The Gothic Revival movement (also called Victorian Gothic or Neo-Gothic) emerged in Britain in the 1740s, and reached its height in the late-19th century. Gothic Revival furniture's characteristics include such decorative flourishes as pointed arches, floral details, finials, heraldic motifs and linenfold carving.
The movement was rooted in religious and social conservatism. Gothic Revival's proponents, who included Charles Barry and A.W.N. Pugin, the architects of London’s Houses of Parliament (designed in 1840), believed that the art and architecture of the Middle Ages were authentically spiritual and inherently moral.
In the United States, the Gothic Revival movement shaped both public buildings and private houses. Numerous American schools were built in the early-19th century in a style now called Collegiate Gothic. Many builders and craftsmen were inspired by Andrew Jackson Downing’s widely read 1850 book Architecture for Country Houses, which posited that a family’s home should exemplify their values — and that the Gothic Revival style was particularly well-suited to scholars and clergymen. Furniture with detailing that mirrored that of Gothic Revival buildings appeared in the same period. Such pieces typically feature dark, intricately carved wood, and upholstery in velvet or leather.
Much like the castles or cathedrals that inspired them, Gothic Revival chairs, bookcases and beds make a bold design statement. And while you probably don’t have to cross a moat or raise a portcullis to get through your front door, a Gothic Revival piece will declare that your home is indeed your castle.
19th Century Bronze Letter Rack - Gothic Revival
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Elegant French bronze letter rack, late 19th century. The openwork design features intricate Gothic Revival motifs with stylized foliage, quatrefoils, and decorative details, complem...
Bronze
Circa 1870s English Gothic Revival Writing Slope Desk Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1870s English Gothic Revival writing slope desk box. A letter box is flanked by the original brass collared & hinged inkwells in brass surrounds (the hinges now a bit loose fro...
Brass
19th Century Bronze Sculpture "The Letter"
Located in Rochester, NY
Antique bronze sculpture of man reading a letter or proclamation. Marble base, 19th century. Unsigned.
Bronze
Large Antique Campaign Burr Walnut Writing Box. English. C.1870
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful burr walnut writing box or slope Fabulous colour and figure in the wood Fine brass hardware and ebony stringing Working secret drawers* Replaced leather No Key Free U...
Brass
$900
H 12.5 in W 1.5 in D 0.5 in
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Bronze Letter Opener with Mercury Handle
Located in North Miami, FL
Late 19th century French Neoclassical gilt bronze letter opener with Mercury God motif on handle By: unknown Material: metal, bronze, copper, tin Techniqu...
Bronze, Tin, Copper, Metal
$2,450
H 6.69 in W 17.91 in D 10.63 in
19th Century Victorian Writing Slope/ Travel Desk Box, Brass Bound, UK ca. 1815
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Impressive Victorian writing slope or travel desk - attributed to the famous company of Thompson - from the period around 1800 - 1815 in the United Kingdom. This fantastic Captain’s campaign writing slope dates back to the Napoleonic wars. Well constructed out of solid mahogany with screwed down mount re-enforcements, brass banding, and inset carrying handles at each end, this outstanding travel desk box was designed to withstand the harsh maritime life at sea. The exterior of this Victorian travel box shows an attractive mahogany grain, beautiful colour, and a lovely pleasing patina. There are a couple of old indented scars to the lid along with the usual minor surface scratching, but these imperfections confer it an absolutely unique charme. The box has a tri-fold operation, opening to reveal a secondary smaller writing surface for quick use, then opening again to reveal the main slope fitted with a green felt writing surface which is in reasonable condition and compliments the original interior. When it is completely opened you have two storage compartments underneath. The original lock works smoothly with the original key. The original interior is nicely fitted out with a dark green leather drop-down section in the lid which features four memoire pockets. This section can additionally be lowered to reveal a document wallet...
Brass
French Champlevé Enamel & Ormolu Letter Rack, Late 19th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Champlevé Enamel & Ormolu Letter Rack, Late 19th Century A richly ornamented French champlevé enamel and gilt bronze letter rack, dating to the late 19th century. This jewel-...
Ormolu
$350
H 4.75 in W 13 in D 9 in
Antique 19th Century Victorian Birdseye Maple Traveling Writing Slope Box
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique dark birds eye maple writing slope with brass M monogram plate on top with green felt lining and multiple interior storage compartments finishe...
Felt, Birdseye Maple, Ebony
$680
H 4.25 in W 16 in D 9.5 in
Antique French English Rosewood Brass Inlaid Boulle Writing Slope Box Desk 19thC
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An Exquisite Example of an Early Rosewood Travelling Writing Slope of fairly large proportions of Continental origin, possibly French. Circa first half of the Nineteenth Century prob...
Brass
$765
H 4 in W 14 in D 9 in
Antique 19th Century English Georgian Rosewood Campaign Writing Slope Desk 14"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th Century English Georgian campaign writing slope, box or travel desk. Made of walnut feautring rectangular form with brass banding. Opens to purple velvet interior with...
Brass
$960Sale Price|20% Off
H 3 in W 6.8 in D 3.2 in
Charles X Gothic Revival Gilt and Patinated Bronze and Siena Marble Inkwell
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Of rectangular shape, decorated with gothic cathedral arcades, with two wells and two pen holders, raised on a Siena marble base raised on scrolled feet. Between the twelfth and six...
Siena Marble, Bronze
19th Century brass bound mahogany writing slope
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century brass bound mahogany writing slope circa 1890. Good quality brass bound box slope made in mahogany. Inscribed brass plaque shows that this was presented to a mr james ...
Brass
$1,385 / item
H 6.25 in W 360 in D 9.5 in
Antique Regency Brass Bound Traveling Desk Wooden Mahogany Writing Slope Regency
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An Exceptionally Fine Quality English Well Figured Solid grained Mahogany Officers Campaign Style Traveling Writing Slope of outstanding quality and unusually large size. First quart...
Brass
19th Century English Inlaid Letter Box Signed by Maker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 19th c. English Inlaid Letter Box Signed by Maker Halstaff and Hannaford 223 Regent Street.
Gothic Revival Coromandel and Brass Lap Desk
Located in New Orleans, LA
Highly-prized coromandel, or East Indian ebony, was used to create this beautiful 19th-century British Gothic Revival lap desk. The desirable wo...
Brass