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.
Swedish Gustavian Style Round Table
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique Swedish Gustavian Style Card Table. it was restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White" floor to the skirt is 25 inches high
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Style Round Table
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Unique Swedish Gustavian Game Table. it was restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White" No hang over on top. skirt is 26.5 inches high.
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...
Mahogany
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...
Mahogany
$4,612Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.94 in W 38.19 in D 20.08 in
Antique Card Table, French, Burr Walnut, Fold over, Games, Victorian, circa 1870
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique card table. A French, burr walnut fold-over games table, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1870. Highly appealing, rare antique gaming table Displays a desirable aged patina Exquisite burr walnut shows fine grain interest Rich caramel hues shine through the wax polish finish The fold-over top offers a wonderful view of its quarter book-matched walnut Decorated with boxwood inlay and a gently chamfered edge Rotating through 90 degrees before folding out to reveal the playing surface Shaped, emerald green baize a treat for the eyes The brass hinges shaped to match the gaming surface Attractive carved front apron replete with scrolled foliate ormolu decoration to the knees Standing upon gently swept cabriole legs with brass tipped toes Vintage deck...
Walnut
Parson's Style Backgammon Table
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Parson's style backgammon table newly produced and refinished in a medium walnut. The game board features hand inlaid mahogany and beech wood. Playing surface flips to reveal a solid...
Mahogany, Walnut
French Provincial Style Parquetry Top Table
Located in San Francisco, CA
French provincial/Louis XV style table with parquetry top, floral carved apron and legs. Wood appears to be either beech or fruit.
Wood
Biedermeier Table, Sweden 1830
Located in New York, NY
A higher table to be used for enjoying coffee or sherry and for displaying collectables. A beautiful veneered surface sits atop a turned base and carved legs that are solid birchwood...
Fir
Swedish Mid-Century Expandable Adjustable Height Coffee Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
MCM Swedish table in Teak, 1960s. This clever coffee table converts to a game/dining table with an easy-to-use expandable function. Leaves can be pulled out both at coffee table and ...
Teak
Custom Macassar Ebony Round Modern Cocktail Table
By Carrocel
Located in North York, ON
This modern, round cocktail table is crafted out of Macassar ebony and coated in a high gloss espresso finish. It sits atop a four leg X-shaped pedestal and is a great centerpiece fo...
Macassar
Parson's Style Backgammon Table
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Parson's style backgammon table newly produced in walnut and refinished in ebony. The game board features hand inlaid mahogany and beech wood. Playing surface flips to reveal a solid...
Mahogany, Walnut
$1,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 28 in W 24 in D 24 in
19th Century Mahogany Marquetry Card or Occasional Table
Located in Lomita, CA
Marquetry and burl, expertly crafted into a 19th century Louis XVI style occasional or entry table creates a splash. The table was made in France in the late 19th century and it is ...
Mahogany
19th Century rococo revival Swedish birch tea table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century rococo revival Swedish birch tea table circa 1890. Elegant and beautiful quality Swedish folding tea table made in birch. Shaped top surface which twists and opens out...
Birch
French Louis XVI Style Inlay & Ebonized Game Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An elegant and refined Louis XVI style game table from 19th Century France. This outstanding antique table can serve multiple roles: as a console, center or occasional table, but one...
Brass
$1,647Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.14 in W 33.86 in D 16.93 in
Louis 15 Style Mahogany Console Game Table Napoleon 3 Period
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Beautiful mahogany flip top card table forming a console when folded. The board in playing position is covered with a green felt finished with a braid and rests on an elegant Louis X...
Mahogany
$3,290
H 28.35 in W 30.71 in D 30.32 in
Chess Console Table, Louis XVI Style, Game Table, France, 19th Century
Located in Greven, DE
Antique chess and card table in Louis XVI style from the 19th century. When closed, we see a console table standing on long pointed legs and in brass sabots. The top is divided into...
Mahogany
Swedish Gustavian Stye Round Table
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Very unique heavily carved Swedish style round table. at one time it must of had a leaf because the top pulls open to fit a leaf. was purchased with No leaf.
Wood
19th Century Swedish Period Gustavian Folding Card Table
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Early 19th Century Swedish, period Gustavian folding card table. Featuring one folding leaf with decorative carved acanthus leafs on three sides, reeded legs and storage drawer. Rep...
Wood
Sold
H 28.25 in W 21.25 in D 21.25 in
Antique Gustavian Small Round White Painted Pedestal Side Table, Sweden circa 18
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique Swedish gustavian tri-foot turned pedestal side table. Later applied professional white painted layered finish, lightly distressed to fit the age and grace of this Swedish country table...
Wood, Paint
Sold
H 30 in W 20.75 in D 20.75 in
Antique White Painted Gustavian Small Round Pedestal Side Table, Sweden circa 18
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique Swedish gustavian tri-foot turned pedestal side table. Later applied professional white painted layered finish, lightly distressed to fit the age and grace of this Swedish country table...
Wood, Paint
Gustavian Grain Painted Tripod Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Good Swedish early 19th century tilt top tripod table with original paint decoration, the top with scumble paint resembling burr alder or burl birch grain over chalky white painted b...
Pine
Vintage Wood Tea/Card Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
The vintage Swedish Gustavian style teak wood pedestal base end, side, candle or occasional table has a round top, turned center classically shaped pedestal and three splayed volute ...
Teak
Gustavian 1820 Round Birchwood and Birchroot Empire Center Table, Sweden
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A rare and extraordinary antique center table in all original condition with phenomenal wood grain, great proportions and fine workmanship. The frieze with four drawers with escutcheons alternating with four pullout / pull-out triangular drawers...
Birch
Danish Painted Neoclassical Tile Top Table
Located in Essex, MA
Wonderful Danish or Swedish neoclassical painted table. -- Top with 18th century Dutch tiles. -- Finished on all sides -- One drawer -- Grayish purple.
Earthenware, Wood
Swedish Gustavian Tilt-Top Round Center-Pedestal Table in Mahogany, c. 1800
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A very lovely tea table with round tilt-top on urn-turned center column resting on tripod "S" curve legs with carved ball-in-claw feet, Sweden, circa 1800. Table has a French-polish ...
Mahogany
Sold
H 30 in W 42.5 in D 24 in
Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Wood Tea Table with Carved Swags, circa 1880
Located in Atlanta, GA
This Swedish painted wood Gustavian Style tea table from the late 19th century features a contoured and beveled top over an exquisitely carved apron. Each side is adorned with a deli...
Wood