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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
Grey Painted Swedish Settee with Shell and Foliate Carving
Located in Essex, MA
Grey painted Swedish settee with shell and foliate carving with turned stretcher bottom and gently curved legs. Off-white muslin seat cover. Measures: 44" H x 50.5" W x 21" D.
Category

Early 1900s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Buffet with Original Paint, Swedish Antiques
Located in Boden, SE
18th century Swedish Gustavian Buffet with original paint from Burtrask Vasterbotten, Northern Sweden. An elegant Gustavian period buffet with beautifully carved reeded details on t...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Drop Leaf Table Originalpaint
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century Swedish drop leaf table from Skelleftea Vasterbotten, Northern Sweden. Measurements H. 77cm W. 181cm D. 114cm T...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Late 18th C. Swedish Chest w/Traditional Swedish-Red Color &Faux-Marble Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish painted wood chest of three drawers, with faux marble top, from the turn of the 18th and 19th century. This period Gustavian chest from Sweden, designed in clean lines, features a hand-painted faux-marble top, with lovely dentil trim just beneath the top ledge, and case which houses three full-sized and graduated drawers. The skirt is linear and and the case is raised up on four squared legs. Brass ring pulls flank the escutcheon set between them (note that hardware is not original). The darker faux-marble color of the top contrasts nicely against the traditional Swedish red color of the rest of the body; we believe the finish to be either original or quite old. This late 18th century Swedish...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Fine Pair of 19th Century Gustavian Chairs
Located in Allerum, SE
Rare and fine pair of early 19th century Gustavian chairs in Chinese taste signed by master chair maker Ephraim Sthal (1767-1820) Supplier to the Royal Court and one of the most soph...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

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

1950s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Birch

Edmund Jorgensen Deco Walnut Glass Coffee Table
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Walnut veneer. Glass top with frosted design, depicting woodland scene. Brass capped feet. Danish, circa 1930's.Dimensions: H 22" x W 38.5" x D 24.5".Condition: Few scuffs and rubs t...
Category

1930s Danish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Glass, Walnut

18th Century Gustavian Table
Located in Ljungby, SE
A Gustavian mahogany-veneered table attributed to Carl Diedric Fick (master in Stockholm 1776–1806). The table stands on straight, tapering legs capped in brass. It features three dr...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Maison Jansen, Swedish Louis XVI Style, Wood, Fabric, Lounge Chairs, 1940s
Located in Manhasset, NY
Maison Jansen, Gustavian, Louis XVI Style, Lounge Chairs, Grey Painted Wood, Fabric, 1940s A pair of Gustavian Louis XVI lounge chairs from 20th century France. The Directoire style...
Category

1940s French Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood

18th Century Gustavian Drawer Mirror
Located in Ljungby, SE
An early Gustavian work from Stockholm, Sweden dating back to the 1770s. The drawer mirror features a sophisticated lower section with flat-carved decoration and a rose in high relie...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

19th Century, Small Swedish Gustavian-style Chandelier with Gilded Brass Frame
Located in Dresden, DE
19th Century Small Gustavian chandelier with six curved candle arms and hung with beautiful crystals. Sweden Height: 76 cm Diameter: 60 cm
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass

19th Century Gustavian Style Walnut Secretaire Avatant
Located in Madrid, ES
A Swedish writing desk, made of walnut wood, also decorated with gilded lateral grooves in the late Gustavian style. The writing desk is divided into two parts, each of which has bro...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Gustavian, Swedish Commode, Gray Paint Distressed, Brass, Sweden, 1800s
Located in Manhasset, NY
Gustavian, Swedish Commode, Gray Paint Distressed, Brass, Sweden, 1800s Gustavian dresser or chest of drawers designed and produced in Sweden in the first half of the 19th century. ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Set of Four Swedish Gustavian Period Dining Chairs
Located in Southampton, NY
Set of four late Gustavian dining chairs in intricately carved decoration depicting leaves and grape vine. Fan shaped center is surrounded by intricate carving on sides. These chairs...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Navy Mustard Vintage Persian Bakhtiari Runner
Located in New York, NY
Colorful Persian Bakhtiari runner with a geometric design on a navy ground, circa 1930. Measures: 3'9" x 9'10".
Category

20th Century Persian Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wool

Gustavian Sugar Bowls in Silver
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of Gustavian-style sugar bowls in silver, stamped by Johan Henrik Schvart, active in Karlskrona, Sweden. They are stamped with S2 for the year 1800. The bowls are in a boat-sh...
Category

Early 1800s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Silver

Swedish Gustavian Style Side Chair - 20th
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Swedish Gustavian Style Side Chair - 20th Artist studio chair - Side chair Swedish Gustavian-style slatted-back chair, dating from the early 19th century. This antique Swedish chair ...
Category

20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gustavian-Style Marquetry Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
A Swedish Gustavian-style marquetry inlaid chest. The rosewood and walnut veneered case having 3 drawers and a finely detailed marquetry inlay with penwork details, the square and ta...
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Rosewood, Walnut

Swedish Style Paint Decorated Cabinet
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Two-part in a gray and pink weathered paint finish. The top part set back with a carved frame with openwork crest ornaments, two side sections with doors and a centre one with a glas...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

1950s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Style 3 Drawer 2 Door Sideboard
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Gustavian Style 3 drawer 2 door sideboard, its been restored and repainted with milk paints "Oyster White".
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Fine Gustavian Style Paint Decorated Arm Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A particularly fine pair of Gustavian style armchairs. A pair of custom upholstered arm chairs with intentionally distressed paint decorated frames in bluish taupe. The carved palmet...
Category

20th Century Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Swedish Gustavian White Grey Painted Marble Top Chest of Drawers Commode 1875
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish Gustavian White Grey painted plain front chest of drawers commode in gustavian style with classic Gustavian detail on the drawer fronts and leading edges. It has a...
Category

Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Zabihi Collection Red Bohemian Vintage Oushak Runner
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Turkish Oushak runner with three medallions on a bright red field. Measures: 3' x 10'9''.
Category

20th Century Turkish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wool

Swedish Mora Clock White Castle Crown Carved Detail Early 1800 Frkysdall Antique
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish mora clock in white paint and gold detailing with very unusual and rare hood ornamentation and highly decorative face, lovely star round moti...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

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

1940s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Birch

Antique Mora Clock Swedish White Gustavian Early 1800s Jacob Oberg
Located in Lewes, England
Shipping special update - We have negotiated a special flat rate shipping cost to the USA with our main US shipping partner for our 1st dibs clients of only £995 export crated by ai...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Antique Swedish Neoclassical Armchairs
Located in London, GB
An impressive and beautifully designed pair of antique Swedish neoclassical armchairs. They are in the Gustavian style, they were recently imported from Sweden and date from around t...
Category

1890s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Gold and Green Painted Trumeau Mirror, Sweden circa 1820-40
Located in Round Top, TX
Lovely trumeau mirror painted in soft shades of green, pale red, and gold. At just under 4' tall, its size allows it to be displayed in a wide variety of spaces. In solid condition r...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood, Paint

Late 18th Century Gustavian Chandelier
Located in Ljungby, SE
A late Gustavian chandelier crafted in Stockholm at the end of the 18th century. The chandelier features four arms for candles and a frame made of fire-gilded bronze. Its elegance is...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Gustavian 18th Century Swedish Painted and Gilded Side Chairs
Located in Hudson, NY
This pair of nice old side chairs are of the period called Gustavian. This correlates to that time in Sweden between 1772 and 1809. These chairs were made circa 1790 and are typical ...
Category

Late 18th Century Finnish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Red Painted Gustavian Bookcase Display Cabinet, Sweden circa 1790-1820
Located in Round Top, TX
The details in this large red Gustavian pine bookcase are impressive with carved molding and Greek key pattern along the crown, carved inset columns at side and fluted carved details...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Glass, Pine, Paint

Pair of 19th Century Late Gustavian Footstools
Located in Huntington, NY
A beautiful pair of Swedish Late Gustavian footstools. Featuring a decorative hand-carved Guilloché scroll with reeded fleurons on the corners. Turned legs are tapered and fluted. Su...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

19th Century Swedish Painted Chest of Drawers
Located in Houston, TX
The 19th Century Swedish Painted Chest of Drawers is a charming piece of furniture that exudes timeless elegance and rustic charm. Pain...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Pair of 18th Century Gustavian chairs, made in Stockholm
Located in SE
A pair gustavian chairs in original color, about 1780, made in Stockholm, attributed to Johan Lindgren, who became member of Stockholms chair mak...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Birch

Writing Desk In Gustavian Style Painted In Grey From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
Grey painted writing desk in the style Gustavian from the 1840s. The desk is freestanding and stamped with "Nordisk Films Kompagni". H - 128 cm, W - 62 cm and D - 62 cm.
Category

1840s Danish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Swedish Gustavian Single Chair White Color Gold Detail, Early 1900s
Located in Lewes, England
This original Swedish Gustavian early 1900s chairs in probable original paint has highly carved detailing on the frame, arm and legs, unusual delicately fluted feet and wide seat Th...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Birch

18th Century Gustavian Sconce Mirror with Center Cameo, Sweden, Circa 1780
Located in New York, NY
18th century Swedish Gustavian single arm candle sconce mirror with center cameo, origin: Sweden, circa 1780 In Scandinavia, candlelight is an important element found in any interio...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

Mora Clock Swedish Early 1800s Antique Gustavian White Blue Gustavian 204cm
Located in Lewes, England
Shipping special update - We have negotiated a special flat rate shipping cost to the USA with our main US shipping partner for our 1st dibs clients of only £995 export crated by ai...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

3 Gustavian Style Planters
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a set of 3 Original Finish Gustavian Style Planters. Middle planter: 10 H, 12 D, 23 W Left planter: 17 H, 15 W.
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Mid 19th Century Gray Painted Swedish Drop Leaf Dining Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Faded gray painted drop leaf table Beautiful patina the height of Swedish style Gate legs fold to a narrow side table
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Console Ribbon Wood Table Desk
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, table you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what is, unequivocally, the best of the best, it bei...
Category

Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Bench, Swedish with Griffons, 19th Century
Located in New Orleans, LA
With significant size and presence, this armed bench has a long single seat and three separate upholstered back rests and upholstered arm rests. The elaborately carved wood is painte...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Large Gustavian Style Garden Pots
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a set of 2 Large Gustavian Style Garden Pots in original condition.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Pair of Swedish Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Swedish armchairs. Vintage pair of Gustavian style painted open-arm chairs with neoclassical details; recovered in camel silk velvet with matching silk cotton piping; carved...
Category

20th Century European Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Wood, Giltwood

1920s Swedish armchairs hand-scraped to their original paint
Located in London, GB
A pair of open arm swedish chairs from the early 1900s that have been hand scraped and still retain some traces of the original paint. In an earlier c19th style the backs have an ope...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Gustavian-style medallion chairs, late 19th century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of chairs with medallion-shaped upholstered backrests and upholstered armrests and seats. The beige paintwork with dark green accents is new and has been given a light antique p...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Fabric

Swedish Mora Clock White Gold Paint, Early 1800s Carved Detail Antique Gustavian
Located in Lewes, England
Shipping special update - We have negotiated a special flat rate shipping cost to the USA with our main US shipping partner for our 1st dibs clients of only £1050 export crated by ai...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Buffet
Located in Huntington, NY
A small provincial Gustavian Style buffet with original hardware and repainted in light grey. One wide drawer with two reeded diamond-shaped details on the pulls. Sits atop two verti...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

Gustavian, Swedish Commode, Grey Paint Distressed, Brass, Sweden, 1930s
Located in Manhasset, NY
Gustavian, Swedish Commode, Grey Paint Distressed, Brass, Sweden, 1930s Gustavian chest of drawers designed and produced in Sweden circa 1930s. This example features a gray paint di...
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Paint

Fine Pair of Swedish Early 19th Century Gustavian Chandeliers
Located in Allerum, SE
Important pair of Swedish early 19th century Gustavian chandeliers. Very rare with identical pairs in this quality. Ca 1800.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Bust of David Von Schulzenheim, Signed by Erik Gustav Göthe, Sweden, Dated 1821
Located in New York, NY
Bust of David von Schulzenheim, owner of Gröönsö castle, signed by Erik Gustav Göthe, a principle of Sergel and inscribed: David Schulz v. Schulzenheim. / MDCCCXXI plaster, Dated 1821 This is a bust of Dr. David von Schulzenheim, owner of Grönsöö Slott. In the 18th Century Grönsöö Slott was owned by the famed Stockholm doctor David von Schultzenheim. Dr. von Schulzenheim introduced the smallpox vaccine to Sweden and served the public’s health needs during its crisis from 1873 – 1874. When not in public health service, he devoted a significant amount of passion and money to beautify the palace and park in the romantic spirit of the time. The castle blossomed towards the end of the 18th century with the palace’s upper floors serving as the residential apartments of the family and furnished in exquisite Gustavian and late Gustavian style. Never one to rest on his laurels in science or design, in 1786, with the smallpox outbreak leveling, Dr. von Schulzenheim ordered the construction of a Chinese...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Plaster

Pair of Late Gustavian Carrara Marble Candlesticks
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of Swedish late Gustavian candleholders in white Carrara marble and fire-gilded bronze.
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble, Bronze

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

1940s Swedish Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Berlin Iron

Pair of Gustavian Stools
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of high-quality Gustavian works from Stockholm, signed by Johan Erik Höglander (Sweden, 1750-1813). The stools are elegantly curved on all sides, adding extra sophistication. ...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Nightstand Vanity Table Gustavian Swedish Mahogany Brass Lining, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Nightstand vanity table Gustavian Swedish mahogany brass lining, Sweden. Nightstand made in Sweden during the Gustavian period 1790-1810. Made in mah...
Category

Late 18th Century European Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Lime Washed Buffet / Server
Located in Essex, MA
Gustavian-style buffet cupboard with original paint, 19th century, Sweden, circa 1840. Beige Lime Washed Cabinet, 3/4 gallery top above two frieze drawers...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Swedish Gustavian Side Chairs w/New Linen Seats, 19th C.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian pair of slatted back side chairs from the early 19th century. These antique chairs from Sweden have straight top rails and slatted backs. The lines are mostly cle...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Linen

18th Century Gustavian Mirror, Sweden 1780
Located in Belmont, MA
Exquisite 18th century Gustavian mirror, Stockholm circa 1780. Mahogany, carved and partly gilded. The Swedish Gustavian Style was named after King Gustav III of Sweden (reign 1771-92). Gustav III visited the French Court during the reign of Louis XVI several times and loved the French neoclassical...
Category

1780s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

C1800s naive Swedish oil painting of a castle lake scene
Located in London, GB
Charming naive/folk early 1800s Swedish framed oil painting of a castle viewed from across a lake where figures are boating and fishing. The canvas has been laid on board and later f...
Category

1790s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Canvas

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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