Gothic Furniture
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.
1880s English Antique Gothic Furniture
Paper
1890s German Antique Gothic Furniture
Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Gothic Furniture
Canvas, Wood, Giltwood, Paint
20th Century French Gothic Furniture
Wrought Iron
1840s French Antique Gothic Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century Belgian Gothic Furniture
Brass, Bronze
18th Century French Antique Gothic Furniture
Oak
15th Century and Earlier German Antique Gothic Furniture
Wood
16th Century British Antique Gothic Furniture
Oak
1890s Antique Gothic Furniture
Glass, Wood
1940s Italian Vintage Gothic Furniture
Iron
1940s Vintage Gothic Furniture
Oak
1880s English Antique Gothic Furniture
Paper
17th Century Spanish Antique Gothic Furniture
Bronze
1990s American Gothic Furniture
Giltwood
Mid-19th Century French Antique Gothic Furniture
Terracotta
19th Century French Antique Gothic Furniture
Oak
19th Century Antique Gothic Furniture
Bronze
20th Century French Gothic Furniture
Iron
Mid-19th Century French Antique Gothic Furniture
Plaster, Stucco
20th Century Belgian Gothic Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century American Gothic Furniture
Metal
Early 19th Century French Antique Gothic Furniture
Oak
Early 19th Century English Antique Gothic Furniture
Mirror, Pine
15th Century and Earlier Belgian Antique Gothic Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Gothic Furniture
Brass, Iron
Late 19th Century French Antique Gothic Furniture
Brass, Iron
1880s English Antique Gothic Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century French Gothic Furniture
Wood, Glass
16th Century French Antique Gothic Furniture
Wood
17th Century French Antique Gothic Furniture
Wrought Iron
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Gothic Furniture
Stone, Limestone
Late 19th Century English Antique Gothic Furniture
Wood, Oak
15th Century and Earlier German Antique Gothic Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century American Gothic Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Gothic Furniture
Glass, Mahogany
1880s English Antique Gothic Furniture
Paper
Late 19th Century English Antique Gothic Furniture
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Unknown Gothic Furniture
Fabric, Wood
1880s English Antique Gothic Furniture
Paper
1880s English Antique Gothic Furniture
Paper
1880s English Antique Gothic Furniture
Paper
17th Century European Antique Gothic Furniture
Wood
20th Century Spanish Gothic Furniture
Iron, Wrought Iron, Metal
1880s English Antique Gothic Furniture
Paper
1880s English Antique Gothic Furniture
Paper
1880s English Antique Gothic Furniture
Paper
1880s English Antique Gothic Furniture
Paper
1880s English Antique Gothic Furniture
Paper
Mid-19th Century English Antique Gothic Furniture
Stone, Limestone
Mid-19th Century French Antique Gothic Furniture
Wrought Iron
1880s English Antique Gothic Furniture
Paper
Mid-20th Century Italian Gothic Furniture
Brass
17th Century Italian Antique Gothic Furniture
Gold Leaf
19th Century Antique Gothic Furniture
Wood
16th Century German Antique Gothic Furniture
Wrought Iron
1880s English Antique Gothic Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century Gothic Furniture
Bronze
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Gothic Furniture
Wood
20th Century American Gothic Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paint