Do you want to give your living space a sense of drama that mass-produced furniture can’t imitate? Use a Gothic Revival antique chair as an accent piece — perhaps in a reading nook or to break the uniformity in a modern dining room. Their dark wood and striking carved spires draw the eye instantly and bring depth to the setting.

Of course, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed if this is your first time buying or collecting Gothic antique chairs. You might even end up with a reproduction instead of a genuine period piece if you don’t know what to look for. There’s nothing wrong with a reproduction, but if you want a piece that has real provenance, then you need to know how to spot the details that separate an original from a copy.

How to identify Gothic antique chairs

Look for pointed arches, quatrefoils, miniature turret-like spires, and other design elements borrowed from medieval architecture. These details were hallmarks of the Gothic Revival style in the mid-19th century.

Examine the construction of the antique chair to get clues about the time period of the furniture. Handmade dovetail joints, for example, are a strong sign that you’ve found an older piece.

Symmetry is another hint. Chairs made before the Industrial Revolution often show slight irregularities, while later pieces are more precise and uniform thanks to machinery. Authentic Gothic Revival antique chairs usually have deep hand-carved details; you can feel slight variations if you trace the lines with your fingers because no two cuts are identical. Reproductions often have shallow and uniform patterns because they’re machine-made.

Another way of authenticating an antique chair is to check the material it is made from. Most authentic pieces from this period were built from oak or walnut, sometimes mahogany or rosewood. Later copies use lighter woods or composite materials.

If you’re looking to add Gothic antique chairs to your home, stop by Pacific Antiques Mall today! Our shops feature a carefully chosen collection of authentic pieces, and our team is always happy to share their knowledge and help you find the perfect chair.