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.
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Tilt-Top Table in Bleached Pine
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A sublime study in restraint and honest craftsmanship, this rare 19th-century Swedish tilt-top supper table embodies the quiet poetry of Scandinavian vernacular furniture. The perfe...
Pine
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...
Glass, Walnut
$14,280 / item
Dos Gallos Custom Coffee Table in Driftwood Finish
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom coffee table with fluted apron and carved legs. Can be made in oak, teak, walnut or mahogany in a variety of sizes and finishes. Shown here in teak, with a grey driftwood and ...
Wood, Oak, Walnut
Scandinavian Painted Pine Trunk
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Scandinavian blue painted pine trunk, late 19th century. With a hinged top with central floral painting, the front with two panels of floral painting, each side with a panel of flora...
Iron
Vintage French Walnut Side Table with Black Marbled Tabletop, 1880s
Located in Miami, FL
Round sidetable or lamptable with black marbled tabletop in the style of Gustavian from around the year 1880.
Walnut
$21,838
H 18.51 in W 36.23 in D 21.26 in
1920's Louis Vuitton Steamer Trunk in Stenciled Monogram , Vuitton Trunk
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Very nice Louis Vuitton hand stenciled monogram canvas featuring chocolate color leather trim and LV stamped solid brass locks and clasps, LV stamped studs as well as LV stamped soli...
Brass
$552Sale Price|20% Off
H 18.9 in W 50.79 in D 27.56 in
Scandinavian Modern Design Solid Pine Coffee Table, Denmark 1970's
By Sven Larsson
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Scandinavian Danish Modern Design pine coffee table, made in Denmark, in the 1970's period. Solid pine wood constructed coffee table. Marked, Made in Denmark. In the style of...
Pine
Vintage French Wood Side Table or Pedestal
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
French Vintage end table or Gueridon. Would be perfect as a small support table in a living room or even to use as a pedestal to put a large planter or a sculpture. It features a...
Oak
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Console Table
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Charming early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian period console table. In original paint with carved detail to all four sides. This table has multiple uses. Circa 1800. With restoration.
Pine, Paint
$2,800
H 28.5 in W 36.5 in D 22 in
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Original Gray Painted Pine Side Table
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 19th century Swedish Gustavian side table crafted in pine with an oak drawer. The drawer features traditional horizontal fluted carving. The table stands on tapered fluted legs...
Oak, Pine, Paint
$5,334 / item
H 15 in Dm 39 in
Set of Two Walnut and White Marbled Glass Occasional Tables - Regia Line
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of Régia walnut veneer occasional tables designed by Sérgio Batista for Uultis, featuring sleek graphite metallic bases and white Carrara marbled glass tops. * Please check av...
Carrara Marble
Art Deco Walnut Occasional Coffee / Side Table
Located in London, GB
A beautiful and stylish Art Deco walnut occasional coffee / side table. This was made in England, it dates from the 1920-30’s. It is of superb quality, this is very well made and ha...
Walnut
$2,450
H 29.5 in Dm 27.5 in
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Round Tilt-Top Table in Painted Finish, Circa 185
Located in Atlanta, GA
A beautiful mid-19th century Swedish round table reflecting the refined simplicity of the timeless Gustavian tradition. The circular top rests on ...
Wood
Art Deco figured walnut coffee table
Located in Barnstaple, GB
A beautiful Art Deco Coffee Table in a Figured walnut. A gorgeous warm colour and in fabulous condition. This coffee table has an octagonal top and stem and is raised on a figured wa...
Walnut
19th Century Swedish Period Gustavian Table
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
19th Century Swedish period Gustavian table with decorations on all four sides, repainted in soft grey. Circa 1840.
Wood
Art Deco Coffee Table, Walnut Wood with Black Lacquer, France, 1930
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
Coffee Table The Art Deco coffee table comes from France and dates back to around 1930. It is made of walnut wood, which gives it a warm and rich appearance. This table is black lacquered, which gives it an elegant and modern look and beautifully highlights the walnut wood. The design of the coffee table is dominated by the stepped and curved side panels, which have an elegant and flowing shape. The side panels are black lacquered and have an inlaid top plate veneered with root wood. This design feature gives the table a unique texture and visual depth. Overall, this Art Deco coffee table is a stylish and elegant piece of furniture that adds a special touch to any room. The combination of walnut wood and black lacquer gives it a timeless look, and the unique design makes it a true eye-catcher. Root wood veneer is a type of veneer obtained from the root systems of trees. It is often obtained from trees such as the walnut tree, the ebony tree, or the rosewood tree...
Walnut
$2,807 / item
H 19.89 in Dm 23.63 in
21st Century by Ce Studio Coffee Table Steel Artisan Finish Custom
Located in Lecce, IT
Indoor-outdoor coffee table, elongated and curved cylindrical base, steel top.
Steel
19th Century Black Painted Swedish Large Square Coffee Table
Located in Round Top, TX
19th century black painted Swedish large square coffee table, crafted in oak. While the black paint is old, it is likely not original to the age of the table. The base is a dramatic ...
Oak, Paint
Sold
H 18.5 in W 45 in D 25.5 in
Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Coffee Table with Drop Leaves, 20th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style painted coffee table from the 20th century, with drop leaves, single drawer and tapered legs. Created in Sweden during the 20th century, this Gustavian styl...
Wood
Sold
H 26 in W 43.25 in D 22.75 in
Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Wood Tea Table with Fluted Legs, circa 1920
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style painted wood coffee table with fluted legs and cross stretcher from the early 20th century. This Swedish coffee table features a rectangular top with bevele...
Wood
Sold
H 18.5 in W 39 in D 21.25 in
Swedish Gustavian Style 1920s Painted Wood Coffee Table with Carved Apron
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style painted wood coffee table from the early 20th century, with reeded apron, fluted legs and carved rosettes. Created ...
Wood
Late 1700s Small Swedish Gustavian Country House Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Small and low charming gustavian country table from the late 1700s, Northern Sweden. The table is unusually small and low which also makes it very versatile. It would work as for exa...
Pine
Sold
H 30.75 in W 54.75 in D 26.5 in
19th Century Light-Grey Swedish Gustavian Pinewood Extendable Dining Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-grey, antique Swedish Gustavian extendable dining table made of hand carved Pinewood with two leaves and apron, enhan...
Pine
Fine 19th Century Gustavian Tripod Table
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine early 19th-century tripod table from the Gustavian period, top veneered in alder root with a good surface throughout, circa 1800 Sweden. Good condition with wear consistent w...
Wood
Swedish Trunk, Mid-19th Century Carved and Painted
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century Swedish carved and painted trunk boasts a delightfully naturalistic full relief carving that adorns the entire front facade, featuring a symmetrical treatment centered w...
Wrought Iron
19th Century Gustavian Period Tilt-Top Table
Located in Allerum, SE
Delightful 19th century Gustavian period tilt-top table veneered in alder root with a blackened base, circa 1800 Sweden. Good condition with wear consistent with age and use, Sec...
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Provincial Gustavian Side Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Late 18th century side table from northern Sweden. The table is provincial Gustavian and the frame is healthy and solid. Dry scraped to the original first layer of paint. With straig...
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Oval Table
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Swedish Gustavian oval table, it has been restored and repainted with milk paints "Oyster White".
Birch
Rustic Indoor or Outdoor Coffee or Side Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
The rustic Swedish country style coffee table or end table in natural teak wood has bread board ends, splayed legs and stretchers for stabi...
Teak