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.
$16,000Sale Price|50% Off
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 ...
Wood, Paint
$5,500 / item
English Gothic Revival Style Painted Steeples
Located in Queens, NY
3 English Gothic Revival style (19th Century) pink and green painted architectural castle steeples with gold trim. (PRICED EACH).
Gold
Medieval Limestone Figural Corbel with Grotesque Face
Located in Bradenton, FL
Medieval Limestone Figural Corbel. Corbel is carved in high relief with a stylized grotesque face. It would have originally been created as an architec...
Limestone
$1,152Sale Price|45% Off
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 available on request. H:15,5cm W:16c...
Marble
Hand-Carved Gothic Stone Spire, Late 19th Century, United States
Located in Hudson, NY
Very well detailed and proportioned, carved Stone architectural spire of the gothic style. Made during the last quarter of the 19th century, origin is unknown. The carved detailing a...
Stone
16th Century oak carved Gothic Panel, Belgium
Located in Meulebeke, BE
16th century / Belgium / Letter Panel / Oak / Gothic A finely carved Gothic oak panel from 16th-century France. This architectural fragment features graceful vertical fluting framed...
Oak
16th Century oak carved Gothic Panel, Belgium
Located in Meulebeke, BE
16th century / Belgium / Letter Panel / Oak / Gothic A finely carved Gothic oak panel from 16th-century France. This architectural fragment features graceful vertical fluting framed...
Oak
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...
Oak
16th Century oak carved Gothic Panel, Belgium
Located in Meulebeke, BE
16th century / Belgium / Letter Panel / Oak / Gothic A finely carved Gothic oak panel from 16th-century France. This architectural fragment features graceful vertical fluting framed...
Oak
$122,500Sale Price|30% Off
Rare Monumental Italian Carved Carrara Marble Model of a Cathedral
Located in Long Island City, NY, 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...
Carrara Marble
Large Medieval St. Wrought Iron Castle Chandelier for Dining Room or Restaurant
Located in Lisse, NL
Magnificent hand-forged castle-style eight-light chandelier, radiates quality and craftsmanship. This good quality and all hand-forged, eight-light chandelier comes with some really...
Wrought Iron
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...
Metal, Iron
16th Century oak carved Gothic Panel, Belgium
Located in Meulebeke, BE
16th century / Belgium / Letter Panel / Oak / Gothic A finely carved Gothic oak panel from 16th-century France. This architectural fragment features graceful vertical fluting framed...
Oak
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
$10,164 / set
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...
Stone
Antique Stained Glass Window 19th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
A fragment of a 19th-century stained-glass window with the following stained colors of gray, blue, and pink, depicting a soldier looking up at a seated woman. A beautiful depiction ...
Blown Glass, Stained Glass
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...
Wrought Iron, Metal
Fence Door Pediment / Wall Decoration in Wrought Iron, Spain 1930s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Antique spanish door fence pediment / crest in iron, hand forged, Spain, Early 20th century. This eye-catching wall fence was entirely made by hand in forged iron. A master work of t...
Iron, Wrought Iron
$870Sale Price|20% Off
Large Gothic Lion’s Mask Iron Door Knocker This is a superb door knocker
Located in Godshill, 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...
Iron
16th Century oak carved Gothic Panel, France
Located in Meulebeke, BE
16th century / Belgium / Letter Panel / Oak / Gothic A finely carved Gothic oak panel from 16th-century France. This architectural fragment features graceful vertical fluting framed...
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).
Oak
$4,254Sale Price / set|20% Off
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...
Plaster
16th Century oak carved Gothic Panel, France
Located in Meulebeke, BE
16th century / Belgium / Letter Panel / Oak / Gothic A finely carved Gothic oak panel from 16th-century France. This architectural fragment features graceful vertical fluting framed...
Oak
16th Century oak carved Gothic Panel, Belgium
Located in Meulebeke, BE
16th century / Belgium / Letter Panel / Oak / Gothic A finely carved Gothic oak panel from 16th-century France. This architectural fragment features graceful vertical fluting framed...
Oak
16th Century oak carved Gothic Panel, France
Located in Meulebeke, BE
16th century / Belgium / Letter Panel / Oak / Gothic A finely carved Gothic oak panel from 16th-century France. This architectural fragment features graceful vertical fluting framed...
Oak
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...
Marble, Bronze
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.
Sandstone
$4,245Sale Price|20% Off
Heavy Bronze Bell, Tower Bell This Is a Very Heavy Piece It Is on an Oak Yoke
Located in Godshill, 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 ...
Bronze
Antique Weathered Terracotta Shield Plaque
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An early 19th century weathered terracotta architectural plaque in the shape of a shield. This is one of seven similar shield-shaped terracotta plaques we are selling, usable alone ...
Terracotta
19th Century Medieval Style Terracotta Shield
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An early 19th century weathered terracotta architectural plaque in the shape of a shield. This is one of seven similar shield-shaped terracotta plaques we are selling, usable alone ...
Terracotta
$14,183Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Limestone
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...
Bronze
Antique Medieval Style Weathered Terracotta Shield
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An early 19th century weathered terracotta architectural plaque in the shape of a shield. This is one of seven similar shield-shaped terracotta plaques we are selling, usable alone ...
Terracotta
$9,800Sale Price|30% Off
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...
Stone
19th Century Medieval Style Terracotta Shield Plaque
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An early 19th century weathered terracotta architectural plaque in the shape of a shield. This is one of seven similar shield-shaped terracotta plaques we are selling, usable alone ...
Terracotta
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...
Marble
$1,077Sale Price|20% Off
Carved Oak Gothic Wall Bracket Shelf
Located in Godshill, 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...
Oak
$2,549Sale Price|20% Off
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 ...
Limestone
$2,176Sale Price / item|20% Off
Blacksmith Made Iron Game Hanger, Kitchen Utensil or Pot Hanger
Located in Godshill, 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...
Iron
$21,747Sale Price|20% Off
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 ...
Stone
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...
Stone, Limestone
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...
Stone
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...
Stone
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
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...
Stone
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...
Wood
$6,146Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Stone
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...
Limestone
Decorative Element Made of a Millstone on a Steel Base
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice and decorative element consisting of a millstone on a steel base. This is a French work. Late 19th century.
Stone, Steel
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...
Brass
Capital decorated with foliage - France, 13th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Capital decorated with foliage and grapes France, 13th century Limestone 33 x 39 x 35 cm This 13th-century French capital, carved in a pale limestone, has a broad, slightly flaring...
Stone
Large Stripped Pine Altar Niche from Northern France, 20th Century
Located in Dallas, TX
More information coming soon… Hand-carved in northern France during the 1900s, this large pine altar niche has a nook large enough to fit a 6 3/4 foot tall work of art. The wood ha...
Wood, Pine
$870Sale Price|20% Off
Large Heavy .Brass Ring Door Knocker This is a superb heavy door knocker
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large Heavy .Brass Ring Door Knocker This is a superb heavy door knocker, the outer ring lifts and lands on the circular striking back plate The door knocker is in good condition ...
Brass
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...
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...
Sandstone
$1,306Sale Price|20% Off
16th Century Leathermaché Putti Architectural Decorations, UK
Located in Godshill, 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 ...
Leather
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 ...
Plaster
$870Sale Price / set|20% Off
A Pair of 17th Century Oak Wall Brackets These are good pieces of carved oak
Located in Godshill, 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 ...
Oak
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.
Granite
English Bath Stone Fireplace Mantel in the Gothic Manner
Located in London, GB
A large English Bath stone fireplace in the Gothic style, with arched opening and moulded shelf. Modern. Measures: Shelf Width: 1850 mm 72 ?" Overall ...
Stone