Pair Of Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Chairs W/ Original Leather - 37½"

This handsome pair of late 18th-century Swedish Gustavian side chairs offers elegant proportions and beautifully restrained lines. The hand-carved frames feature shaped ladder backs, molded seat rails, and gently cabriole front legs joined by turned H-stretchers. Subtle tool marks and soft irregularities speak to their bench-made origin, while the darkened finish, worn back in places, enhances their sculptural presence.

Made during the reign of Gustav III, these chairs reflect the Swedish interpretation of French Neoclassicism, tempered by lingering Rococo curves. Their survival with the original leather intact makes them particularly special. The hand-tacked leather has been beautifully preserved given its age, developing a depth of tone and character that cannot be replicated. Over time it has developed a rich, tobacco-toned patina with deep tonal variation, natural creasing, and visible cracking across the surface. The effect is at once moody and inviting, giving the chairs a quietly dramatic presence that feels very elegant and brings a tangible sense of history to an interior. The seat frames are removable, allowing for future conservation or upholstery if ever desired.

Perfect flanking a console in an entry, paired with a petite writing desk, or placed beside the hearth as occasional seating, they bring depth, texture, and understated sophistication to both traditional and contemporary interiors.