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.
$8,500 / set
Swedish 20th Century Pair of Demilune Consoles
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Wonderful turn of the century (circa 1900) pair of Swedish painted console tables in that weathered craquelure texture so desirable of Gustavian antiques to coordinate with many deco...
Pine, Paint
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
$440Sale Price|20% Off
Small Antique Bleached Gustavian Style Round Side Table. English, Circa 1850
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Lovely small round table. Made from fruitwood Recenly bleached and then finished with a gentle lime wash I particularly like its simplicity. I have chosen not to lacquer or wax...
Fruitwood
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
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Demilune Tables Gustavian style with Tapered Legs
Located in Kvidinge, SE
Here is a beautiful pair of 19th century Swedish demilune tables in Gustavian style. These demilunes can be placed against a wall to create two fantastic sidetables or a with the bac...
Birch
19th Century Swedish Painted Pedestal Centre Table
Located in Charleston, SC
This elegant 19th-century Swedish center table has a round top, 35” in diameter, supported by nicely carved base and four curving legs with delicate carved details. The apron is wide...
Pine, Paint
Weathered Swedish-Style Pine Console Table with Lyre-Shaped Supports
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautifully timeworn Swedish-style pine console table featuring sculptural lyre-inspired supports and a softly distressed painted surface. The table has that effortless Scandinavia...
Wood, Paint
$1,920Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
Swedish Gustavian Blue Painted Bedside Cabinet Table with Drawer
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
As found in Sweden, this Swedish one door and one drawer blue bedside table has been constructed from solid wood. Classic details on this piece including patinated iron hardware. Thi...
Paint
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Painted Pine Side Table with Single Drawer
Located in Round Top, TX
19th-century Swedish Gustavian pine side table featuring long tapered fluted legs and a single drawer adorned with carved fluted traditional diamond motif. The skirt above the legs i...
Pine, Paint
Antique Genuine Northern Swedish Gustavian Country House Table from Hälsingland
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique genuine gustavian table made around 1820 to 1830 in Hälsingland in northern Sweden. This country house furniture has a classic straight gustavian shape with straight tapered ...
Pine
19th Century Long Gustavian Style Painted Console Hall Table
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This impressive hand painted console or foyer table with three drawers features wonderful classic details, such as the cabriole legs. The table has been painted in a light gray Gusta...
Wood, Paint
Swedish Gustavian Oval Pedestal Table in Painted Pine
Located in Kastrup, DK
Oval Gustavian pedestal table crafted in painted pine. The surface has been carefully scraped back to its original finish and presents a soft green tone with an attractive, decorativ...
Pine
Antique Swedish Console Table with Original Paint and Gustavian Carved Decor
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique console table in gustavian style dated September 24th 1852. Straight tapered legs, apron with period-typical gustavian carved leaves. Original thin paint which is slightly wo...
Pine
$3,210 / set
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Console Tables
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Console Tables, circa 1880–1900 Pair of Swedish console tables in classic Gustavian style. The tables feature black-painted tops with a profiled edg...
Pine
Antique Swedish Round Drop-Leaf Dining Table from the Gustavian Period
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish antique dining table from the gustavian period around 1820. The table is made by hand in solid Swedish pine. Rectangular leg-frame with carved leaves on the two longer sides....
Pine
Antique Genuine Swedish Gustavian Detailed Decorated Console Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish gustavian console table in painted pine. The table is made around 1790 to 1800 and has detailed carved wooden decor. The surface has been scraped by hand to the original pain...
Pine
Lutetia Swedish Dining Table - Swedish Rubbed White
By Century Furniture, Tara Shaw
Located in New Orleans, LA
The Swedish dining table, based on 18th century designs with bead and reel carvings, reflects the Gustavian style, which became prominent during the reign of King Gustav III of Swede...
Wood, Beech, Maple, Paint
19th century hand painted Swedish side table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century hand painted swedish pine side table circa 1880. Lovely traditional swedish side table in original striking blue paintwork. Rectangular slightly over-sailing top with ...
Pine, Paint
20th Century Swedish painted sidetable in Gustavian Style
Located in Kvidinge, SE
A Swedish side table with one drawer made in Gustavian style around 1910-1920 Restored and painted in a light gray on a red ground, distress surface for an authentic antique feel. He...
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Massive Trestle Base Dining Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This massive Swedish Gustavian pine dining table is over 12 feet long, (12’-3 ⅝” to be exact) - a great scale for the frequent entertainer with room for at least fourteen guests. The...
Iron
$2,200Sale Price|20% Off
Swedish Gustavian Blue Painted Hall Console Table with Carving
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Painted Hand Carved Entry Hall Console Table Hand painted and hand distressed in authentic Scandinavian colors. This table has been painted in blue with ...
Wood, Paint
19th Century Swedish Center Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant 19th-century Swedish center table is a beautiful example of Gustavian design, showcasing refined craftsmanship and timeless appeal. The table features a round top with c...
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Extendable Dining Table Swedish, White Later 20th C 112-180cm
Located in Lewes, England
Swedish vintage Gustavian extendable dining table which extends from 112 cm approximate in the round to 180cm long with 2 leaves. It has the Classic Gustavian fluted legs and roset...
Birch
Early 20th Century Swedish Painted Demilune Wall Console with Marble Top
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 20th-century Swedish pine demilune wall console designed with two front legs to secure and sit flush against a wall. The console features turned and fluted legs, a decorative c...
Marble
19th Century Swedish Black Painted Pine Partner’s Desk
Located in Round Top, TX
19th-century pine partner’s desk with a newer black painted finish, gently distressed to reveal natural pine beneath and suit the age and character of the piece. Designed for use fro...
Pine, Paint
Drop-Leaf Table from Sweden, Early 20th Century
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This folding table was made in Sweden in the early 20th century. The legs have a beautiful structure and a practical design that allows the tabletop to be folded or folded depending ...
Wood
19th Century Swedish Writing Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant 19th-century Swedish writing desk exemplifies the timeless charm of Gustavian design, combining functionality with understated beauty. Crafted from solid pine wood, the ...
Pine
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Console
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Well carved 18th Century Swedish Gustavian console. Decorative carved detailing around three sides, carved and turned legs and repainted in soft blue. Circa 1780.
Wood
$3,132 / set
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Console Tables
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of Swedish console tables in classic Gustavian style, featuring black-painted tops with profiled edges that create an elegant contrast to the light grey bases. The apron is de...
Pine
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Burl Birch Tilt-Top Square Table on Pedestal Base
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
An exceptional 18th century Swedish Gustavian tilt-top table with a patchwork birch, burl rootwood top over a turned birch column that rests on a tripod pedestal base with cabriole l...
Birch, Burl
$2,900Sale Price|25% Off
Round Black Pedestal Dining Table, Sweden 1920
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early Swedish 20th Century Pedestal Dining Table in Black Paint. This round table has beautiful Gustavian ribbed details with a border going around the table edge.
Pine
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Pedestals - Antique Neoclassical Pine Cabinets
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A white-grey, antique pair of Swedish Gustavian pedestals, cabinets made of light-grey painted Pinewood with carved garlands. The hand carved Scandinavi...
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Centre Mirror Carved Dressing Table Early 20th Century White
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish Gustavian single mirror carved dressing table in later white paint with 2 pedestal cabinets with carved motifs. It has the original l glass in the large mirror with ...
Pine
Genuine rustic antique Gustavian Drop leaf table country original color.
Located in Boden, SE
Genuine gustavian drop-leaf table made around 1790 to 1810 in Luleå Norrbotten ,Northern Sweden. The frame is made from solid pine and it has the original paint with genuine distres...
Pine
19th Century Grey Swedish Gustavian Pine Console Table - Scandinavian End Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-grey, antique Swedish Gustavian console table with a painted faux marble top, made of hand crafted Pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian wood end table is standing fou...
Pine
$1,500Sale Price|20% Off
Swedish Gustavian Faux Marble Painted Console Table
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A light grey painted Gustavian painted with faux marble original imitation painting on the top. The Swedish console table with brass hardware on the front is from around 1800-1820 an...
Bronze
A Swedish Gustavian painted fall front desk, C. 1820.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Crafted in two pieces, this Neoclassical form desk features clean lines and understated elegance, with a soft painted finish typical of the Gustavian palette. The upper section has o...
Wood, Paint
Early 20th century Swedish painted occasional table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Rustic Swedish side table circa 1910. Over-sailing painted pine top, supported by a contrasting light grey base, raised on 4 tapering legs. Ideal for use in the hallway or maybe th...
Pine, Paint
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Demi Lune Console Tables
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant pair of 19th-century Swedish demi-lune console tables embodies the timeless sophistication of Gustavian design. Crafted from pine wood, the tables feature gracefully curved half-moon tops and delicately tapered legs, showcasing the understated elegance characteristic of Swedish neoclassical furniture...
Pine, Paint
Swedish Gustavian Style Black Painted Console Table (Reproduction)
Located in Round Top, TX
Swedish Gustavian-style black painted console table, a well-crafted reproduction in the timeless Scandinavian tradition. Constructed in pine with long, fluted tapered legs, this tabl...
Pine, Paint
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
Antique Swedish Country House Table in Gustavian Style with Original Blue Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish country table in classic gustavian style. This country house furniture is made by hand in solid pine around 1820 in Hälsingland, Sweden. Classic straight, tapered leg...
Pine
19th Century Swedish antique genuine small Gustavian table original paint
Located in Boden, SE
A fantastically pretty & elegant Gustavian table. It is easy to place & fits in any room. The Gustavian table comes from Umeå Västerbotten, Northern Sweden. It has been in an old V...
Pine
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Demilune Tables
Located in Huntington, NY
A pair of Swedish Gustavian style demilune tables featuring decorative hand carved Guilloché scrolling. Rosettes sit atop hand carved tapered legs. This piece has been tastefully han...
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...
Wood, Paint
$4,320Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
Genuine Northern Swedish Antique Country House Table from the Gustavian Period
Located in Kramfors, SE
Genuine Swedish country table from the gustavian period made around 1810 in northern Sweden. The table is made by hand with a unique construction in solid pine with carved decor on t...
Pine
Early 19th Century Northern Swedish Gustavian Country Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Northern Swedish country table in the gustavian style from Hälsingland. The table is from the years around 1820 to 1830 and in untouched original...
Pine
Mid-19th Century Painted Wooden Table with Drawer, Sweden, Circa 1850s
Located in Karis, Nyland
A rare mid-19th century Swedish wooden table with a single drawer, dating to circa the 1850s. The table has a long, narrow proportion and a restrained, utilitarian form, reflecting i...
Wood, Paint
$9,600
Gustavian Console Table
Located in New York, NY
A 19th century Gustavian Console Table. Tall Gustavian Console Table with Faux painted Marble top having a marvelous speckled apron detail. Tall fluted turned narrow legs set to Pi...
Pine
Antique Swedish Genuine Demi Lune Table with Original Faux Mahogany Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
Genuine Swedish demi lune table from the gustavian period. The table consists of two free-standing halves and can be used either apart or together as for example a dining table. Unto...
Pine
Small Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Console Table
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A small highly carved early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian period console table. In original paint with a Carrara marble top.
Carrara Marble
20th Century Scandinavian Gustavian Style Tile Table
Located in Huntington, NY
A Gustavian style table with 18th/19th century Delft tile top. Single drawer with original brass pull. Frame has diamond corner details. Legs are tapered and fluted. In original blue...
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...
Wood
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Two Part Pine Bureau, Scandinavian Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, dark-grey antique Swedish Gustavian two part bureau with a writing flap made of hand crafted painted pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian secretaire is compo...
Metal, Bronze
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Pine Demilune Consoles
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Dreamy pair of late 19th/early 20th century Swedish painted pine demilune console tables or round center table. Crafted in the Gustavian taste with whimsical carved rings on the legs...
Pine
19th Century Swedish antique rustic Country Gustavian table
Located in Boden, SE
Early 19th Century Swedish antique Rustic Gustavian Provincial table from Skellefteå Västerbotten,Northern Sweden. The table is scraped by hand to its original paint. The table is ea...
Pine
19th Century Gustavian Dining Table
Located in Ljungby, SE
A large Gustavian dining table, made in Sweden during the 19th century. The table comes with five additional detachable extension leaves. It features a magnificent pull-out mechanism...
Wood
19th Century Swedish antique Gustavian Table with Untouched Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish Gustavian table from Piteå Norrbotten, Northern Sweden. Small neat Gustavian table with untouched originalpa...
Pine