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 Relief Tile Panel in the Style of J. Parentani, 1890
Located in Rijssen, NL
Stunning Art Nouveau/ Arts & Crafts tile panel from the superb firm, Craven Dunnill, & Co., Ltd, Jackfield Salop, England, circa 1905, in a bright celadon. This quantity original jug...
Earthenware, Pottery
$450 / set
H 0.44 in W 8 in D 8 in
Pair of Antique 19th Century John Moyr Smith Ceramic Tiles, Circa 1877
By Minton
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
A pair of large Victorian hand painted Minton China Works in Stoke-upon-Trent, England, English tiles based on Scott's popular Waverly Novels, designed ...
Ceramic, Earthenware
Antique Asian Architectural Relief Carved Stone Frieze Panel
Located in Forney, TX
An exceptional architectural high relief hand carved stone band of running scroll decoration frieze panel, with beautiful scrollwork, representing wind or water, and mythological creature, perhaps a dragon or grotesque griffin. The characters in the center may be Asian hieroglyphs (Japanese kanji). The top side has a dovetail joinery cutout from where it would have attached and fit into place before cementing it in place. 19th century or earlier. This antique architectural salvage building element is a beautiful and artful display of history, and a quick way to add texture, character, rustic charm and interest. Will make a wonderful decorative object within your home or office. Provenance: Personal property of Genshiro Kawamoto. A Japanese real estate billionaire and avid art collector who owned numerous multi-million dollar properties in Hawaii and was building one of the most expensive homes in Hawaii prior to his tax evasion arrest, followed by prison sentence in Japan. He had bought multiple properties to convert into museums in order to display his personal decorative arts collection, but due to his legal and financial problems, his items were all auctioned...
Stone
Collection of Nine Antique Delft Tiles
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A collection of nine 5-inch antique Delft tiles depicting Dutch scenes with windmills, maidens and soldiers, all of which are in expressive blue colourin...
Clay
$889
H 5.52 in W 5.52 in D 0.6 in
18th Century Spanish Glazed Ceramic Tile from Triana in Blue and White
Located in Marbella, ES
18th Century Spanish Glazed ceramic tile from Triana in Blue and White of a Hand-Painted Horse.
Ceramic
Arts & Crafts Nature Scene on a Raised Relief Glazed Tile
Located in San Francisco, CA
This rarely available Arts & Crafts-period glazed tile features a stag standing on the lakeshore against a mountain backdrop. Its more-than-foot-long size makes it ideal for placemen...
Ceramic
$889
H 5.52 in W 5.52 in D 0.6 in
18th Century Spanish Glazed Ceramic Tile from Triana in Blue and White
Located in Marbella, ES
18th Century Spanish Glazed ceramic tile from Triana in Blue and White of a Hand-Painted Horse.
Ceramic
Moroccan Encaustic Cement Tile in Antique White Color
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan handcrafted and hand-painted cement tile in antique white color. These are authentic Moroccan encaustic tiles handmade by artisans in Fez ...
Cement
$425 / set
H 0.38 in W 6 in D 6 in
Set of Six Antique 19th Century Hand Painted Minton Earthenware Ceramic Tiles
By Minton
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
A set of six (one bonus tile thrown in of a double but in bad condition) Victorian hand painted Minton China Works in Stoke-upon-Trent, England, English tiles designed by John Moyr Smith...
Ceramic, Earthenware
$956Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 5.25 in W 5.25 in D 0.25 in
Antique Dutch Delft Style Craftsmen Brown and White Tiles, Set of Three
Located in Elkhart, IN
A beautiful set of three hand painted brown and white Delft style ceramic tiles featuring craftsmen and tradesmen. These make excellent coasters. Holland, Circa Mid-19th Century Me...
Ceramic
English Fireplace in the Gothic Style
Located in London, GB
An English stone fireplace in the Gothic manner. The moulded jambs surmounted by arched frieze, circa 1900. Measure: Shelf Width: 1395 mm 54 7/8 in Overall Height: 1125 mm ...
Stone
$20,000
H 96 in W 52 in D 3 in
Italian Hand-Painted Tile Panel from the Lobby of the Hilton Plaza, Miami Beach
Located in Miami, FL
Offering the last surviving ceramic art panel from the lobby of the Hilton Plaza Hotel in Miami Beach. Jackie Gleason was "Creative Consultant" for the ...
Ceramic
Antique Statuary Fireplace in the Georgian Style
Located in London, GB
A 19th century English statuary marble fireplace in the Georgian manner. The full round columns, surmounted by Ionic capitals, plain frieze and double reeded shelf. A well proportion...
Marble
19th Century Set of 25 Authentic Ceramic Relief Fire Place Tiles, France
Located in Rijssen, NL
A most unique and unusual piece of wall art. There are 25 individually tiles. Each pattered tile is a work of art in itself. 13 patterned tiles and 12 solid tiles. Each tile is indiv...
Earthenware, Pottery