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.
Set of 4 Antique Gustavian Style Urn Back Dining Chairs.English C.1920
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
A delightful matching set of 4 English limed oak chairs. They have been recently limed to enhance the beautiful grain in the wood. The seats have been re-upholstered in hessian or...
Oak
Harlequin Set of 10 Antique Gustavian Style Urn Back Dining Chairs
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
A wonderful set of ten English limed oak chairs. Not quite matching. There are actually 3 different models ( 4 + 3 + 3 ). Each chair has a variation of the same basic characteristi...
Oak
Set of 12 Antique Painted Gustavian Dining Chairs
Located in Nijlen, BE
Impressive set of 12 Swedish Gustavian chairs. In a warm grey paint with clear signs of age. Pure simplicity and craftsmanship. In very nice condition, all very sturdy. Unique large ...
Ash
Set of 6 Gustavian Style Dining Chairs
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Set of six early 20th century Gustavian style dining chairs. Seats have recently been fully upholstered (including webbing, foam etc) and finished in calico. 1920. Seat height: 19.5...
Beech
$5,975 / set
H 29.5 in W 60 in D 41 in
Liberty & Co style of CFA Voysey, Arts & Crafts Oak Dining Set with Ball Finials
By Charles Voysey, Liberty & Co.
Located in London, GB
Liberty & Co in the style of CFA Voysey. An Arts & Crafts oak dining set consisting of six chairs and a matching dining table. The five single dining chai...
Oak
Norman Cherner Dining Chairs, Set of Eight
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of eight sculptural dining chairs, designed by Norman Cherner for Plycraft, American, circa 1950s. They have all been refinished and reupholstered in black vinyl. They measure: 3...
Upholstery, Wood
Set of Six Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Cane Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Exquisite set of six Swedish painted dining chairs crafted in the Gustavian Louis XVI taste. The chairs feature a distinctive arched crest back with a woven cane inset. The beech frames have a painted or glazed finish with an intentionally faded patina to mimic age. The grey painted frames have subtle scarlet accents on the feet and . The generous seats are newly upholstered with an off-white fabric that compliments the painted frames. The chairs are sturdy and strong with excellent joinery and craftsmanship. The molded frames have intricate details throughout. Classic Gustavian style and profile with a desirable aged patina on the finish. Erin Lane Estate...
Fabric, Cane, Beech
$5,800 / set
H 42.5 in W 21.5 in D 21 in
Set of Eight French Dining Chairs Purchased from Ralph Lauren
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of eight French dining chairs, originally purchased from Ralph Lauren, NYC, when they were selling antiques in the early 2000s. The chai...
Upholstery, Wood
Swedish Set of Five Gustavian Dining Chairs
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A set of five (5) Gustavian style dining chairs, circa 1810, with fantastic potential in any space. The curved backrests feature horizontal reeded texture and are perfectly balanced ...
Fabric, Wood, Paint
$14,000 / set
H 31 in W 22 in D 25 in
Mid-Century Modern Chrome Set of 8 Chairs and Dining Conference Table
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Milo Baughman attributed dining or conference room set consisting of 8 chrome upholstered chairs and sqaure 60x60 dining table. The chairs upholstered in suede light...
Chrome
$4,800
H 39.25 in W 19.5 in D 20 in
Set of 4 Antique 18 C Gustavian Dining Chairs W Carolina Irving Andaluz Linen
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Set of 4 Antique 18 C Gustavian Dining Chairs W Carolina Irving Andaluz Linen Fabric. This price is for 4 chairs.
Wood
Set of Six Rattan or Bamboo Dining Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of six rattan or bamboo dining chairs, American, circa 1960s. They retain their warm original patina. This came from an estate with the matchi...
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
$6,949 / set
H 31.5 in W 22.05 in D 23.23 in
Set of 4 pcs. Italian Mid-Century Giorgetti Dining Chairs from 1980's
Located in Vilnius, LT
Italian mid-century Giorgetti set of 4 pcs. dining chairs. The chairs are created in black painted wood with walnut details and authentic excellent quality Pale Carmine color natural...
Leather, Wood
Set of Six Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Cane Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Exquisite set of six Swedish painted dining chairs crafted in the Gustavian Louis XVI taste. The chairs feature a distinctive square back with a woven cane inset. The beech frames have a painted or glazed finish with an intentionally faded patina to mimic age. The grey painted frames have subtle scarlet accents around the seat apron and neoclassical swag motifs on the legs. The generous seats are newly upholstered with an off-white fabric that compliments the painted frames. The chairs are sturdy and strong with excellent joinery and craftsmanship. The molded frames have intricate details and dot pattern designs around the back and seat. Classic Gustavian style and profile with a desirable aged patina on the finish. Erin Lane Estate...
Fabric, Cane, Beech
Sold
H 41.25 in W 20 in D 20 in
8 Gustavian Style Urn Back Dining Chairs, large table, lamp and candlesticks
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
A delightful matching set of 4 English limed oak chairs. Plus a large bleached table, 4 more chairs a lamp and a pair of candlesticks
Oak
Set of 4 Antique Gustavian Style Urn Back Dining Chairs. C.1920
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
A delightful matching set of 4 English limed oak chairs. They have been recently limed to enhance the beautiful grain in the wood. The seats have been re-upholstered in hessian or...
Oak
Exceptional Early 20th C Swedish Gustavian Style Dining Table and Chairs
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Exceptional early 20th C Swedish extending dining table with matching set of 12 chairs. The chair seats have been reupholstered with ne...
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Period Dining Table
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Early 19th century Swedish Gustavian period painted pine extendable dining table comprised of two demi-lunes and two leaves. 1810. 62cm clearance. Reference: 7791 Dimens...
Pine
8 Louis XVI Style Wood Carved Painted Dining Chairs, Cane Back, Leather
Located in Manhasset, NY
Louis XVI Style Traditional, Gustavian Dining Room Set. A custom Painted Dining Table & 8 Chairs, a pair of arm and six sides. This listing is only for the dining chairs. This finely...
Wood
Harlequin Set of 8 Antique Gustavian Style Urn Back Dining Chairs
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
A set of 8 English limed oak chairs. Not quite matching. There are actually 4 different pairs. Two with arms Each chair has a variation of the same basic characteristics. Firstly, t...
Oak
Gustavian Style Ivory Painted Swedish Dining Table with Gilt Trim
Located in Essex, MA
This antique Gustavian Style painted dining table is a lovely shade of cream with gilt trim. From the early 1900's the table has tapered legs and is decorated with gilt trim throughout. The table closed measures 65 L X 30 H X 49 W . It has one regular leaf and 3 additional 16 inch leaves and measures 113 inches fully opened. Can be used with one, two or 3 leaves. This table is part of a set which includes a glass fronted breakfront...
Wood, Giltwood
Harlequin Set of 12 Antique Gustavian Style Urn Back Dining Chairs
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
A set of twelve English limed oak chairs. Not quite matching. There are actually 6 different models. I have priced them individually because you might want a set of six or eight. I ...
Oak
8 Antique Gustavian Style Urn Back Dining Chairs
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
A super matching set of 6 + 2 near matching dining chairs Typical of the Gustavian chair they have the lovely urn shaped splat, the unadorned cabriole leg and the top rail with the ...
Oak
Grey Painted Gustavian Dining Set with Dining Table and Chairs
Located in Lejre, DK
Grey painted Gustavian dining set consisting of large dining table with 4 extension plates and 8 dining chairs. All parts are in great antique con...
Pine
Harlequin Set of 14 Antique Gustavian Style Urn Back Dining Chairs
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
A set of fourteen English limed oak chairs made up of seven different pairs. I have priced them individually because you might want a set of six or eight. I can also extend the set ...
Oak
Harlequin Set of 10 Antique Gustavian Style Urn Back Dining Chairs
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
A set of ten English limed oak chairs made up of five different pairs. I have priced them individually because you might want a set of six or eight. I can also extend the set to 1...
Oak