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Neo-Gothic Furniture from the Collection of Richard P. Mellon

The movement to revive Gothic architecture and design began in England in the 1740s. Known as Gothic Revival, the movement’s roots were deeply entwined with contemporary philosophical movements associated with Catholicism together with a new approach to the connoisseurship of the Medieval arts. In the 19th century, a Neo-Gothic furniture revival blossomed in England through the study of the decorative arts. Key stylistic elements in both movements include quatrefoils, trefoils, pointed arches with finials, niches and colonnades.

The collection of Richard P. Mellon offers a number of fine examples of Neo-Gothic furniture, including a set of dining chairs attributed to Saunders and Woolley, an oak hall bench in the manner of A.W.N. Pugin, a fine pedestal desk and a tall back upholstered armchair. Having spent childhood summers in England, Mr. Mellon had a life-long affinity for all things British. Mr. Mellon owned a Neo-Gothic folly in Newcastle where many of the pieces from his collection were used as decoration. The Mellons frequented the best furniture dealers in London, buying from Christopher Wood, Mallet on Bourbon Street, Colefax and Fowler, and George Spencer. Mr. Mellon also commissioned painted works for this interior by British artist Graham Carr.

Time & Location

The Estate of Richard P. Mellon, Ligonier, Pennsylvania
March 25 at 11am ONLINE

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