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.
Late Gustavian Cherry and Nutwood Game Table with Checkerboard and Backgammon
Located in Atlanta, GA
A beautiful late Gustavian game table, circa 1840, crafted in cherry with nutwood inlays, combining refined neoclassical design with playful function. The rectangular top is inlaid w...
Cherry, Nutwood
19th Century Swedish antique rustic genuine Game Table for Playing games
Located in Boden, SE
A lovely Swedish Gustavian Game table from the early 1800s. The table is from Örnsköldsvik , Northern Sweden. The table is scraped by hand to its charming original English red`color....
Pine
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Chess Game Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Gustavian game table from Sweden made during the late 18th century, around 1790. The table is painted pine with the original light coloured paint. The paint has notable distress which causes the pine underneath to shine trough causing the unmistakable antique patina. The underside of the table top is painted like a chess board. They would flip the table top when playing and the pieces would comfortably fit in the space underneath. The table also has extendable light...
Pine
Gustavian ‘Spelbord’ Game Table
Located in Savannah, GA
A fine Gustavian period ‘spelbord’ game table, 18th century. Four small drawers on each side with one larger drawer; original brasses. 26 ¼ inches wide ...
Wood
Late Gustavian Mahogany Game Table with Felt Backgammon Andremovable Top
Located in New York, NY
Lovely Late Gustavian mahogany game table, circa 1800. Has patina and imperfections that add to its charm but can be refinished if requested. The top of the table can expand or be re...
Mahogany
Table Game Table Gustavian Swedish Demi Lune Mahogany Brown, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Table game table Gustavian Swedish demilune mahogany brown, Sweden. A game table made during the Gustavian period in Sweden. Veneered in a dark brown mahogany and decorated with a pe...
Mahogany
Custom Chess Set and Game Table
By Bridges over Time Originals
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A custom made walnut and maple chess set and game table we commissioned. It is solidly made with squares of curly maple and walnut. The table legs and borders are solid walnut. The c...
Birdseye Maple, Oak, Walnut
Dark Rustic Game Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Dark stained rustic game table with a canted corner top, made of mahogany, acacia and oak parquetry, a reversible leather and chess inlaid center, an inlaid Backgammon board in well on a turned column pedestal base. Includes a wooden chess set...
Wood
$3,217 / set
H 31.89 in W 27.56 in D 13.39 in
Pair of Elegant Demi lune Console Tables, Gustavian Style Blue & Black
Located in Kastrup, DK
A refined pair of Demi lune console tables in the Gustavian style, crafted in Sweden around 1880–1900. The black-painted tabletops feature a moulded edge, while the base is finished ...
Pine
Pair of Swedish Demi-lune Console Tables
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Pair of early 19th century Swedish pine demi-lune console tables with later distressed paint. 1820. Internal reference: C Code: 8882 Dimensions: W: 47" (119.4 cm) H: 30" (76.2 c...
Pine
$4,800
H 29.53 in W 21.26 in D 16.15 in
Game Table with Backgammon and Chess Board, France 19th century
Located in Belmont, MA
Discover an exceptional Victorian Game Table, originating from the 1860s. This rectangular table stands on four beautifully twisted legs, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship. The top ...
Kingwood
19th Century English Victorian Rosewood Games Table
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality Victorian rosewood games table. The table has an inlaid top which swivels and folds over to reveal a chess board and backgammon. Below this is a single fit...
Rosewood
Venezia Game Table
By Giobagnara
Located in Milan, IT
This stunning table is the ideal surface to play backgammon, chess, and checkers in style. The wood structure is upholstered in leather and features removable legs, so that both sides of the beveled top can be used: a backgammon field with leather inlays on one side and an inlaid chessboard on the other. Under the top three leather-covered trays with compartments store the boxwood chess pawns, the maple and walnut backgammon...
Leather, Wood, Boxwood, Maple, Walnut
19th Century French Game Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 19th-century French game table is a masterful blend of form and function, showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship characteristic of the period. Made from fine walnut, the table f...
Walnut
19th Century Swedish Demi Lune Console Table Circa 1860
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 19th-century Swedish demi-lune console table, circa 1860, is a beautiful example of classic Scandinavian design. Crafted from solid pine wood, it features a half-moon-shaped top...
Pine, Paint
Custom Walnut Game Table with Ebony Backgammon and Chess Table
Located in New York, NY
Custom walnut and mahogany backgammon table that converts to chess with a slide out board. New production. Made to order in walnut and mahogany. Designed and made in NYC, each tab...
Walnut
$5,950 / set
H 29.5 in W 48.75 in D 24.25 in
1860s Gustavian Style Swedish Painted Demi-Lune Tables with Tapered Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Swedish demi-lune console tables circa 1860 in Gustavian style light paint. This pair of Swedish demi-lune console tables, circa 1860, is a testament to the restrained elegan...
Wood
Vintage Pine Gustavian Style Painted Demi-lune Tables - a pair
Located in Centennial, CO
A beautiful pair of pine single drawer demi-lune tables which have been handpainted in the antique Gustavian Swedish style in gray blue with white pinstriping and greek key design around the top edge. The drawers are ornamented with vintage brass ring...
Brass
18th Century Swedish Game Table Circa 1790
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant 18th-century Swedish game table, circa 1790, is a remarkable example of Gustavian design, blending neoclassical sophistication with functional craftsmanship. Constructed...
Pine, Paint
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Game Table
Located in Huntington, NY
A Swedish Gustavian game table meticulously scraped to its original pale green color. Top removes to reveal original game board. Frame is decorated with intricate vertical leaf cut c...
Wood, Paint
Gustavian Style Chess Side Table
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique Gustavian Style Chess Side Table. its been restored and repainted with Milk paints "Oyster White"
Wood
Sold
H 30.25 in W 35 in D 15.75 in
Antique Swedish Gustavian Gray Painted Folding Game Table Small Console Table Ci
Located in Round Top, TX
Rare Swedish gustavian style folding side table used as game table. When closed serves perfectly as a small console table against wall. Carved detail along skirt, fluted turned legs,...
Wood, Paint
Swedish Gustavian Style Chess Table
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique Swedish Gustavian style chess table, its been restored and repainted in Milk Paint.
Wood
Sold
H 27 in W 35 in D 23.5 in
Antique Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Oval End, Side, Tea or Game Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
Oval end, side, tea or game table was made in the early 1900s. This handsome table features a simple circular surface with a hand-turned center post on a three-leg pedestal base. Painted in soft off-white, table has patina that points to its early 20th century construction. Perfect versatile scale for a small game table...
Wood, Paint
Gustavian Style Game Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Gustavian-style flip-top game table. The top of this table is veneered in radial matched knotty oak with a chestnut burl border and center medallion. It is framed with black inlay ...
Wood
Rams Head Chess Table
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a ram's head chess table, been restored and repainted with milk paints "Oyster White".
Wood
Mid-19th Century Burr Birch and Elm Games Table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Rare burr birch and elm games table, circa 1860. Beautiful rectangular burr birch tea table. Burr birch top with elm outer edge and ebonized stringing. Single drawer below the top surface, which has a hand painted back gammon...
Birch
Sold
H 29 in W 27.5 in D 16 in
Table Swedish Gustavian Light Mahogany Brass-Mounted Drawer 19th Century Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Table Swedish Gustavian light mahogany brass drawer 19th century, Sweden. A game table made during the Gustavian period in Sweden, 1790-1820. Made in l...
Mahogany
Sold
H 29.5 in W 42 in D 42 in
Magnificent Niermann Weeks Game Table with Danish Pearl Hand-Painted Finish
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Italian style game table in custom Danish pearl finish with combination checkers and backgammon board hand-painted on top. Two drawers for storage.
Wood
Sold
H 30.32 in W 34.85 in D 17.33 in
Pair of Gustavian Mahogany Games Tables Attributed to Carl Diedrik Fick
Located in Stockholm, SE
A very nice and rare pair of Gustavian mahogany games tables attributed to Carl Diedrik Fick working in Stockholm (1776-1806).
Mahogany