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Gustavian Daybeds

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
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Pine Daybed - Antique Scandinavian Sofa Bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A refined late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian daybed crafted in hand-carved Pinewood, in good original condition. This elegant antique sofa reflects the hallmark characteristics of t...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Daybeds

Materials

Upholstery, Pine

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Pinewood Daybed - Antique Scandinavian Sofa Bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A late 19th Century, antique Swedish Gustavian pull-out daybed made from hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. This freestanding Scandinavian wood bench...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Daybeds

Materials

Fabric, Cotton, Linen, Upholstery, Pine

Late 19th Century Swedish Period Gustavian Day Bed
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
A rare to source late 19th Century Swedish period freestanding Gustavian day bed repainted in soft blue. This model is normally is decorated on just...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Daybeds

Materials

Wood

18th-19th Century White Swedish Gustavian Pinewood Daybed, Antique Sofa Bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-grey, antique Swedish Gustavian daybed made of hand crafted painted Pinewood with two round pillows, in good condition. The sides of t...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Daybeds

Materials

Cotton, Pine, Linen, Damask

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Pine Bench - Antique Daybed Attributed to Lindome
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A late 18th Century, antique freestanding Swedish Gustavian daybed attributed to Lindome school, in good condition. This Scandinavian sofa bench is hand crafted from solid Pinewood a...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Daybeds

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Pine

Large Gustavian 18th Century Painted Daybed
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An impressive (and long) Swedish Gustavian daybed from the 1790s. The bed frame is all hand carved with bell flower motifs and guilloche patterned carvings defining the graceful curv...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Daybeds

Materials

Muslin, Upholstery, Wood, Paint

Swedish 18th Century Louis XVI Style Painted Daybed
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An impressive, elongated Swedish 18th century daybed perfect for bedrooms or living spaces as the arms of this daybed are symmetrical in height, carved with iconic Louis XVI style mo...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Daybeds

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Swedish Gustavian-Style Painted Daybed, c. 1910
Located in New Orleans, LA
A beautifully proportioned Swedish daybed with brass accents in the Gustavian style, showcasing the restrained elegance and neoclassical refinement that defines the Gustavian aesthet...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Daybeds

Materials

Brass

Gustavian Paint Decorated Storage Bench, New Wool Shearling, Sweden, 19th C.
Located in Manhasset, NY
Gustavian paint decorated storage bench, new wool shearling, Sweden 19th Century Wonderful gustavian bench or daybed having a brand new white wool shearling/sheepskin upholstery ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Daybeds

Materials

Wool, Wood

Daybed Swedish Gustavian Style 100% Original paint
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Unique Swedish Gustavian style Daybed / Love Seat. The seating has been restored and covered in Muslin.
Category

1820s Swedish Antique Gustavian Daybeds

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Pinewood Daybed - Antique Freestanding Sofa Bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early 19th Century, antique Swedish Gustavian daybed made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The side rests of the Scandinavian Lit Du Jour are enhanced by uniqu...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Daybeds

Materials

Pine

Exceptional 18th Century Swedish Daybed
Located in New Orleans, LA
Highly decorative 18th century Swedish daybed with original patina.
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Daybeds

Materials

Wood

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H 30 in W 72 in D 31 in
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Antique 18th C French Country Fruitwood Daybed Sofa
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18th c. Swedish Sofa Bench Settee in Original Paint, Gustavian Period
Located in Wichita, KS
A beautiful Swedish sofa bench from the Gustavian period dry scraped to it's original patina. The sofa frame is adorned with a lovely leaf motif and rests upon tapered and fluted leg...
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Exquisite 19th Century French Daybed
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Exquisite 19th Century French Daybed
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Fine 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofa
Located in Bozeman, MT
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19th Century Swedish Gustavian Period Day Bed Sofa
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Gustavian, Distressed White Paint, Linen, Swedish Daybed, Sweden, 20th c.
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19th c. Swedish Gustavian Period Daybed / Bench in Original Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A striking 19th century Swedish Gustavian period daybed, circa 1800. This piece has been hand-scraped to reveal the original paint surface. Finials above rosettes on the arms. Beauti...
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18th Century Gustavian Daybed
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18th Century Gustavian Daybed
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19th century Gustavian Sofa Bed
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H 35 in W 78.75 in D 21.5 in
18th Century Gustavian Swedish Grey Daybed with Carved Rosettes and Fluted Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian period grey painted daybed from the 18th century with out-scrolling sides, fluted apron and legs and carved rosettes. Step into an ambiance of timeless elegance with this 18th-century Swedish Gustavian daybed. Painted in a classic Gustavian grey that exudes sophistication, the finish is tantalizingly distressed to allow hints of the original wood to emerge. The weight and solid construction of this piece attest to its heritage—born of exceptional craftsmanship and designed to stand the test of time. Feast your eyes on the exquisitely out-scrolling sides, fluted apron, and legs that effortlessly marry form and function. Elegant carved rosettes grace each knee, imbuing the daybed with a touch of floral flair. For modern practicality, the daybed is fully reupholstered in a new, heavy canvas duck fabric...
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18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Daybeds

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Upholstery, Wood

Gustavian Sofa in Pink Linen
Located in Faversham, GB
A wonderful Swedish sofa in Gustavian style made of Scots Pine. The seat ends collapse, allowing the bench to fold down into a flatbed, which extends the length of the sofa and prov...
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Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Daybeds

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Linen, Upholstery, Pine

Gustavian Sofa in Pink Linen
Gustavian Sofa in Pink Linen
H 38.98 in W 65.36 in D 27.56 in
18th Century Gustavian Sofa Bench In Original Gray Paint, Sweden
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish Late 18th century sofa or settee bench with old grey paint and the Unbeatable Original Patina. The sofa has been carefully and professionally hand-scraped in order recover ...
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Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Daybeds

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Pine

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofa with Original Paint
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
End of 18th century Swedish Gustavian Sofa or Daybed, featuring greyish old paint and its original patina. Sofa has carefully and ...
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Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Daybeds

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Pine

19th century Swedish Gustavian Sofa Bed
Located in Charleston, SC
Early 19th century Swedish Gustavian sofa with carved decoration around the apron and storage/bed underneath the seat. Hand dry-scraped to its most original color and newly upholstered seat in linen. Long and narrow sofa...
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Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Daybeds

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19th century Swedish Gustavian Sofa Bed
19th century Swedish Gustavian Sofa Bed
H 36.75 in W 84.25 in D 19 in
Swedish Gustavian Settee Daybed
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This handsome Swedish Gustavian settee or daybed is an amazing way to add more seating to any space. Its worn finish has a fantastic patina an...
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19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Daybeds

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Swedish Gustavian Settee Daybed
Swedish Gustavian Settee Daybed
H 35.38 in W 81 in D 24.75 in
19th c. Swedish Gustavian Style Sofa Bench in Original Patina
Located in Wichita, KS
19th c. Swedish sofa bench in the Gustavian style wearing its original, natural patina. There are carved rosettes at each corner post and the tapered and fluted legs feature fluted, round caps. This sofa is covered in old linen...
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19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Daybeds

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19th c. Swedish Gustavian Sofa Bench with Egyptian Carvings in Original Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A rare 19th c. Swedish sofa from the Gustavian period hand-scraped to its beautiful, original paint with original cushions. Fine carvings, ca 1800, Stockholm, Sweden. This piece features decoratively carved detailing of bell flowers around the frame with acanthus leaves on the legs. Sphinx heads adorn the arms and the sides depict a typical Gustavian scene with a pair of griffons. Attributed to master chair maker, Ephraim Sthal (1767-1820), who worked in Stockholm and was one of the main furniture makers for the Royal Court, King Gustav III...
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19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Daybeds

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Wood, Paint

Gustavian daybeds for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Gustavian daybeds for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage daybeds created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, brass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Gustavian daybeds made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Sweden pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 daybeds differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $6,000 and tops out at $10,500 while the average work can sell for $8,250.

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