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Gothic Folk Art

GOTHIC STYLE

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. The style is characterized by such decorative flourishes as pointed arches, floral details, finials, heraldic motifs and linenfold carving. The movement was rooted in religious and social conservatism. Its 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 castle or cathedral that inspired it, a Gothic Revival chair makes 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 might make a statement that your home is indeed your castle.

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Style: Gothic
Gothic Wood Panel, France, 1600s
Located in Meulebeke, BE
This charming iconic gothic panel has a beautifully carved geometric pattern decoration with a carved frame. The combination of the geometric architectural decoration with its beauti...
Category

16th Century French Antique Gothic Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Set of Three Vintage Paintings with People in Rococo Costumes
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Three Vintage Paintings with People in Rococo Costumes A set of three paintings depicting two noble ladies and a noble man in Rococo costumes. Handpainted with enamel paint o...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Gothic Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Set of Six Vintage Paintings with Minstrel Scenes from the Manesse Song Manuscri
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Six Vintage Paintings with Minstrel Scenes from the Manesse Song Manuscript A set of six paintings depicting minstrel scenes from the mane...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Gothic Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Set of Three Vintage Paintings with People in Rococo Costumes
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Three Vintage Paintings with People in Rococo Costumes A set of three paintings depicting two noble ladies and a noble man in Rococo costumes. Handpainted in Germany ca. 1950...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Gothic Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Antique Medieval European Castle Gothic Forged Iron Processional on Stand
Located in Forney, TX
A spectacular early European castle altar processional / torchiere stand. circa 1730 or earlier. Born in Continental Europe in the early 18th century or earlier, some later elements, most likely Germanic, Medieval Gothic style, hand forged iron sculptural cross form mounted with primitive push-button panel opening to reveal heraldic coat of arms embossed brass plaque, with The Nelsons family banner, royal crown crest with cross, standing mythical goat and stag heraldic supporters, shield escutcheon castle, fleur-de-lis, three diamonds and eagle shield...
Category

Early 18th Century European Antique Gothic Folk Art

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

Russian Icon of Madonna and Child in Repoussé Metal, Early 20th Century
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Russian icon of Madonna and Child from the early 20th Century. The handmade icon features silvered sheet metal over wood with Repoussé work featuring etched, engraved, and hammered ...
Category

1910s Russian Vintage Gothic Folk Art

Materials

Metal, Silver

Antique Gothic Carved Limestone Model of a Madonna or Venus
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique limestone carving. Modeled as a Madonna. With her head slightly tilted, holding an orb in one hand, and with her other hand resting on her breast. By repute ...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Unknown Antique Gothic Folk Art

Materials

Limestone

Related Items
Pair of Magnificent Antique French Carved Wood Panels Depicting the Four Seasons
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An Extraordinary Pair of early 20th century carved wood Panels depicting the Four Seasons. Tall narrow unpainted panels with high relief carved decoration with motifs of the Four Sea...
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Early 19th Century French Antique Gothic Folk Art

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Wood

Charming French Papier Mache and Wood Large Antique Horse, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
With original leather bridle, saddle, head-dress and accompanying booklet. A wonderful thing, beautiful patina.
Category

19th Century French Antique Gothic Folk Art

Materials

Leather, Wood, Paper

1600s-1700s Eastern Ball Headed Club
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Eastern ball headed club of walnut burl with panther effigy over ball. High polished use. Scalloped handle at base. Original drops missing. The panthe...
Category

1650s American Antique Gothic Folk Art

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Wood

1600s-1700s Eastern Ball Headed Club
1600s-1700s Eastern Ball Headed Club
H 23.25 in W 4 in D 4 in
Evelyn Ackerman Animal Wood Carved Panel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wood carving by California artist, Evelyn Ackerman, c.1960s. This carving features a hand carved creature. Dimensions 12.5" width x 9.25" depth x 1" height. Condition Good, origina...
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Mid-20th Century American Gothic Folk Art

Materials

Wood

French Modernist Cubist Painting Summer Town Scene
Located in Cirencester, GB
Summer Town Scene by Maurice Mazeilie (French, 1924-2021) watercolor painting on artist paper, unframed signed lower right stamped verso painting: 14.75 inches x 10.75 inches A delightful original painting by the 20th century French Impressionist artist, Maurice Mazeilie. The painting has excellent provenance having come from the artists estate sale in Paris. Mazeilie lived and worked in Montmartre, with a studio on the famous Place du Tertre. His love of the coast led him to also maintain a studio on the Brittany coastline. Born in Clichy, Hauts-de-Seine, Paris in early 1924, Mazeilie painted coastal scenes in Brittany, Parisian landscapes...
Category

Late 20th Century French Gothic Folk Art

Materials

Other

Large Antique Lighter, Iron, France, Early 20th Century
Located in Greven, DE
Exceptional lighter from heavy iron, France, early 20th century. Not functional.
Category

Early 20th Century French Gothic Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Caribbean Painting of a Boat with Figures in the Style of Orville Bulman
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Whimsical acrylic painting on canvas of a boat with a woman and three chickens in a basket executed in a delightful naive style, reminiscent of Orville Bulman...
Category

Late 20th Century Caribbean Gothic Folk Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

20th Century German Modernist Oil Painting, Three Figures
Located in Cirencester, GB
Artist: Elisabeth Hahn (German 1924-2021), Elisabeth Hahn was born in Dortmund, Germany, where she began her artistic studies. In 1953, she moved to Paris. She continued her stud...
Category

Mid-20th Century Gothic Folk Art

Materials

Other

Set of three brutalist carved wood column France XIX th century.
By Brancusi
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Set of three Brutalist carved wooden columns dating from the 19th century. French folk art. Varying in height and diameter, these columns are made of solid oak and are highly decorat...
Category

1880s French Antique Gothic Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Pair of Antique French Carved Pine Panels
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of very decorative Antique French Carved Pine Panels featuring center medallions with musical instruments, sheet music and floral/foliate motifs. Framed with raised moldings and carved leafy scrolls. Likely door insets from an Armoire...
Category

19th Century French Antique Gothic Folk Art

Materials

Pine

Pair of Antique French Carved Pine Panels
Pair of Antique French Carved Pine Panels
H 46.25 in W 23.5 in D 1.5 in
Mid-Century Owl Sculpture on Stand
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage ceramic owl sculpture on stand with glass eyes.
Category

Early 20th Century American Gothic Folk Art

Materials

Cast Stone

Mid-Century Owl Sculpture on Stand
Mid-Century Owl Sculpture on Stand
H 14.25 in W 5.4 in D 4.75 in
Vintage Folk Art Winter Snow Landscape Long Format Painting
Located in Seguin, TX
Antique circa 1915 oil on wood board folk art winter forest scene painting, wood is from an old tobacco crate . Signed Rozella D'Hizar. Unframed, edge wear.
Category

Early 20th Century American Gothic Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

Previously Available Items
Antique Tobacciana Pipe Rack Wall Art Sculpture Seven Deadly Sins, C1920, France
Located in Trensacq, FR
Antique pipe rack wall art sculpture 'Seven Deadly Sins' From Early 20th Century France. A grotesquerie of hooded monks representing the seven dead...
Category

Early 20th Century European Gothic Folk Art

Materials

Wire

Small French 19th Century Hand Forged Iron Key-Makers Shop-Sign
Located in Buisson, FR
Very nice small key makers shop-sign in neo-Gothic style. Beautiful and very detailed work, France, circa 1850-1900. Weathered. Measurement is with the base.
Category

19th Century French Antique Gothic Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Ancient Serpentine Celtic Cross
Located in London, GB
Ancient serpentine celtic cross We are proud to offer a rare museum quality Cornish carved Celtic cross. Hand carved from Serpentine and granite...
Category

17th Century British Antique Gothic Folk Art

Materials

Serpentine

Ancient Serpentine Celtic Cross
Ancient Serpentine Celtic Cross
H 17 in W 6 in L 17 in
Late 20th Century Gothic Midieval “Game of Thrones” Style Chess Set
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
Very cool midieval era chess set, figurines are very animated "Game of Thrones" style, made of hard plaster, late 20th century.
Category

Late 20th Century American Gothic Folk Art

Materials

Plaster

16th Century Angel Gargoyle Carving Corner Bracket
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
16th Century Angel Gargoyle Carving Corner Bracket The carving dates from the 16th Century, it is made in hard wood (probably Oak) The subject...
Category

16th Century Antique Gothic Folk Art

Materials

Oak

16th Century Spanish Walnut and Wrought Iron Dromedary Saddle
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a kind 16th century Spanish school dromedary saddle in carve walnut and wrought iron, in a very good condition with age and use, Its very difficult to find this pieces, it was...
Category

16th Century Spanish Antique Gothic Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Large Antique Oil on Canvas Portrait Painting of Jesus Christ in Wooden Frame
Located in Lisse, NL
Religious work of art, presented in the original antique frame. We recently purchased part of a Christian art collection and this unique painting was one of the pride posessions of ...
Category

19th Century European Antique Gothic Folk Art

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

Superbly Carved Early 19th Century French Oak Panel
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A superbly carved early 19th century French oak panel The stunning panel is an architectural piece, it is not part of another piece of furniture, ...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Gothic Folk Art

19th Century Carved Walnut Wall Bracket, Medieval Magician
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A 19th century carved walnut wall bracket, Medieval magician This is a beautifully carved piece, depicting a Medieval magician reading from his book of spells...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Gothic Folk Art

Gothic Revival Carved Wood Jester
Located in Sheffield, MA
Rare Gothic style carved wood jester. Can be standing or wall hung.
Category

19th Century Antique Gothic Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Gothic Revival Carved Wood Jester
Gothic Revival Carved Wood Jester
H 17.5 in W 14.75 in D 8 in
Pair of Early 19th Century Carved Walnut Caryatid, Winged Angels
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A very fine pair of 19th century Caryatid figures of Winged Angels Our lovely ladies Stand, wings folded, arms crossed, they each hav...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Gothic Folk Art

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Gothic Carved Oak Four Poster Single/Double Beds, 16th Century Carving
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
This is an interesting pair of beds, they have been made from wood dating back to the 16th century, the caps of the carved carved posts and the posts are hand-carved some pieces have...
Category

16th Century English Antique Gothic Folk Art

Materials

Oak

Gothic folk art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Gothic folk art for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage folk art created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, wall decorations, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Gothic folk art made in a specific country, there are Europe, Germany, and Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 folk art differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $525 and tops out at $15,000 while the average work can sell for $768.

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