$19,371
H 10.24 in W 15.75 in D 8.67 in
Early 17th Century Medieval Handcrafted Black Iron Coffer or Box
Located in Brescia, IT
The iron coffer, fully original in every part of it, was forged and handcrafted in German in the
Iron
$13,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 28 in W 47 in D 19.5 in
Very Rare 15th C. Medieval English Carved Solid Oak Dowry Coffer with Drawer
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Exquisitely carved and well preserved Medieval England dowry coffer. Remarkable decorative "palm
Oak
Unavailable
H 8 in W 12 in D 7 in
A Large Impressive 19th Century Bronze Jewelry Casket Box. Circa 1860
Located in London, GB
in the form of a medieval coffer. It is superbly detailed with flowers Leaves Cherubs and decorative
Bronze
Unavailable
H 4.34 in W 7.49 in D 3.94 in
French Cast Bronze Jewelry Box Made in the Form of a Medieval Domed Top Coffer
Located in GB
form of a medieval domed topped coffer. It is superbly detailed with flowers and decorative strapwork
Bronze
Early 16th Century Gothic Coffer Strongbox
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A fantastic medieval coffer. Made from 6 wide dovetailed planks from the same chestnut tree this
Chestnut
16th Century Late Medieval Oak Linen Fold Coffer
Located in Hoddesdon, GB
A late medieval oak coffer , circa 1500 original planked lid , four panel early linen fold carved
Oak
Gothic Oak Chest – Northern France, Circa 1320–1360
Located in Bilzen, BE
Rare medieval oak coffer carved with Gothic tracery, featuring lancets and quatrefoils
Iron
Medieval 16th Century Solid Walnut Gothic Carved Coffer c. 1580
Located in Heathfield, GB
An extremely rare, large and beautiful 16th century medieval solid walnut coffer with superbly
Walnut
16th Century Belgian Coffer - B
Located in Charlotte, NC
A coffer originating in Belgium in the 16th Century. This trunk was recovered from the ruins of a
Metal
Antique Oak Coffer, 18th Century
Located in Redruth, GB
Antique oak coffer. 18th century carved oak coffer with hinged lid, plant hinged lid with three
Oak
Antique 16th Century Belgian Coffer - A
Located in Charlotte, NC
A coffer originating in Belgium in the 16th century. This trunk was recovered from the ruins of a
Metal
A rare 17th c. Fir and Chestnut Coffer
Located in New York, NY
The rectangular plank top mounted with three iron strap hinges over the case centered by three recessed square panels set within a cross motif diaper work. Provenance: Huntington An...
The Helix Chandelier
By John Brevard
Located in Coral Gables, FL
The Helix chandelier is inspired by the Helix Nebula. The Helix Nebula has sometimes been referred to as the "Eye of God." In ancient art, design, and architecture, the use of fracta...
Bronze
$7,143
H 29 in Dm 18.7 in
Arts & Crafts Alabaster Pendant / Chandelier w. Bronze Gothic Style Frame c 1915
Located in Lisse, NL
One of a kind design light fixture with a stunning alabaster shade and a bronze circular Gothic Art frame. This sizeable antique pendant from the early 1900s is another one of our r...
Alabaster, Wire, Brass, Bronze
Gilded Peacock Sculpture in Porcelain and Crystal
Located in Paris, FR
Sculpture gilded peacock handmade in precious porcelain one by one, feather by feather. Each feather is unique. Made with shiny porcelain, hand-painted with 24-karat gold and preciou...
Crystal, Gold Plate, Brass
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 17 in W 33 in D 25 in
Antique Arts & Crafts Solid Oak Stacking Map Cabinet With Deep Drawers
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Rare Arts & Crafts Stacking Map Cabinet with Multiple drawers. Beautifully constructed from solid Oak and with the original brass pulls with name tag hardware present. Dovetailed dra...
Oak
$452,530
H 70.87 in W 125.99 in D 2.17 in
Giant Crocodile Fossil Wall Plate, Germany. 180 Million Years Old.
Located in London, GB
This outstanding fossilised skeleton is that of the ancestral crocodile species Steneosaurus bollensis that lived during the early Jurassic period. The skeleton, complete with armour...
Other
Exquisite 13th Century Rock Crystal and Gold Bowl in Superb Condition
Located in London, GB
Rock crystal vessels were highly demanded and valuable in Medieval times. Inventories from European royal houses and the highest aristocratic families detail the important and sophis...
Rock Crystal
Quantum Bar
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
The charcoal oak exterior of this bar is segmented by a copper stringing pattern which directs the path of the wood grain. Within the bar, the copper shelving provides a striking co...
Copper
$62,800Sale Price|60% Off
H 72 in W 57 in D 29 in
Rare and Important Renaissance "Judaica" Carved Oak Wood Cabinet
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
A Rare and Important Renaissance "Judaica" Carved Oak Wood Cabinet, circa 1680 We are pleased to present a rare and important Renaissance Judaica carved oak wood cabinet. This exq...
Mother-of-Pearl, Oak
$651,300
H 20 in W 31 in D 18 in
Important, Rare French Ormolu Sevres Style Porcelain Jewelry Box on Bronze Table
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
A rare and important French ormolu/bronze and Sevres style turquoise porcelain jewelry box casket on matching French ormolu/bronze table with Sevres style porcelain plaques. Of pala...
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Old Fountain
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
This old French Limestone fountain was hand carved and installed in a French countryside home. The piece has been well preserved throughout the years and was recently reclaimed by ou...
Limestone
18th Century Chinese Canton Enamel Plate
Located in New Orleans, LA
This enchanting Chinese plate, known as Canton enamel, evokes the intrigue and exclusivity of the 18th- century Imperial court. Boasting a magnificent famille rose background hue, th...
Enamel
1932 - René Lalique - “Biskra” vase
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
René Lalique - “Biskra” vase in opalescent glass enhanced with a blue patina. Sandblasted signature with stamp. Model created by René Lalique in 1932 and removed from the catalog ...
Glass
Large and Striking Antique Bronze & Brass Gothic Revival Torches Chandelier
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful and meaningful, Gothic church relic from the late 1800s. This stunning and all handcrafted five-light chandelier from the 1870s is designed in the shape of an advent wreat...
Brass, Bronze, Iron
$34,810
H 83.47 in W 74.81 in D 88.19 in
Bed Italian Venetian Painted Trompe L’œil Baroque Fortuny Superking 6ft 180cm
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Magnificent, 18th Century, Venetian, Trompe-L’œil, Painted, Bed, Superking 6ft, 180cm wide, With Massive 213cm, 6ft 10in Shaped Headboard & 149cm, 5ft Shaped Footboard & Fortuny Bedc...
Paint
$9,500 / set
H 8 in W 2.63 in D 2.5 in
Collection of Six (6) Grand Tour Bronze Marble Busts of Roman Emperors
Located in New York, NY
Collection of six (6) antique (19th century) Grand Tour busts of Roman emperors in patinated bronze with gilt bronze mounts and white marble pedestals, each measuring from 8 to 8 1/4...
Marble, Bronze
Impressive Ancient Chinese Scholar Root as Table
Located in Stamford, CT
An impressive ancient Chinese scholar root now a table with custom glass top.
Wood
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.