Medieval Furniture
MEDIEVAL STYLE
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.
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Style: Medieval
Bobyrug’s Nice Vintage French Hand Printed Tapestry
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the timeless elegance of the "Verdure des Flandres" tapestry – a stunning piece echoing 16th-century designs. Hand-printed using serigraphy on a cotton foundation, this exqu...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Materials
Cotton
Antique Gothic Style Hob Grate
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A Victorian era Gothic style hob grate dating from circa 1830 and unusually decorated with castellations and quatrefoils. Finished in black graphite polish, this antique cast iron ho...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Metal, Iron
Vintage Persian Hamadan Ivory with Flower Bouquet Design Wool Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous hand-knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Category
1970s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wool
Antique French Neogothic Altar Torchère Candlestick Set w/ Architectural Element
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique French Neogothic Altar Torchère Candlestick Set w/ Architectural Elements & Patina
Decorate your mantlepiece, altar, church, or chapel with these large ornate candlesticks. ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Brass
French 19th Century Zinc Gargoyle
Located in Buisson, FR
Unique and extremely rare zinc feathered gargoyle. Great expression
This gargoyle, a word derived from the French 15th century word 'Gargouille' (throat), is a hybrid, possibly a g...
Category
19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Zinc
Antique French Neogothic Altar Torchère Candlestick Set w/ Griffins
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique French Ornate Gilt Bronze Ormolu Pricket Candlesticks - Pair
This rare matching set of antique solid brass handcrafted candle holders rest on triangular shaped base with lio...
Category
Early 20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Materials
Brass
English Oak Gothic Style Dressing Table Mirror with Castellated Top
Located in London, GB
An English oak Gothic style dressing table or chest of drawers mirror with castellated top and carved seed pod details below, with dowelled construction and through pegged joints to ...
Category
1960s English Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Oak
Rare Unique English Oak Gothic Victorian Settee Settle Bench Circa 1890
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superb and very unique form of Gothic bench from England. The bench features a dark oak finish with minor signs of age and use such as finish losses and minor wear. The ben...
Category
1890s English Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Oak
Minature suit of armour
Located in Cheltenham, GB
Hutton-Clarke Antiques proudly presents a rare and unique miniature suit of medieval armour, likely originating from Italy or Spain and dating back to the mid to late 19th century. S...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Steel
3 Antique German Hefner Alteneck Medieval Knights Armour Lithograph Prints 24"
Located in Dayton, OH
Set of three 19th century medieval chromolithograph prints from Hefner-Alteneck's "Costumes, Artworks and Appliances from the Middle Ages to the 17th Century." Illustrations by Dr. J...
Category
19th Century Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Paper
French Gothic Style Eight-Light Iron Chandelier with Hand-Painted Crests, Wired
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Gothic style eight-light iron chandelier from the 20th century with hand-painted crests. This French Gothic style chandelier from the 20th century is an exquisite example of...
Category
20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Materials
Iron, Brass
Carved Oak Key Cupboard A very attractive piece, the cupboard can be wall hung
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Carved Oak Key Cupboard
A very attractive piece, the cupboard can be wall hung showing the gothic carving on the front of the door to full advantage, it shows a large bunch of keys ...
Category
19th Century Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Oak
Antique English Heraldic Stained Glass Window
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A fascinating early 19th century English heraldic stained glass window detailing an unidentified family crest, circa 1820. Dating from the Georgian era, this stunning stained glass w...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Lead
Ceiling Lamp from 1930's, forged and welded steel.
Located in Turku, FI
Quite special and unique ceiling lamp from 1930's. Designer and manufacturer is unknown but it has a bit same style like Taidetakomo Hakkarainen lamps and other works.
Rough hardly...
Category
Early 20th Century Finnish Medieval Furniture
Materials
Metal
French Gothic Period 'Pillars and Pediment' Fireback / Backspash, 16th Century
Located in Amerongen, NL
16th century French Gothic fireback with two pillars of Hercules and a pediment.
The pillar refers to the club of Hercules, his favorite weapon. It symbolizes power. Since antiquity...
Category
16th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Iron
Large rare antique statue of Saint Eligius, France ca. 1550
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1550 / statue Saint Eligius / Antique / reliques
Religious statue of Saint Eligius from the 16th century in full wood found in France. This very rare find has a beautiful ...
Category
16th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wood
Arts and Crafts Carved Oak Marriage Chest or Carved Coffer
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Arts and Crafts Carved Oak Marriage Chest or Carved Coffer
This is a lovely old piece, and is in remarkably good condition for its age, the coffer has gothic carvings of Dragons and...
Category
19th Century Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Oak
Antique Hand-Carved Gothic Style Quasimodo / Hunchback of Notre Dame Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
Very rare, 19th century statuette of Victor Hugo's famous novel character.
If you are a collector of rare novel and/or famous movie characters then this 19th century sculpture of Quasimodo, better known as the Hunchback of Notre Dame...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wood
Ornate Gothic Style Gilded Mirror with Cherub and Masks
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Dramatic Gothic style aged mirror having central cherub at the top, ornate frame and two mask like faces on each side. Mirror has natural spiderwebs and mercury with fabulous moody ...
Category
1930s American Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Gesso, Wood
17th Century Embroidered King David With Harp Silk Tread Green Velvet Flanders
Located in Antwerpen, BE
Step into the rich tapestry of the 17th century with our exquisite embroidered picture featuring King David With Harp. Meticulously crafted with silk thread, mounted on luscious gree...
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Silk, Velvet
Charlemagne Hammered Metal French Crusader Knights Shield Fleur de Lis 32"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage French Crusader / medieval knight's Heraldic coat of arms shield inspired by the era of Charlemagne. Wooden frame topped with hammered metal, divided with a black crusader's cross around a central motif of a large mirrored fleur de lis...
Category
Late 20th Century Medieval Furniture
Materials
Metal
Magnificent Pair of 19th Century Giltwood Handpainted Icons
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Two gilt framed Gothic Angels framed and painted in the style of Fra Angelico - hand-carved in Italy . Features spiral columns and foliate spires - oil painted angels are superbly pr...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
19th Century English Victorian Hall Bench in Oak, Bobbin Turned Legs
Located in Odense, DK
This is a lovely piece of carved furniture, the back of the seat is crisply carved with the traditional Wheel of Life pattern, it is made from solid oak with a carved edge and a carv...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Oak
1930's Caucasian Karabakh Pictorial Rug Medieval Stag Hunting Tapestry
Located in Dallas, TX
78707 Vintage Caucasian Karabagh Pictorial Rug, 04'06 x 09'05. Caucasian Karabagh pictorial rugs with deer and mountains refer to a specific type of rug originating from the Karabakh...
Category
Early 20th Century Russian Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wool
Pair of Antique Gothic Style Pedestal Candelabra Torcheres
Located in Dallas, TX
A handsome pair of antique gothic style pedestal candelabra torcheres. Made of wrought iron. Contains 13 candle holders at three different levels. The upper level is supported by wav...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
FINE SUITE OF FOUR VINTAGE GOTHIC WINDSOR STEEPLE BACK BURR YEW & ELM ARMCHAIRs
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of four Burr Yew & Elm circa 1940's Gothic Steeple back Windsor armchairs
Please note th...
Category
1940s English Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Elm, Yew
French Large Trunk- Chest - Gothic oak from the 16th century - France
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Large solid oak chest from the 16th century Gothic period
Very pretty French, Norman work.
Decorated with Gothic motifs on 5 panels on the facade.
Note reassembly in the 18th and 19...
Category
16th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wood
Country English Provincial Oak Farmhouse Dining Table
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
A characterful English table
Proper peg joined Oak refectory table
Good thick three plank top with cleated ends set on turned baluster legs
Character timbers throughout
Natural finis...
Category
20th Century British Medieval Furniture
Materials
Oak
Nice French Aubusson Style hand printed tapestry «winged stags»
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Immerse yourself in the allure of this mid-20th-century French tapestry, showcasing a design inspired by a 15th-century woven masterpiece titled "Cerfs Ailés" (winged stags) at Rouen...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Materials
Cotton
Blue Hand Knotted Old Persian Kerman Birds and Flowers Design Wool Rug 1'8"x2'2"
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Category
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wool
French Gothic Style Cage Shaped Wrought Iron Six-Light Chandelier, USA Wired
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Gothic style cage shaped wrought iron chandelier from circa 1950 with six scrolling arms. This French Gothic style chandelier from circa 1950 is masterfully crafted from wro...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Pair of Vintage Etruscan Bronze Statuette Table Lamps
Located in East Hampton, NY
These outstanding solid bronze hand forged Etruscan statuettes of a male and female are mounted on metal and brass bases. These lamps are simple and heavy - custom designed base and...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Medieval Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass, Bronze
Spanish 1940s Gilt Side Table / Drinks Table / Martini Table, Wrought Iron
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful 1940s hand-hammered gilt wrought iron occasional drinks table on a tripod base, tagged on the base Barcelona, Spain. Made from hand forged iron and gold leaf gilding the el...
Category
1940s Spanish Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
Vintage French Gothic Table Dining Table Desk Trestle Table Bleached Oak/Elm
Located in Tyler, TX
EXCELLENT LARGE Vintage French Gothic Bleached Oak or possibly Elm Table Dining Table Desk Office Conference Library Trestle Table~~Over 7 Feet Wide~~
This beautiful table has the "...
Category
20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Materials
Oak, Elm
Pair of 19th Century French Gothic Painted Wrought Iron Three-Light Wall Sconces
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate an entry or man's study with this elegant pair of wall sconces. Forged in France circa 1860, each fixture with twisted arm features three lights newly wired and dressed with decorative candle sleeve covers. Both lights are decorated with eagle motifs and embellished with a hand painted crest in the middle. The tall Gothic style sconces...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Blue Vintage Persian Kerman Leaf and Bird Design Hand Knotted Wool Rug 1'9"x3'7"
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Category
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wool
Red Antique Persian Sarouk Full Pile Clean and Soft Hand Knotted Rug 2'6"x4'10"
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Category
1930s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wool
Fragment Of Flemish Tapestry Early 17th Century
By Flemish
Located in RÉDING, FR
Fragment of Flemish tapestry from the 17th century.
This tapestry fragment depicts a mythological angelic child in the center. On either side we find two columns of golden acanthus s...
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wool
Red Antique Persian Sarouk Full Pile Clean and Soft Hand Knotted Rug 2'6"x5'
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Category
1920s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wool
19th Century French Forged Iron Two-Light Wall Torchere Sconces, Set of 3
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a hallway or entryway with this set of antique wall torcheres. Crafted in France, circa 1890, the fixtures are built of forged and hammered iron with scroll decor and further embellished with a Fleur-de-Lis motif at the top and bottom. Each light with two arms has new wiring and dressed with decorative candle cover sleeve over the round bobeches. The Gothic style sconces...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Iron
Blue Vintage Persian Kerman Worn Down Hand Knotted All Wool Square Rug 1'9"x1'9"
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Category
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wool
Midnight Blue Antique Persian Sarouk Full Pile Wool Hand Knotted Rug 2'10"x3'10"
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Category
1920s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wool
Set of 3 Antique Ecclesiastical Panels
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of 3 antique Ecclesiastical style panels. These tracery panels of Pugin style make for decorative wall art or, once glazed, elaborate windows in a period property or modern hom...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wood, Pine
French Carved Gothic Oak Wall Mirror The Oak Mirror Frame is Crisply Carved
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
French Carved Gothic Oak Wall Mirror
The Oak Mirror Frame is Crisply Carved with acanthus leaves and a top crest, the Oak Frame is 5” wide and the carvings are in excellent conditio...
Category
19th Century Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Oak
Beige Old Persian Serab Rustic Look Worn Wool Hand Knotted Runner Rug 3'9"x11'
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Category
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wool
Red Antique Persian Sarouk Full Pile Clean and Soft Hand Knotted Mat Rug 2'1"x4'
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Category
1920s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wool
Antique Cast Figural Medieval Knight in Armor Cigar, Pipe or Cigarette Lighter
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This figural cigar lighter is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in Austria in circa 1930. The lighter is a standing figural cast and cold-painted medieval knight in armor hold...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Medieval Furniture
Materials
Spelter
Brown Vintage Persian Kerman Worn Down Hand Knotted Pure Wool Rug 1'10"x3'10"
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Category
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wool
Blue Antique Persian Lilihan Full Pile Clean and Soft Hand Knotted Rug 3'1"x4'7"
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Category
1920s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wool
Red Antique Persian Bidjar Runner Hand Knotted XL Runner Oriental Rug 3'x16'3"
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Category
1920s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wool
Ivory Vintage Persian Kerman Worn Down Hand Knotted Pure Wool Mat Rug 1'7"x3'7"
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Category
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wool
Blue Vintage Persian Kerman Worn Down All Wool Hand Knotted Square Rug 1'9"x1'9"
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Category
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wool
Blue Pure Wool Vintage and Worn Persian Kerman Hand Knotted Mat Rug 1'6"x2'
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Category
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wool
Stone Blue Worn Down Vintage Persian Kerman Hand Knotted All Wool Rug 1'10"x3'7"
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Category
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wool
Gothic crowned Head - Île de France, 14th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Head of a crowned Virgin
Île-de-France, first half of 14th century.
H26 x 14 x 14 cm
Provenance :
- Private Collection, Paris France (1960)
- Private Collection Tuscany, Italy (19...
Category
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Stone
Ivory Vintage Persian Kerman Hand Knotted Soft Wool Worn Down Mat Rug 1'10"x3'9"
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Category
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wool
Ivory Vintage Persian Kerman Worn Down Hand Knotted Pure Wool Rug 1'9"x3'10"
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Category
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wool
Midnight Blue Vintage Persian Kerman Hand Knotted Pure Wool Square Rug 1'8"x1'8"
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Category
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wool
Medieval furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Medieval furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include rugs and carpets, building and garden elements, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, wool and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Medieval furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, Asia, and West Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Arval Argenti Valenza, Edward F. Caldwell & Co., and Aeterna Furniture. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $30 and tops out at $275,000 while the average work can sell for $1,886.
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