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.
Antique French Gothic Bench Settee Oak Arches Linen Fold Lift Top Seat c. 1900
Located in Tyler, TX
BEAUTIFUL Antique French Oak GOTHIC REVIVAL Bench, Settee or Church Pew with Lift-Top Seat for Storage~~HIGHLY CARVED ~~c. 1900 Spectacular design elements featuring linen...
Oak
Antique Stunning Set of Three Gothic Savonarola Dante Armchairs Velvet Red Seat
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique, top quality hand carved and highly decorative antique set of 3, 19th Century curule armchairs in red velvet – Renaissance Revival Elegance. This elegant set of three matchin...
Brass
Strawberry Hill Hall Chair
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A fine gothic revival, Horace Walpole, mahogany hall chair with castellated top rail above triple gothic panels the legs with inset panel decoration. Please note we are currently wo...
Mahogany
Burmese Anglo-Indian Gothic Revival Carved Hall Seat Chair 1880
Located in Stow on the Wold, GB
Wonderful 19th century antique Anglo- Indian Burmese carved hall seat from the 19th Century. Made from solid Teak, exquisite carving, this piece would have been made in Burma for th...
Teak
19th Century Carved Solid Mahogany Bishops Cathedral Throne Chair
Located in West Chester, PA
19th Century Solid Mahogany Gothic Cathedral Chair. "En Memoriam M.M." carved on front below the quatrefoil design. Carved date on back panel Sept. 16th 1891. Brand new custom uphols...
Mahogany
$2,995 / set
19th Century Pair of Gothic Armchairs
Located in High Point, NC
19th century pair of English armchairs in the gothic manner. They have wonderfully carved frames and are newly upholstered in linen with a double welt decoration. Seat measures 18.25...
Linen, Oak
Antique French Bench Settee Gothic Oak Tracery Lift Top Seat Storage Trunk 19C
Located in Tyler, TX
BEAUTIFUL Antique French Oak GOTHIC REVIVAL Bench or Settee with Lift-Top Seat for Storage~~HIGHLY CARVED ~~c. 1880s Spectacular design elements featuring tracery, linen ...
Oak
Rare Antique Pair of Gothic Revival and Medieval Style Cloister or Church Chairs
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique and impressive, Gothic style chairs with an amazing patina. These rare and solid oak church or monastery chairs have a beautiful patination ...
Brass
$1,920Sale Price|20% Off
Oversized Gothic Revival Throne Armchair
Located in New York, NY
Fabulous over-scale Gothic Revial throne style arm chair-in carved oak, with (re upholstered) seat and backrest. This example is in very good original condition showing only light ...
Upholstery, Oak
A W N Pugin, Stamped Gillows, a Set of Four Gothic Revival Oak Dining Chairs
By Gillows of Lancaster & London, Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin
Located in London, GB
A W N Pugin, made by Gillows of Lancaster. Stamped Gillows to the back legs. A set of four Gothic Revival oak dining chairs. Measures: Height 34 1/2 inches. x width 17 inches. x d...
Oak
Early Gothic Revival Solid Rosewood Nursing Chair
Located in Altrincham, GB
Early Gothic Revival Solid Rosewood Nursing Chair - with Shell Crest, Twist Column and X-Stretcher - 22"w x 20.5"d x 45.5"h (17"h to the seat)
Rosewood
Antique Oak Chair with Gothic and Religious Carvings, 1890s
Located in OOSTERHOUT, NL
A stunning antique oak chair adorned with intricate Gothic and religious carvings, showcasing remarkable craftsmanship and historical character. The old upholstery is aged with light...
Oak
AWN Pugin, Six Gothic Revival Oak Dining Chairs Probably for the House of Lords
By Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin, Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
A W N Pugin, made by Gillows of Lancaster. Stamped Gillows to the back legs. A set of six Gothic Revival oak dining chairs probably designed for the House of Lords...
Oak
19th Century French Gothic Revival Oak Ecclesiastical Church Chair
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1870, this striking antique oak chair reflects the Gothic Revival style through its architectural silhouette and ecclesiastical purpose. The tall pierced back...
Oak
Charles Bevan Attributed, Gothic Revival Oak Desk or Side Chair
By Charles Bevan, Marsh, Jones & Cribb
Located in London, GB
Charles Bevan attributed, probably made by Marsh and Jones of Leeds. A fine quality Gothic Revival oak desk or side chair with turned uprights below the backrest and carved wavy deta...
Oak
19th Century French Gothic Oak "Stalle de Chœur" Chair with Lift-Up Seat
Located in Dallas, TX
This imposing Gothic stalle de chœur (French for choir stall) was crafted in southern France circa 1860. Built of solid oak, the architectural chair stands on sturdy bracket feet ove...
Oak
Bruce Talbert attr, A Pair of Gothic Revival Walnut Hall Chairs
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert (attributed,) a pair of Gothic Revival walnut hall chairs.
Walnut
Vintage Garden Chair in Neo Gothic Style
Located in Greven, DE
Antique or vintage garden chair in neo Gothic style. The filigree legs support the round seat with circumferential downward drawn pointed arches and quatrefoils. The same design sty...
Metal
A pair of substantial Gothic Revival oak hall chairs with period tiles
Located in London, GB
A pair of Gothic Revival oak hall chairs with two sets of period tiles inset in each chair depicting medieval farm workers. The tiles designed by John Moyr Smith.
Oak
Bruce Talbert, a Gothic Revival Tall Back Oak Chair with the Original Upholstery
By Gillows of Lancaster & London, Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert. Gillows. A rare and important Gothic Revival tall back oak chair with the original distressed leather seat and back rest. The last image is published in Bruce Talbert...
Oak
$1,129Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Gothic Revival Chairs in Carved Walnut, France, circa 1890
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Pair of caquetoire / side chairs in walnut with carved scroll backs, and beige and pink floral patterned fabric. Neo / Revival Gothic Renaissance style, France, around 1890. St...
Fabric, Wood, Walnut
Antique English Throne Chair 19th Century
Located in Newtown, CT
19th Century English Throne Chair. It is 28" wide x 81" high and 17" deep. Heavily carved chair. Missing its fretwork on top of the chair. There ...
Wood
Eight Hand Carved Walnut Gothic Revival Dining Chairs circa 1840 Stunning Frames
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to this lovely suite of eight Gothic Revival hand carved walnut dining chairs A very good looking and well made suite, made in circa 1840 but based on a much earl...
Walnut
$2,242Sale Price|35% Off
PAIR Antique English Walnut, Ash and ceramic tile Gothic style Hall Chairs
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
PAIR Superb quality Antique English mid Victorian Gothic style Walnut and Ash Gothic style Hall Chairs with inset original ceramic tiles. The handsome blind-fretted hand carved ...
Ceramic, Ash, Walnut
Six Original Victorian circa 1890 Steeple Back Gothic Arch Oak Dining Chairs 6
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of six original Gothic revival English oak Victorian dining chairs circa 1890 A very decorative and well made set, each chair ...
Oak
Set of Six Gothic Revival Ornately Carved Walnut Gilt Metal Chairs after Pugin
By Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin, Edward Welby Pugin, Pugin
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning set of six beautifully carved from solid Walnut with Gold Gilt metal fittings Gothic Revival chairs A very good looking, comfortab...
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique Hand Carved Tiger Oak Gothic Revival Desk or Hall Chair w. Leather Seat
Located in Lisse, NL
Great design and finely hand carved Gothic desk chair from the Arts and Crafts Era. This practical size chair from late 19th or early 20th centur...
Brass
Alfred Waterhouse attributed for James Lamb. A Gothic Revival oak hall chair
By Alfred Waterhouse, Lamb of Manchester
Located in London, GB
Alfred Waterhouse attributed for James Lamb. A Gothic Revival oak hall chair with carved rosette to the domed top and further stylized carving with ebonized incised details, and a cu...
Oak
Gothic Revival Pair of Chairs by Holland & Sons
Located in Petworth, GB
Gothic Revival pair of mahogany chairs Original leather seats Brass Castors Egyptianesque design and ebony detailing Circa 1870 Holland & Sons
Brass
Beautiful Neogothic armchair in ebonized oak wood
Located in Milano, IT
COD-517 Beautiful Gothic Revival armchair in ebonized oak wood, north Europe, 1860's.
Oak
Gothic Revival Georgian Irish Chesterfield Leather Carver Armchair, circa 1800
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare original steeple back circa 1800 Georgian Irish in the Gothic revival manor armchair A very good looking collectable and decorati...
Leather
$1,408 / set
Pair of Tall Gothic Revival Chairs
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Pair of neo-gothic chairs with high backs and gothic fretwork and carved details. Upholstered in embossed leather.