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.
Harlequin Set of 6 Antique Gustavian Style Urn Back Dining Chairs.English C.1920
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
A wonderful set of six English limed oak chairs. Not quite matching. They are actually 2 different models ( 3 + 3 ). The chairs have the same basic characteristics. Firstly, the de...
Oak
20th Century Swedish Gustavian Pine Dining Room Table Set with Four Side Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Swedish Gustavian style dining room table set with four side chairs made hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The small, round kitchen table is standing on fou...
Wood, Pine
Set of Ten Antique Shield Back Dining Chairs
Located in London, GB
A lovely set of ten antique shield back dining chairs in the Sheraton style. They were made in England, and date from around the 1930’s. The quality is superb, they have beautifully...
Cotton, Wood
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
20th Century French Gustavian Wood Patinated Side Table
Located in High Point, NC
This 20th Century French Gustavian wood patinated side table reflects the soft elegance and classical restraint characteristic of the Gustavian aesthetic. Its tapered, fluted legs an...
Wood
$4,891 / set
H 28.15 in Dm 51.19 in
Dining Room Set with Table and Four Chairs by Giotto Stoppino, Italy 1970s
Located in Hellouw, NL
Very nice dining room set by Giotto Stoppino from the 1970s in Italy. This set consists of a dining table and four matching dining room chairs. The table has a tubular, chrome-plated...
Metal, Chrome
Set of Eight 20th Century Gustavian Style Dining Chairs
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A very attractive set of eight early 20th Century Gustavian style dining chairs. Highly decorative with a later aged white paint finish the set comprises of two carver chairs and si...
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
$5,541
H 29.53 in W 36.42 in D 25.01 in
20th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Oval Table with Carved Decorative Detailing
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian style oval centre table. With acanthus leaf deign around the table, carved decoration to the legs and along the stretcher, curating to an urn. Ci...
Wood
$4,865 / set
H 35.44 in W 21.66 in D 21.66 in L 35.44 in
Swedish Gustavian Dining Chairs Grey Lindome Style Set of 6, Mid-20th Century
Located in Lewes, England
Unusual set of 6 Gustavian lindome dining chairs in good structural condition with fine carved detailing in Grey with trap seats. Lovely fluted legs and Classic rose detail on the ed...
Birch
20th Century French Gustavian Wood Patinated Side Table
Located in High Point, NC
This 20th Century French Gustavian wood patinated side table captures the elegance of neoclassical design through its restrained, time-softened finish and refined proportions. The ta...
Wood
$8,041
H 29.53 in W 104.34 in D 43.71 in
Swedish Gustavian Extendable Dining Table Mid-20th Century 8 10-Seat
Located in Lewes, England
Swedish Gustavian extendable dining table which extends from a round 115 cm approximately to 265 cm long with three leaves. Note on these original tables, the extra leaves do not car...
Birch
19th Century Swedish Pine Gustavian Country Side Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Gustavian country side table from Northern Sweden made in painted pine. The table has a hatch opening up to a storage space instead of a drawer and the hatch opens with a metal latch...
Pine
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
$2,800
H 28.5 in W 36.5 in D 22 in
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Original Gray Painted Pine Side Table
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 19th century Swedish Gustavian side table crafted in pine with an oak drawer. The drawer features traditional horizontal fluted carving. The table stands on tapered fluted legs...
Oak, Pine, Paint
Sold
H 42.5 in W 20.25 in D 20 in
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
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 Stamford, CT
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