Gustavian Seating
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
Swedish Gustavian Giltwood Long Bench, circa 1805
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A rare and elegant circa 1805 Swedish late Gustavian period neoclassical long bench, the upholstered seat atop carved giltwood frame having tripartite curule leg supports connected b...
Category
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Giltwood
$6,875 / item
A pair of slender Gustavian chairs with smiling details Circa 1780
Located in Atlanta, GA
A charming pair of slender Gustavian chairs, Sweden, circa 1780. The gently curved ladder-backs feature the distinctive “smiling” details typical of the period, lending an inviting a...
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Linen, Wood
Set of Twelve 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Dining Chairs includes 2 Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of Twelve 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Dining Chairs includes 2 Armchairs were built to grace an elegant mansion in Sweden, now ready to add style, flair and timeless elegance ...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Mohair, Elm
Swedish Painted "X" Rocking Bench with Linen Upholstery, circa 1930s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Swedish painted rocking stool that is newly upholstered in washed Belgium linen and finished with antique brass nailhead trim detail.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Seating
Materials
Brass
$275 Sale Price
21% Off
Stockholm, Gustavian Style Armchair
Located in Allerum, SE
Limited edition reproductions by D. Larsson, inspired by the finest 18th - 19th-century Swedish furniture.
STOCKHOLM, This Gustavian style armchair...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Gustavian Seating
Materials
Beech
$2,240 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Early 19th Century Gustavian Sofa / Bench, By a Swedish Cabinetmaker
Located in Odense, DK
A stunning antique late Gustavian sofa/bench, skillfully crafted by a talented Swedish cabinetmaker of the era. This exquisite piece showcases the hallmark elements of Gustavian desi...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
18th c. Swedish Gustavian Sofa Bench in Original Paint, Signed Johan Lindgren
Located in Wichita, KS
A fine, period Gustavian sofa or settee from Stockholm, hand-scraped to the original paint, and newly upholstered with nail head trim, circa 1780. There are rosettes on the leg posts...
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Linen, Wood, Paint
Swedish Gustavian Berger
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Beautiful Swedish Gustavian Berger, its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White" ALL seating is new and covered in Muslin.
Category
1880s Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
$1,495
Armchair Swedish Gustavian 1775-1790 White Washed, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Armchair Swedish Gustavian 1775-1790 white washed, Sweden. An armchair made during the early part of the Gustavian period circa 1775-1790. A rounded open back...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Gustavian Bucket chair, made in Stockholm
Located in SE
A Swedish Gustavian Bucket Chair. Made in Stockholm about 1790.
Decorated with beautiful lion heads at the armrest and leaf shaped border.
The legs are elegantly carved.
Gently hand ...
Category
1790s Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood, Birch
Pair Gustavian Style Square-Back, Cane Painted Side Chairs by John Widdicomb
Located in Chicago, IL
A beautiful pair of Gustavian style painted wood, square-back cane and upholstered side chairs by John Widdicomb Co. of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
USA, Circa 1950s
Solid sculpted wood...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Gustavian Seating
Materials
Hardwood
19th century Swedish Bench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rustic Swedish bench embodies a simple yet charming Scandinavian folk design, likely from the 19th or early 20th century. Made entirely from solid wood, it features a timeworn, ...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
$1,200 Sale Price
33% Off
Set of Six 18th Swedish Gustavian Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
An elegant set of six late 18th century Swedish Gustavian dining chairs, beautifully patinated in their original scraped finish. Each chair features a square backrest with reeded sla...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood, Down
$8,000 / set
19th c. Swedish Gustavian Painted Barrel Back Armchair
Located in Wichita, KS
A Swedish antique armchairs from the Gustavian period with a unique shaped barrel back, circa 1810. The frame features carved bell flowers with front legs adorned with lotus flowers ...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Linen, Wood, Paint
100% Original Painted Swedish Gustavian Sofa
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a 100% original painted Swedish Gustavian sofa. the seating has been restored and covered in Muslin.
Category
1850s Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Birch
Pair Of 20th Century French White Patinated Gustavian Upholstered Chairs
Located in High Point, NC
This pair of white patinated Gustavian upholstered chairs embodies the refined simplicity and symmetry characteristic of late 18th-century Swedish design. Crafted from wood with a so...
Category
20th Century French Gustavian Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofa
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
An early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian sofa or bench in old paint.
Recently upholstered seat and bolster cushions in linen.
Circa 1810.
Category
1810s Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
Antique Limed Oak Gustavian Style Urn Back Carver or Armchair. C.1920
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
An elegant Gustavian style carver or armchair
A lovely shell inspired carved detail on the top rail
It has been recently limed to enhance the beautiful grain in the wood.
The seat...
Category
1920s English Vintage Gustavian Seating
Materials
Burlap, Oak
Traditional early 19th century Swedish small armchair
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Rustic early 19th century Swedish child's chair circa 1820.
Beautiful rustic piece of Swedish rural furniture. Presented in its original condition. Although listed as a child's ch...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine, Paint
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Pine Hall Bench - Antique Scandinavian Wood Sofa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 18th Century, antique Swedish Gustavian Fållbänk, hall bench made of hand crafted Pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian three seater pull-out wood sofa has a tall curved ba...
Category
Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Metal
19th Century Swedish White Tabouret Stool
Located in Round Top, TX
This lovely Swedish stool has a decorative carved skirt resting on turned and fluted legs.
The antique white painted finish has been gently scraped and distressed fitting the age and...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Muslin, Wood, Paint
Pair of Late18th century Swedish Period Gustavian Chairs
The Swedish Model"
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of late 18th century Swedish period Gustavian chairs with hand scraped to its most original finish. This type of chair is called the Swedish model, oval back frame with carved r...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Paint
Swedish Art Deco, Set of 4 Klismos Chairs in Birch
Elm, Griffin Inlays, 1930s
Located in Odense, DK
A set of four exquisite dining chairs from the 1930s, crafted in solid elm with elegantly curved backrests adorned in birch root veneer. Each backrest is enhanced with intricate grif...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Seating
Materials
Bone, Fabric, Bakelite, Birch, Elm
Antique Swedish Painted Long Bench newly upholstered in Chelsea Textiles Fabric
Located in Atlanta, GA
Antique Swedish Painted Long Bench newly upholstered in Chelsea Textiles Fabric
Purchased in the South of France 2025
Very Sturdy and Strong
Just upholstered with all new insides....
Category
1920s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Paint
19th Century Gustavian Swedish Sofa Bench
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century Gustavian Swedish sofa bench, newly upholstered with a hand-scraped painted finish circa 1800. Features decorative carved detailing including Griffons. This piece combin...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
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 ...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Paint
$11,995 / set
Pair of unique Swedish late 18th century chairs rough linen sittings Gustavian
Located in Forest, BE
Unique Swedish wooden chairs made of massive wood around the end of the 1700 (1780/90). Lots of history, patina and traces of time. Very good cond...
Category
1780s Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Birch, Linen
Swedish Gustavian Style Unique Arm Chair
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a very Unique Swedish Gustavian Style Arm Chair. The seat is covered n Muslin. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
Swan Chairs
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique set of Swan Chairs, they have been restored and repainted with Milk paints "Oyster White" all the seating has been restored and waiting for you to put your finis...
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
$3,410 / set
Gustavian Style Desk or Dining Chair
Located in Sheffield, MA
Wonderful Swedish white washed side or office chair with carved details.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Bellman White Dining Chairs, Set of Six, Late 19th Century
Located in Lewes, England
Set of six late 19th century antique Swedish Gustavian Bellman dining chairs with webbed seats and lovely brass style detailing on backrest and at the top of the pyramid legs. Very h...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
$4,922 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Antique Swedish Genuine Gustavian Period Decorated Foot Stool with Original Seat
Located in Kramfors, SE
Genuine antique foot stool from the Swedish gustavian period around 1770 to 1780. This Swedish antique has classic carved wooden decor on the legs and sides. Original paint from the ...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
Set of Six 19th Century Gustavian Chairs
Located in Allerum, SE
Set of six fine 19th century Gustavian chairs with the original padding and muslin. dry scraped to reveal the original finish. Stockholm, Sweden ca 1800.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
$15,000 / set
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 Seating
Materials
Velvet, Wood
Pair, White Painted Gustavian Style Armchairs, Sweden circa 1900
s
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair, Swedish white painted armchairs with carved details along edges, top of back and bottom of seat; turned fluted legs.
The newer, professionally applied antique white painted fin...
Category
20th Century Swedish Gustavian Seating
Materials
Linen, Wood, Paint
Gustavian Klismos Dining Chairs by Nierman Weeks, Set of 8
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Set of 8 exquisite Gustavian Klismos dining chairs by Niermann Weeks. Inspired by Grecian 18th century design, this Swedish style version is generous...
Category
Early 2000s American Gustavian Seating
Materials
Faux Leather, Wood, Paint, Upholstery
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofa with Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish Gustavian sofa from Skellefteå Västerbotten, Northern Sweden.
Scraped by hand to its original color. The sofa has some retouches.
The kitchen sofa...
Category
1820s Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Chairs with Originalpaint
Located in Boden, SE
A pair of 19th century Swedish Gustavian chairs from Lindome Halland, Southern Sweden.
A Very nice and decorative Chair model with a cut lily in the back of the chair.
Nicely cut ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
19th Century Swedish Provincial Barrel Back Armchair
Located in Allerum, SE
Rare 19th century Swedish provincial barrel back armchair in it's original finish. ca 1800 Sweden.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
19th Century Swedish Sofa
Located in Atlanta, GA
This charming Gustavian sofa, dating back to the early 1800s, is a stunning example of Swedish craftsmanship and design. The sofa has been meticulously scraped back to reveal its ori...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
19th Century Gustavian Stick Back Sofa
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 19th-century Gustavian stick back sofa is a stunning example of Swedish neoclassical design, offering both elegance and functionality. Characterized by its clean, architectural ...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Pine, Paint
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Barrel Back Chairs
Located in San Angelo, TX
A gorgeous and unique pair of late 18th Century Swedish barrel backs from the Gustavian period that have been dry scrapped and then had a recent paint touch up with grays and white h...
Category
Late 18th Century European Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Linen, Wood, Paint
$12,500 / set
Antique 19th century Swedish Gustavian Accent Chair
Located in Leesburg, VA
Anonymous
Mid-19th century; Sweden
Pine, linen.
Approximate size: 35 (h) x 23 (w) x 18.5 (d) in.
(seat height is 16.5 in.)
This beautiful period chair showcases a lovely white wa...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
Swedish Style Rams Head Chair
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique Swedish Style Rams Head Chair. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Footstools by Ephraim Ståhl
Located in Huntington, NY
A beautiful pair of Gustavian footstools. In the style of Ephraim Ståhl. Rectangular frame with slight bowfront and back. Featuring a decorative hand-carved scroll with fleurons on t...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Linen, Wood, Paint, Fabric
Stunning 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Barrel Back Chairs, Pair
Located in San Angelo, TX
A gorgeous and unique pair of late 18th century Swedish barrel backs from the Gustavian period that have been dry scrapped and then had a recent paint touch up with grays and white h...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Linen, Wood, Paint
C18th century Swedish Gustavian painted
gilt chairs
Located in London, GB
From the late C18th this elegant pair of side chairs highlight Gustavian style elements.
The curved backs have delicate spindles with stylised wheat motifs and their tapered legs enh...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
Pair of 19th C. Swedish Gustavian Barrel Back Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of Swedish 19th Century Barrel Back Gustavian Chairs.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood
$14,000 / set
Swedish Gustavian Roseback Dining Chairs White Set of 8 1940s 2 Carvers
Located in Lewes, England
Rare Set of 6 Swedish Gustavian roseback dining chairs and 2 matching Roseback Carver Chairs in good condition in white with lovely carvings C 1940.
Great for every day usage with ...
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Seating
Materials
Birch
$5,414 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Fine 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Corner armchair with original paint
Located in Boden, SE
This Gustavian corner " powder chair" features a beautiful original painting and has sticks in the back for added comfort. It stands on brass wheels, making it easy to move. A perfec...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
Sturehov, Gustavian Style Armchair
Located in Allerum, SE
Limited edition reproductions by D. Larsson, inspired by the finest 18th - 19th-century Swedish furniture.
STUREHOV, This fine Gustavian style armchair is inspired by a remarkable Gustavian period square back armchair from our own collection. With fine carvings thru out the entire chair. Originally designed and made by Stockholm chair master Melchior Lundberg...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Gustavian Seating
Materials
Beech
20th Century Swedish Sofa
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 20th-century Swedish sofa is a stunning example of Gustavian Revival design, blending timeless elegance with neoclassical sophistication. Its hand-painted frame features a soft ...
Category
20th Century Swedish Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
Pair of Swedish 1910s Painted Wood Armchairs with Carved Splats and Stretchers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Swedish painted wood armchairs from the early 20th century, with carved splats, serpentine arms and black fabric. Created in Sweden during the early years of the 20th centu...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Seating
Materials
Wood, Fabric
Set of Twelve Louis XVI Gustavian Style Painted Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Glorious set of twelve Swedish dining chairs crafted in the Louis XVI Gustavian taste. The chairs feature beech frames that have been painted or glazed with an intentionally distressed and faded patina to mimic age. The grey painted frames have a sculptural flared back ending with a scroll. The generous seats have carved rosettes on the front apron corners and decorative red accents throughout the frames. The seats are supported by fluted, tapered legs. The chairs have been recently reupholstered in a neutral muslin style fabric. The chairs are sturdy and strong with excellent joinery and craftsmanship. Sold as a set of twelve chairs. Erin Lane Estate...
Category
20th Century Swedish Gustavian Seating
Materials
Fabric, Beech
Pair of Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Oval Back Armchairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A refined pair of Gustavian style armchairs from Sweden, dating to the early 20th century and crafted in the neoclassical tradition. Each chair features an oval backrest with molded ...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Beech
19th Century White Painted Swedish Bench
Located in Round Top, TX
This lovely bench is a wonderful example of Swedish Gustavian craftsmanship with turned finials and feet adding to the timeless appeal and style.
The professional newly applied white...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Fabric, Foam, Wood, Paint
On Hold - Pair of 18th Century Gustavian Side Chairs with Original Paint from Li
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare and refined pair of period Gustavian side chairs from Lindome, Sweden, dating to the late 18th century. These chairs exemplify the graceful restraint of the Gustavian style, w...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
Antique Swedish Sofa Bench in Gustavian Style, Solid Pine with Blue Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish sofa bench in gustavian style. The sofa is a genuine country house furniture from northern Sweden made around 1820 to 1840. The fr...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofa with Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
A lovely small Gustavian sofa from Ersnäs Luleå, Northern Sweden .
The sofa has untouched blue original paint.
Nice model, very easy to place.
Good storage under the lid.
The sea...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Pine
19th Century Grey Danish Gustavian Set of Six Antique Pine Dining Room Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A white-grey, antique Danish Gustavian set of six dining room chairs made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, detailed in the Neoclassical Greek style, in ...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Gustavian Seating
Materials
Cotton, Fabric, Pine, Upholstery
Gustavian seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Gustavian seating for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage seating created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, building and garden elements, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Gustavian seating made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Sweden pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original seating, popular names associated with this style include Ephraim Stahl, Hendrix Allardyce, Boet, and Johan Hammarström. 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 seating differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $295 and tops out at $27,600 while the average work can sell for $4,764.