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Medieval Lighting

MEDIEVAL STYLE

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.

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Style: Medieval
Late 19th Century Carved Wooden Lüsterweibchen Four-Light Chandelier
Located in Barntrup, DE
Unique and adorable late 19th or very early 20th-century smaller-size chandelier - Lüsterweibchen. Finely hand-carved from linden wood, a unique piece, made by a master wood carver ...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Medieval Lighting

Materials

Brass, Metal

Large Patinated Gothic Style Hexagonal Lantern, Rewired, Second Available
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Patinated Gothic Style Hexagonal Lantern, Rewired, Second Available Sold Individually USA, circa 1920s Standing 42-Inches tall, executed in patinated metal, with Holy C...
Category

20th Century American Medieval Lighting

Materials

Metal

Gothic Style Bronze & Iron Bat Motif Lantern, 2 Available
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Gothic Style Bronze and Iron Bat Motif Lantern, 2 Available Gothic style bronze and iron bat motif lantern, with a total of 45" drop, chain can be removed or added. For sale are two exceptional Gothic-style bronze and iron bat motif lanterns, sold individually, offering a rare and unique addition to any space. Each lantern has a finely cast bronze bat...
Category

20th Century Medieval Lighting

Materials

Metal, Bronze, Wrought Iron

French 19th Century Brass Altar Candlestick Lamp and Shade
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An antique brass altar candlestick from 19th century France, that has been converted into an electrified lamp. This gorgeous fixture i...
Category

19th Century French Antique Medieval Lighting

Materials

Brass

Gothic Cathedral Style Hanging Lamp
Located in Palm Springs, CA
In true Gothic fashion, these lamps illustrate the style of light common to many cathedrals of the time yet devoid of any religious symbols. Lights are of grand scale consisting of s...
Category

1940s American Vintage Medieval Lighting

Materials

Steel

Eraly 1900 Handcrafted Gothic Art Four Arm Winged Dragon Pendant Light
Located in Lisse, NL
Good size and hand-carved Gothic Revival chandelier. This handcrafted medieval chandelier comes with four arms and on the end of each arm there is a mean looking and well carved dr...
Category

Early 20th Century French Medieval Lighting

Materials

Wood, Glass

Neo Gothic Bronze Lamp
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Neo Gothic bronze architectural fragment mounted as lamp.
Category

Early 20th Century Medieval Lighting

Materials

Bronze

An Old Decorative Green Man Copper Lantern This old Hall Lantern has 6 sides
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
An Old Decorative Green Man Copper Lantern This very old Hall Lantern has 6 bevelled glass sides This very unusual Baroque light is wired for electricity, it has the mask of the gr...
Category

19th Century Antique Medieval Lighting

Materials

Copper

Rare Antique Hubbell Carved Oak Figural Dolphins Library Column Floor Lamp
By Hubbell
Located in Dayton, OH
A rare and one of a kind antique figural carved oak floor lamp, circa 1920s. Meticulously carved with amazing detail throughout. Features a swiss guard with torchiere staff atop a sq...
Category

1920s Vintage Medieval Lighting

Materials

Oak

Antique French Crystal Chandelier Ceiling Lamp Lustre Art Nouveau Lamp
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing our cherished old chandelier, lovingly and professionally restored in Berlin! Its electrical wiring works seamlessly in the US, as it has been expertly re-wired and is re...
Category

1920s French Vintage Medieval Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Spanish 1940s Wrought Iron Lantern, Scroll and Twisting Details
Located in Barcelona, ES
Hand Forged Scrollwork Wrought Iron Pendant / Lantern, Spain, 1940s. Eye-catching hand forged lantern or hanging light with scroll and twisting details thorough. The lantern hangs from an iron chain accented by rhombus shaped links and it is topped by a wrought iron flower shaped canopy. Entirely made by hand. Outstanding design in the style of gothic with spanish colonial and baroque accents. Heavily detailed hand forged work. This piece will be a great choice for any main entry, hallway or foyer. It can be a nice addition to any contemporary, classical, Spanish colonial or Spanish revival home decor. It can be placed outdoor hanging on the porch or indoor in a entry hall / hallway. Newly wired with 1 E27 bulb holder Overall measures: 72 cm H x 30 cm diameter The lantern itself without the chain is: 30 cm diameter x 33,5 cm H We are specialists in lighting: A curated selection of iron ceiling light fixtures, chandeliers, pendants and wall lights is avaliable at our 1stdibs marketplace. We invite you to join our profile and check "more from this seller". Spanish Iron Lantern...
Category

20th Century Spanish Medieval Lighting

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

Rare Antique Gothic Revival Bronze 12 Candle Chandelier with Gargoyle Sculptures
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique and stunning 19th century copy of a 16th century Gothic art chandelier. With another year of selling rare and beautiful antiques almost over, we are proud to offer you one of...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Medieval Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Pair Original Verdigris Bronze Exterior Gothic Sconces NYC
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th century Gothic bronze wall sconces with original verdigris green color. Cleaned and restored. Minor losses. Cracked glass panel will be replaced upon purchase. One missing...
Category

Early 20th Century American Medieval Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Spanish Revival Gilt Iron and Amber Glass Wall Lantern / Wall Sconce, 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish Revival Hand Forged Wall Hanging Lantern / Wall Sconce in Gilt Iron Sculptural gilt iron wall sconce / lantern with amber blown glass cylinder lampshade, Spain, 1940s This spanish hanging...
Category

20th Century Spanish Medieval Lighting

Materials

Gold Leaf, Wrought Iron, Iron

1890 French Big Winged Standing Dragon Wrought Iron Sconces
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing one light each. These will be newly rewired with certified US UL sockets for the USA and appropriate sockets for all other countries. Standing winged dragons with lots of det...
Category

1890s French Antique Medieval Lighting

Materials

Wrought Iron

Set of Four English Vintage Lanterns
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Set of four vintage 20th century glass and steel lanterns from England. This striking ensemble of light fixtures bears a vaguely Gothic influence in their hexagonal shape, made of te...
Category

20th Century English Medieval Lighting

Materials

Steel

Gothic wrought iron candelabra style floor lamp
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Gothic wrought iron candelabra style floor lamp.
Category

1940s Spanish Vintage Medieval Lighting

Materials

Wrought Iron

Six Light Spanish Wrought Iron Chandelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a rustic wrought iron chandelier with a medieval-inspired design. It features a circular frame supported by four chains that converge at the top for hanging. The chandelier...
Category

20th Century Spanish Medieval Lighting

Materials

Wrought Iron

French Gothic Style Wrought Iron Chandelier
Located in Houston, TX
French Gothic Style Wrought Iron Chandelier. This handsome French Country 5 Arm Wrought Iron Chandelier has been newly wired with new sockets and polywax candle sleeves for the U.S. ...
Category

1920s French Vintage Medieval Lighting

Materials

Wrought Iron

Antique French Gilt Metal Chandelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique French Gilt Metal Chandelier Country: France Materials: Gilt Metal Condition: Shows Patina From Age Style: French Gothic Year: 1950’s $1,895 Dimensions: 30”H x 24”W x 24”D
Category

1950s French Vintage Medieval Lighting

Materials

Metal

Pair Heavy Weight Solid Brass Polished Bronze Gothic Twisted 8 Light Lanterns
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a pair of Incredibly heavy, solid, beefy polished bronze or perhaps brass lanterns. They are European in style and have incredibly beautiful twisted ornate details and each o...
Category

2010s French Medieval Lighting

Materials

Bronze

HUGE Pair of 13-Light Handforged Wrought Iron Castle Chandeliers w. Gothic Crown
Located in Lisse, NL
Largest ever pair of Medieval Style chandeliers, over 5 feet tall. With 20th century lighting as one of our specialities we have seen and sold all kinds of light fixtures, but never...
Category

20th Century European Medieval Lighting

Materials

Wrought Iron, Metal

French Gothic Wrought Iron 6 Arm Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
French Gothic style chandelier with six arms made of black finish wrought iron. It has an intricate, ornate design with scrolling patterns and decorative bird motif arms. This light ...
Category

20th Century Medieval Lighting

Materials

Wrought Iron

Spanish Handcrafted Forged Wrought Iron Oak Castle Chandelier, Mid-19th Century
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Unique handcrafted forged wrought iron and oak castle candle chandelier, Spain, mid-19th century. Wrought Iron beautifully forged in Medieval style, 8 candle holders on a rubust hand...
Category

Mid-19th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Lighting

Materials

Wrought Iron

Pair of 19th Century Gothic Bronze Verdigris Lantern Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of antique Gothic style lantern sconces made of verdigris bronze and opaque textured glass. One pane is missing and will be replaced when purchased. The lights are cleaned and r...
Category

19th Century American Antique Medieval Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Beautiful 1920s Gothic Wood Lantern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful Gothic lantern, the patina of the wood is beautiful, the height of the light is with out the chain.        
Category

1920s American Vintage Medieval Lighting

Materials

Metal

19th Century French Gothic Style Hand Forged Iron Nine-Light Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Add dramatic character and artisanal charm to your space with this elegant wrought iron chandelier. Hand-forged in France circa 1880 in a rustic Gothic style, the circular fixture fe...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Lighting

Materials

Iron

1920's Oscar Bach Gothic style Brown Patinated Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1900 Oscar Bach bronze double light sconces, brown patinated finish
Category

1910s American Vintage Medieval Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Neo Gothic Medieval Style Carved Wood Wall Candle Holder or Torchere
Located in Bishop's Stortford, GB
Neo Gothic Medieval Style Carved Wood Wall Candle Holder or Torchere. This imposing wooden candle holder seamlessly combines natural beauty with functionality, featuring a sturdy des...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Medieval Lighting

Materials

Oak

French Gothic Style Eight-Light Iron Chandelier with Hand-Painted Crests, Wired
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Gothic style eight-light iron chandelier from the 20th century with hand-painted crests. This French Gothic style chandelier from the 20th century is an exquisite example of...
Category

20th Century French Medieval Lighting

Materials

Brass, Iron

Spanish Medieval Table Lamp in Gilt Wrought Iron
Located in Barcelona, ES
Medieval Style Iron Table Lamp, Spain, 1940s Gorgeous Spanish Colonial table lamp hand forged in iron with gilt patinated finsih. Tripod standing p...
Category

20th Century Spanish Medieval Lighting

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron, Metal

Wrought Iron Cage Chandelier With 7 lights in The Gothic Style
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice cage chandelier with 7 lights is all made of wrought iron. This is a French work in the Gothic style. Circa 1950
Category

1940s French Vintage Medieval Lighting

Materials

Wrought Iron

Farm House Tole Hollywood Regency Chandelier with Murano Shades Italy 1980s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Add a touch of opulence to your home with this charming Chandelier. Perfect verdigris colored parts to enhance any chic or eclectic home. We'd love to see it hanging in an entryway o...
Category

1980s German Vintage Medieval Lighting

Materials

Metal

Pair of Wrought Iron Sconces, French Work. Circa 1950
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This set of 3 wrought iron wall sconces is French, circa 1950. These wall lights can also be sold individually.
Category

1950s French Vintage Medieval Lighting

Materials

Wrought Iron

French 19th Century Iron Chandelier
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Medieval Lighting

Materials

Iron

Very Rare Set of Twenty Large, 1940s Church Indoor or Outdoor Sconces (
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very rare set of twenty of large 1940 church sconces, the glass can be easily change, to a different color of glass, the price is for the pair they c...
Category

1940s American Vintage Medieval Lighting

Materials

Metal

Large French Decorated Gothic Hall Lantern Ceiling Light
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large French Decorated Gothic Hall Lantern Ceiling Light This is a Large and Very Heavy Hall Lantern it is a Classic Elaborate Gothic Design decorated with animals Caryatid and symb...
Category

1880s Antique Medieval Lighting

Materials

Brass

Spanish Hand Forged Iron and Wood Medieval Inspired Torch Wall Sconce, 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Medieval style three-light torch wall sconce in iron and wood, Spain, 1940s This wall sconce features a wooden backplate holding three hand forged iron branches with naturalistic de...
Category

20th Century Spanish Medieval Lighting

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

19th Century French Gothic Forged Iron Eight-Light Island Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique light fixture was forged in France, circa 1890. Rectangular in shape and almost 4 feet long, the chandelier with a flat bottom, features an intricate pierced gallery with scrolled work around the perimeter, and embellished with gilt floral rosette medallions in each recessed corner; the light has the original double chains on each side connected to a crossed bar, under the top double chain. The large chandelier has eight inside arms newly wired and each iron torch light...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Lighting

Materials

Iron

Wrought Iron Chandelier with 12 Lights in the Gothic Style. Circa 1950
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice chandelier with 12 lights is made of wrought iron. This is a French work in the Gothic style. Circa 1950
Category

1950s French Vintage Medieval Lighting

Materials

Wrought Iron

Nautical Boat Ship Chandelier Wrought Iron Venetian Cocca Anseatica, circa 1900
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing 2 lights. Will be rewired with certified UL US sockets for the USA and appropriate sockets for all other countries and ready to hang. One of a kind ship. Wrought iron with in...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Medieval Lighting

Materials

Wrought Iron

Large pair of wrought iron wall lights with 5 Arms comprising coat of arms
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice large pair of wall lights with 5 Arms is made of wrought iron. The wall sconces show a coat of arms on their center. This is a French work in the Gothic Style. Circa 1940
Category

1940s French Vintage Medieval Lighting

Materials

Wrought Iron

19th Century Gothic Wrought Iron Chandelier
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Intricate wrought iron, Gothic style chandelier with foliate and floral motif.
Category

19th Century French Antique Medieval Lighting

Materials

Wrought Iron

Pair of Wrought Iron wall lanterns Patinated in a Green Color and Gilded
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice and unique pair of wall lanterns is made of wrought iron patinated in a green color and gilded. This is a French work. Circa 1940
Category

1950s French Vintage Medieval Lighting

Materials

Wrought Iron

19th Century French Wrought Iron Twelve-Light Chandelier with Fleurs-de-Lys
Located in Dallas, TX
Place this large antique light fixture over a dining table, or in a den. Forged in Normandy France circa 1880, and almost four feet in diameter, the large chandelier built of solid w...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Lighting

Materials

Iron

1920s Gothic Amber Glass Sconce
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is a beautiful Gothic amber hammered glass sconce. The glass has a brass stained glass style frame with the original patina. They give off a warm rich glow. One left in stock.
Category

Early 20th Century American Medieval Lighting

Materials

Glass

Late 19th century Caldwell Gothic St. Michael Motif Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of late 19th century gothic style Caldwell bronze sconces with St Michael motif
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Medieval Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Antique Gothic Revival Gold Bronze Figural Candelabra Table Lamps, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Gothic Revival Gold Bronze Figural Candelabra Table Lamps - a Pair. Item features wooden decorative candles, twin light sockets, pierced decorated frames, very nice antique p...
Category

Early 20th Century Medieval Lighting

Materials

Brass

French Gothic Wrought Iron Chandelier, c. 1930
Located in Chicago, IL
This magnificent frosted glass chandelier combines the soft finish of molded Art Deco glass with the striking forms of a Gothic wrought iron frame. The cent...
Category

Early 20th Century French Medieval Lighting

Materials

Iron

19th Century French Gothic Black Forged Wrought Iron Floor Lamp
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a study of office with this elegant wrought iron floor fixture. Crafted in southern France, circa 1860, the candelabra lamp stands on a four-leg base ending with small feet....
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Lighting

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

Circa 1900s Silverplate Chandelier with 5 Arms
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A vintage silverplate chandelier with a broad belly, five arms with beautiful details, original canopy. The piece came from Remains Lighting. Measurements: 32 inches high x 18...
Category

20th Century English Medieval Lighting

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Handforged Medieval Iron Luster from a German Castle
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Handforged Medieval Iron Luster from a German Castle A very large medieval luster from a castle in South Germany. Made of handforged iron around...
Category

Early 20th Century German Medieval Lighting

Materials

Wrought Iron

French Circular Hand-Wrought Iron Chandelier. 19th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
This French Four Light Circular Hand-Wrought Iron Chandelier was original candle and made in the 19th Century. The Circular Hand-Wrought Iron Ring has four Wrought Iron Bobeches an...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Medieval Lighting

Materials

Wrought Iron

Large Vintage Gothic or Art Deco Black Wrought Iron & White Milk Glass Lights
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful large vintage gothic or Art Deco black painted wrought iron & white milk glass light fixtures. 3 total selling separately. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these a...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Medieval Lighting

Materials

Wrought Iron

20th Century French Iron Chandelier
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
French six-armed iron chandelier, circa 1950.The arms and central shaft feature scrolling acanthus leaves in alternating directions. This chandelier has a great composition with an i...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Lighting

Materials

Iron

Gothic 12 Arm Bronze Chandelier Union Theological Seminary NYC
Located in New York, NY
This 12-light cast bronze gothic chandelier was reclaimed from the Union Theological Seminary in NYC. The Seminary was established in 1836 with an English Gothic Revival style. This ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Medieval Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Early 20th Century French Gothic Flat Bottom Iron Ten-Light Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a kitchen island or breakfast room with this elegant antique light fixture. Forged in France circa 1920, and rectangular in shape, the large chandelier has ten lights newly ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Medieval Lighting

Materials

Iron

Vintage Gothic Gold Painted Metal & White Hanging Light Fixtures Sold Separate
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous vintage Gothic Ecclesiastical gold painted metal & white & red plastic hanging light fixtures, selling separately. Beautiful condition, ...
Category

Late 20th Century Medieval Lighting

Materials

Metal

Medieval lighting for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Medieval lighting for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage lighting created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, iron and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Medieval lighting made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original lighting, popular names associated with this style include Edward F. Caldwell & Co., Maison Baguès, Oscar Bruno Bach, and Schonbek. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for lighting differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $200 and tops out at $37,500 while the average work can sell for $2,900.

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