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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
Hand-painted tall Chest of Drawers, Gustavian, Sweden, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Artfully hand-painted Gustavian high chest featuring five drawers, side columns, and tapered legs. The top drawer is distinguished by a grooved front, adding a touch of elegance. Thi...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Set of Six Swedish Gustavian Period Chairs in Original Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A set of six Swedish chairs from the Gustavian period in original ivory / taupe / gray paint, newly upholstered in antique linen. These beautiful chairs have curved splat backs, insp...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Paint

Antique Northern Swedish Genuine Gustavian Light Drop-Leaf Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique drop-leaf table in Gustavian style, dating from around 1820 to 1840. This table is an authentic piece of country house furniture from northern Sweden, featuring double leaves...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Small Gustavian Chest Drawers Painted Blue
Located in Kastrup, DK
Swedish small-sized chest of drawers or nightstand in blue painted wood. Height: 47 cm / 18,5 inch. Dating from the early 19th century, this small dresser is composed with three dra...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish Gustavian Style 1870s Gray Painted Sideboard with Carved Reeded Panels
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style sideboard from circa 1870 with three drawers over three doors, carved reeded motifs and light gray painted finish. This Swedish Gustavian style sideboard, d...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Period 1810s Swedish Gray Painted Console Tables with Carved Garlands
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Swedish Gustavian period console tables from circa 1810 with light gray painted finish, carved garlands and diamond motifs, and tapered fluted legs. This exquisite pair of ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair, Black Painted Swedish Arm Chairs, circa 1890
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair, attractive Swedish country Gustavian arm chairs with gently curved back and arms, cabriolet legs. Newer, professionally applied layered black painted finish has been lightly di...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

Pair of 19th century painted chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of 19th century painted chest of drawers circa 1880. Good quality pair of gustavian influenced pair of commodes.  Shaped top surfaces with faux marble hand painted detailing.  ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Painted Pine Gustavian Chest of Three Drawers, Sweden circa 1840-60
Located in Round Top, TX
Gustavian painted pine chest of three drawers with "Greek key" or meander design along top and pair of griffins on top drawer. Newer professionally applied and layered salmon painted...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

Louis XV style 3 drawer chest with exotic birds design and natural marble top
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Louis XV style 3 drawer chest with exotic birds design and natural marble top. Width:65cm / 25.6" Depth: 32cm / 12.6" Height: 63cm / 24.8"
Category

1950s European Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Vintage Gustavian Side Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elevate your space with this Vintage Swedish Gustavian Side Table from the 1900s. Crafted from light solid wood, pear shaped feet with a block stretcher for stability and support, it...
Category

20th Century Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of 18th Century Late Gustavian Stools
Located in Ballard, CA
Pair of late Gustavian X-framed stools with lion feet, circa 1770. Original paint.unique pair of Gustavian stools, made in Sweden circa 1770. Beautiful, original ivory painted finish...
Category

Late 18th Century Austrian Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Silk, Upholstery, Fruitwood

Pair Fornasetti Design Nightstands with Marble Top
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Pair Fornasetti Design Nightstands with Marble Tops. Original cast brass fittings to the drawers and legs. Width: 80cm / 31.5" Depth: 43cm / ...
Category

1950s European Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Swedish Gustavian Style Chest of Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
Decorative Swedish Gustavian Style chest of drawers painted in dusty antique yellow, typical of the Scandinavian taste for light palettes...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Pine

Swedish Gustavian Style 1860s Gray Painted Three-Drawer Chest with Carved Drawer
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style chest from circa 1860 with three drawers, light gray painted finish, reeded accents, dentil molding and tapered legs. Embrace the understated elegance of Sw...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Painted Mifnight Blue
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Gustavian dresser renovated to highest standard and painted in midnight blue. Fine moldings around drawers and fittings in solid brass. Marble top Width 84 cm / 33.1" Depth: 48cm /...
Category

1950s European Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Gilded Wall Mirror
Located in Kastrup, DK
Antique Swedish rectangular wall mirror made of handcrafted giltwood, in good condition. Frame enhanced by softly painted blue background and hand-carved elements, upper section of t...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Gesso, Mirror, Giltwood

Pair of Gustavian Gray Painted Pine Side Tables, Sweden circa 1890
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair, Gustavian pine side tables with slender tapered legs. Restored, later professionally painted in layered shades of aged white and gray, lightly distressed to fit the age and gra...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Fornasetti Design Three Drawer Chest with Marble Top
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Gustavian chest with Fornasetti Ancient Rome Design and Natural Marble Top. Original cast brass fittings to the drawers and legs. Width: 70cm / 27.6" Depth: 38cm / 15" Height: 75...
Category

1950s European Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gustavian ‘Spelbord’ Game Table
Located in Savannah, GA
A fine Gustavian period ‘spelbord’ game table, 18th century. Four small drawers on each side with one larger drawer; original brasses. 26 ¼ inches wide by 26 ¼ inches deep by 30 in...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gray Gustavian Pine Sideboard Buffet, Sweden circa 1860-80
Located in Round Top, TX
Tall Swedish Gustavian gray painted pine sideboard with attractive curved sides and traditional fluted diamond details. The curved long cabinet doors and drawers make this cabinet a ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Gustavian Style Commode with natural marble top and Chinoiserie Design
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Gustavian Style Commode with natural marble top and Chinoiserie Design Fine original fittings in solid brass. Width: 70cm / 27.6" Depth: 41cm / 16.1" Height: 69cm / 27.2"
Category

1950s European Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of 18th Century Swedish Candlesticks
Located in Greenwich, CT
Good pair of 18th Century Swedish baroque hand hammered brass candlesticks with removable drip pan over barleytwist shafts with central drip collar, standing on bulbous bases having ...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

Early 19th century Swedish Gustavian Sofa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fine 19th century late Gustavian sofa inspired by the Roman Empire and ancient Egypt. Hand Crafted with Gold Leaf Wood Trimmed Hand-Carved Rosette Details. The removable back allows...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

Genuine Antique Swedish Gustavian Country House Sideboard
Located in Kramfors, SE
Genuine Swedish gustavian sideboard from northern Sweden. Th sideboard is a genuine country house furniture made around 1790. The frame is solid pine and the interior has two drawers...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish Gustavian Style Painted 3 Drawer Chest Bureau
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Painted Swedish Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Bureau Three drawer bureau based on an 18th Century Gustavian antique chest. Handmade and hand painted w...
Category

Early 2000s Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

Swedish Circa 1858 Gustavian Pine Buffet
Located in Houston, 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

Gray Painted Small Gustavian Cabinet Nightstand, Sweden circa 1880
Located in Round Top, TX
Small Swedish country pine cabinet standing on tapered legs; may serve also as a nightstand or side table. Small drawers with traditional fluted diamond accent sits above and below t...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

Swedish 1820s Gustavian Style Gray Painted Chest with Carved Semi-Columns
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish gray painted chest from circa 1820 with three drawers, carved reeded semi-columns and tapered legs. Embrace the enduring elegance of Swedish Gustavian craftsmanship with th...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish antique rustic genuine Game Table for Playing games
Located in Boden, SE
A lovely Swedish Gustavian Game table from the early 1800s. The table is from Örnsköldsvik , Northern Sweden. The table is scraped by hand to its charming original English red`color....
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Honest 19th Century Provincial Gustavian Sofa
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Honest early 19th century provincial Gustavian sofa in it's original finish and padding. Ca 1810 Sweden.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

10' long Swedish Farm Table Made From Repurposed Douglas Fir & Ponderosa Pine
Located in Miami, FL
Ready for immediate delivery this 10' Swedish Trestle Base Farm Table was inspired from an original Gustavian table in our inventory dating from the early 1800's The wood top is con...
Category

2010s American Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Louis XV Style Chest Three Drawer Chest with Floral Design and Wooden Top
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Louis XV Style Chest Three Drawer Chest with Floral Design and Wooden Top. Width:58cm / 22.8" Depth: 32cm / 12.6" Height: 70cm / 27.6"
Category

1950s European Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Large Round White Washed Pedestal Farmhouse Dining Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
A timeless Swedish Gustavian inspired round pedestal farmhouse table made with reclaimed whitewashed cherry wood table top and a natural colored wood table base. The table makes a p...
Category

20th Century American Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair Of Wide Painted Upholstered Benches in Swedish Gustavian Style
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Upholstered Benches, A Wide Pair Hand painted and hand distressed wood benches fully upholstered in a neutral linen textile. Wonderful additions to a...
Category

Early 2000s Swedish Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Textile, Wood

19th century painted Swedish desktop box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century painted Swedish desktop box circa 1840. Good quality Scandinavian box in original paint.  Hand painted in a blue/green colour scheme.  Further painted with a red cartou...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Footstools
Located in Huntington, NY
A pair of 19th century Swedish Gustavian style foot stools with detailed fleurons on the corners. The leg tops are finished with vertical reeded over-collaring atop turned and slight...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

19th Century Scandinavian Painted Wooden Cabinet
Located in High Point, NC
Flaunting a gorgeous olive hued patina, this wooded à deux corps giant was hand-crafted in Scandinavia during the 19th century. Masterfully carved elements, including the molded corn...
Category

19th Century Scandinavian Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Swedish Gustavian Sideboard 100% Original paint
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a 100% Original painted Swedish Gustavian Sideboard. the upper trim just sits on it and is taken apart for transportation. all 3 pieces are placed inside.
Category

1830s Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Chairs
Located in Huntington, NY
A pair of Swedish Gustavian chairs made in Stockholm by master craftsman Melker Falkberg (1746 - 1822). Stamped with Stockholm chairmaker's seal and maker signature. Scraped to their...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

Pair of Gustavian Side Chairs with Linen Upholstery Late 18th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful pari of Late 18th C., Early 19th C., Swedish Gustavian Chairs. The Swedish Grey patination is perfection and the attention to detail, carving and design represent the er...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Gustavian Style Commode with New York Tribeca Street Map in Vintage Look
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Gustavian commode with marble slab and frame in full matt black, one withNew York Tribeca's street network in vintage look. Fine original fittings in solid brass. Width: 81cm / 3...
Category

1950s European Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Footstools
Located in Huntington, NY
A beautiful pair of Swedish Gustavian footstools from Gotland. Leaf cut decor around the sides with reeded fleurons on the corners. The leg tops are finished with inverted pedals ove...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

Pair of 18th Century Swedish Rococo-Gustavian Footstools
Located in Huntington, NY
An unusual pair of Rococo-Gustavian transitional footstools made in Stockholm. The base has rounded fleurons on the corners and a flower-leaf carving in the bowed center. The legs are turned, tapered and fluted. This piece has older grey paint and has been reupholstered in linen. The original seats are marked with Örebro shipping labels...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

Rococo Chest with feather design and marble top
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Rococo Chest with feather design and painted marble top. Width: 91cm / 35.8" Depth: 42cm / 16.5" Height: 77cm / 30.3"
Category

1950s European Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Painted Super finish Black
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Gustavian dresser renovated to super condition in super finish black to the highest standard. Fine moldings around drawers and fittings in solid brass. Marble top Width 86 cm / 33....
Category

1950s European Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

A Pair of Louis XV Style Bedside Tables with Floral Design and Marble Tops
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Gustavian small chests with marble slab and frame in white, redesigned with hummingbird design pattern. Marble top. Fine original fittings in s...
Category

1950s European Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Swedish Gustavian Dark Grey Slate Chest of Drawers Commode
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Gustavian Painted Commode Chest of Drawers, Sweden Hand painted Gustavian style chest of drawers constructed from solid wood with a hand-applied distressed finish with brass ring hardware. Wonderful details including dental molding below the solid surface wood top. Additionally, this one of a kind piece has hand painted decoration with mythological figures on the top drawer. This antique chest brings vintage old...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair, Painted Oval Swedish Side Tables, circa 1890
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair of lovely oval side tables with turned legs, highly decorative carved skirt and finials above stretcher base. Restored, later professionally painted in muted shades of rose, sof...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

19th Century Portuguese Pair of Pinewood Candle Holders - Antique Sticks
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Portuguese pair of 19th Century candle stick holders with a simple Pinewood structure on a round circular base, in good condition. The finely hand crafted metal plates are...
Category

Mid-19th Century Portuguese Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Metal

Console Table
Located in Hellerup, DK
Graceful and long Gustavian style console table with grey patinated elegantly tapered legs with vertically carved details and a black painted table top. Great for the large hallway o...
Category

1970s Scandinavian Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

A Set of Four 19th Century Swedish Late Gustavian Chairs
Located in Huntington, NY
A set of four 19th century Swedish Late Gustavian Ax (also known as Vase) chairs from Lindome featuring a balloon-shaped back with five vertical, interconnected slats. In the center,...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Paint

Round Black Painted Pedestal Side Table, Sweden circa 1890
Located in Round Top, TX
This round pine pedestal table has a carved skirt, turned pedestal base and decoratively carved tripod legs which were a traditional style in Sweden. Restored, later professionally p...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Swedish Gustavian Style 1850s Painted Desk with Single Drawer and Tapered Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style desk from circa 1850 with tan painted finish, single drawer, fluted tapering legs and carved oval medallions on ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Gustavian Style 19th Century Painted Swedish Side Cabinets
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of Swedish Gustavian style painted wood side cabinets / bedside cabinets from the mid 19th century. These soft blue green painted cabinets feature a rectangular top with three...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Pine

Fornasetti Design Two Drawer Chest with Marble Top
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Gustavian chest with Fornasetti Ancient Rome Design and Natural Marble Top. Original cast brass fittings to the drawers and legs. Width: 68cm / 26.8" Depth: 36cm / 14.2" Height: ...
Category

1950s European Vintage Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Gustavian Period Bench
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
19th Century Gustavian repainted bench made in the region of Lindome, original size and newly upholstered in linen. Some minor restoration over the years.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Gustavian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Vintage French Provincial Grey Painted Wine Tasting Table
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Tilt-Top Wine Tasting Table, France Vintage French wine tasting table, with a Gustavian painted patina with folding top, secured by a swinging gate. The trestle base is supported by...
Category

Late 20th Century French 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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