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.
Antique Italian Wall Fountain Basin, Rosso Verona Marble, Gothic Style
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Italian wall mounted fountain basin in a late Gothic style with central sun in low relief or "bas relief" on a detailed pedestal in Rosso Verona marble with patina. Minor ...
Marble
Brutalist Raw French Garden Fountain Element Or Trough Or Water basin
Located in Beervelde, BE
Exceptional early fountain trough. Extra raw and in hard red French stone, Reclaimed in Provence. The real deal, rare to find with unique artempo details and wear. Extra raw brutalis...
Stone
$2,000Sale Price|28% Off
XIII Century Italian Granite Fountain Mouth
Located in Encinitas, CA
Italian antique fountain spout carved from a solid granite block from the 13th century with a zoomorphic appearance in the shape of a fish's head.
Granite
$11,200Sale Price|20% Off
Gothic Hand Carved Stone Surround Architectural Element Wall Mount Fountain Idea
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Gothic Hand Carved Stone Surround Architectural Element Wall Mount Fountain Idea . A Beautiful and Rare Gothic 15th Century Carved Stone Window Sur...
Stone
Lothar Klute Brutalist Bronze Water Fountain
By Lothar Klute
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
Brutalist Bronze Water Fountain – Handcrafted Sculptural Piece A striking hand-forged bronze water fountain combining raw brutalist aesthetics with organic, sculptural forms. Three a...
Bronze
19th Century Hand-Carved Belgian Blue Stone Fountain Basin, Antique
Located in High Point, NC
This 19th Century Belgian blue stone fountain basin exemplifies the enduring elegance of hand-carved limestone, showcasing a rich patina developed...
Stone
$6,500
H 29 in W 65 in D 28 in
French Classical Cast Bronze Large Garden Water Fountain with Embraced Cherubs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Classical Style Cast Bronze Large Garden Water Fountain with Embraced Cherubs. Item features water shooting from genitals into lar...
Bronze
$4,240Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.5 in W 30 in D 20 in
Hand Carved Stone Container Fountain Trough Basin Planter Antique Farm Sink LA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Hand Carved Stone Container Jardinière trough basin planter Antique Farm Sink LA . 18th Century water fountain Basin Of Hand Carved Stone container ....
Stone, Limestone
Antique-patinated Wall fountain
Located in Greding, DE
Wall fountain made of hand-chiseled, antique-patinated natural stone with a curved back panel and central rosette spout. The semi-circular basin and slender design offer elegant prop...
Stone
$2,759 / item
H 31 in Dm 31.5 in
Pair of French Cast Concrete Garden Fountains with Medieval Heads to the Basins
Located in London, GB
A wonderful pair of midcentury French cast concrete garden fountains with medieval heads to the basins. These could have decorative fountain statues pla...
Concrete
$934Sale Price|43% Off
H 9.45 in W 27.17 in D 12.21 in
19th Century Planter Jardinière Antique Fountain Basin, SW France
Located in Labrit, Landes
Antique French fountain basin can be used as a planter or jardinière This item also may have served of children bath tub Very old, the wood wor...
Wood
$149,000
H 35 in W 40 in D 40 in
Renaissance Wellhead Hand Carved Marble Container Planter Basin Water Fountain
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Renaissance Wellhead Hand Carved Marble Container Planter Basin Water Fountain . A rare and impressive Historic Italian 15th century Renaissance hand carved marble well head square shape with scrolls to the corners. Decorated with 3-dimensional vessels and armorial with a rampant lion with raised forelegs as if to strike and ready for battle. To be used as an interior planter stone container, focal point, water feature fountain...
Stone, Marble
Pair Architectural Corbel Garden Wall Mounts Gothic Stone
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing a quirky pair of Gothic stone gorbels Great for a garden and can support plants or foliage Gothic motifs on the pair Crafted from reconstituted stone with lovely weat...
Stone
$2,900
H 11 in W 30.75 in D 26.25 in
18th Century Carved Limestone Corner Sink or Fountain Basin from Apt, France
Located in Dallas, TX
This stone piece was once the basin for a corner fountain or used as corner sink on a property in the rugged hills of Provence, France. It features a thick...
Stone, Limestone
$23,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 23.5 in W 78.5 in D 40 in
Hand Carved Stone Container Fountain Basin Tub Planter Firepit Trough Antique LA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Hand carved stone Container Fountain Basin Tub planter Firepit Trough antique LA. Exquisite Very Large 17th century water fountain basin of hand carved stone. This trough could be in...
Stone, Limestone
Antique Wall Fountain
Located in Udenhout, NL
Made from Bourgondian marble stone type Chassagne Rose from France. (The quarry already closed for years).
Marble
19th Century French Patinated Black Cast Iron Fountain with Lion Head
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring the grand elegance of the Loire Valley into your home with this antique, Gothic iron fountain. Crafted in France, circa 1840, the water fountain features a majestic lion head s...
Bronze, Iron
Early Limestone Fountain Head
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is a figural spout head that once was the focal point of a fountain. The limestone is in wonderful condition with no damage and a beautiful aged patina. Included is a custom-mad...
Limestone
Large Bluestone Fountain, 19th Century
Located in Udenhout, NL
A very beautiful water fountain in Gothic style to place in the garden.
Stone
19th Century French Patinated Black Cast Iron Fountain with Lion Head
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring the grand elegance of the Loire Valley into your home with this antique, Gothic iron fountain. Crafted in France, circa 1840, the water fountain features a majestic lion head s...
Bronze, Iron
Fabulous 19th Century Cast Stone Wellhead
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Beautiful Craftsmanship Displayed In This Hand Made Cast Stone Wellhead. Architectural Details Galore On All Sides. Franciscan Monk, an Urn, Gargoyle. T...
Cast Stone