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.
20th century oak Gothic revival wardrobe
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
20th century oak Gothic revival wardrobe circa 1970. Good quality English made piece of furniture ready for everyday use. Single piece, decorated with fielded panels and carving to...
Oak
A W N Pugin. Gothic Revival Four Door Pitch Pine Wardrobe with Linenfold Panels
By Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin
Located in London, GB
A W N Pugin. Made by John Gregory Crace. A rare Gothic Revival four-door pitch pine wardrobe with hand-carved fleur de ley finials flanked with castellated...
Pine
Gothic Revival Apothecary Cabinet
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Wooden apothecary cabinet with carved decoration in neo-Gothic style. The capitals are carved with Baphomets holding two figures by the hair for one and fantastic birds for the other...
Oak
Spanish Gothic Style Walnut Entry Wardrobe with Five hangers and carvings
Located in Miami, FL
Spanish Gothic Style Walnut wardrobe with Five hangers and carvings The doors features heads and symbols from gentlemen of this period. The original iron hardware makes so special t...
Walnut
Gothic Armoire
Located in New York, NY
FAPG 19959D/2 Gothic Revival armoire New York, about 1835-1840 Mahogany, with brass hardware Measure: 104 in. high, 73 in. wide, 30 in. deep Exhibited: Hirschl & Adler Galleries, New York, 2011–12, The World of Duncan Phyfe: The Arts of New York, 1800–1847, p. 89 no. 45 illus. 89 Ex coll.: Private collection (probably R. H. Selstadt, Big Stone Gap, Virginia) Although no specific pieces of Gothic furniture documented as by Duncan Phyfe have come to light, there is considerable evidence that he, like various of his contemporaries in New York, embraced the Gothic style. For example, the catalogue of the Halliday & Jenkins auction sale of the contents of Phyfe’s furniture ware rooms, which was held on site at 192 and 194 Fulton Street, New York, on April 16 and 17, 1847, included a “mahogany centre table Gothic gilt pillar and Egyptian marble top” (Halliday & Jenkins, p. 3 no. 63); “12 mahogany Gothic chairs...
Brass
H 70.08 in W 35.83 in D 21.26 in
VintageArt Deco Style Dark Walnut Compact Compactum Wardrobe, 1950s
Located in South Shields, GB
A 1950's compactum double wardrobe in ribbon-grain mahogany veneer. Plain front with central lock and stepped plinth. Left side full hanging with rail and trouser hooks. Right side...
Teak, Walnut
H 83.08 in W 50.4 in D 22.84 in
Vintage Queen Ann Style Burr Walnut Wardrobe, 1950s
Located in South Shields, GB
A mid century Queen Anne style double wardrobe, beautifully veneered in richly figured burr walnut with book-matched doors, a shaped carved cornice and carved cabriole legs. Offering...
Wood, Walnut
H 48 in W 49 in D 24 in
George III Antique Mahogany Gentleman’s Wardrobe or Linen Press
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique George III mahogany gentleman’s wardrobe or linen press having two mahogany doors which open to reveal a fitted interior of four original sliding trays, one long drawer with ...
Brass
H 82.68 in W 86.62 in D 32.29 in
Walnut Cabinet with Cherub Carvings by Ducrot, 1920s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Art deco closet in walnut. 3 Doors, door in the center door mirror inside. Wavy lines, the base is surrounded by steel profile. The center stands high ...
Steel
H 71.26 in W 35.63 in D 15.36 in
19th Catalan Spanish Baroque Carved Walnut Tuscan Two Doors Wardrobe or Cabinet
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Introducing a remarkable 19th-century Catalan Spanish Baroque wardrobe, skillfully hand-carved from solid walnut and featuring Tuscan-inspired ...
Iron
H 79.5 in W 49 in D 20 in
Pine Two Door Armoire with Removable Cartouche
Located in Baltimore, MD
The angular cartouche on this small armoire is 10” high and simply lifts off if the customer so chooses. It consists of a pyramid-shaped base trimmed with ogee crown molding mounted...
Pine
H 76 in W 72 in D 22 in
Arts & Crafts Oak Treble Wardrobe with Five Drawers by Liberty & Co.
By Liberty & Co., Leonard F. Wyburd
Located in London, GB
Liberty and Co. attributed to Leonard F Wyburd,. A rare Arts and Crafts oak wardrobe with carved stylized floral details and hand wrought...
Wrought Iron
H 49.75 in W 22.5 in D 19.5 in
20th Century Large Exotic Embossed Leather Vertical Valet Wardrobe Trunk
Located in Encinitas, CA
Mid century embossed leather steamer trunk on caster wheels, with brass plated hardware. A vertical trunk - a royal traveling companion functioning as a...
Brass
H 65.5 in W 50 in D 20 in
Quebecois Armoire
Located in Greenwich, CT
A French-Canadian armoire in pine having two doors on a narrow case with an overhanging molded cornice, the doors each featuring rebated full door X-crosses in a rectangular surround...
Pine
H 101 in W 44.5 in D 21 in
19th Century French Renaissance Barley Twist Armoire
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Renaissance Barley Twist Armoire was crafted by master artisans from solid, old-growth indigenous oak during the Napoleon III Period, when craftsmanship reached a...
Mirror, Oak
H 98.43 in W 61.03 in D 23.63 in
Early 19th Century French Provincial Bleached Oak Wardrobe
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
Early 19th-century French provincial wardrobe or armoire. Crafted from solid oak with a beautiful bleached finish. A fine example of traditional French provincial craftsmanship. Cab...
Oak
H 27.56 in W 23.63 in D 13 in
Vintage French Oak Apothecary Cabinet, 1930s
Located in Nijmegen, NL
Small French oak cabinet with metal hardware made in the early 20th century. It was very well made and in a good antique restored condition. The interior dimension of the drawers are...
Oak
H 102.37 in W 64.57 in D 22.05 in
Gothic Style Walnut Wardrobe , XIXth century
Located in Beaune, FR
Richly carved three-door walnut wardrobe in Gothic style. Interior composed of various levels. Very high quality French manufacture circa 1880. Dimensions Total height 2m60 H...
Walnut
H 70.75 in W 30.5 in D 18.5 in
Antique French Armoire Wardrobe Cabinet Linen Closet Gothic Revival Oak c. 1920s
Located in Tyler, TX
CHARMING Antique French Oak Gothic Revival Armoire, Wardrobe, Cabinet or Linen Closet with Paneled Sides~~c. 1920s-30s BEAUTIFUL STATEMENT PIECE~~French oak armoire, wardro...
Oak
H 88 in W 50.25 in D 20.5 in
Antique French Armoire Wardrobe Cabinet Linen Storage Gothic Revival Oak c. 1880
Located in Tyler, TX
SUPERB Antique French GOTHIC REVIVAL Oak Armoire, Wardrobe or Cabinet~~HIGHLY CARVED~~c. 1880s BEAUTIFUL STATEMENT PIECE~~19th century French Gothic Revival large oak armoire...
Oak
H 76.75 in W 38.25 in D 22.5 in
Antique French Armoire Wardrobe Cabinet Linen Closet Gothic Revival Oak c. 1880s
Located in Tyler, TX
SUPERB Antique French GOTHIC REVIVAL Oak Armoire or Wardrobe~~HIGHLY CARVED~~c. 1880s BEAUTIFUL STATEMENT PIECE~~19th century French Gothic Revival oak armoire or wardro...
Oak
H 75 in W 39 in D 17.5 in
Antique French Armoire Linen Cabinet Wardrobe Chest Gothic Revival Oak c. 1890s
Located in Tyler, TX
SUPERB Antique French GOTHIC REVIVAL Oak Armoire, Linen Cabinet, Wardrobe, or Chest~~HIGHLY CARVED~~c. 1890s BEAUTIFUL STATEMENT PIECE~~19th century French Gothic Revival oak armoire...
Oak
H 106.7 in W 115.36 in D 32.29 in
Antique Gothic Revival Oak Breakfront Wardrobe Thomas King 19th Century
Located in London, GB
A superb early Victorian Gothic Revival Oak breakfront wardrobe in the manner of Thomas King, Circa 1840 in date. The larger central section with an al...
Oak
H 72 in W 40.5 in D 22.5 in
1970s Vintage Mediterranean Spanish Colonial Armoire
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Wonderful stylized Mediterranean Armoire. Deep raised tufted panels and scrolled pulls. Ample storage with extending hanging rod.
Wood
H 80 in W 48 in D 15 in
Oak Compactum Hall Wardrobe, Hall Stand
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Oak Compactum hall wardrobe, hall stand The wardrobe is in oak with geometric designs on the door fronts and barley twist column at the side This is...
Oak
H 88.5 in W 72.3 in D 19.7 in
A 19th Century Pitch Pine Gothic Revival Wardrobe
Located in Tetbury, England
Two solid doors with hanging space behind flank the central mirrored door with sliding shelves behind above three drawers to the base. In the manner of John Pollard Seddon 1827-1906.
Pine
H 70.87 in W 31.5 in D 18.51 in
Neo-gothic Walnut Wardrobe, 19th century
Located in Beaune, FR
Small Neo-Gothic style cabinet in carved walnut dating from the 19th century. It opens with two doors and has 3 shelves adjustable by a rack syste...
Walnut
H 97.05 in W 54.14 in D 24.81 in
Large and Very Richly Carved 19th Century French Walnut Gothic Revival Armoire
Located in Baambrugge, NL
A large and very richly carved 19th century French walnut Gothic Revival armoire. This stunning cabinet has the most amazing carved details. The extensively carved decorations wi...
Walnut
H 93.5 in W 48 in D 19 in
Pine Two Door Armoire in the Style of Gothic
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pine armoire or cupboard - a terrific storage solution! Wonderful gothic detailing on this raw pine gives the feel of a Mexican church. This piece h...
Pine