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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
Period: 19th Century
Pair of Antique Swedish Gustavian Ottomans
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Ottomans in white paint and parcel gilt. In a white painted finish, the carved frames in the Louis XVI style with cylindric...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Swedish, Gustavian Bucket Chairs, about 1800
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of Swedish Gustavian Bucket Chairs. Made in Stockholm about 1800. Attributed to Ephraim Ståhl who was operative between 1794–1810. De...
Category

Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Birch

Swedish 19th Century Painted Console Table
Located in Houston, TX
19th century Swedish painted console table supported by cabriole front legs and a base at the bottom. This piece was repainted and the top of the console is painted green while the b...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Swedish 19th Century Painted Cupboard
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish 19th century painted cupboard, circa 1890. Good quality sideboard/cabinet which would be ideal as a linen cupboard or the kitchen. Double door cupboard with channeled d...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Pair, Antique Gustavian Gray Painted Narrow Cabinets, Sweden circa 1840
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair, gray painted Gustavian narrow cabinets or "pedestal cabinet" from Sweden. Rare to find a pair in this fine condition. Lovely lines with applied wreath or ribbon motif on front ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

19th Century Swedish Chest of Drawers
Located in Houston, TX
19th century Swedish serpentine front chest of drawers with a dry scraped painted finish and rococo style hardware.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Nightstand or End Table
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A late 19th century scraped to original patina Swedish nightstand or side table with four drawers and its original wooden handles. From the Folk Art Scandinavian culture called "allm...
Category

1890s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Demi Lune Console Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Northern Swedish console table in gustavian style from the mid 1800s, around 1860. The table is from northern Sweden and a so called demi lune table where it’s made in a half circle....
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Rustic Gustavian Sofa with Original paint
Located in Boden, SE
Early 19th Century Antique Rustic Swedish Gustavian Provincial Sofa from Råneå Norrbotten ,Northern Sweden. A beautiful Swedish Gustavian sofa ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Reeded 2 Door 2 Drawer Buffet
Located in San Angelo, TX
A Swedish Gustavian style painted wood buffet from the 19th century with reeded drawers over doors, and distressed patina. Created in Sweden during the ...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

Swedish Gustavian Style 1880s Painted Cabinet with Carved Diamond and Rosettes
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style painted wood cabinet from the late 19th century, with single door, carved rosettes, diamond motifs and dentil molding. Created in Sweden during the last qua...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Gustavian Swedish Beige Upholstered Bergere Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Swedish Gustavian (18/19th Century) bergere armchairs with beige painted and carved frames in Neo-classic square form upholstered in beige fabric accented by a double-piped b...
Category

19th Century Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Grey Painted 3 Drawer Dresser with Faux Marble Top, Sweden, 1850-1880
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late 19th century grey painted chest of drawers, Swedish. This 3 drawer dresser has a charming break front style, an amazing faux marble top and the original brass hardware.
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Pinewood, Porphyry Console Table by Jonas Frisk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique Swedish Gustavian freestanding console table made of hand crafted gilded, painted Pinewood in the Egyptian style with a crystal red porphyry top, designed and produced most likely by Jonas Frisk in good condition. The edges, borders of the tall Scandinavian side table are enhanced by detailed wood carvings, supported by four round, straight golden wooden legs particularized with Egyptian figures. The end table is standing on a gilded, painted base. Minor fading due to age. Wear consistent with age and use. circa 1810 - 1830, Sweden, Scandinavia, Scandinavia. Jonas Frist was a Swedish artist and designer, born in 1787, in Stockholm, Sweden and passed away in 1849. In 1805, Frist received the rights to design and produce mirrors and console tables by the Kommerskollegium. From 1810 - 1814, his studio was located on the street Storkyrkobrinken and from 1814 - 1824, he moved to the public square Riddarhustorget, in Gamla stan, in Stockholm. Frist's personal history remains lost in history. Kommerskollegium (The National Board of Trade...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine, Giltwood

Antique Genuine Swedish Gustavian Pine Provincial Sofa Bench
Located in Kramfors, SE
Northern Swedish Gustavian provincial sofa crafted in pine, showcasing its original scraped paint. This sofa, dating back to the early 19th century, around 1800 to 1810, exemplifies ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Pair, Antique Gray Painted Gustavian Arm Chairs, Sweden, circa 1880
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair, gray painted gustavian arm chairs. Turned fluted legs and decorative carving throughout, crowned with rosettes. Restored, stable. Any scrat...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Antique Gustavian White Painted Tall Sideboard Buffet Server from Sweden circa 1
Located in Round Top, TX
Gustavian white painted tall pine sideboard or server cabinet. Traditional decorative fluted diamond panels on cabinet doors, two small upper drawers with small brass pull. One key...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Swedish Late Gustavian Period Carved-Wood Sofa Bench, Early 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish late Gustavian Period carved and painted wood sofa bench from the early 19th century. This antique sofa bench from Sweden features a high ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Scandinavian Painted Cupboard
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Scandinavian painted cupboard circa 1870. Blue painted cupboard with multiple uses around the home. Offered with the orig...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Antique Swedish Gustavian Longcase Clock
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique gustavian long case clock in painted pine from Sweden. The clock has a hand carved decor in wood with older paint from the late 1800s. The paint has become slightly distresse...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish 1800s Gustavian Period Trestle Base Dining Room Table with Oval Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian period rustic dining room table from the early 19th century, with oval top, trestle base and distressed patina. Created in Sweden during the early years of the 19...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Swedish Maple Tripod Center/Side Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century maple tripod table. A round top sits on a tripod base with the original tilting mechanism. The table does not tilt at this point, but the detail is great. The table is s...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Maple

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

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Birch

19th Century Antique Swedish Gustavian Writing Table / Desk Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish Gustavian desk from Umeå Västerbotten, Northern Sweden. A high-class & beautiful desk with wood-cut details & beautiful tapered legs. The beautifully cut leave...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

19th Century Gustavian Writing Desk by Johan Oman
Located in New York, NY
A 19th century writing desk by Swedish Master Cabinet Maker Johan Öman (1789-1833) who worked for King Charles XIV. The desk having two drawers with ornate ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

Swedish Gustavian Style Drop Front Desk
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Swedish Gustavian style drop front desk , its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Dove Grey" Desk Measurements open 28.5 in high, 15 in deep.
Category

1860s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Mora Clock Swedish 1800s Antique Folk Art Kurbits Hand Painted
Located in LONDON, GB
Antique Swedish mora clock from the 1800s in lovely Kurbits Folk Art finish with a country style body and a good face. Measures: 105 cm. It has the Classic extended belly of a tradi...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Original Blue Painted Grandfather Clock, Sweden Dated 1844
Located in Round Top, TX
Hand painted grandfather clock with exceptional original soft blue painted finish accented in red trim. Panel details, curved bonnet, slender case with lovely balance to face and bas...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Metal

19th Century Light-Grey Swedish Gustavian Antique Oval Pine Dining Room Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique 19th century Swedish Gustavian oval wooden dining table, in good condition. The Scandinavian painted Pinewood center table has a grey waxed p...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish Antique Rustic Late Gustavian Buffet / sideboard
Located in Boden, SE
A late Gustavian antique buffet/ sideboard made and dated 1854 on the 4th of december by the carpenter Pehr Rönnholm Högland, Västerbotten, Northern Sweden. A magnificent genuine si...
Category

1850s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish Gustavian Style 1880s Three-Drawer Painted Chest with Carved Décor
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style painted wood chest of drawers from the late 19th century, with swag frieze, carved side posts and tapered feet. Created in Sweden during the last quarter of the 19th century, this painted chest showcases the stylistic characteristics of the Gustavian era. The chest features a rectangular top adorned with delicate carved swags on the edges. The façade is made of three graduated drawers, fitted with Classical style hardware. Their dovetail construction reveals the piece's age. The side posts are adorned with carved falling campanulas at the top and fluted motifs at the bottom. Resting on short tapered feet, the chest is painted in a soft grey color typical of the Swedish taste for light palettes aiming at brightening the rooms during the long and dark Scandinavian winter. The Gustavian style takes its roots in the Louis XVI era. Swedish King Gustav III resided in 1771 in Paris, at the beginning stages of the Louis XVI style. There, he was inspired by French art and fashion. With that in his luggage, he had a strong desire to introduce something similar in Sweden. The country had fine craftsmen with high quality craftsmanship, who produced a simple style with harmonious aesthetics. The Gustavian style was born and has been in vogue ever since. It is incredibly popular, especially in England but also in France and in the USA. Price and age are of course inextricably linked, the older and rarer, the higher the price! With its clean lines and subtly carved décor...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Pine Wall Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish country wall table or console table in gustavian style from Northern Sweden. Made around 1810 to 1820 in painted pine. Unusual profiled edge on the front and short sides. The...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Antique Swedish Secretary Cabinet 19th Century
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century Swedish Secretary Desk with open book shelves above the fall front desk and bottom cabinet doors. The desk section has multiple sma...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Swedish Set of 5 Gustavian Dining Chairs
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A set of five Gustavian style dining chairs, circa 1810, with fantastic potential in any space. The curved back rests feature reeding details on the back and seem suspended by turned...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Fabric, 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

Early 19th Century Swedish Painted Commode, Chest of Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
Early 19th century Swedish painted commode ~ chest of drawers is a timeless example of the craftsmanship and artistry in cabinetmaking for which the Swedes are well known. Their repu...
Category

1820s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Gustavian White and Parcel Gilt Torcheres
Located in New York, NY
Each with round gilt-edged platform supported on three square legs with guilloche decoration, headed by lion's masks and terminating in paw feet; on a tripartite spreading base with ...
Category

Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Painted Hall Bench
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century Swedish painted hall bench is a charming piece perfect for hallways, stairwell landings, or cozy room settings. The tailored lines crea...
Category

1890s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Antique Bridal Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Rare bridal mora clock (Angermanlandsbrud) from the 1800s. The body of the clock with carving details was made to resemble a brides dress. Original mechani...
Category

Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Birch

Six Swedish Gustavian Style 1850s Painted Wood Side Chairs with Carved Rosettes
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of six Swedish Gustavian style painted wood stick back side chairs from the mid 19th century, with tapered legs, carved rosettes and used...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

19th Century French Hand-Painted Bow Front Corner Cupboard
Located in Nashville, TN
Featuring a charming French hand-painted bow front corner cupboard in the Gustavian style. The right door has an operational fitted key that operates. There is a small spring latch on the interior of the left door. The exterior door panels...
Category

19th Century French Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Antique Hideaway House Beverly Hills Marble Top Nightstand End or Side Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Hideaway House Beverly hills marble top nightstand end or side table Additional information: Materials: Marble, Wood Color: Antique White Period: 19th century Styles:...
Category

19th Century Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Marble

Early 19th Century Gustavian Style Giltwood Console Table and Mirror
Located in Prato, IT
Early 19th century giltwood console table with a lyre supporting the white marble top. Coordinated mirror with decoration. Authe...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Marble

Extraordinary 19th Century Late Gustavian Console Table
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Extraordinary 19th century late Gustavian gilt wood console table with carrara marble top. Ca 1800 Stockholm Sweden.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

Country Swedish Gustavian Center Table Painted by Ira Yeager
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Charming 19th century country Swedish center table or rent table finished in the Gustavian taste. The round drum form pedestal table features a painted case decorated with a bust of ...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th - 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Pair of Pinewood Cabinets, Nightstands
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-grey, antique Swedish Gustavian pair of pedestal cabinets, bedside tables made of hand crafted Pinewood, in good condition. The small...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Antique Display Cabinet, Gustavian Style, Sweden, C. 1840
Located in Kastrup, DK
Display cabinet in two parts. Upper part with pair of slatted glass doors with inside Pompeii red color. Below top list with tooth cut. Lower part drawer with diamond-shaped fillin...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Glass, Pine

19th Century Swedish Trumeau Mirror
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century Swedish Trumeau mirror, painted wood in florals topped with raised gold fruit basket surrounded by dolphins. Color is a dark blue-green with cream and gold trim.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood

19th Century Swedish Day-Bed
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Swedish 19th century daybed with carved decorative detailing throughout. This elegant daybed has the refined neoclassical style that defined the Gustavian era. The carved wood frame ...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Fine 19th Century Gustavian Console Table
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Fine 19th century Gustavian gilt wood console table with marble top. Ca 1810 Stockholm Sweden.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Marble

Swedish Gustavian Period 1800s Painted Corner Cabinet with Carved Foliage
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian period painted wood two-part corner cabinet from the early 19th century, with reeded accents, foliage carving and open shelf. Created in Sweden during the Gustavi...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Swedish Gustavian Carved-Wood and Upholstered Tub Sofa, Early 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish period Gustavian upholstered and carved-wood sofa from the early 19th century. This antique tub style sofa from Sweden features an elegantly arch...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desk with Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish Gustavian desk from Umeå Västerbotten, Northern Sweden. Nice Gustavian Desk scraped to its original paint. The table has a lovely blue color. Reeded legs. Marble...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Desk Secretary
Located in San Angelo, TX
This beautiful and unique 19th century Swedish Gustavian writing desk is perfect for any room or hallway. The colors are amazing with th...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Pine, Paint

19th Century, Swedish Gustavian Style Drop Leaf Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Drop leaf table in gustavian style made around 1810 in northern Sweden. The table is hand-made in Swedish pine and painted in a light grey tone. The paint is the original first layer...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish antique rustic Gustavian Secretary with Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
A Swedish antique rustic Gustavian slant front secretary from early 19th century that is perfect for any home. This originalpainted features a slanted top that pulls down to make a ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish Gustavian Painted Chest of 9 Drawers Commode Tallboy 1870 Grey White
Located in LONDON, GB
Please note - this item will be available to ship form march 2022 C 1870 antique Swedish Gustavian painted chest of 9 drawers commode with detailed...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish 1810s Gustavian Period Painted Sideboard with Carved Diamond Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian period painted wood sideboard from the early 19th century, with three-quarter gallery, carved frieze, two drawers, two doors and reeded diamond motifs. Created in...
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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