Medieval Decorative Objects
The Middle Ages in Europe followed the end of the Roman Empire, and in this time of change, which preceded the Renaissance, furniture was simple and utilitarian, with most homes having only the necessities like chests and benches. Much of medieval furniture, which was often made in oak or walnut, was built for the elite, particularly the emerging merchant class who owned multiple homes.
Life for many in the medieval era was unstable, and furniture was designed to be functional and portable. Peasants worked the fields for affluent landowners and didn’t have access to literature in the way that nobles and people of the church did (women less so than men). The furniture in their modest dwellings was typically limited to cookware and a handful of stools. Foldable chairs, while uncommon in homes of the early Middle Ages and emblematic of wealth, like all other furnishings of the time, allowed for easy transportation of a household. Trestle tables with detachable legs and collapsible beds were designed to be simply moved from place to place.
Medieval blanket chests were among the most important furniture objects and could further serve as tables or even beds. Some ancient traditions were carried forward to build this sturdy furniture, such as turnery. Although the furniture was minimally designed, embellishments like carvings added elegance to the heavy wood pieces. These details sometimes reflected trends in religious art like rose windows.
By the later Middle Ages, storage pieces like chests of drawers were often adorned with high relief carvings, such as geometric and floral motifs. By the 14th and 15th centuries, design had developed to include more involved pieces like cupboards and desks, while benches frequently doubled as chests with hinged seats. Beds also changed in this era from basic boards to four-post designs with large drapes to keep the sleeper warm. These beds and other medieval bedroom furniture were significant status symbols, passed down through families and used as places to conduct business and receive visitors.
Surviving examples of medieval furniture are very rare, yet its distinctive aesthetics influenced later styles like William and Mary and Arts and Crafts.
Find a collection of medieval seating, garden elements, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Late 19th Century Belgian Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Wood
20th Century Belgian Medieval Decorative Objects
Bronze
1930s Vintage Medieval Decorative Objects
Iron
Early 20th Century European Medieval Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Medieval Decorative Objects
Wrought Iron
1990s Italian Medieval Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Medieval Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1880s Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Bronze
1990s Italian Medieval Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-20th Century Belgian Medieval Decorative Objects
Tin
19th Century European Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf, Iron
19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Bronze
19th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf, Iron
Early 19th Century English Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Brass
Early 20th Century American Medieval Decorative Objects
Wrought Iron
1940s English Vintage Medieval Decorative Objects
Suede, Wood
Early 20th Century European Medieval Decorative Objects
Copper, Brass, Bronze
1990s Italian Medieval Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
Early 18th Century English Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Iron
1980s Italian Vintage Medieval Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century British Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Bronze
15th Century and Earlier Indian Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Sandstone
15th Century and Earlier British Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Sandstone
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Enamel, Brass
1980s Italian Vintage Medieval Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Slate, Bronze
Early 19th Century Unknown Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Silver Plate
19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Iron
Early 20th Century French Medieval Decorative Objects
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Marble
16th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Iron
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Ormolu, Bronze
16th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Gesso, Oak
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Wood
19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Alabaster, Ormolu
1850s Austrian Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Enamel
Early 20th Century French Medieval Decorative Objects
Iron
15th Century and Earlier European Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Iron
19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Rock Crystal, Silver
18th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Ceramic
19th Century English Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Brass
16th Century German Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Dutch Medieval Decorative Objects
Brass
19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Ormolu
Early 19th Century European Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
16th Century Portuguese Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Wood
15th Century and Earlier Malagasy Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Eggshell
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Iron
18th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Iron
Early 20th Century American Medieval Decorative Objects
Oak
16th Century English Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Stone, Limestone
1910s Irish Vintage Medieval Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Medieval Decorative Objects
Bronze