Medieval Architectural Elements
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
Antique Wood Carved Wall Brackets Set of 2
Located in Pomona, CA
Late 19th-century English oak brackets featuring nicely carved figureheads. The figureheads of bearded men are draped in a headscarf made up of Oak Leaves and Acorns. The heads fall ...
Category
1880s English Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Oak
Exquisite 18th Century Hand-Carved Gothic Architectural Spire - 73" Tall
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite 18th-century Gothic spire, standing 73 inches tall, is a remarkable example of hand-carved architectural ornamentation from the period. Crafted from solid wood, this s...
Category
18th Century French Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood
15th C Gothic Tabernacle 4 ft.+ Rare Architectural Religious Art, Museum Quality
Located in Vero Beach, FL
15th century period Gothic Tabernacle, extremely rare (Medieval) architectural religious art, museum quality ecclesiastical altar piece.
This is an ...
Category
15th Century and Earlier German Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood, Paint
Pair of Polychrome Terra Cotta Architecturals or Wall Consoles, France, C. 1850
Located in Dallas, TX
Recently discovered in a secluded private chapel nestled within the enchanting Loire Valley in central France, this remarkable pair of mid-19th century polychrome terra cotta archite...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Terracotta
English Renaissance Carved Oak Paneled Room
Located in Queens, NY
English Renaissance (Tudor-16th Century) oak carved linen fold design paneled room with a mantle, overmantle carving and a Pair of spindle design open doo...
Category
16th Century British Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Oak
Dutch Gothic Oak and Giltwood Steeple
Located in Queens, NY
Dutch Gothic style (19th Century) oak and gilt filigree carved 4 section steeple (Provenance: a Dutch church 108 Utrechtsestraat St., Amsterdam).
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Oak
Rare Monumental Italian Carved Carrara Marble Model of a Cathedral
Located in New York, NY
A Rare and Monumental Italian Carved Carrara Marble Model of a Cathedral, Rome, 19th century, circa 1840.
Possibly a representation of Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence Italy.
The Italian Renaissance is renowned for its magnificent works of art and architecture, which are admired to this day for their grandeur and intricate details. Among the most impressive examples of this era are the rare and monumental carved Carrara marble models of cathedrals...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Carrara Marble
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 Architectural Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron, Metal
Beverley Minster Rare 14th Century Limestone Column Capital
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A rare late 13th / early 14th century limestone column capital reclaimed from Beverley Minster, Yorkshire. Dating to circa 1300, this limestone capital originates from the medieval p...
Category
15th Century and Earlier English Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Stone, Limestone
An Early Victorian Carved Stone Fireplace In The Gothic Style
Located in London, GB
An early Victorian carved stone fireplace in the Gothic style. The arched frieze with carved spandrels featuring fruit and foliage. Heavily moul...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Stone
Architectural Stone Fireplace
Located in London, GB
An architectural French stone fireplace. The panelled frieze with shaped, panelled jambs below. A rustic stone with nice, aged patina. French, late 18th-early 19th century.
Shelf W...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Stone
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...
Category
1890s French Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Earthenware, Pottery
Oak Church Railing - From Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris
Located in LA FERTÉ-SOUS-JOUARRE, FR
This magnificent oak church railing is a rare piece directly sourced from the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. Designed in the late 19th century u...
Category
19th Century French Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Oak
Pair Of Monumental Antique Polychrome Corbels With Foliate Designs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of monumental architectural antique polychrome corbels with fruit and foliate designs. The back with boards covering the previous mounting.
Dimensions: 14" W x 16" D x 56" H
Con...
Category
19th Century Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood
Italian Medieval Romanesque Carved Marble Capital Fragment
Located in Buisson, FR
Rare and beautiful small medieval treasure.
Hand carved Romanesque marble capital,
Italy, circa 1250-1400.
Weathered, small losses.
More photo's avai...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Marble
Period Gothic Oak Trunk or Chest Façade from Picardie France, circa 1550
Located in Dallas, TX
Often when centuries-old trunks did not survive the passage of time, 19th-century menuisiers (French woodworkers) would salvage the surviving wood and carve new furniture such as desks and similar trunks. The facade was typically the most ornate section of these antique trunks, making intact frontages highly valued antiques. Hand-carved from oak in Picardie, France, circa 1550, this period Gothic architectural is a beautiful example of an antique trunk facade that was not incorporated into a more recent furnishing. Picardie is a former administrative region in northern France that is home to many Gothic cathedrals. The Amiens Cathedral (mid-13th century) is the largest standing cathedral in Europe and is truly a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
Our trunk frontage has five vertically oriented inset panels embellished with various forms of Gothic tracery, including high-arching niches...
Category
16th Century French Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Metal, Iron
16th Century Late Gothic Limestone Gargoyle
Located in Richmond, VA
A late Gothic limestone gargoyle water spout. Original iron bracket in central gutter. Stunning hairline cracking in stone due to old age. Perfect o...
Category
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Limestone
Pair of Gothic Columns - Italy, 14th-15th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Rare pair of Gothic Columns - Olivetani
Marble
Italy, 14th - 15th century
Heraldic shields on the capitals of the Order of the Olivetani
H 220 et 225 cm x W 25 x D 25 cm
H 86 2/3 & 8...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Marble
Large Gothic Lion’s Mask Iron Door Knocker This is a superb door knocker
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large Gothic Lion’s Mask Iron Door Knocker
This is a superb door knocker, the handsome Lion’s Head is at the centre and the heavy outer ring lifts and lands on the striking plate...
Category
Mid-20th Century Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Iron
Gothic Hand Carved Stone Surround Architectural Element Wall Mount Fountain Idea
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Gothic Hand Carved Stone Surround Architectural Element Wall Mount Fountain Idea . A Beautiful and Rare Gothic 15th Century Carved Stone Window Sur...
Category
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Stone
Heavy Bronze Bell, Tower Bell This Is a Very Heavy Piece It Is on an Oak Yoke
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Heavy Bronze Bell, Tower Bell
This is a very heavy piece it is on an Oak Yoke with iron fixings including a the bracket which holds the rope
For the purpose of the pictures and ...
Category
1840s Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Bronze
double capital - french, end of 13th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Double capital with hook decorations
Grey stone
France, 13th century
Reduced—cut in the back in modern times
H 22 x L 41 x P 20 cm
'Hook' is the name given today to these ornamen...
Category
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Stone
Rare 16th Century Architectural Stone Capital from France
Located in Dallas, TX
This rare fragment was salvaged from an entryway on a building in Fontvieille, near the city ancient Arles, France. There is a worn and carved center cartouche depicting a very small...
Category
16th Century French Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Stone
European Religious Bronze Sculpture Fragment on 19th Century Marble Pedestal
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Religious Bronze Fragment Sculpture on a 19th Century Column Marble Pedestal. These two object have been "married" later, meaning they were two separate items put together at a later...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Solid Brass French Architectural Element or Planter Jardinières
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Acquired in Paris France, an architectural element that is solid brass. The piece is very detailed and architectural. A wonderful paperweight or decorative object standing alone... also could hold office supplies...
Category
20th Century French Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Brass
15th Century French Fireplace Mantel
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A monumental 15th century sandstone Gothic fireplace mantel. Finely sculpted with a moulded beam and column supports.
Category
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Sandstone
Gothic Style Limestone Fireplace
Located in London, GB
A carved limestone fireplace in the English Gothic style. The diamond shaped frieze with shields and Tudor roses with moulded jambs. Moulded shelf above. A copy of an earlier piece.
...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Limestone
Large Gothic Hamstone Antique Fireplace
Located in London, GB
A large, antique English Gothic hamstone fireplace. The arched, moulded jambs with crests to centre and carved key stone. The frieze with stop-fluted arches and central blocking with...
Category
17th Century English Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Stone
Large Medieval carved frieze - France, 14th-15th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Gothic Limestone frieze decorated with curly foliage
North of France, 14th-15th century
59,8 x 15,6x 22 cm
This French Gothic limestone frieze, adorned with curling foliage, stands ...
Category
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Limestone
Set of 2 medieval style architectural sculpted columns, Netherlands 1950s
Located in ECHT, NL
Set of two sculpted architectural columns. They are made from some kind of cast stone or plaster. They were probably meant as fireplace columns s...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Plaster
Blacksmith Made Iron Game Hanger, Kitchen Utensil or Pot Hanger
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Blacksmith made iron game hanger, kitchen utensil or pot hanger.
A great piece with lots of Character, it is a large rectangular piece it is set wi...
Category
1920s Vintage Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Iron
Rare 14th Century Limestone Pinnacle from Beverley Minster
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A rare weathered late 13th / early 14th century limestone pinnacle reclaimed from the East End of the south retro choir roof of Beverley Minster, Yorkshire, one of two we have for sa...
Category
15th Century and Earlier English Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Stone, Limestone
Rare Romanesque Capital Depicting Four Africans, Apulia, 13th Century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Large stone capital carved on each side in strong relief. The basket is covered with two crowns of vertical acanthus leaves which sprout from the astragal and fill the space between ...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Stone
A Pair of 17th Century Oak Wall Brackets These are good pieces of carved oak
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A Pair of 17th Century Oak Wall Brackets
These are good pieces of carved oak, original they were a pair however one of them has been trimmed down but you cans see they they are the ...
Category
17th Century Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Oak
Carved Oak Gothic Wall Bracket Shelf
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Carved Oak Gothic Wall Bracket Shelf
This is a Magnificent and quite Large piece of 19th Century carved oak, it is a wall bracket or shelf
The bracket is a heavy piece and comes w...
Category
19th Century Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Oak
An English Stone Fireplace in the Gothic Manner
Located in London, GB
An English stone fireplace in the Gothic manner. The moulded legs surmounted by arched frieze with carved spandrels. Moulded shelf above, English, circa 1900.
Shelf Width: 1680 mm ...
Category
19th Century English Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Stone
English Stone Fireplace Mantel in the Gothic Style
Located in London, GB
An English stone fireplace in the Gothic style. The frieze with moulding detail to ends surmounted by imposing shelf, early 20th century, possibly earlier.
Measures:
Shelf Width: 1...
Category
Early 20th Century English Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Stone
Marble capital carved with acanthus leaves - Apulia, 13th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Marble capital carved with acanthus leaves
Southern Italy, Apulia
13th century
28,5 x 53,5 x 12,5 cm
This wedge-shape capital decorated with acanthus leaves and roses is character...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Marble
19th Century English Carved Limestone Fireplace in the Gothic Taste
Located in London, GB
A 19th century English carved limestone fireplace, with the initials 'AB' and the date 1855 carved to the centre of the frieze, jambs carved with bellflowers and ears of wheat, surmo...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Limestone
Large English Stone Fireplace in the Gothic Manner
Located in London, GB
A large English stone fireplace in the Gothic manner. The arched frieze with carved spandrels, the jambs with moulding to inside edge. Finished with a light grey, rustic paint effect...
Category
19th Century English Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Stone
Leathermaché Putti, Architectural Decorations
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Leathermaché Putti, architectural decorations
These very rare pieces are made in Leathermaché, two of them are characters in the forms of Putti or ...
Category
16th Century Great Britain (UK) Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Leather
Polished Steel Firegrate in the Neo-Gothic Style
Located in London, GB
A polished steel firegrate in the neo-Gothic style. The horseshoe feet surmounted by straight shafts and acorn finials. Decorative cast iron back behind. English, circa 1900.
Measu...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Steel
NYC Architectural Element circa Turn of the Century Plaster Face
Located in Newfoundland, PA
NYC Architectural Element Circa Turn of the Century. A stunning example of the beauty of NYC Architectural design. Depicted is a Plaster Face of a person ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Plaster
Beverley Minster Rare 14th Century Limestone Pinnacle
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A rare late 13th / early 14th century limestone pinnacle reclaimed from the East End of the south retro choir roof of Beverley Minster, Yorkshire, one of two we have for sale. Dating...
Category
15th Century and Earlier English Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Stone, Limestone
17th Century Antique Fireback / Backsplash Dated 1617
Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland
Amazing French cast Iron fireback or backsplash.
Showing IHS (Jezus the Savior of Humanity) or In Hoc Signo (In this sign will you win)) inside a beautiful wreath suspended by two angels, this all between two tall rounded pillars.
This fireback is dated 1617.
The fireback has a crack on the left side, see picture.
Sold by Schermerhorn Antique Fireplaces
Our vast collection of antique fireplaces and mantels...
Category
Early 17th Century French Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Iron
Medieval Architectural Fragment Cornice, Corbel
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A fragment of a sandstone corbel with flat upper face, moulded transverse ledge and two protruding lobes with reserved trefoil detailing. The lower edge has fine dentiled carving and...
Category
15th Century and Earlier British Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Sandstone
Bronze Woman Sculpture Door Stop Bookend
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful sculptural figure of a lady, intricate in detail and wearing women's medieval attire and hat.
A good weight at 18 lbs - use as a heavy duty bookend, decor or door sto...
Category
Early 20th Century French Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Bronze
19th Century English Gothic Style Stone Fireplace
Located in London, GB
A mid-late 19th century English Gothic style stone fireplace. The moulded jambs surmounted by arched frieze with spandrel panels. Two-tier moulded shelf. Some markings to the stone c...
Category
19th Century English Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Stone
Gothic Baptistery in Stone-Spain
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Baptiphere Gothic period -Spain-Galicia (probably granite)
The baptisphere was at the time attached to a wall
Delivery in Belgium, France and abroad.
Category
15th Century and Earlier Spanish Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Granite
Pair of Very Large Painted Wall Brackets
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A pair of very large painted wall brackets.
The brackets are in 5” wide solid wood with old silver blue/grey paint, they are over 1ft high and has are deeply moulded. They do have...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Pine
16th C set of Four Evangelist Vault Keys
Located in MADRID, ES
Vault keys such as these were used where the vault ribs came together, as a finishing touch. These particular ones depict the four Evangelists. The Angel for St Matthew...
Category
16th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Stone
A Large English Fireplace Mantel in Grey York Stone
Located in London, GB
A large English fireplace in grey York stone. The frieze and jambs with moulded ingrounds surmounted by plain shelf, 19th century.
Measure:
Shelf Width: 1940 mm 76 3/8 in
Over...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Stone
An English Stone Firepace in the Gothic Style
Located in London, GB
An English stone fireplace in the Gothic style. The moulded jambs surmounted by frieze with spandrels. Early 20th century.
Shelf Width: 1408 mm 55 ⅜"
Overall Height:...
Category
19th Century English Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Stone
Large Hexagonale Base of Pilaster in Burgundy Stone, Burgundy, 15th Century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Large base of molded hexagonal pilaster in burgundy stone carved with vines, grapes and rosettes in high relief.
Burgundy, 15th century
28 x 63 x 30 cm
Provenance : collection De...
Category
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Stone
Rustic English Fireplace in the Gothic Manner
Located in London, GB
A large stone fireplace in the Gothic style. The moulded jambs with plain frieze above and heavy moulded shelf. Rustic travertine stone. English,...
Category
19th Century English Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Stone
Early 19th Century Limestone Mantel Chimneypiece in the Gothic Manner
Located in London, GB
A 19th century English limestone fireplace in the Gothic manner. The jambs and end blocks with Quinto acuto arches, the frieze with accompanying arch motif throughout with shelf abov...
Category
Early 19th Century British Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Limestone
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 ...
Category
19th Century English Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Stone
Carved Limestone Balustrade, North of France, First Half of the 15th Century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Carved Limestone balustrade.
In a modern metal frame.
North of France, Ile de France or Normandy.
End of the 14th century - first half of the 15th century.
Measures: 90 x 62 x 8...
Category
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Limestone
Medieval architectural elements for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Medieval architectural elements for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage architectural elements created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with stone, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Medieval architectural elements made in a specific country, there are Europe, United Kingdom, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 architectural elements differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $183 and tops out at $275,000 while the average work can sell for $8,417.