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Gothic Revival Seating

Gothic Revival 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. 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.

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Style: Gothic Revival
E W Pugin. Gothic Revival oak chair designed for the Granville Hotel in Ramsgate
E W Pugin. Gothic Revival oak chair designed for the Granville Hotel in Ramsgate

E W Pugin. Gothic Revival oak chair designed for the Granville Hotel in Ramsgate

By Edward Welby Pugin

Located in London, GB

E. Welby Pugin. A Gothic Revival oak chair design can be found in the Public Record Office, Kew. (BT/43/58, no. 245877)., and is titled 'front elevation of chair quarter real size'. The chair was part of the interiors E. W. Pugin designed for the Granville Hotel in Ramsgate. Unfortunately, the hotel's failure in 1873 led to Pugin's bankruptcy. However, by 1876, some of Pugin's designs were available through Cox & Sons church furnishings...

Category

1870s English Antique Gothic Revival Seating

Materials

Oak

Alfred Waterhouse attributed for James Lamb. A Gothic Revival oak hall chair
Alfred Waterhouse attributed for James Lamb. A Gothic Revival oak hall chair

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...

Category

1870s English Antique Gothic Revival Seating

Materials

Oak

Flemish Gothic Revival Oak Footstool, Belgium, 19th Century
Flemish Gothic Revival Oak Footstool, Belgium, 19th Century

Flemish Gothic Revival Oak Footstool, Belgium, 19th Century

Located in Meulebeke, BE

Belgium / 19th century / Footstool / oak and fabric / Gothic revival / Flemish A sculptural testament to 19th-century historicism, this Flemish footstool channels the romantic gran...

Category

19th Century Belgian Antique Gothic Revival Seating

Materials

Fabric, Velvet, Wood

19th Century Library Armchair in the Gothic Manner
19th Century Library Armchair in the Gothic Manner

19th Century Library Armchair in the Gothic Manner

Located in Dublin 8, IE

19th century oak library armchair in the Gothic manner. The rectangular padded upholstered back with down swept padded open Gothic arched supports over stuffed seat raised on square ...

Category

Late 19th Century Irish Antique Gothic Revival Seating

Materials

Leather, Oak

Carved Upholstered Tan Library or Window Stool
Carved Upholstered Tan Library or Window Stool

Carved Upholstered Tan Library or Window Stool

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

Carved Upholstered Tan Library or Window Stool This is a good Sturdy Library Stool it has a sturdy carved frame and legs The stool is upholstered in a Tan Leatherette This sturdy ...

Category

1930s Vintage Gothic Revival Seating

Materials

Walnut

Huge & sculptural grey wood Matrix throne/armchair by Adriano e Paolo Suman for
Huge & sculptural grey wood Matrix throne/armchair by Adriano e Paolo Suman for

Huge & sculptural grey wood Matrix throne/armchair by Adriano e Paolo Suman for

By Giorgetti S.p.A., Adriano and Paolo Suman

Located in Varese, Lombardia

Important and sculptural post-modern throne/armchair from the Matrix series, designed by A. and P. Suman for Giorgietti in 1984. This throne is made of gray stained wood and evokes i...

Category

1980s Italian Vintage Gothic Revival Seating

Materials

Wood

A W N Pugin Gothic Revival oak armchair by Gillows of Lancaster or Holland & Son
A W N Pugin Gothic Revival oak armchair by Gillows of Lancaster or Holland & Son

A W N Pugin Gothic Revival oak armchair by Gillows of Lancaster or Holland & Son

A W N Pugin, probably made by Gillows of Lancaster or Holland and son, for the House of Lords in Parliament Square London. A Gothic Revival oak armchair. Professionally re-upholstered.

Category

1860s English Antique Gothic Revival Seating

Materials

Oak

A W N Pugin attributed, made by Gillows of Lancaster. A Gothic Revival oak side
A W N Pugin attributed, made by Gillows of Lancaster. A Gothic Revival oak side

A W N Pugin attributed, made by Gillows of Lancaster. A Gothic Revival oak side

A W N Pugin attributed, made by Gillows of Lancaster. A Gothic Revival oak side chair with carved entwining leaf florets to the shaped upper back rest, and a carved rose to the centr...

Category

1860s English Antique Gothic Revival Seating

Materials

Oak

Charles Bevan attributed. A Gothic Revival side chair with scroll carvings
Charles Bevan attributed. A Gothic Revival side chair with scroll carvings

Charles Bevan attributed. A Gothic Revival side chair with scroll carvings

By Charles Bevan

Located in London, GB

Charles Bevan attributed. A gothic Revival side chair with scroll carvings to the upper sides and incised decoration framing the backrest, with chamfered, and carved, and dot decorat...

Category

1870s English Antique Gothic Revival Seating

Materials

Oak

A W N Pugin, probably made by Gillows of Lancaster A Gothic Revival oak armchair
A W N Pugin, probably made by Gillows of Lancaster A Gothic Revival oak armchair

A W N Pugin, probably made by Gillows of Lancaster A Gothic Revival oak armchair

A. W. N. Pugin Probably made by Gillows of Lancaster for the House of Lords, London. A Gothic Revival oak armchair with carved rosettes to the headrest, and each side of the arms. Un...

Category

1860s English Antique Gothic Revival Seating

Materials

Oak

Charles Bevan attributed. A gothic Revival side chair with chamfered edges
Charles Bevan attributed. A gothic Revival side chair with chamfered edges

Charles Bevan attributed. A gothic Revival side chair with chamfered edges

By Charles Bevan

Located in London, GB

Charles Bevan attributed. A gothic Revival side chair with chamfered edges, and ebonized dot decoration to the lower back, and to the front and back seat corners. With ring turned su...

Category

1870s English Antique Gothic Revival Seating

Materials

Walnut

George Edmund Street. Judges armchair designed for The Royal Courts of Justice.
George Edmund Street. Judges armchair designed for The Royal Courts of Justice.

George Edmund Street. Judges armchair designed for The Royal Courts of Justice.

By George Edmund Street

Located in London, GB

George Edmund Street. A Gothic Revival oak armchair, designed for the Judges for The Royal Courts of Justice in Fleet St (London's High Court). With spiral carved finials and further spiral carving to the front legs. With a subtle flowing design below the arms and shallow carved floral decoration to the back of the arms. This armchair is ready for upholstery, the horse hair back is designed for button back upholstery. In 1868 G E Street's design won the competition to build The Royal Courts of Justice. Queen Victoria opened the Royal Courts in December 1882 after eleven years of construction. The building instantly became an awe-inspiring landmark in the heart of London’s Fleet Street. We have two more Judges armchairs...

Category

1870s English Antique Gothic Revival Seating

Materials

Oak

Mid-19th Century Gothic Revival English Walnut Reclining Arm Chair
Mid-19th Century Gothic Revival English Walnut Reclining Arm Chair

Mid-19th Century Gothic Revival English Walnut Reclining Arm Chair

Located in Chicago, IL

Invented Circa 1850, the precursor to the modern recliner was initially designed for its versatility: early models could serve as a chair, a bed, and a chaise lounge. This innovation quickly gained popularity for combining comfort with luxury. Napoleon III, the nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte and Emperor of the French, reportedly owned one of the first recliners. This model, constructed in neighboring England during the same era, may even resemble the French monarch’s reclinable chair. Intended for an English drawing room or parlor, this beautiful piece features elegant jacquard upholstery and turned legs. The backrest can extend almost one-hundred-eight degrees from an upright position, facilitated by a graceful manual mechanism similar to the ratcheting recline...

Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Gothic Revival Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Bruce Talbert, Gillows, Two Rare Gothic Revival Oak Armchair in Blue Upholstery.
Bruce Talbert, Gillows, Two Rare Gothic Revival Oak Armchair in Blue Upholstery.

Bruce Talbert, Gillows, Two Rare Gothic Revival Oak Armchair in Blue Upholstery.

Bruce Talbert. Gillows of Lancaster. Two rare Gothic Revival armchairs. *The two with dark and light blue upholstery shown here are available, the one with brown upholstery is now s...

Category

1860s English Antique Gothic Revival Seating

Materials

Oak

John Pollard Seddon A Rare Gothic Oak Armchair with Carved Dog Heads to the Arms
John Pollard Seddon A Rare Gothic Oak Armchair with Carved Dog Heads to the Arms

John Pollard Seddon A Rare Gothic Oak Armchair with Carved Dog Heads to the Arms

John Pollard Seddon. A rare Gothic Revival armchair with carved dogs heads to the arms, and inlaid dot details. This was probably made by his family firm Thomas Seddon (Seddon and Co), New Bond Street London. Founded by his Great Grandfather George Seddon They supplied furniture to Windsor castle and Buckingham Palace. J P Seddon exhibited a similar style armchair on the Morris, Marshall, Faulkner and Co stand at the 1862 International Exhibition, illustrated in Jeremy Coopers Victorian and Edwardian Furniture and Interiors, page 104 illustration 220 showing the original drawing and 227 (a variation of this chair) image attached. There is another version illustrated in Nineteenth Century Design by Charlotte Gere and Michael Whiteway, page 84 illustration pl 83 (last 2 images). Interestingly at one point Seddon's partner was E. W. Godwin, a friend of the Pre-Raphaelites and some of his pupils were Ford Maddox...

Category

1860s English Antique Gothic Revival Seating

Materials

Oak

Antique Leather and Oak Side / Desk Chair
Antique Leather and Oak Side / Desk Chair

Antique Leather and Oak Side / Desk Chair

Located in London, GB

A beautiful antique leather and oak side / desk chair. This is in the gothic revival style, it was made in England and dates from around the 1920’s. The quality is outstanding, this...

Category

1920s British Vintage Gothic Revival Seating

Materials

Leather, Oak

Vintage English Hall Chair With Dog Motif
Vintage English Hall Chair With Dog Motif

Vintage English Hall Chair With Dog Motif

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Exude an air of timeless dignity with this stately vintage English hall chair, a fine example of Gothic Revival craftsmanship. Constructed from solid oak, the piece features a high, ...

Category

Early 20th Century British Gothic Revival Seating

Materials

Oak

Gothic Revival Pair of Chairs by Holland & Sons
Gothic Revival Pair of Chairs by Holland & Sons

Gothic Revival Pair of Chairs by Holland & Sons

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

Category

1870s English Antique Gothic Revival Seating

Materials

Brass

PAIR Antique English Walnut, Ash and ceramic tile Gothic style Hall Chairs
PAIR Antique English Walnut, Ash and ceramic tile Gothic style Hall Chairs

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 ...

Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Gothic Revival Seating

Materials

Ceramic, Ash, Walnut

Six Original Victorian circa 1890 Steeple Back Gothic Arch Oak Dining Chairs 6
Six Original Victorian circa 1890 Steeple Back Gothic Arch Oak Dining Chairs 6

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 ...

Category

1890s English Antique Gothic Revival Seating

Materials

Oak

19th Black Painted Century French Armchair
19th Black Painted Century French Armchair

19th Black Painted Century French Armchair

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Late 19th Century French writing desk armchair painted in black, in solid oak wood. This richly sculptured armchair from Gothic revival period, is decorated with rams head on the arm...

Category

1880s French Antique Gothic Revival Seating

Materials

Oak

THREE RESTORED BROWN LEATHER CHESTERFiELD GOTHIC STEEPLE KITCHEN BAR STOOLS 3
THREE RESTORED BROWN LEATHER CHESTERFiELD GOTHIC STEEPLE KITCHEN BAR STOOLS 3

THREE RESTORED BROWN LEATHER CHESTERFiELD GOTHIC STEEPLE KITCHEN BAR STOOLS 3

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of three stunning fully restored hand dyed Whisky Brown leather, Gothic Revival Steeple ba...

Category

20th Century English Gothic Revival Seating

Materials

Leather, Oak

Antique Victorian Gothic Revival Solid Oak Swivel Desk Chair
Antique Victorian Gothic Revival Solid Oak Swivel Desk Chair

Antique Victorian Gothic Revival Solid Oak Swivel Desk Chair

Located in London, GB

A superb antique Victorian Gothic revival solid oak swivel desk chair, made in England and dating from around the 1870-1880 period. This is of outstanding quality, it is beautifully...

Category

1870s British Antique Gothic Revival Seating

Materials

Oak

Pair of 19th Century English Victorian Gothic Revival Walnut Armchairs
Pair of 19th Century English Victorian Gothic Revival Walnut Armchairs

Pair of 19th Century English Victorian Gothic Revival Walnut Armchairs

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

For sale is a good quality pair of 19th century Victorian reformed Gothic walnut and leather upholstered armchairs. Both armchairs have ornately turned frames and stretchers, and hav...

Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Gothic Revival Seating

Materials

Walnut

Gothic Revival Side Chairs
Gothic Revival Side Chairs

Gothic Revival Side Chairs

By Michelle Nussbaumer Studio

Located in Dallas, TX

Custom designed by Michelle Nussbaumer Studio. Gothic Revival inspired with hand finished layered finish. Gold leaf applied over hand-painted and hand-carved frames. Antique nail...

Category

2010s American Gothic Revival Seating

Materials

Gold Leaf

Large Pair of Gothic Style Armchairs, France, 19th Century
Large Pair of Gothic Style Armchairs, France, 19th Century

Large Pair of Gothic Style Armchairs, France, 19th Century

Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse

Imposing pair of large neogothic hall chairs/armchairs, made of walnut, upholstered in petit-point tapestry.

Category

19th Century French Antique Gothic Revival Seating

Gothic Revival Georgian Irish Chesterfield Leather Carver Armchair, circa 1800
Gothic Revival Georgian Irish Chesterfield Leather Carver Armchair, circa 1800

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...

Category

Early 1800s Irish Antique Gothic Revival Seating

Materials

Leather

Pair of Gothic Revival Armchairs
Pair of Gothic Revival Armchairs

Pair of Gothic Revival Armchairs

Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse

Pair of gothic revival oak armchairs. Upholstered in embossed leather.

Category

19th Century French Antique Gothic Revival Seating

19th Century English Gothic Revival Armchair
19th Century English Gothic Revival Armchair

19th Century English Gothic Revival Armchair

Located in Southampton, NY

19th century Gothic Revival painted ivory white and gold armchair.

Category

19th Century English Antique Gothic Revival Seating

Materials

Wood, Paint

19th Century French Gothic Walnut Armchair with Embroidery
19th Century French Gothic Walnut Armchair with Embroidery

19th Century French Gothic Walnut Armchair with Embroidery

Located in Dallas, TX

19th century French Gothic walnut armchair with embroidery features timeless design with visual appeal that includes spires, naturalistic forms an...

Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Gothic Revival Seating

Materials

Walnut

SUITE OF THREE HIGH SEAT HAND PAINTED SiDE CHAIRS IN THE GOTHIC REVIVAL TASTE
SUITE OF THREE HIGH SEAT HAND PAINTED SiDE CHAIRS IN THE GOTHIC REVIVAL TASTE

SUITE OF THREE HIGH SEAT HAND PAINTED SiDE CHAIRS IN THE GOTHIC REVIVAL TASTE

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of three vintage hand painted bergère Gothic Revival chairs with higher than normal seats ...

Category

20th Century English Gothic Revival Seating

Materials

Pine

Gothic Revival seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Gothic Revival seating for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage seating created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, more furniture and collectibles, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, oak and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Gothic Revival seating made in a specific country, there are Europe, United Kingdom, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original seating, popular names associated with this style include Gillows of Lancaster & London, Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin, John Pollard Seddon, and George Edmund Street. 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 seating differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $556 and tops out at $44,751 while the average work can sell for $3,184.