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.
Bruce Talbert, a Gothic Revival Tall Back Oak Chair with the Original Upholstery
By Gillows of Lancaster & London, Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert. Gillows. A rare and important Gothic Revival tall back oak chair with the original distressed leather seat and back rest. The last image is published in Bruce Talbert...
Oak
John Pollard Seddon A Rare Gothic Oak Armchair with Carved Dog Heads to the Arms
By Thomas & George Seddon, John Pollard Seddon
Located in London, GB
John Pollard Seddon. A rare Gothic Revival armchair with carved dogs heads to the arms, and inlaid dot details. This was probably made by his family firm Thomas Seddon (Seddon and Co), New Bond Street London. Founded by his Great Grandfather George Seddon They supplied furniture to Windsor castle and Buckingham Palace. J P Seddon exhibited a similar style armchair on the Morris, Marshall, Faulkner and Co stand at the 1862 International Exhibition, illustrated in Jeremy Coopers Victorian and Edwardian Furniture and Interiors, page 104 illustration 220 showing the original drawing and 227 (a variation of this chair) image attached. There is another version illustrated in Nineteenth Century Design by Charlotte Gere and Michael Whiteway, page 84 illustration pl 83 (last 2 images). Interestingly at one point Seddon's partner was E. W. Godwin, a friend of the Pre-Raphaelites and some of his pupils were Ford Maddox...
Oak
Antique 19th C Gothic Revival Carved Armchair
Located in Sheffield, MA
Antique 19th C Gothic Revival Carved Armchair. Mahogany tone frame with Neo Gothic design. Hand Carved and Superb Condition Antique Gothic Reviva...
Wood
Charles Bevan attr. A set of five Gothic Revival oak dining chairs & an armchair
By Charles Bevan, Marsh, Jones & Cribb
Located in London, GB
Charles Bevan for Marsh Jones and Cribb, attributed. A good quality set of six Gothic Revival oak dining chairs with geometric dot and...
Oak
AWN Pugin Pair of Gothic Revival Oak Dining Chairs for the Palace of Westminster
By Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin
Located in London, GB
A.W.N. Pugin. A unusually large pair of Gothic Revival oak dining chairs with carved florets to the lower front legs and chamfered details to the show wood, probably designed for the Palace of Westminster.
Oak
$945Sale Price|30% Off
Carved and Upholstered Hall Chair
Located in Sheffield, MA
19th century Gothic Renaissance style ebonized side chair with boldly carved paw feet, upholstered seat and back. Newly reupholstered with small animal print fabric.
Wood
Antique Gothic Revival Ash & Leather Armchair Desk Chair Circa 1880
Located in Norwich, England
Antique Gothic Revival ash & leather armchair desk chair, sitting on castors. English - Circa 1880. The chair has been fully reupholstered including re-webbing and finished in a qu...
Leather, Ash
Antique Victorian Gothic Revival Solid Oak Desk Chair
Located in London, GB
A superb antique Victorian Gothic revival solid oak desk chair, made in England and dating from around the 1870-1880 period. This is of outstanding quality, it is beautifully crafte...
Leather, Oak
Bruce Talbert, Gillows, Two Rare Gothic Revival Oak Armchair in Blue Upholstery.
By Bruce James Talbert, Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert. Gillows of Lancaster. Two rare Gothic Revival armchairs. *The two with dark and light blue upholstery shown here are available, the one with brown upholstery is now s...
Oak
Charles Bevan Attributed, Gothic Revival Oak Desk or Side Chair
By Charles Bevan, Marsh, Jones & Cribb
Located in London, GB
Charles Bevan attributed, probably made by Marsh and Jones of Leeds. A fine quality Gothic Revival oak desk or side chair with turned uprights below the backrest and carved wavy deta...
Oak
Antique Leather and Oak Side / Desk Chair
Located in London, GB
A beautiful antique leather and oak side / desk chair. This is in the gothic revival style, it was made in England and dates from around the 1920’s. The quality is outstanding, this...
Leather, Oak
$3,895
H 35 in W 24 in D 23.5 in
Rare Antique Gothic Revival Oak Armchair Chair w Female Sculptures in Armrests
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique and impressive, Gothic style chair from the late 1800s. This rare and solid oak Gothic Revival church chair has a beautiful patination and it is as stabile as the day it was...
Leather, Oak
Custom Set of Eight Baker Furniture Ebonized Dining Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Two arm and six side chairs in a midcentury style with curved and open X form backs. The frames were custom ebonized, raised on square tapering legs, splayed in the back. The seats u...
Fabric, Wood
$3,801 / set
H 34.06 in W 16.15 in D 17.72 in
Six Original Victorian circa 1890 Steeple Back Gothic Arch Oak Dining Chairs 6
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of six original Gothic revival English oak Victorian dining chairs circa 1890 A very decorative and well made set, each chair ...
Oak
Fine Set of 10 Antique French Dining Side Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large Antique French chair set with a particularly fine form. With elegant shaped curved crest rails and open back supports in a high polish. With r...
Rush, Wood
$1,499
H 32 in W 23.25 in D 25 in
Mid-Century Modern Swivel Desk Chair by Andrew Morrison & Bruce Hannah for Knoll
By Knoll, Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison
Located in Lafayette, IN
Arguably one of the most elegant desk chair designs from the mid-century era, this Morrison/Hannah design for Knoll Studios is utilitarian sculpture at its best. Chair features a cur...
Aluminum, Chrome
Fine French 1930s Armchair by Charles Dudouyt
Located in Long Island City, NY
Charles Dudouyt (1885–1946) - A fine French Art Deco oak and leather desk armchair. Signed.
Leather, Oak
Pair of Metal Industrial Side Chairs
Located in Sheffield, MA
Pair of metal back and seat chairs with tubular frames. These Industrial chairs have taken on a truly special patina. The chairs would work well for both indoor and outdoor dining, a...
Steel
$3,850
H 34 in W 25.75 in D 22 in
George Nelson Desk or Office Chair, Very Rare, New Red Boucle Knoll Upholstery
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Kansas City, MO
Very rare George Nelson desk chair, freshly reupholstered in a crimson Knoll Classic boucle.
Aluminum
Herman Miller High-Back Office Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Herman Miller high-back soft pad office chair in black leather, great condition. Stamped with date of manufactured.
Metal
$2,895 / set
H 34.75 in W 17.5 in D 19.5 in
Pair of Gothic Revival Inlaid & Fine Cut Velvet Side Chairs, English, c. 1870
By Bruce James Talbert, Charles Bevan
Located in Atlanta, GA
A richly detailed pair of English Gothic Revival walnut side chairs, dating to around 1870, distinguished by their intricately carved tracery backs, architectural arcade motifs, and ...
Upholstery, Ebony, Walnut
Fine Quality Chrome Klismos Style Chair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine polished chrome klismos style chair with heavy construction. With the elegant and classic curved back and curved tapering square supports a...
Chrome
Marquetry Armchair with Satinwood Inlays, New York, circa 1890
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A late 19th century New York armchair in the early 18th century Dutch-Style in mahogany decorated with inlays in other woods of bows, birds, rinceau ...
Tulipwood, Kingwood, Mahogany, Satinwood
Sold
H 38.98 in W 20.08 in D 20.08 in
John Pollard Seddon (attributed). A Gothic Revival Oak Side or Desk Chair
Located in London, GB
John Pollard Seddon (attributed). A good Gothic Revival oak side or desk chair of superior quality with carved ripple scroll details to the head rest and curved side supports joining...
Oak
Neo-Gothic Oak Office Chair 19th Century
Located in Beaune, FR
Superb office swivel armchair in carved and openwork oak in neo-Gothic style. The base is decorated with snails. This chair can be disassembled into two parts, the seat and the foot.
Oak
Pair of 19th Century Gothic Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair 19th century Gothic chairs features architecture that dates back to ancient Greece and Egypt, with timeless Gothic styling to create a surprisingly comfortable and versatile cha...
Velvet, Oak