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.
Pair of Ornate Iron and Travertine Side Tables, Spain, circa 1920s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Lovely and heavy pair of unusual, solid iron tables with a foliate decor and twisted iron legs ending in scrolled feet. The apron runs around three si...
English Gothic Style Oak End Table
Located in Queens, NY
English Gothic style (early 20th century) oak end table with twisted pilaster corners surmounted by carved knight figures (marked: BELGIUM)
Wood
$2,247Sale Price|27% Off
Hand Carved Walnut Drawer. Spain, 17th Century.
Located in Madrid, ES
Spanish 17th century three-drawer chest in solid carved walnut wood, with molded sides following late Gothic designs, and wrought iron handles.
Wood
$1,882 / item
H 17.72 in Dm 18.51 in
Ashby Side Table Travertine by Kevin Frankental, Handcrafted Minimalist Design
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Ashby side table is evidence of Lemon’s journey into increasing simplicity. Versatile in nature, the piece’s pure silhouette, elegant proportions and dramatic texture lend it to ...
Travertine
$2,775 / set
H 21.66 in W 21.66 in D 13.78 in
20th Century Spanish Nightstands with Drawer and Iron Hardware
Located in Miami, FL
20th century pair of Brutalist Spanish nightstands with three carved drawers with original iron hardware Beautiful tables that you can use like a nightstands or side tables, end tab...
Iron
$1,150
H 19.9 in W 21.5 in D 12.4 in
20th Century Spanish Nightstand Carved Drawer and Iron Hardware, 1890s
Located in Miami, FL
20th century Spanish nightstands in solid walnut with carved drawer and iron hardware. Beautiful table that you can use like a nightstand or side table, end table, or table lamp.
Walnut
$2,775 / set
H 25.4 in W 20.48 in D 14.77 in
Pair of Light Walnut Carved Spanish Nightstands with Turned Legs and drawer
Located in Miami, FL
20th century pair of solid carved Spanish nightstands with carved columns and carved drawers. The pieces have a stretcher to make stability .
Walnut
$2,390 / set
H 25.2 in W 15.36 in D 20.28 in
20th Pair of Spanish Walnut Carved Nightstands with Drawer
Located in Miami, FL
20th century Pair of Spanish nightstands with one drawer and iron hardware. The table has beautiful carved drawers with original iron pull. Beautiful tables that you can use like a n...
Walnut
$2,190 / set
H 24.81 in W 20.87 in D 13.59 in
20th Pair of Spanish Carved Nightstands with Drawer and low crest
Located in Miami, FL
20th century Pair of Spanish nightstands with one drawer and iron hardware. The table has beautiful carved drawers with original iron pull. Beautiful tables that you can use like a n...
Walnut
$2,250 / set
H 20.08 in W 15.75 in D 11.62 in
20th Century Spanish Nightstands with Drawer and Iron Hardware
Located in Miami, FL
20th century pair of Brutalist Spanish nightstands with carved drawer and iron hardware Beautiful tables that you can use like a nightstands or side tables, end tables... or table ...
Iron
$5,400 / set
H 22 in W 18 in D 18 in
Pair of Tall Iron and Travertine 'Entretoise' Side Tables by Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of tall blackened iron and unfilled travertine 'Entretoise' side or end tables by Design Frères. Also great when an understated pair of nightstands is desired.
Travertine, Iron
$1,975
H 28.94 in W 24.81 in D 15.36 in
20th Catalan Spanish Baroque Carved Walnut Tuscan Chest of Drawers or Nightstand
Located in Miami, FL
From Northern Spain, constructed of solid walnut, the rectangular top with molded edge atop a conforming case housing six drawers paneled with solid walnut, raised on two plint legs....
Iron
$11,146
H 45.28 in W 86.62 in D 37.8 in
Exceptional 19th Century Hand Carved Italian Walnut Day Bed Cherub Putti's Angel
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally rare Circa 1840-1860 hand carved walnut Italian daybed with cherub putti decoration and chesterfield tufting What a find! Thi...
Walnut
Handcrafted Architectural Oak Nightstand or End Table
Located in London, GB
Architectural oak Pillar nightstands or end tables. Early European modernism inspired with a dash of Japanese minimalism - always focusing on the bea...
Oak
Handcrafted English Oak Tiered Nightstand Table
Located in London, GB
An adapted version of our architectural oak pillar nightstands/end tables. Designed and totally handcrafted in England using traditional cabinetry techniques with the most beautiful ...
Oak
Octagonal Gilt & Painted "Knight" Stands, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Octagonal Gilt and Paint-Decorated "Knight" Stands. 18" H x 21" W x 19.5" D. Provenance: From a New York City Estate.
Wood
Pair English Gothic Carved Dark Oak Side Tables
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1910 pair of English Gothic style carved oak side tables with new black finish. Each table has a single functional drawer with original brass pull ring hardware. Great carved d...
Oak
Pair of French 19th Century Gothic Oak Bedside Cupboards
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Pair of French 19th century Gothic oak bedside cupboards This is a rare pair of 19th century Gothic oak bedside cabinets, The cabinets have mottled grey marble tops which hav...
Oak
Sold
H 35 in W 36 in D 20 in
A W N Pugin Gillows, Gothic Revival Oak Marble-Top Washstand with Carved Florets
By Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin, Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
A W Pugin. Stamped Gillows A Gothic Revival oak marble top washstand with decorative iron escutcheon and brass drop handles to the drawer and carved floret...
Oak
Pair of Gothic Carved Walnut Bedside Cupboards
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Pair of Gothic carved walnut bedside cupboards A pair of walnut bedside cabinets, with carved and turned legs, the tops have a rounded edge they have a drawer at the top and a sh...
Pair of French 19th Century Gothic Oak Bedside Cupboards
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Pair of French 19th century Gothic oak bedside cupboards This is a rare pair of 19th century Gothic oak bedside cabinets, the grey marble tops have a shaped edge to the front, an...
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H 49.25 in W 23.25 in D 15.75 in
c.1850 Antique French Gothic Oak Confiturier/Cupboard w/Drawer (49x23x15")
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Gorgeous, highly stylized antique French Gothic oak confiturier (jelly cupboard) with drawer. Unmistakable in design, Gothic furniture is highly sought after by collectors. This conf...
Oak