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
Set of Six Gustavian Period Painted Dining Chairs, 19th c. Swedish
Located in Wichita, KS
A matched set of 5 Swedish Gustavian period painted dining chairs from the 19th century, newly upholstered in linen with carved and pierced ladder backs and slip seats. This is an exquisite set of chairs.
The Gustavian style, named after King Gustav III...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Linen, Wood, Paint
White Gustavian Side Table with Cabriolet Legs, Sweden circa 1800-20
Located in Round Top, TX
Swedish Gustavian side table with cabriolet legs and large scalloped skirt.
Restored, later professionally painted in layered shades o...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Neoclassical Tub Chairs by Ephraim Stahl
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of Swedish neoclassical chairs attributed to Ephraim Stahl. Of typical Gustavian form with lion head arm ends and sweeping curved back. In very good structural condition.
Cond...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Birch
19th Century Swedish Painted Dugout Bowl
Located in Greenwich, CT
Good 19th Century trencher, an oblong dugout bowl of rectangular form in original white paint.
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Birch
Pair, Gustavian White Painted Arm Chairs, Sweden circa 1880
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair, attractive Swedish country Gustavian arm chairs with gently curved barrel back and carved flowers adorning the back and skirt.
Newer, professionally applied layered white pain...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Linen, Wood, Paint
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Armoire Cupboard Cabinet
Located in San Angelo, TX
A beautiful Swedish Gustavian cabinet that has been painted and dry scrapped over its lifetime. It dissembles into two parts. This beautiful piece shows the original paint job with p...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine, Paint
Swedish Pair of Gustavian Three Drawer Dressers with Faux Marble Tops
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair Of Light Grey Gustavian Chest of Drawers With 3 Drawer Dressers, Brass Hardware and with Faux Marble Tops.
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Swedish Secretary with Clock
Located in Houston, TX
19th century Swedish Secretary with Clock. Having a painted exterior and a contrasting paint interior. The crown has dental molding detail and the...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paint
Early 19th century Swedish painted baroque revival chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 19th century Swedish painted baroque revival chest of drawers circa 1820.
3 drawer commode with shaped sides and serpentine shaped drawer fronts. Made from oak with later ear...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Oak, Paint
Swedish pair of white 19th century painted chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish pair of white 19th century painted chest of drawers circa 1880.
Good quality pair of swedish painted commodes.
Top surface with hand painted faux marble effect, canted corn...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
19th Century Gustavian Sofa
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
19th Century Gustavian sofa in the Manor House style.
With carved decoration on the arms, legs and apron.
This sofa has a detachable back so could also be used as a daybed.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Gustavian Blue Painted Chest of Drawers, Sweden Late 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A small Gustavian-style light blue painted chest with 3 drawers and brass hardware from the second half of the 19th Century. This little Scandinavia...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Brass
Swedish Gustavian Style 19th Century Painted Sideboard with Carved Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style painted wood sideboard from the 19th century with three drawers, two doors, carved arched-themed frieze, reeded diamond motifs and tapering feet. This allur...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Period Carved Wood Chest, Scraped to Original Finish
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian period chest, scraped to the original colors, from the turn of the 18th and 19th century. This antique chest from Sweden features clean lines outlined in magnific...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Gustavian Demilune Tables
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
An unusually large scale pair of Gustavian period demilune tables in traces of original decoration.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Tall Gray-Painted Swedish Buffet
Located in Houston, TX
Tall gray-painted Swedish buffet, or cupboard, circa 1840-1869. Dark Gray faux marble painted top. Two paneled doors with lock and key. Sits inside hand-carved scalloped base. Three ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Brass
Swedish Gustavian Style 1890s Chest with Two Drawers and Grey Painted Outlines
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style painted chest circa 1890 with two drawers, carved fluted molding, light grey painted outlines and tapered legs. Embrace the enduring charm of Nordic design ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Swedish Antique Rustic Gustavian Buffet with Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
Early 19th century Swedish Antique Rustic Gustavian buffet from Umeå, Västerbotten,Nothern Sweden.
Beautiful genuine buffet scraped by hand to its original color.
These doors open ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
18th-19th Century White Swedish Gustavian Pinewood Daybed, Antique Sofa Bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-grey, antique Swedish Gustavian daybed made of hand crafted painted Pinewood with two round pillows, in good condition. The sides of t...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Cotton, Pine, Linen, Damask
Swedish Gustavian Single Drawer Stand, Table or Nightstand, Paint Decorated
Located in Stamford, CT
Swedish Gustavian Single Drawer Stand, Table or Nightstand, Paint Decorated
A Sweet One Drawer Original Paint Decorated Stand or End Table, Writing Desk. Having long sleek tapering...
Category
1890s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Style 19th Century Painted Wood Chest with Reeded Accents
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style painted wood chest from the 19th century with two drawers, carved reeded accents, swag hardware, marbleized top and tapered legs. Created in Sweden during t...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Swedish Late Gustavian Period Small Console W/Marble Top & Lower Shelf
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish late Gustavian petite console table, with stunning marble top and secondary platform shelf, from the late 18th to early 19th century. This smaller-sized antique table from Sweden has a particularly beautiful marble top, rectangular in shape, in a goldenrod color. The marble top rests upon an apron with scrolling foliate motif carved about three sides and framed within petite bead trim. Each corner is embellished with a large carved sunflower head just above the legs. The table is presented upon four round and fluted legs, with profiled knees, which taper gently towards their feet. A lower display platform (with a green faux marble hand-painted finish) shelf is positioned at underside of the table, braced just above the feet. Note that the table height varies as it is 31" at back and 30.5" towards the front. This late Gustavian period Swedish marble-top table, with smaller footprint of (approximately) 2.5 foot width, would make for a fabulous little entry table, an accent table for a hall/stair landing...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique Swedish Gustavian White Painted Side Table With Drawer, circa 1840-60
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique Swedish Gustavian White Painted Side Table With Drawer.
Tapered fluted legs and decorative applied carving accents this useful table.
Restored, later professionally applie...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Antique Rare Swedish Gustavian Style Console Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rare antique console table in Gustavian Style from Sweden. The table is from the first years of the 19th century, around 1800 to 1810. The table is made by hand in solid pine with a ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Large Swedish Gustavian 3 Drawer Chest of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a very unique Large Swedish Gustavian 3 Drawer Chest of Drawers. its been restored and repainted with Milk paints "Oyster Grey".
Category
1890s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th - 20th Century Gold Swedish Gustavian Gilded Pinewood Wall Glass Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique Swedish Gustavian wall mirror made of handcrafted gilded Pinewood with its original mirrored glass, in good condition. The particularized carved Scandinavian wall déc...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Pine, Giltwood
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Gilded Pine Wall Glass Mirror, Scandinavian Decor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique Swedish Gustavian lunette-shaped crown wall mirror made of handcrafted gilded Pinewood with its original mirrored glass, in good condition. The particularized carved Scandinavian bronze...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Pine, Giltwood
Swedish Gustavian Period 1800s Painted Wood Buffet with Carved Reeded Doors
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian period buffet, circa 1800 with three-quarter framed top, two doors, carved reeded motifs and bracket plinth. Step into the heart of Scandinavian design with this ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Gustavian Sofa
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Fine gold painted 19th century Swedish Gustavian sofa with it's original padding. Currently in muslin and un upholstered. Ca 1810 Sweden.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Antique Gustavian Chest of Drawers Chest on Chest Dated 1829
Located in Boden, SE
A magnificent beautiful big Chest of Drawers "Chest on Chest."
Swedish early 19th century untouched original painted pine chest of drawers dated...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Antique Original Painted Pine Swedish Gustavian Sideboard Buffet, circa 1820-40
Located in Round Top, TX
It is the original painted finish which has been scraped that brings out the warm patina of the pine in this lovely Gustavian sideboard from Sweden.
The original green painted top ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine, Paint
Early 19th Century Gustavian Inlaid Elm Chest of Drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
We are pleased to offer this profusely inlaid Gustavian period commode circa 1800.
Large selection of wood craft techniques using elm, walnut, ebony, satinwood and various fruitwo...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Birch, Elm
Genuine Antique Blue Swedish Gustavian Style Country Pine Desk Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Blue gustavian style country desk in pine from Hälsingland in northern Sweden. The table is a genuine Swedish country house furniture and has the authentic patina of time. Made with ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
19th Century Rustic French Painted Corner Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century rustic Swedish painted corner cabinet features a wonderful distressed painted finish that reveals the natural color of the ...
Category
1870s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Table
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique Swedish Gustavian table with a drawer. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White".
Category
1890s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Northern Swedish Painted Gustavian Sideboard
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish gustavian sideboard from Northern Sweden. The sideboard is a genuine antique country house furniture that was made around 1820....
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Pinewood Desk Console Table
Located in Madrid, ES
Swedish Gustavian style hand carved pinewood painted console, desk table with simple drawer and clasical hardwarwe, painted in light grey typical Scandenavian taste. the top is paint...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Swedish Mid-19th Century Alder Root Occasional Table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish mid 19th century alder root occasional table circa 1850.
Elegant piece of mid 19th century furniture from Sweden. Over sailing top with alder root outer edge and alder cr...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Birch
19th Century Inlaid Birch Lyre Form Occasional Table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century inlaid birch lyre form occasional table circa 1890.
Elegant piece of late 19th century Swedish furniture. Overall rectangular shaped top with canted corners. Made in ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Birch
Pair of 19th Century, Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Sofa Benches
Located in Wichita, KS
An almost identical pair of 19th century Swedish sofa benches in the Gustavian style, newly upholstered in linen. See full dimensions below. These sofas came from a farmhouse in Svä...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Linen, Wood, Paint
Gustavian Inspired 19th Century Swedish Pine Bench
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Gustavian inspired 19th century Swedish pine bench circa 1890.
Elegant painted pine bench from the late 19th century, very much in the taste of the gustavian period.
Upright ba...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine, Paint
Antique Gustavian White Painted Chest of Three Drawers from Sweden circa 1840
Located in Round Top, TX
Gustavian Style white painted chest of three drawers with carved detail along top.
Newer professionally applied and layered white painted finish, lightly distressed to fit age and g...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Antique Swedish Mora Clock date 1827 with decorative painted floral details. Face detailed with clockmakers initials AAL and Mora. Iriginal mechanism with weights and pendulum. Not f...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Birch
18th/19th C. Gray Paint Decorated Mirror
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Neoclassical style wood mirror constructed of numerous sections with a pieced surround in old pale gray paint. The wide mirror with curved and angular scrolls on the lower ends. Angu...
Category
19th Century Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Unique 100% Original Finish Swedish Gustavian Berger Chair
Located in Hollywood, FL
This s a Unique 100% Original Finish Swedish Gustavian Berger Chair.
Category
1890s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style 1880s Painted Demilune Tables with Carved Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
1 LiL - A pair of Swedish Gustavian style painted wood demi-lune console tables from the late 19th century, with carved rosettes, petite beads, tapered legs and fluted accents. Creat...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Tilt Top Gateleg Table
Located in Mckinney, TX
Once used for serving tea, drinks, or desserts during dinner parties and gatherings in the past, this table’s unique design allows it to be neatly tucked away when not in use. Featur...
Category
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Swedish Gustavian White Painted Small Side Table With Drawer
Located in Round Top, TX
This delightful country Gustavian table will make a lovely side table or nightstand. The table has a newer, professionally applied layered white painted finish which has been gently ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Pair of Swedish Empire Mahogany Armchairs 19th Century Sweden
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair of Stockholm Mahogany Armchairs in the Empire / Karl Johan period, circa 1810-1830 Sweden.
A pair of armchairs are veneered in a beautiful dark brown mahogany and are very clas...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
Antique Genuine Swedish Gustavian Large Original Country Corner Cabinet
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique gustavian corner cabinet from northern Sweden made during the early 19th century, around 1820. The cabinet is an authentic Swedish country house furniture made in two parts. ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Chair with Originalpaint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish Gustavian chair from Burträsk Västerbotten, Northern Sweden. The chair is scraped by hand to its well-preserved original painting.
Beautifully carved pilasters ...
Category
1820s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
19th Century Gold Swedish Gustavian Antique Gilded Pinewood Wall Glass Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, 19th century Swedish Gustavian wall mirror made of handcrafted gilded Pinewood, in good condition. The antique Scandinavian mirror ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Pine, Giltwood
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Demilunes or Center Table
Located in San Angelo, TX
Here is a beautiful pair of 19th century Swedish Gustavian demilune tables with carved detail above each leg. These are perfect to flank a fireplace or next to a bed with a painting ...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood, Pine, Paint
Swedish Desk 19th Century in Black Original Paint
Located in Meulebeke, BE
A rustic writing desk made during the 19th century in Sweden. Made of pine wood and original black paint. With great patina on the wood.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Pine
Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Antique Swedish Mora clock from the 1800's. Original paint; grey with gold detailing. Not function tested.
Measures: Width:58cm / 22.8"
Depth: 20cm / 7.8"
Height: 215cm / 84.6".
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Birch
Antique Original Red Painted Chest of Drawers, Sweden circa 1820-1840
Located in Round Top, TX
It is the all original painted finish that makes this chest of drawers from the Swedish countryside a special find.
Note the original brick red paint accented with the blue/green/wh...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Swedish Late Gustavian Period 1820s Painted Buffet with Carved Reeded Doors
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish late Gustavian period painted wood buffet from the early 19th century, with canted sides, two doors, reeded panels and weathered patina. Created in Sweden during the first ...
Category
Early 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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