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.
Very Rare Swiss or German Late Gothic early 16th century "Flachschnitz" Bench
Located in Troy, NY
Very Rare Swiss or German Late Gothic early 16th century "Flachschnitz" Bench. Unique, decorative, charming bench, front and back panels with intricate and whimsical “Flachschnitz” d...
Pine
$5,200Sale Price|20% Off
Gothic Turned Wood Settee
By William & Mary
Located in New York, NY
Gilded Age American settee with upholstered seat and carved mahogany frame with spindle detailing. Seat is reupholstered in a bold red wool blend fabric. Circa 1890-1910.
Wool, Upholstery, Wood
Modern Gio Ponti Style Window Bench or Settee
By Gio Ponti
Located in Rome, IT
Modern walnut sculpted bench or settee inspired by Gio Ponti the famous Italian Mid - Century designer . Blue velvet cushion newly upholstered . Available also a pair .
Wood
Modern Gio Ponti Style Window Benches or Settees
By Gio Ponti
Located in Rome, IT
Modern walnut sculpted and brass sabot benches or settees inspired by Gio Ponti the famous Italian Mid - Century designer . Floating cushion newly upholstered on top of solid brass ...
Wood
Laurel Settee, Modern Windsor Style Bench in Blackened Ash
By Carter Ellis
Located in Chattanooga, TN
A clean modernization of a Classic Windsor bench, this settee features sculpted legs and slats instead of dowels and spindles. Constructed from sustainable blackened ash, the settee is artisan crafted with traditional joinery and finished with an all-natural, 100% plant-based, hard-wax oil. "The Laurel Settee...
Wood, Ash
Black Iron Lyre-Back Bench or Settee, Brass Swan Heads & Paw Feet
Located in St. Louis, MO
Rarely Seen vintage black wrought iron and brass lyre-back with swan heads and paw feet bench or settee with upholstered stripe seat cushion and two bol...
Brass, Wrought Iron
Italian Bench / Settee with Wall Hanging Back, Italy, 1950
By Ico Parisi
Located in Milan, IT
Spectacular Italian bench / settee with wall hanging back, Italy, 1950.
Upholstery, Wood
19th c. Caned and Painted Bench
Located in New Orleans, LA
Carved and Painted Country Bench
Wood
Hollywood Regency Settee
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Daybed style settee, upholstered in Joan Miró inspired fabric, having a long, button-tufted, drop-in center cushion, flanked by padded, outscrolled ...
Upholstery, Wood
$3,592Sale Price|20% Off
H 37.01 in W 59.06 in D 17.72 in
20th Century Spanish Renaissance Carved Walnut Bench Banquette "Escaño"
Located in Miami, FL
Stunning antique Spanish Renaissance walnut bench, called "escaño" in Spain, believed to date back to the early 20th century. The piece has a deep reliefs hand-carved back that featu...
Walnut
$5,074Sale Price|45% Off
H 45.28 in W 86.62 in D 27.56 in
Fine Nord Italian 18th Century Walnut Settee
Located in Rome, IT
A fine Nord Italian 18'century walnut Settee with scrolled arm-support on 8 cabriole legs , covered with silk fabric of Rubelli. cm 220x115x70
Wood
$2,603Sale Price|30% Off
H 42.92 in W 66.74 in D 26.38 in
18th Century Spanish Pyrenean Mountain Bench
Located in London, GB
A large late 18th century bench from the Pyrenees Mountains in northern Aragon. Primitively constructed from dark, heavily patinated pine timber - a one-off piece, likely built for a...
Pine
Danish Classic 1930s "Banana-Style" Settee or Bench in Red Velvet
By Kaare Klint, Frits Henningsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic, rare and very elegant Danish 1930s bench or settee in the style of Kaare Klint and Frits Henningsen. The settee is unmarked as was most often the...
Wool, Mahogany
$8,135Sale Price|20% Off
H 45.28 in W 86.62 in D 27.56 in
Elegant Nord Italian 18th Century Walnut Settee, 1750
Located in Rome, IT
A fine Nord Italian 18th century walnut settee with scrolled arm-support on 8 cabriole legs, covered with silk fabric of Rubelli in excellent condition. Measures: cm 220 x 115 x 70.
Wood
Pair of Swedish Gustavian Style Grey Painted Benches or Settees
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair Of Swedish Gustavian style grey painted benches Complimentary delivery to most areas of London UK.
Pine
Early 20th Century Carved Mahogany Window Seat
Located in Miami, FL
An unusual early 20th century Adam style carved mahogany window seat, having serpentine back and seat with scrolled out-swept arms, decorated ...
Fabric, Mahogany
Italian Carved Wood Triple Splat Back Cherry Settee, Circa 1770
Located in Charleston, SC
Italian Cherry carved splat back settee with floral scrolled motif, scrolled flanking arms , connecting serpentine stretchers, and terminating on the original slipper feet. Settee ha...
Cherry, Upholstery, Wood
Antique R.J. Horner Style Carved Mahogany Winged Griffin Parlor Set
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique R.J. Horner Style Carved Mahogany Winged Griffin Parlor Set Stunning Antique R.J. Horner Style 2 piece Carved Mahogany Winged Griffin Parlor Set. Both the settee & matching...
Leather, Mahogany
Sold
H 54.73 in W 48.43 in D 29.53 in
19th Century Painted Gothic Continental Leather Upholstered Settle Bench
Located in Basingstoke, Hampshire
A unique 19th century Continental settle, featuring original folk hand painted leather inserts depicting large childlike floral motifs to each of the...
Upholstery
19th Century Carved Gothic Oak Window Seat or Hall Bench
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th century carved Gothic oak window seat or hall bench This a lovely piece of carved furniture, the back of the seat is crisply carved with the traditional Wheel of Life pattern...
19th Century Breton High Back Carved Oak Box Settle, Carved Hall Seat
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
The settle is intricately carved, the back has a very jolly scene in the centre panel, it is set outside a hostelry and shows a young lady seeing off a gentleman who seems to have ha...
Oak