GOTHIC REVIVAL SEVEN PIECE DINING SUITE
This dining suite clearly conveys the design style of Gothic Revival. The solid wood, durable upholstery, and crafted designs, makes this set an excellent representation of the style and society at this time.
Gothic design reemerged in the 19th century as an emphasis on religion reentered in society. Gothic Revival was identified as Christian, and the design was used to add a "moral dimension to purely aesthetic considerations... the Gothic, or medieval, style of building and decorating was identified with a stable and uncorrupted society, having values untainted by the turmoil of the Industrial Revolution"(Gere & Whiteway, 1994). The idea of a solid, holy community of Gothic Revival was clearly translated through design and is seen in the features of this dining suite.
The table is made of walnut, a commonly used wood of the Gothic Revival as it is a strong timber, and the seats of leather, as it is also durable. These elements were purposely picked to reflect the stability and longevity of the time. After moving on from the Rococo, not all ornamental value was lost. Seen in this suite, tracery "was extensively employed by the wood carver in decorating furniture" (EFI Costarica (2008). Pointed arches were also a staple of Gothic Revival and were bought from the churches into furniture design. Intricate carvings along the table edge and legs also show the naturalistic decoration Gothic Revival used: "foliage, especially vine leaves and grapes, tracery and arcaded work were constantly employed" (EFI Costarica (2008).
As this set conveys essential qualities of Gothic Revival, it is an extremely workable object for this assignment. However, in the description on Trade Me, the seller describes this set as from the "early 1900's" which is a bit later than the peak of Gothic Revival. Although the time which this set was supposedly made is not quite in the right time frame, there is no denying the physical and metaphoric connotations that this dining set has, marking it as Gothic Revival.
Gothic Revival Seven Piece Dining Suite found here.
References
Gere, C., & Whiteway, M. Nineteenth Century Design From Pugin to Mackintosh. New York, United States of America: Harry N. Abrams, Incorporated.
EFI Costarica. (2008). Gothic Style Furniture. Retrieved from http://www.efi-costarica.com/gothic-style-furniture.html
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| Gothic Revival Dining Suite Retrieved on 19 April 2012 from trade me |
Gothic design reemerged in the 19th century as an emphasis on religion reentered in society. Gothic Revival was identified as Christian, and the design was used to add a "moral dimension to purely aesthetic considerations... the Gothic, or medieval, style of building and decorating was identified with a stable and uncorrupted society, having values untainted by the turmoil of the Industrial Revolution"(Gere & Whiteway, 1994). The idea of a solid, holy community of Gothic Revival was clearly translated through design and is seen in the features of this dining suite.
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| Close up of carvings on table Retrieved April 19 2012 from trade me |
As this set conveys essential qualities of Gothic Revival, it is an extremely workable object for this assignment. However, in the description on Trade Me, the seller describes this set as from the "early 1900's" which is a bit later than the peak of Gothic Revival. Although the time which this set was supposedly made is not quite in the right time frame, there is no denying the physical and metaphoric connotations that this dining set has, marking it as Gothic Revival.
Gothic Revival Seven Piece Dining Suite found here.
References
Gere, C., & Whiteway, M. Nineteenth Century Design From Pugin to Mackintosh. New York, United States of America: Harry N. Abrams, Incorporated.
EFI Costarica. (2008). Gothic Style Furniture. Retrieved from http://www.efi-costarica.com/gothic-style-furniture.html
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