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.
Early 20th Century Large English Mahogany Bookcase with Glass Doors
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 20th century English bookcase crafted in mahogany. The crown is decorated with a carved Greek key meander pattern, adding a strong classical architectural detail. The upper sec...
Alpaca, Glass, Mahogany
19th Century Gothic Painted Bookcase
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Wonderful 19th Century English Gothic painted bookcase. 1880
Glass, Oak, Pine
Carved Oak Open Bookcase. The bookcase is good quality
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Carved Oak Open Bookcase. The bookcase is good quality, with attractive carving on the front It is in good original condition, it has 3 adjustable shelves and it stands on bracket ...
Oak
Baltic NeoClassic Mahogany 18th Century Breakfront
Located in Queens, NY
"Continental (Probably Baltic-18th Century) Neo-classic mahogany breakfront cabinet with a lower section having 4 door under 4 drawers, all having an oval shaped inlaid pattern and an upper section with 4 Gothic style lattice glass door under a centered pediment Good; Wear consistent with age and use. Glass pane...
Mahogany
Vintage 5-Tier Carved Walnut Etagere Shelf/Bookcase
Located in Wilmington, DE
Vintage 5-Tier Carved Walnut Etagere Shelf/Bookcase Offered is a beautiful vintage Etegere shelf. This piece is made of Walnut, features five shelves/tiers ...
Mahogany
Reformed Gothic Hanging Bookcase, in the style of E W Godwin
Located in London, GB
A reformed Gothic hanging bookcase, in the style of E W Godwin with a turned gallery and shelf, the door inset with a Minton 8 inch tile 'Rob Roy in Glasgow To...
Oak
Fine Quality 19th Century Carved Oak Glazed Bookcase
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Fine Quality 19th century carved oak glazed bookcase. This is a very attractive piece, it has 2 glazed doors which have a deeply carved border matching the top and base carving an...
Oak
Important Gothic Pugin Style Victorian Walnut Dwarf Open Bookcase
By Pugin
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very well made Gothic Pugin style very large dwarf open bookcase A very good looking and well made piece, the sh...
Walnut
$3,788
H 59.85 in W 107.88 in D 14.97 in
Important Gothic Pugin Style Victorian Walnut Dwarf Open Bookcase
By Pugin
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very well made Gothic Pugin style very large dwarf open bookcase A very good looking and well made piece, the sh...
Walnut
18th Century English Painted Breakfront Bookcase
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Very small 18th century English painted pine breakfront bookcase. 1790. Code: 8847 Dimensions: W: 58.5" (148.6 cm) H: 79" (200.7 cm) D: 17" (43.2 cm)
Pine
$5,772
H 108.67 in W 54.34 in D 14.97 in
Tall Early 19th Century French Painted Glazed Bibliothèque, Bookcase
Located in Basingstoke, Hampshire
A tall early 19th century french painted glazed Bibliothèque - bookcase. Of tall and slender proportions. Displaying a pair of glazed doors over a pair of arched panel doors opening ...
Walnut
$3,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 115 in W 66 in D 15 in
Italian Mid-Century Large Bookcase in Style of Franco Albini
By Franco Albini and Franca Helg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian bookcase metal base . Extra tall, two cabinets and wooden shelving. Can be easily disassembled for shipping. USA in Home delivery 2-4- weeks...
Metal
$2,695Sale Price|30% Off
H 54.34 in W 57.88 in D 11.82 in
Antique 19th Century Victorian Gothic Arts & Crafts Adjustable Bookcase
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique 19th Century Victorian Gothic Arts & Crafts Adjustable Bookcase – Fine Quality This attractive Victorian Gothic bookcase, dating from circa 1880, displays lovely age, colour...
Wood
$766Sale Price|30% Off
H 42.13 in W 27.96 in D 10.24 in
Antique vintage late 20th Century large mahogany waterfall bookcase
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique vintage late 20th Century large mahogany waterfall bookcase. Solid, with no loose joints and no woodworm. The drawer slides freely. Overall maximum dimensions: 71cmW x 26cm...
Mahogany
$9,850
H 91 in W 50.75 in D 18 in
19th Century Swedish Gustavian White Painted Bookcase Display Cabinet
Located in Round Top, TX
19th century Swedish bookcase or display cabinet crafted in pine. The lower section features nine drawers with a larger central drawers flanked by smaller drawers. The upper cabinet ...
Glass, Pine, Paint
On Hold|$15,000
H 102.5 in W 103.5 in D 22.5 in
19th Century French Neoclassical Style Painted Bookcase
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Imposing 19th century French library bookcase or cabinet featuring a weathered, painted finish. The two-part case is crafted in the Greco-Roman style with decorative pilaster columns...
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Mahogany Book Trough
Located in Waxahachie, TX
Presenting a fabulous and rare early 20th century American Nouveau book/ magazine trough/ console. Made of mahogany with a lacquer finish.. It is based upon the earlier concept of a ...
Wood
$2,099
H 32.29 in W 47.25 in D 10.63 in
Antique Italian Carved Walnut Wood Three Shelves Open Bookcase Library Etagere
Located in Carimate, Como
A beautiful Italian antique walnut three shelves, open bookcase or etagere standing on four great shaped carved turned wooden legs with top finials. This very elegant one-of-a-kind o...
Wood
Small 18th Century Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase
Located in Lymington, GB
A rare, diminutive, late-18th century secretaire bookcase / cabinet. George III-period, circa 1790. Mahogany of very good rich color and well patinated. Inlaid and crossbanded throu...
Mahogany
Tall Italian Carved Barley Twist Open Bookcase
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A tall open bookcase in a dark stain with bold barley twist style columns flanking five adjustable shelves. The bookcase with brass grommet form shelf pin sleeves, solid wood backing...
Wood
19th-Century Large French Bleached Oak Bookcase Display Cabinet
Located in Round Top, TX
19th-century large French bookcase crafted in bleached French oak. This impressive display cabinet features extensive hand-carved detail throughout, including vine and acanthus-style...
Oak
Gothic Barristers Bookcase Globe Wernicke Cabinet 1890
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Three tier oak Globe Wernicke bookcase with lift up leaded glass panel in the Gothic style Circa 1890 The Globe-Wernicke bookcase is a modular, stackable barrister bookcase known for...
Glass, Wood
Sold
H 63.5 in W 41 in D 15.5 in
Antique French Gothic Bookcase Cabinet Bookshelf 2 Glass Doors Oak c. 1920s-30s
Located in Tyler, TX
BEAUTIFUL Antique French Gothic Style Oak Bookcase or Display Cabinet with Double Glass Doors and Key~~c. 1920s~1930s PERFECT for your favorite antique books or collectibles 63.5" ...
Oak
Sold
H 45 in W 42 in D 12 in
Carved Oak Open Bookcase. The bookcase is good quality, with attractive carving
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Carved Oak Open Bookcase. The bookcase is good quality, with attractive carving on the front The bookcase is in good original condition and the shelves are adjustable This excelle...
Oak
Sold
H 83.5 in W 44 in D 14 in
Ballard Designs Aris Glass Door Cabinet Modern Dome Oak Bookcase Curio Vitrine
Located in Dayton, OH
The Aris Glass Door Cabinet was inspired by a graceful European Gothic window. The cabinet features a white washed finish with custom-welded, bronze metal frame doors and matching sp...
Glass, Oak
Pair of 19th Century Country House Oak Bookcases
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Fine and impressive pair of 19th Century oak bookcases in the gothic manner. The upper sections with glazed doors enclosing an arrangement of shelves, the bases having twin doors to...
Oak
English Gothic Style Bleached Oak Bookcase
By Maple & Co.
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Very good quality late 19th C bleached oak Gothic style bookcase with linen fold cared doors. Made by Maple and Co. 1890 Reference: 8316 Dimensions 73 inches (185 cms) Wide 25 inc...
Oak
A Pair of French Carved Gothic Oak Bookcases
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Pair of French Carved Gothic Oak Bookcases The upper section of the Bookcases have a glazed door enclosing 2 adjustable book shelves, these have...
Oak
Breakfront Bookcase Gothic Chippendale Mahogany
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Wonderful breakfront bookcase in mahogany in the Chippendale style Great look with the gilt sections of the astragal glazing - in the Gothic style - gilded Top section comes apart fr...
Mahogany
Sold
H 107.25 in W 69 in D 22 in
Large Bleached Oak French Gothic Bookcase Display Cabinet, circa 1840-60
Located in Round Top, TX
This large bleached oak bookcase has intricate details such as the gothic trim that accents the crown and panel doors in addition to the dramatic turned co...
Oak
Oversized Antique Gothic Flame Mahogany Bookcase, 19th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
A large antique Gothic bookcase offers flame mahogany construction with three glass doors having arched glass frames opening to shelved interio...
Glass, Mahogany
Swedish Gothic Bookcase
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Swedish 19th century bookcase with two glazed doors and gothic detailing, opening to four bookshelves. Below, two further doors open to more storage. This piece has been repainted in...
Wood