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Gustavian Furniture

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 Painted Chest of Drawers Commode Grey White C.1860
Located in Lewes, England
Circa 1850/1880 antique Swedish Gustavian Grey White painted chest of drawers commode in gustavian style with classic Gustavian ribbing detail on the drawer fronts and leading edges....
Category

Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

18th Century Gustavian Painted Corner Cupboard
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Gustavian bow fronted corner cupboard from the North of Sweden. Refreshed old paint to the exterior, later painted interior. Circa 1790.
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Antique Mora Clock
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Antique Swedish Mora clock 1800's in cream with gold detailing and hand painted floral details. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 weights and a bell chime on the hou...
Category

Early 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Northern Swedish Long Case Clock with Original Hand-Carved Decor
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique long case clock from northern Sweden made around 1820. The clock has its origin in northern Sweden, in the county Norrbotten which is one of the northernmost counties in Swed...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Gustavian Tray Table
Located in Ljungby, SE
A Gustavian tray table from southern Sweden with a carved wooden monogram on both sides of the apron. The table is freestanding. It features carved decorative details, such as flutin...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Louis XVI, Gustavian, Armchairs, White Painted Wood, Scalamandre Fabric, 1890s
Located in Manhasset, NY
Pair of 19th-20th century armchairs in a Scalamandre upholstery having a Swedish Finish. These French Louis XVI style chairs are wonderfully painted having fine carvings and are all ...
Category

1910s Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Louis XVI Style Console or Card Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
Set against a wall as a console or lamp table, the top unfolds and the back legs slide to fully support the unfolded half of a square card table, sea...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Armchair Swedish Gustavian Dark Apricot Velvet, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Armchair Swedish Gustavian dark apricot velvet, Sweden. An armchair made in Sweden during the Gustavian period (1790-1810). Carvings on backrest and frieze in the shape of a so calle...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Antique Swedish Small Gustavian Side Table with a Drawer and Distressed Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish antique side table with a drawer in gustavian style. The table is small with a rectangular table top and a drawer in the apron. The legs are straight and tapered with flutes ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Gustavian Style 3 Door Sideboard
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique Gustavian Style 3 Door Sideboard, its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Maple

Gustavian Period Table with Faux Marble-Top, 18th Century
Located in New Orleans, LA
Late 1700s Gustavian style table with faux marble top - beautifully carved, lovely color, and great scale.
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Tilt Top Accent Table
Located in Houston, TX
This exquisite 19th-century Swedish tilt-top accent table exudes timeless elegance. Crafted with precision, its intricate design reflects the grace of Scandinavian craftsmanship. Sea...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Maple

Circa 1800s set of six Swedish painted oak Provincial Gustavian dining chairs
Located in London, GB
A set of (6) Gustavian chairs of wonderful quality with rounded backs, open work, and cut decoration.The seats are removable and upholstered in woven horse tail hair. The oak is from...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Oak

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Pine Wall Glass Mirror - Antique Wall Décor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique Swedish Gustavian wall mirror made of handcrafted gilded Pinewood with its original mirrored glass, in good condition. The particularized carved Scandinavian wall déc...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Pine, Giltwood

18th Century Gustavian Yellow Swedish Display Cabinet From La Maison London
Located in London, Park Royal
Antique Swedish cabinet, circa 1780 made in two-parts: a base set of drawers and top set display cabinet; patinated in a traditional Gustavian ...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gustavian, Louis XVI Style, Swedish Commode, Mahogany, Marble, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Manhasset, NY
Gustavian, Louis XVI Style, Swedish Commode, Mahogany, Marble, Sweden, 1950s Gustavian dresser or chest of drawers designed and produced in Sweden circa 1950s. This example features...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

19th Century Large Swedish Gustavian Sofa with New Cushions
Located in San Angelo, TX
A beautiful, large and very rare large Swedish Gustavian sofa with new upholstered seat cushions added. This piece is very unique and rare with the grande scale and featuring side cu...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

A Large Scale 18th Century Swedish Original Painted Slag Board Drop Leaf Table
Located in Basingstoke, Hampshire
A charming large scale 18th century Swedish Slag Board table. Displaying traces of original paint, which has worn beautifully over the years. The table features an unusually large rectangular top, which can easily fold away. Raised on square legs, the base presents a drawer to either end of the table with a pair of gate...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

19th Century Gustavian Longcase Clock
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Period Swedish Gustavian longcase clock from Malmo. This striking clock has been scraped back to its original dark grey paint which is beautifully distressed. Featuring neoclassical...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Louis XVI Style Console or Card Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
Set against a wall as a console or lamp table, the top unfolds and the back legs slide to fully support the unfolded half of a square card table, sea...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Louis XVI Style Doors
Located in Sheffield, MA
Pair of tall painted doors with original hardware. Will need new glass. Other doors available but not with glass panel. Doors can work well in Swedish Gustavian style décor. Each do...
Category

19th Century French Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Red Turkish Runner
Located in New York, NY
One of a kind vintage Turkish runner with an encased plain design on a red field.
Category

20th Century Turkish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wool

Unique 100% Original Finish Swedish Gustavian Berger Chair
Located in Hollywood, FL
This s a Unique 100% Original Finish Swedish Gustavian Berger Chair.
Category

1890s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Late Gustavian Gilt Console Table with Porphyry Top, Circa 1800
Located in Ljungby, SE
A high-class late Gustavian gilt console table made in Stockholm, Sweden around 1800. The legs feature carved Egyptian-inspired heads and fluted details. The table's frieze is decora...
Category

Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Porphyry

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Reeded 2 Door 2 Drawer Buffet
Located in San Angelo, TX
A Swedish Gustavian style painted wood buffet from the 19th century with reeded drawers over doors, and distressed patina. Created in Sweden during the ...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

Early 19th century painted Swedish tilt top table on tripod base
Located in London, GB
An understated early C19th painted tilt top table. The rectangular top has carved egg and dart type border detail and tilts with simple removal of peg below. Hand scraped and refresh...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish Neoclassical Painted Bench, Trundle Bed
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century Swedish Neoclassical Painted Bench ~ Trundle Bed is an amazing approach to practicality with style! The neoclassical influence in the design is readily apparent, with a ...
Category

1870s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

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 Furniture

Materials

Birch

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 Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Carved and Whitewashed Bench
Located in Dallas, TX
This 19th century Swedish Gustavian carved and whitewashed bench exudes a sense of vintage charm and elegance. With intricate carvings and a classic whitewashed finish, it is a timel...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Bar Cabinet Gustavian Style
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique Gustavian style Bar Cabinet. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White" 76 inches wide when open
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th c. Swedish Gustavian Barrel Back Sofa with Lion Heads in Original Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A beautiful 19th century Swedish barrel back sofa or settee in the Gustavian style, newly upholstered in linen, circa 1890. Hand scraped to reveal the original paint. The frame featu...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

3 Door Swedish Gustavian Style Side Board
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a 3 Door Swedish Gustavian Style Side Board. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints Oyster White.
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Wall Plate Rack
Located in Bozeman, MT
Fantastic and rare 18th century provincial floor standing wall plate rack with shelves from the Gustavian period in its original condition with great patination and color, circa 1790...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Pair Of Gustavian Style Armchairs With Gilt Plume Shell Motif
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of distressed white paint decorated armchairs with back splats having carved gilt plume and shell motif. The chairs with inset carved geometric motifs, baluster form armrest sup...
Category

20th Century Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Tall White Swedish Pine Mora Grandfather Clock, circa 1840
Located in Round Top, TX
Swedish mora grandfather clocks are identified by their gentle curves and classic style as seen in this exceptional longcase clock that stands just over 7.5' tall. Restored, later pr...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Period Painted Buffet
Located in Dallas, TX
18th century Swedish Gustavian Period painted buffet will make a handsome addition to your collection, and a stylistic touch to your decor! Hand-crafted from indigenous old-growth pi...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Drop Leaf Table
Located in San Angelo, TX
A beautiful 19th century Gustavian drop leaf table with a gate leg that has been dry scrapped. This piece is truly a piece in a...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Fine Pair of 19th Century Gustavian Stools
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine pair of early 19th century Gustavian stools in their original condition. Ca 1800 Sweden.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Style Unique 3 Drawer Chest
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Gustavian Style Unique 3 Drawer Chest. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Swedish Circa 1858 Gustavian Pine Buffet
Located in Round Top, TX
This 19th century Gustavian style buffet originated from Sweden. It has wonderful craftmanship throughout with hand carved wooden pulls, wood pegging, faux marbleized paint on the to...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish Gustavian Period Gilt Pier Mirror with Ribbon Foliate Swag Decoration
Located in Milford, NH
A Swedish Gustavian Period gilt pier mirror with pierce carved ribbon and foliate crest decoration, accented with foliate swags, continued on the beveled mirror surround and base. Da...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Gesso, Glass, Wood

19th Century Painted Dutch Armoire / Cupboard
Located in Viterbo, VT
Large cupboard hand-made in the Netherlands in the 1800s using oak and pegged construction. Despite being pretty large the cupboard has a very delicate and elegant look because of bo...
Category

Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Oak

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 Furniture

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

Original Painted Console, Sweden circa 1800-20
Located in Round Top, TX
This impressive console will make a grand statement in any home. The uniquely shaped wood base was hand-painted; one can still see the faux marble design that was a traditional style...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Oak, Paint

19th Century Round Gustavian Table
Located in Houston, TX
Round Swedish table on 4 legs with criss-crossed stretcher below. Carved detail around the apron and rectangular medallions at the top of each leg....
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Late 18th Century Swedish Secretary Cabinet with Historic Paint
Located in South Salem, NY
Splendid early antique Gustavian style secretary cabinet, made in Sweden, circa late 19th century. This rustic cabinet retains its historic p...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

Gustavian Wall Clock signed Jacob Kock
Located in Ljungby, SE
Large Gustavian wall clock with a movement signed by Jacob Kock (1737-1805). He was a court clockmaker in Stockholm and supplied clocks to the court of King Gustav III. This pendulum...
Category

18th Century Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass, Enamel, Iron

18th Century Gustavian Sofa
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
18th Century Gustavian sofa. Scraped to original paint with exquisite carving and recently reupholstered in linen.
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Linen, Wood

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Period Footstools
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
19th Century Swedish period pair of Gustavian footstools. Decorative carving to both sides, re-upholstered in Belgium linen. Circa 1840.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

18th Century Gustavian Chairs, Set of Six
Located in Ljungby, SE
Six Gustavian chairs featuring a bundled spindle motif on the backrests. The top rails are arched. The legs are connected by H-stretchers. The seats are removable. The chairs were ma...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

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 Furniture

Materials

Brass

Swedish Yellow, Handblown, Gustavian, 18th Century Glass Milk Bowl, circa 1780
Located in New York, NY
Swedish yellow 18th century Gustavian handblown glass milk bowl with pouring spout, circa 1780, origin: Sweden.
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Pair, Antique Gray Painted Gustavian Arm Chairs, Sweden, circa 1880
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair, gray painted gustavian arm chairs. Turned fluted legs and decorative carving throughout, crowned with rosettes. Restored, stable. Any scrat...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Original Painted Swedish Gustavian Sofa
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Original Painted Swedish Gustavian Sofa. the seating has been restored and covered in Muslin.
Category

1820s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Berlin Iron

Swedish Corner Cabinet-- Late 18th Century Period Gustavian, Pale Green w/Cream
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish late 18th century period Gustavian painted wood corner cabinet. This Swedish Gustavian corner cabinet features reeded doors, dentil molding just below the upper cornice and...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Late 18th century Decorative double sided Swedish Folk biblical wall hanging
Located in London, GB
A large size decorative Swedish folk art painted wall hanging-Bonad which may have been originally from a church. Painted on canvas in natural pigments it depicts naive biblical them...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Canvas

King Gustaf III Cast Iron Fire Place Side
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a, "King Gustaf III" cast Iron fire place siding. Very rare piece to find.
Category

1780s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Iron

Gustavian, Dining Chairs, Spindle Back, White Paint, Giltwood, Blue Fabric
Located in Manhasset, NY
Gustavian, Dining Chairs, Spindle Back, White Paint, Giltwood, Blue Fabric Set of 5 white distressed paint decorated and gilt gold Gustavian Style side chairs. Each seat with new u...
Category

Early 20th Century Argentine Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Fabric

Chest Of Drawers Gustavian Style
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique Gustavian Style 5 drawer chest of drawers. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gustavian furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Gustavian furniture 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 furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, seating, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, softwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Gustavian furniture 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 furniture, popular names associated with this style include Ephraim Stahl, Hendrix Allardyce, Hans-Agne Jakobsson, and Jonas Frisk. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $50 and tops out at $49,500 while the average work can sell for $4,473.

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