Contemporay Wall Sconce
Early 20th Century Spanish Medieval Wall Lights and Sconces
Wrought Iron, Metal, Iron, Gold Leaf
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Early 20th Century French Gothic Revival Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass, Bronze
Antique 19th Century Windows
Stained Glass
Antique 16th Century British Gothic Architectural Elements
Oak
Antique Mid-19th Century English Gothic Trunks and Luggage
Iron
Antique 15th Century and Earlier French Gothic Figurative Sculptures
Walnut
Antique Late 17th Century Italian Gothic Blanket Chests
Fabric, Walnut
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Wrought Iron
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Benches
Wood
Antique 16th Century German Gothic Blanket Chests
Oak
Antique 19th Century European Gothic Revival Religious Items
Zinc
Antique Early 19th Century Dutch Gothic Revival Credenzas
Iron, Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century American Renaissance Revival Tableware
Sterling Silver
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Dutch Gothic Blanket Chests
Wrought Iron
1880s Realist Landscape Drawings and Watercolors
Paper, Watercolor, Illustration Board
Antique Late 19th Century Spanish Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mirror, Mahogany, Giltwood
Antique 16th Century German Gothic Blanket Chests
Wrought Iron
A Close Look at medieval Furniture
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.
Finding the Right lanterns for You
Whether you’re in search of a functional fixture to help illuminate a room or just a minimalist ornamental touch, the choice of lighting is important. Selecting the perfect vintage, new or antique lanterns can transform an otherwise monotonous space in your home.
In the 1700s, lanterns became widely popular when accessibility broadened for whale oil, as fuel for lamps was one of its earliest uses. Lantern design evolved considerably during the mid- to late 19th century, when a powerful, adaptable fuel came into play: kerosene. Portable and immediately sought after, kerosene lamps were traditionally surrounded by a glass globe or tube that sat on a metal frame to protect the flame from spreading or extinguishing. (While reproductions abound, antique kerosene lanterns have since become collector's items.)
Later, in 1862, John H. Irwin created coil oil lamps, which were designed for coal oils as well as kerosene and lessened the risk of fire. They required plentiful oxygen to remain lit, and with refinements, the lamps could be used indoors. Lanterns increasingly came to be part of commercial spaces such as museums and theaters, and over time, lighting artisans worked to refine and perfect these innovative fixtures so that they weren’t only practical but also elegant, sophisticated additions to home decor.
Antiques inject a touch of classical chic into any space. With the right lantern, you could also deepen the impact of the collection of vases and vessels, sculptures or other decorative objects in a living room or dining room. It’s essential to find a balance between utility and aesthetics when choosing the perfect vintage–style lantern for your space, and the right lighting decisions can determine the underlying mood of a room as well as enhance the choices you’ve made for your home’s decor. While old-time charm is something to be cherished, there is lots to love in modern lanterns from today’s top furniture designers.
On 1stDibs, search by creator to find lanterns crafted by the likes of Woka Lamps, Barovier & Toso and Material Lust or browse the collection by style. From today’s standouts to mid-century modern classics to Art Deco–era innovations, find the best vintage, new or antique lantern for you now.
- What is a plug in wall sconce?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A plug-in wall sconce is perfect for upgrading the lighting of the room without investing in hardwired fixtures. It can be easily mounted on a wall without having to call an electrician for rewiring purposes. This sconce will amazingly blend with traditional as well as contemporary décor. Shop a range of antique and vintage plug-in wall sconces on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2024The difference between a sconce and a wall lamp is that a sconce is a type of wall lamp or wall lighting fixture. The term sconce is usually used to refer to a decorative lighting fixture whereas a wall lamp might refer to recessed lighting, spotlights or track lighting.
Usually installed in pairs or groups, sconces are decorative fixtures used to light hallways, or placed on either side of a door or bed. In addition to ambient illumination, they can provide upward or downward directional lighting, or both.
Find antique and vintage sconces and other wall lights on 1stDibs.