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.
Spanish Chest or Coffer Carved Walnut, End of Bed 18th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
This antique Spanish walnut chest showcases remarkable carved workmanship typical of traditional Iberian craftsmanship. Main characteristics: The facade is divided into three ornate ...
Wrought Iron
Antique French Neo Gothic Trunk Chest Blanket Box Storage Coffer Oak c. 1930-40s
Located in Tyler, TX
BEAUTIFUL Vintage French Neo Gothic Inspired Trunk, Chest, Blanket Box, Coffer, or Coffee Table with Lift-Top Storage~~HIGHLY CARVED~~c. 1930-1940s SPECTACULAR design~~carv...
Oak
Stunning Antique Gothic Revival Hand Carved Elm Wood Blanket Chest / Trunk 1750
Located in Lisse, NL
Great looking and patina antique Gothic trunk, made of solid elmwood. This impressive looking and practical size chest shows a number of deep and...
Wrought Iron
Antique French 19th Century Gothic Revival Blanket Chest Carved Oak forged iron
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Breathtaking & Practical! This 19th century French Gothic revival blanket chest / chest. Made out of solid European oak, fully hand carved with much attention to detail & exceptiona...
Wrought Iron
Large Gothic Revival Style Carved Oak Blanket Chest in the Style of A.W.N. Pugin
By Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin
Located in London, GB
A large Gothic Revival oak blanket chest or linen trunk with deeply carved linenfold decoration to the lift up lid and to all four sides. Each linenfold panel is framed with half con...
Oak
$3,295Sale Price|20% Off
Large Victorian Chinese Redwood carved coffer
By Richard Charles
Located in Dereham, GB
Large Victorian Chinese Redwood carved coffer Commissioned by the previous owners Great Grandfather circa 1870s/80s to be housed in a Scottish Castle ...
Hardwood
18th Century Dutch Gothic Revival Period Carved Oak Trunk ~ Blanket Chest
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand crafted from solid oak during the 18th century, this handsome Dutch trunk reflects the enduring influence of Gothic design that remained popular in the Low Countries long after ...
Iron
$1,548Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.93 in W 37.8 in D 25.2 in
Antique Travel Trunk, English, Pine, Zinc Lined, Carriage Chest, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique travel trunk. An English, pine and zinc lined carriage chest dating to the Victorian period, circa 1900. A substantial, appealing ...
Zinc
$3,775
H 24.81 in W 51.19 in D 25.99 in
circa 1800 Extra Large Antique Original Paint German Blanket Chest Coffer Trunk
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning, extra large circa 1800 hand painted German clothes trunk or marriage coffer chest with Acanthus leaf painting I have recently purchased a very large collection of these original, antique painted wardrobes...
Pine
$5,423
H 32.09 in W 55.52 in D 22.05 in
LARGE ANTIQUE 1719 DATED HAND CARVED OAK LiNEN TRUNK COFFER CHEST WITH DRAWERS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning original 1719 Dated hand carved English oak trunk with uncommon based drawers Please note: Th...
Oak
$4,462
H 27.76 in W 59.45 in D 25.6 in
1802 Dated Huge Antique Original Paint European Blanket Chest Coffer Trunk
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, extra large circa 1802 dated aqua blue hand painted European clothes trunk or marriage coffer chest I have recently purchased ...
Pine
Antique Early 18th Century Carved Oak Coffer/Chest
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique early 18th century carved oak coffer/chest having finely carved detail to the panels and frieze, panelled sides, standing on stile feet. A fantastic example in original con...
Oak
$2,200
H 27.25 in W 38.25 in D 25.25 in
Antique Scandinavian Pine Baroque Folk Art Carved Dowry Chest Trunk Coffer 1780
Located in Portland, OR
A very good antique Scandinavian carved Baroque Folk Art dowry chest, Circa 1780. The chest having a gently domed top with a hinged lid having the original 'snipe' hinges, the edge ...
Pine
Rare Large Gothic 16th century carved solid oak chest, France
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 16th century / bridal or blanket chest / oak / Gothic This impressive chest was hand-carved in solid oak in the 16th century in France. The construction is typical of very...
Oak
$2,182
H 1.38 in W 14.57 in D 14.57 in
Mid-19th Century Gothic Revival, Elm and Birch Chessboard with Brass Gallery
Located in Knivsta, SE
Mid-19th Century Gothic Revival Inlaid Elm and Birch Chessboard with Patinated Brass Gallery A striking mid-19th century Gothic Revival chessboard, beautifully crafted with an intri...
Brass
19th Century American Six Board Blanket Chest
Located in High Point, NC
Early 19th century American pine blanket chest made from six boards. The color is a brick reddish brown and is original to the piece. The hinges appear to be original to the piece ...
Pine
Small 19th Century French Studded Chest - Trunk
Located in Basingstoke, Hampshire
A small 19th century French studded and cloth-bound chest. Covered in the original green and white cloth decorated with brass studs and brass bound edges. Displaying a domed top, rai...
Pine
Antique 19th Century American Country Blanket Chest
Located in Sheffield, MA
19th century rustic American chest or floor trunk. Can be used for storage or coffee table. Place the blanket chest at the bottom of a bed or in a mud room and add a cushion for a bi...
Wood
French Neo‑Renaissance Oak Blanket Chest, 19th Century
Located in Meulebeke, BE
A richly carved expression of 19th‑century French historicism, this neo‑Renaissance oak blanket chest brings together the drama, symbolism, and sculptural craftsmanship that defined ...
Oak
Sold
H 21 in W 51.75 in D 19 in
Antique French Gothic Trunk Chest Blanket Box Storage Coffer Knights Oak 19thC
Located in Tyler, TX
LOVELY Antique French Gothic Trunk, Chest, Blanket Box, Coffer, or Coffee Table with Lift-Top Storage~~HIGHLY CARVED~~ SPECTACULAR gothic design with iron strap hinges~~ pa...
Oak
Spanish Walnut Chest Table, 19th C.
Located in Astoria, NY
Spanish Walnut Chest Table, 19th century or earlier, top with iron lock plate opening to reveal storage compartment above two drawers. 25" H x 48" W x 24.25" D. Provenance: From the...
Walnut
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H 24 in W 51.25 in D 19 in
Antique English Trunk Chest Blanket Box Storage Coffer Oak Shield c. 1900-1920
Located in Tyler, TX
HANDSOME Antique English Trunk, Chest, Blanket Box, Coffer, or Coffee Table with Lift-Top Storage~~HIGHLY CARVED~~c. 1900-1920s SPECTACULAR gothic design with iron strap hinges~~ Carved linen...
Oak
18th century Danish oak dome top coffer
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
18th century Danish oak dome top coffer circa 1790. Beautiful dome top coffer made from solid oak, and decorated with ornate strap work. Lid opens to reveal a partially fitted inte...
Metal
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H 26.97 in W 66.93 in D 19.3 in
Chest or Coffer Painted & Carved Pine, End of Bed Spain circa 1960
Located in Labrit, Landes
Spanish coffer or chest made circa 1960. This pine and wrought iron chest has been fully painted, even inside. Bunches of grapes, lemons, melons, apples and watermelons adorn this co...
Wrought Iron
Primitive Coffer, Sweden circa 1860
Located in Culver City, CA
Sweden circa 1860 Constructed in pine wood with one large surface door. Weathered patina. 57”L x 19”d x 18”h
Pine
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H 24.25 in W 41.25 in D 20 in
Antique French Trunk Chest Blanket Box Storage Coffer Gothic Revival c. 1920-30
Located in Tyler, TX
BEAUTIFUL Antique French Oak GOTHIC REVIVAL Coffer, Trunk, Chest, Coffee Table or Blanket Box with Lift-Top Storage~~HIGHLY CARVED ~~c. 1920s-1930s Spectacular design with carved linen fold...
Oak
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H 33.86 in W 59.06 in D 21.07 in
19th Century Chest or Coffer Carved Oak, French Gothic Revival Style
Located in Labrit, Landes
French coffer or chest assembled circa 1960 with panels made circa 1850. All All the walls of the trunk as well as the top are in carved oak and the bottom of the trunk is made of ...
Oak
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H 25.4 in W 33 in D 18.7 in
Rare Size Antique Gothic Revival Hand Carved Oak Chest / Trunk with Warm Patina
Located in Lisse, NL
Marvelous, mid 1800s Gothic chest with deepest hand carved, church window-like panels. Because of the quality and the depth of the carvings, the beautiful overall design and the s...
Wrought Iron
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H 24.2 in W 41 in D 19.1 in
Antique Hand Carved Oak Gothic Blanket Chest w. Church Window Panels & Knight
Located in Lisse, NL
Wonderful Gothic Revival chest with an amazing presence and patina. If you like Gothic Revival furniture then we are certain you will like this quality carved and intricate chest. This superb and practical size specimen comes with very attractive and deeply carved, Gothic church-window-like panels and folded scroll paper carvings on the sides. This entirely hand-crafted out of solid oak chest has a pair of the most intricate Gothic church windows panels you ever saw and the guards standing on pillars on both corners are like the gatekeepers...
Wrought Iron
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H 21.3 in W 41.2 in D 19.5 in
Stunning & Quality Carved Gothic Revival Blanket Chest with Church Window Panels
Located in Lisse, NL
Wonderful Gothic Revival box / chest with an amazing presence. If you like great condition Gothic Revival furniture then we are certain you will like this quality carved and intricate chest. This fine and practical specimen comes with perfectly hand-carved, church-window-like panels on the front and the entire front is made of a marvelous oakwood with a stunning grain. This stylish and highly decorative antique was...
Brass
Arts and Crafts Gothic Carved Panelled Oak Coffer
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Arts and Crafts Gothic carved panelled oak coffer. This is a lovely piece, with a good patina, the chest has four carved panels on both the front and top. The sides the chest ha...
Oak