 2 lockable drawers below...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Birch

18th Century Set Six Swedish Chairs Gustavian Period
By Melchior Lundberg
Located in Madrid, ES
A set of six elegant and exceptional Swedish chairs from the Gustavian period, two of which are marked by Melchior Lundberg, a chairmaker in Stockholm (1714-1816). Woodcut decoration...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish 18th Century Gustavian Grey and Blue Display Cabinet
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique Swedish Glass-Top Cabinet Made in Two-parts. The base has a set of 4 drawers and the top display cabinet has two glass doors that is pati...
Category

1770s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Upholstered Bench
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Upholstered Bench. Hand painted and hand distressed wood bench fully upholstered in a neutral linen textile. Wonderful addition to any style home, use...
Category

Early 2000s Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Pine

Beautiful Set of 6 Period Gustavian Era Dining Chairs
Located in New York, NY
6 piece set of late Gustavian (circa 1800) era dining chairs with fluted legs and carved floret and leaf details on base and legs Upholstered back an...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century White Painted Swedish Cabinet Sideboard
Located in Round Top, TX
Gustavian pine sideboard or buffet with traditional decorative fluted diamond panels on cabinet doors. Later professionally painted in layered shades of antique white and lightly di...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

Large Round White Washed Pedestal Farmhouse Dining Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
A timeless Swedish Gustavian inspired round pedestal farmhouse table made with reclaimed whitewashed cherry wood table top and a natural colored wood table base. The table makes a p...
Category

20th Century American Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofa Circa 1820
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant 19th-century Swedish Gustavian sofa, circa 1820, is a striking example of the timeless beauty and functionality of Scandinavian design. Crafted from pine, the sofa featu...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Neoclassical Style Swedish Grey Gustavian Storage Sofa Hand Carved
Located in Essex, MA
Classic Swedish Gustavian grey-painted hand-carved bench/ sofa with storage. One missing ball finial has been replaced and painted to match. Sorry, not in the photos. Simple Swedis...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Swedish Gustavian Roseback Dining Chairs White Set of 8 1940s 2 Carvers
Located in Lewes, England
Rare Set of 6 Swedish Gustavian roseback dining chairs and 2 matching Roseback Carver Chairs in good condition in white with lovely carvings C 1940. Great for every day usage with ...
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Birch

19th Century Dutch Blue Chest of Drawers
Located in Carmine, TX
Chest of drawers hand-made in The Netherlands in the early 1800s using oak and with beautiful blue patina. The dresser has beautiful proportions and follows the simple, yet gorgeous,...
Category

Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Oak

Swedish Gustavian Period 1790s Blue Painted Wall Hanging Corner Cabinet
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian period painted wood wall hanging corner cabinet from the late 18th century, with blue paint, single door and weathered appearance. Created in Sweden during the la...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Swedish Gustavian Grey Painted Tall Case Clock
Located in Bradenton, FL
Incredibly rare Swedish Gustavian Neoclassical grey painted pine tall case clock, late 18th or early 19th century, having a circular hood surmounted by a cartouche, the face with Rom...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

18th c. Swedish Gustavian Period Demilune Buffet in Original Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A rare Swedish buffet from the Gustavian period with demilune sides and original paint inside and outside, circa 1780. This special piece came from a manor house in Uppland, Sweden. ...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Mora Clock Swedish 1800s Antique white 205cm tall Crown
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

Swedish Gustavian Marble Top Egyptian Pharaoh Mask Pier Table circa 1820
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A VERY FINE EMPIRE POLYCHROMED MARBLE-TOP PIER CONSOLE TABLE IN THE EGYPTIAN TASTE Sweden, circa 1810-1820 with early green and pearl painted elements against parcel-gilding Item # ...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Marble

19th Century Swedish Ántique Rustic Corner Cabinet with Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
A fantastically fine genuine Gustavian Corner cabinet from Kalix Norrbotten Northern Sweden. The Corner Cabinet is divisible into 2 parts. Fine crest in the form of hand-turned pil...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish Art Deco, Set of 4 Klismos Chairs in Birch & Elm, Griffin Inlays, 1930s
Located in Odense, DK
A set of four exquisite dining chairs from the 1930s, crafted in solid elm with elegantly curved backrests adorned in birch root veneer. Each backrest is enhanced with intricate grif...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Bone, Fabric, Bakelite, Birch, Elm

Swedish antique Gustavian Table with original paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century Swedish Gustavian table from Boden Norrbotten, Northern Sweden. The table is handscraped to its original color. Hardware is original to the piece. Made in painted pine. ...
Category

Early 19th Century 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

Scandinavian Paint Decorated Bookcase with Lower Cabinet
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Very rare and interesting paint decorated bookcase with cabinet below and shelves above. Early 19th century or late 18th. Original lock and key and early paint. A very useful proport...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Desk
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
A late 19th Century Gustavian style desk. Decorative carved detailing around the stretch on all four sides. With one drawer, repainted in soft grey. Seat height 67cm.
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desk with Originalpaint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish Gustavian desk from Umea Vasterbotten, Northern Sweden. Nice Gustavian desk scraped to its originalpaint. Reeded sides. ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish Corner Cabinet Circa 1830
Located in Atlanta, GA
This striking 19th-century Swedish corner cabinet, circa 1830, hails from the region of Dalarna, renowned for its rich tradition of Scandinavian craftsmanship. Designed to fit neatly...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish Mora Grandfather Clock, circa 1820-40
Located in Round Top, TX
Graceful curves and unique lines create the attractive silhouette of this Swedish mora grandfather clock. Newer professionally applied painted finish with layers of plum, white and g...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofa
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
An early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian sofa or bench in old paint. Recently upholstered seat and bolster cushions in linen. Circa 1810.
Category

1810s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Pair of Small Gustavian Style Bedside Chests
Located in Westwood, NJ
Bedside chests elegantly combine classical Swedish design elements with refined architectural details. The antique painted finish provides an authentic patina, while dental moldings ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair Of Cobalt Blue Swedish Girandoles
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of elegant Girandoles of Gustavian style, 19th century. Cobalt blue ovoid shafts resting on a white marble base. Each has two brass candleholders with delicate brass stems holdi...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Marble, Brass

Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Dining Chairs W/ Beige Velvet - Set of 6
Located in Astoria, NY
A striking set of six Swedish dining chairs in the Gustavian style, sourced from Provence, France. Expertly handcrafted from solid wood, each chair features a distinctive square-shap...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Chair with Originalpaint Swedish Antiques
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century Swedish Gustavian chair from Umea Vasterbotten, Northern Sweden Nice unusual model with ribs in the back & hand carved flowers & leaves. Has style features of English ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Period Cabinet / Bookcase
Located in Charleston, SC
19th Century Swedish Cabinet / Bookcase / Vitrine with Glass Fronted Doors fronted doors in classic Gustavian style. Upper library section has molded cornice with dental trim and thr...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paint

Antique Genuine Swedish Gustavian Upholstered Armchair
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish gustavian upholstered armchair from the late 18th century, circa 1790. The armchair has a straight shape with hand carved woode...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish White Demi Lune Side Table, circa 1860-80
Located in Round Top, TX
Gustavian demi-lune pine side table or console with gently tapered fluted legs and decorative applied carving along skirt. Newer professionally applied layered antique white painted ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Swedish Gustavian Blue Painted Slat Back Dining Chairs from circa 1790
Located in Houston, TX
Lovely set of six Swedish period Gustavian chairs with original scraped blue paint and newly upholstered vintage linen seats.
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

18th Century Painted Gustavian Dresser / Commode / Chest of Drawers
Located in Carmine, TX
Commode hand-made in the Netherlands in the late 1700s using oak and dovetail construction. The commode features three drawers with serpentine fronts and beautifully made dovetail jo...
Category

Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Oak

19th Century Scandinavian Faux Marble Wooden Pedestal
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large 19th Century Gustavian pedestal with original faux marbled paint and patina. The stately pedestal is a wonderful addition to a hallway, foyer, or anywhere you need to display a...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Late 18th Century Swedish Secretary Cabinet with Historic Paint
Located in South Salem, NY
Splendid early antique Gustavian style secretary cabinet, made in Sweden, circa late 19th century. This rustic cabinet retains its historic p...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

Small White Gustavian Chest of Two Drawers, Sweden circa 1820-40
Located in Round Top, TX
This small chest of drawers is quite dramatic thanks to the bow front and fluted carving along the skirt. Rests on tapered feet. Restored, later professionally painted in layered sha...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Pair, Gustavian White Painted Arm Chairs from Sweden, circa 1840-1860
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair, attractive Swedish country white gustavian painted arm chairs. Turned, fluted legs and carved accents including floral motif. White painted finish distressed fitting the age ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

19th Century Grey Swedish Gustavian Pair of Antique Pinewood Pedestal Cabinets
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-grey, antique pair of Swedish Gustavian pedestal cabinets with four shelves made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, standing on a round base, enhanced by detailed wood carvin...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Style Painted and Carved Three-Drawer Chest
Located in Atlanta, GA
Swedish 19th Century Gustavian style three-drawer painted wood chest with carved dentil molding and fluted side posts. Immerse yourself in the charm of Swedish craftsmanship with thi...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Secretary / Writing Desk - Painted
Located in Kvidinge, SE
Swedish Gustavian Secretary / Writing Desk from early 19th century A rectangular top sitting above a slant front desk opening to reveal a gray painted interior and multiple smal draw...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century Swedish Two-part Secretaire
Located in Atlanta, GA
This Gustavian writing desk from the early 19th century is a stunning two-piece piece that combines practicality with classic Swedish elegance. Crafted from pine, it features a soft,...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

1820s Late Gustavian Period Swedish Buffet with Carved Reeded Diamond Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish late Gustavian period buffet from circa 1820 with gray painted finish, carved reeded diamond motifs, petite rosettes and inner drawers. Radiating a quiet sophistication, th...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th c. Swedish Gustavian Period Sofa Bench in Original Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A long 19th c. Swedish sofa bench from the Gustavian period, hand-scraped to reveal the original paint, circa 1800. This beautiful sofa has been newly upholstered in linen and has un...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

Console Table Swedish Gustavian Style
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is an Incredible Swedish Gustavian Style 1 Drawer console table. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair Antique Gustavian Style Gray Commodes Nightstands
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Elegant pair of three drawers small commodes nightstands painted gray with silver trim. Original hardware. Profiled legs. Floral invited decoration...
Category

1940s American Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gustavian, Swedish Commodes, Blue Paint Distressed, Brass, Sweden, Greek Key
Located in Manhasset, NY
Gustavian, Swedish Commodes, Chests or Nightstands, Blue Paint Distressed, Brass, Sweden, 19th/20th Century Stunning pair of three drawer chests, commodes or nightstands having a Sw...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

18th c, Swedish Gustavian Mirror
Located in Allerum, SE
Swedish 18th century Gustavian gilded mirror in it's original condition with an nice patinated surface . Ca 1790 Sweden.
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

Set of Four Louis XVI Gustavian Style Painted Dining Armchairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Charming set of four French dining armchairs made in the grand Louis XVI taste. Crafted from beech and featuring a Swedish Gustavian style white painted finish with a desirable aged,...
Category

20th Century French Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Beech

Mid 19th Century Swedish Gray Pine Partner's Desk Writing Table
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique Swedish Gustavian gray painted pine "partner's desk" with two drawers on each side of the table and traditional tapered fluted legs. The painted finish shows layers of light ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Gustavian Grey Painted Four Poster Bed, US King
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Modern Gustavian Grey Painted Four Poster Bed. A wonderful combination of antique Gustavian design and modern details. The posters are in a taper...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese 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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