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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
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

Exceptional Pair of 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Gilt Wood Mirrors
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Exceptional, rare and unusually large pair of late Gustavian gilt wood mirrors with gouaches in neoclassical Pompeian style and faux porphyry marble mirror frame. Stockholm, ca 1790.
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood, Giltwood

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 Painted Secretary Cabinet Bookcase
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Gustavian Painted Secretary Cabinet Bookcase, Sweden Antique Swedish secretary cabinet in Gustavian Style. The cabinet is a well crafted pie...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

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

Swedish Gustavian Style Sofa with Griffin Carvings in Original Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A rare Gustavian style sofa with beautiful wood carved griffins, hand-scraped to the original paint and newly upholstered, circa 1900. Exquisite carved detail. The seat frame feature...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

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

Small Swedish Gustavian Painted Commode or Chest of Drawers
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish Gustavian Painted Small Commode or Chest of Drawers Classic piece that has been hand-carved, hand-painted as well as hand distressed in a muted Scandinavian green toned col...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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

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

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

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

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

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

Antique Genuine Swedish Gustavian Pine Distressed Patina Drop-Leaf Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Genuine gustavian drop-leaf table made around 1790 to 1810 in northern Sweden. The frame is made from solid pine and it has the original paint with genuine distress and patina from u...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

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 Swedish Gustavian Style Painted 3 Drawer Chests Nightstands
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Painted Gustavian Style Chest of Drawers or Side Tables, A Pair These classic Swedish style three drawer hand painted chests, small commodes or end tables have been constructed fro...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Buffet
Located in Houston, TX
The Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Buffet embodies the refined elegance and craftsmanship characteristic of the Gustavian style. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, it...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair Swedish Gustavian Style Painted 3 Drawer Chests Nightstands
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Painted Gustavian Style Chest of Drawers or Side Tables, A Pair These classic Swedish style three drawer hand painted chests, small commodes or end tables have been constructed fro...
Category

Early 2000s Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

18th century Swedish turret clock face and movement Rosendal palace
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Here we offer you the chance to own a unique piece of history circa 1787. Here is a turret clock face and most of the movement reclaimed from rosendal palace in sweden. 'rosendal p...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Iron, Lead

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

Swedish Gustavian Painted Round Center Hall Table
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Painted Round Gustavian Center Hall Table This classic Scandinavian style painted table has been constructed from solid wood with a hand-applied distressed finish. The color on this...
Category

Early 2000s Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Swedish Gustavian Painted Hall Console End Occasional Table
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Hand Painted Hall, End or Occasional Table, Swedish Gustavian Hand painted and hand distressed wood side table with cabriole legs in a muted Scandinavian green color. The clean line...
Category

Early 2000s North American Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair Swedish Gustavian Style Painted 3 Drawer Chests Nightstands
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Painted Gustavian Style Chest of Drawers or Side Tables, A Pair These classic Swedish style three drawer hand painted chests, small commodes or end tables have been constructed fro...
Category

Early 2000s European Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

Vintage Persian Isfahan Rug
Located in Dallas, TX
78680 Vintage Persian Isfahan Rug, 05'00 x 06'09. Nestled in the heart of central Iran lies a haven of artistry and tradition: the captivating city of Isfahan. Here, amid whispers of...
Category

Late 20th Century Persian Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wool

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

Swedish Gustavian Painted Banquette
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A Swedish 18th Century Period Gustavian banquette with its original hand-scraped painted finish. The solid constructed frame makes a statement and has a removable seat cushion. The l...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

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

Vintage Persian Isfahan Rug, Relaxed Refinement Meets Mediterranean Charm
Located in Dallas, TX
61251 Vintage Blue Persian Isfahan Rug, 08'02 x 11'07. ​Nestled in the heart of central Iran lies a haven of artistry and tradition: the captivating city of Isfahan. Here, amid whisp...
Category

Late 20th Century Persian Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wool

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

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 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

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Sideboard
Located in Huntington, NY
An unusual Gustavian sideboard with a curved Greek key design across the top. Vertically reeded door fronts. Simple tapered feet. Original brass hardware and locks. Tastefully repain...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Iron, Brass

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Slant Front Desk
Located in Huntington, NY
A Gustavian slant front desk. The upper section has eight small drawers, four cubbies, two sliding columns and a small locking door. The lower section has two small drawers over two ...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass, Iron

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

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 Gustavian Painted Chest of Drawers Commode Grey White C.1860
Located in LONDON, GB
Shipping update - please message us directly with your city and zip/postcode for a delivery cost to your location on this item - please do not request shipping from 1st dibs Circa 1...
Category

Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

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

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

Antique Swedish Bench
Located in Westport, CT
Reupholstered in Robert Kime fabric
Category

1890s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, 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

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

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

Antique Swedish Gustavian Green Country Furniture Pine Sideboard
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish antique gustavian sideboard from around 1790 to 1810. The sideboard is a genuine northern Swedish country furniture with a frame in...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Yellow Painted Swedish Gustavian Style Chest of Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
Decorative Swedish Gustavian Style chest of drawers painted in dusty antique yellow, typical of the Scandinavian taste for light palettes...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Pine

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

Vintage Grey Metal Base Lamp
Located in Sheffield, MA
Neoclassical style lamp base with fluted shaft, the small lamp is designed for European framed shades. Will work well in Louis XVI style, Swedish Gustavian style or most any decor. ...
Category

20th Century European Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Metal

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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