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.
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 The bookcase is in good original condition and the shelves are adjustable This excellen...
Oak
A. W. N. Pugin, in the style of. Gothic Revival oak bracket or wall shelf
Located in London, GB
A. W. N. Pugin, in the style of. A Gothic Revival oak bracket or wall shelf with 45-degree chamfering throughout. The top provides an open display area, supported by a through-tenon ...
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
George III Chinese Chippendale Mahogany Wall Shelves in the Gothic Taste
Located in Litchfield, CT
Antique late 18th / early 19th century George III Chinese Chippendale wall shelf. Suitable for display of books or collections of porcel...
Mahogany
$600
H 24 in W 16.75 in D 7.25 in
Chinese Chippendale Mahogany Fretwork Hanging Trinket Curio Display Shelf 24"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage mid 20th century Chinese Chippendale style mahogany 2 tier wall hanging shelf - elegant fretwork sides supporting two shelves with scalloped edge trim. Dimensions: 16.75" x ...
Mahogany
French Reconstruction Era Oak Wall Shelf, France, c. 1950s
Located in Hønefoss, 30
Oak wall shelf from France, c. 1950s. A piece from the French Reconstruction era, with clean lines and a warm, natural patina. Simple, functional design that reflects the understated...
Oak
$5,184
H 63 in W 48.04 in D 10.24 in
Børge Mogensen Scandinavian Midcentury Oak Bookcase, Denmark 1960s
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Scandinavian midcentury modern design oak bookcase designed by Børge Mogensen in the 1950s and produced by FDB Møbler from 1960s, variable height position of shelves, circa 1960s. ...
Oak
$2,970Sale Price|24% Off
H 61.5 in W 50.5 in D 10 in
Midcentury Blonde Oak Barrister's Bookcase Display Cabinet
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Well constructed blonde oak barrister in good condition with brass knobs and sound mechanism. Dismantles easily on raised base, nice size. Shows beautifu...
Oak
$6,947 / item
H 78.75 in W 78.75 in D 15.75 in
Pontile Bookcase, in canaletto walnut, by Accardi Buccheri for Medulum
By Mauro Accardi & Silvia Buccheri
Located in Meolo, Venezia
Bookcase made of a series of solid wood poles with circular section, veneered shelves with solid wood edging, all made of Canaletto walnut finished with transparent paint. The head of the poles is coated with a blue protective paint. The system is completed by two storage compartments that feature sliding doors with integrated handle. The library is shipped semi assembled. Libreria costituita da pali continui a sezione circolare in legno massello. Ripiani impiallacciati con bordatura in massello. Il tutto realizzato in noce canaletto finito con vernice trasparente. La testa...
Wood, Walnut
Early 20th Century Carved Wooden Wall Bracket Shelf
Located in Montréal, CA
This carved wooden wall bracket shelf, likely produced in Italy in the early 20th century, draws on classical architectural forms with a distinctly sculptural presence. The fluted, b...
Wood
$2,085
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
Pair of French Mahogany and Bronze Open Bookcases
By Adam Weisweiler
Located in London, GB
A pair of Petit Bibliotheques in the manner of Adam Weisweiler constructed using a finely patinated mahogany, brass and bronze; rising from bronze shod turned and tapering circular ...
Brass, Bronze
Bookcase/Shelf With 3 Shelves & Wheels In Mahogany
Located in Lejre, DK
19th century mahogany bookcase/shelf. The furniture is furnished with three shelves and detailed turned columns. At the bottom it is mounted with small wheels, which provides both fu...
Mahogany
Vintage Oak Bookcase Folding Desk Shelves French Midcentury
Located in Labrit, Landes
Bookcase folding desk vintage shelves, mid-20th century Massive oak Depth of the shelves: 8.46 in. (21,5 cm) Dimension of the foldable desk: D 19.29 x L 24.41 x H 25.98 in. (D: 49 L:...
Oak
Antique English Victorian Walnut & Brass Open Bookcase
Located in Glasgow, GB
An antique English late Victorian walnut open bookcase bookcase in the Regency style, very nice quality and unusual in that the top has a pierced brass three quarter-gallery and reed...
Brass
19th Century French Oak Wall Shelf
Located in High Point, NC
This 19th Century French Oak Wall Shelf is a finely crafted piece that reflects the simplicity and charm of provincial design. Built from solid oak, the shelf showcases a naturally a...
Oak
Carved Oak Open Bookcase.
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, the shelves are fixed and it stands on bracket feet ...
Oak
Gothic Carved Long Oak Wall Shelf
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Gothic Carved Long Oak Wall Shelf This charming long shelf has side supports carved with caryatid or angels at each end, the shelf has a carved apron around the top edge The S...
Oak
Italian Mid Century Cast Metal Shelves
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
A Set of cast metal shelves produced in Italy in the 1950’s with ornate casing brass legs and pierced shelves in very good original condition this age related wear. Age: 1950 Sty...
Metal
Antique English Gothic Figural Caved Oak Server, C1910
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique English Gothic server offers deeply carved oak construction with cabinet having double doors with carved figures over lower shelf, carved arch...
Oak
Early 19th Century Gothic Hanging Shelves
Located in Tetbury, England
Gothic tracery or trefoil, cusp and lancet form to the whole, three shelves, the lower having two slim drawers to the frieze, mahogany throughout. English, circa 1815.
Mahogany
Stripped Oak Reform Movement Bookcase
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very good 19th century English oak library bookcase, now with stripped surface and blue painted interior having crenellated cornice, with both upper and lower sections with adjustabl...
Oak, Pine
Antique Gothic Oak and Cast Iron Open Wall Mount Shelf
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Antique, Gothic, open, wall mount shelf features decorative cast iron braces with oak shelves.
Iron
Highly Unusual Mahogany Set of Shelves or Étagère
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Highly unusual mahogany set of shelves or étagère that crosses style lines and genres with confidence. Featuring turned finials, spool shaped supports,...
Gothic-Style English Wooden Wall Shelf with Hooks, circa 1890
Located in Houston, TX
Antique English hand-carved wooden wall shelf/ peg rail, circa 1890. Features decorative cut-out brackets on the sides and pointed arches along the b...
Wood
Sold
H 85 in W 40 in D 13.5 in
Antiqued and Distress Finished Italian Bookcase in the Mission or Gothic Style
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Stately vintage Italian bookcase in the Mission or Gothic taste. This item features a tall and sleek form, two narrow wire mesh swing doors, c...
Pine
19th Century French Gothic Corner Shelf
Located in Dallas, TX
Carved in the early 19th century from solid European white oak in the timeless Gothic manner, this intriguing three-tiered French wall shelf was desi...