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.
Rare Pair Artistic Design Hand Crafted Wrought Iron Dragon Wall Sconce Light
Located in Lisse, NL
Monumental pair of hand-forged wrought iron dragon wall sconces .. masterpiece craftsmanship. Why We Love It: Because drama meets craftsmanship in...
Wrought Iron
reclining lion in finely chased bronze - Italy, 15th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Small reclining lion in finely chased bronze Italy, 15th century Traces of gilding H 4,8 x L 6 x P 2 cm Delicately worked bronze depicting a lion in repose, characteristic of early ...
Bronze
12th Century Italian Roman Marble Lion
Located in Madrid, ES
Italian Romanesque 12th century marble recumbent lion 12th century Italian roman marble lion with a stylized mane and tail wrapped around its body a...
Stone
Mythical creature - stone fragment 17thC
Located in Haaltert, BE
Late 17th C stone fragment of a mythical creature fighting with a deer, horse or unicorn around the tree. The surface shows nice raw carvings, slightly weathered but all details stil...
Stone
Element of an Outdoor Carved Woodwork Showing a Salamander from a Normand House
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This carved oak woodwork was probably placed on the facade of the house, close to the roofing framework of a Norman house. The sculptor had depicted the salamender frontview in a sty...
Oak
Hand-Crafted Neoclassic Wall Sconces, Metal, USA, 1980s
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Elegant pair of wall sconces made of metal, painted in silver and gold, with two 60/watt light each sconce Electrified and ready to use. Beautiful and clean cut pair for the wall. ...
Metal
Serge Roche Pair of Large Plaster Sconces, 2 Pairs Available
By Serge Roche
Located in Miami, FL
Superb pair of plaster sconces by Serge Roche. 1 light, 60 watts Max bulb. US rewired and in working condition.
Plaster
17th Century French Capital Fragment
Located in Round Top, TX
An outstanding and exquisite 17th century French capital to a pilaster. Expertly carved from wood with a wonderful cherub stunningly finished in water g...
Wood
15th Century Italian Renaissance Bronze Medallion
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Renaissance bronze medallion made by Master IOFF in the mid 15th century, showing the mythological scene of Ariadne on Naxos. Made in the mid-15th ...
Bronze
$2,800 / set
H 30 in W 11 in D 5 in
Pair of Hard-to-come-by Wrought Iron + Rattan Wall Sconces by Arthur Umanoff
Located in Kensington, MD
These large and dramatic wall sconces by Arthur Umanoff each have 5 candle stems.The entire piece is wrought iron and the vertical bar that attach...
Iron
Pair of French Sconces by Arlus
Located in Miami, FL
Very elegant pair of gold color hand sconces by Arlus with white glass shades coming from an apartment in Paris fully furnished with furniture and items designed by the most known ...
Brass, Bronze
Fine Pair of Intricately Carved Marble Garden Foo Lion Figures
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A pair of opposing foo lions with elaborately carved curled fur and seated on bases. One places a paw on a ball, the other on an upside down baby foo lion. Overall fine time worn sur...
Marble
$18,000
H 12.5 in W 5 in D 5 in
12th Century Indian Carved White Marble Figure of a Jain Tirthankara or Jina
Located in Austin, TX
A well carved Indian white marble Jain temple relief fragment featuring an image of a Jina, circa 12th century, Rajasthan or Gujarat, India. The Tirthan...
Marble
A Thai Bronze, Buddha Fragment, 15th Century
Located in PARIS, FR
A Thai bronze, Buddha fragment, 15th century. Arm, hand and leg fragment, mounted on a plexiglas stand from 70s. Overall: 17,2 cm.
Bronze
$3,850 / item
H 26 in W 14 in D 3.5 in
Contemporary Bespoke Organic Italian Art Design Perforated Brass Leaf Wall Light
By Cosulich Interiors & Antiques
Located in New York, NY
The brass leaves of different sizes on this Art Deco Design sculpture sconce introduce nature into your interior and this is in itself a unique Work of Art, entirely handcrafted, engraved, and laser-cut. Concealing pierced concave discs hide a brass cone-shaped bulb holder, on a hand-made rectangular backplate. High quality of craftsmanship and an amazing statement of presence, combining Art, beauty, and functionality. This lit sculpture...
Metal, Brass
Pair of 18th Century Italian Carved Wood Figures
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 18th century Italian carved wood figures. Originally polychromed and now aged to a shabby chic look.
Wood
$16,112
H 29.53 in W 23.63 in D 11.03 in
19th Century Italian Roman Vanitas Bust Renaissance Revival Memento Mori Marble
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Masterfully carved & most impressive Italian Vanitas bust in solid marble from late 19th century. White Carrara marble skull combined with a Belgian Bla...
Marble, Belgian Black Marble, Carrara Marble
19th Century Stone Guardian Griffen Winged Gargoyle Statues
By Charles Valton, Henry Moore, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Auguste Rodin
Located in Bensalem, PA
Please look at pictures and video for overall detail.Statues were originally from Episcopal Academy in Philadelphia feel free to reach out with any questions
Cast Stone, Concrete
French Gothic Stone Lion, 15th Century
Located in Charlottesville, VA
French Gothic Stone Lion. a reclining stone lion with shaped base, 15th Century. Found at St. Sulpice. Height: overall 7 in. x Width: 11 in. x Depth: 6 1/2 in.
Stone
Decorative greyhound hand carved heraldic coat of arms
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Good quality gilt coloured coat of arms. Central shield with acanthus decoration, flanked either side by outward facing standing greyhounds. Gilt has been worn through to allow the ...
Wood, Giltwood
Decorative hand carved heraldic coat of arms
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Good quality gilt colored coat of arms. Central shield with acanthus decoration, flanked either side by outward facing standing lions. Gilt has been worn through to allow the red ba...
Wood
Dragon head
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Architectural Gothic Copper down spout, A lion Gargoyle style face. These architectural detail adorned many a building in old Europe. This example was salv...
Copper
Pair of Smiling Gargoyle Sculptures
Located in Austin, TX
Concrete statues of happy gargoyle dogs. Lovely patina. Belgium, 19th century
Concrete
Rare Pair of Antique Carved Stone Lions from Italy, Circa 1600
Located in Dallas, TX
These utterly captivating, hand-carved stone lions hail from Italy and date to circa 1600, possibly even earlier. Their regal couchant (lying down) posture adds an air of majestic charm to any setting. One lion gracefully rests its forepaws on a stone ball, while the other clutches a coat of arms shield. They are carved in the same stylistic manner as many of the medieval lions...
Stone
16th Century English Carved Limestone Lion Statue
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An English hand carved limestone lion statue possibly dating from as early as the 16th century. Made at the hand of a talented artisan, the limestone is detailed with tooling and chisel marks made by the maker throughout, depicting a small lion in a 'sejant' seated position. Though weathered throughout the ages, this 400-500 year old carving has stood the test of time, with details of the lion’s mane, paws and face recognisable to this very day. An antique artefact...
Stone, Limestone
Set of 5 Dragons Wall Sconces, Italy, circa 1900
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Superb set of 5 wrought iron wall sconces, representing a winged dragon holding a torchiere / a torch. Good quality of manufacture: well-made subjects, beautiful patina of the met...
Wrought Iron
Antique Winged Lion Statue in Buff Terracotta
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Resembling a mythical creature of folklore, this winged lion statue is an object of interest and historical intrigue. Despite losses to the wings and one e...
Terracotta
Double Romanesque Capital, France, 13th Century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Double romanesque capital decorated with two fantastic animals France, 13th century Measures: 26,5 x 38,5 x 14,5 cm. This rare double cap...
Stone
Ancient Granite Carving of a Ram’s Head
Located in London, GB
Ancient granite carving of a ram’s head We are proud to offer an ancient granite carving of an unusual ram’s head which was recently uncovered from a private collection in London. Hand carved with a naïve yet enchanting visual of a ram’s head based centrally. Likely to have been part of a large wall...
Granite