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.
Antique Italian Wall Fountain Basin, Rosso Verona Marble, Gothic Style
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Italian wall mounted fountain basin in a late Gothic style with central sun in low relief or "bas relief" on a detailed pedestal in Rosso Verona marble with patina. Minor ...
Marble
Brutalist Raw French Garden Fountain Element Or Trough Or Water basin
Located in Beervelde, BE
Exceptional early fountain trough. Extra raw and in hard red French stone, Reclaimed in Provence. The real deal, rare to find with unique artempo details and wear. Extra raw brutalis...
Stone
$2,000Sale Price|28% Off
XIII Century Italian Granite Fountain Mouth
Located in Encinitas, CA
Italian antique fountain spout carved from a solid granite block from the 13th century with a zoomorphic appearance in the shape of a fish's head.
Granite
$11,200Sale Price|20% 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
Lothar Klute Brutalist Bronze Water Fountain
By Lothar Klute
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
Brutalist Bronze Water Fountain – Handcrafted Sculptural Piece A striking hand-forged bronze water fountain combining raw brutalist aesthetics with organic, sculptural forms. Three a...
Bronze
Antique-patinated Wall fountain
Located in Greding, DE
Wall fountain made of hand-chiseled, antique-patinated natural stone with a curved back panel and central rosette spout. The semi-circular basin and slender design offer elegant prop...
Stone
Vintage Limestone Trough or Fountain 7126-A
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Antique Limestone Trough A one-of-a-kind hand-carved limestone trough naturally textured, lightly weathered finish. Rounded corners and substantial weight make it exceptionally dura...
Limestone
$2,900
H 11 in W 30.75 in D 26.25 in
18th Century Carved Limestone Corner Sink or Fountain Basin from Apt, France
Located in Dallas, TX
This stone piece was once the basin for a corner fountain or used as corner sink on a property in the rugged hills of Provence, France. It features a thick...
Stone, Limestone
$4,240Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.5 in W 30 in D 20 in
Hand Carved Stone Container Fountain Trough Basin Planter Antique Farm Sink LA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Hand Carved Stone Container Jardinière trough basin planter Antique Farm Sink LA . 18th Century water fountain Basin Of Hand Carved Stone container ....
Stone, Limestone
$5,920Sale Price|20% Off
H 14 in W 32 in D 19 in
Hand Carved Stone Container Fountain Trough Basin Planter Antique Farm Sink LA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Hand Carved Stone Container Fountain Trough Basin Planter Antique Farm Sink LA . 18th Century water fountain Basin Jardinière Of Hand Carved Stone container . Color and patina keeps changing with the light and the seasons . this trough could be installed with a simple bronze metal spout or a carved stone fountain head , we have many options of them , in order to create a charming garden water fountain for your pets or to have it as a dog bowl . A nice size stone trough from Provence . The centuries left its marks on this container and a very nice patina . Installed will be the focal point of any landscape design laid on gravel or mounted as a kitchen Farm sink...
Stone, Limestone, Metal
Antique Carved Wood Overdoor Architectural Element
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
1844 Antique carved wood overdoor architectural panel
Hardwood
$927Sale Price|43% Off
H 9.45 in W 27.17 in D 12.21 in
19th Century Planter Jardinière Antique Fountain Basin, SW France
Located in Labrit, Landes
Antique French fountain basin can be used as a planter or jardinière This item also may have served of children bath tub Very old, the wood wor...
Wood
$350Sale Price|30% Off
H 24 in W 13 in D 6 in
Antique Italian Hammered Ribbed Brass Lavabo Water Fountain Cistern & Basin
Located in Dayton, OH
This vintage brass wall lavabo set features a dramatic, hand-hammered melon-lobed fluting that creates a textured, golden-toned exterior. The set includes an elongated teardrop ciste...
Brass
$9,300
H 13 in W 11.25 in D 16.25 in
15th or 16th Century Marble Gargoyle Fountain Spout from Arezzo, Italy
Located in Dallas, TX
Although when most people hear the word “gargoyle”, they probably envision small, winged creatures with grotesque visages. However, the phrase has a deeper meaning, encompassing any carved head (animal or human) that function as waterspouts. From the Early Renaissance (late 1400’s/early 1500’s), our gargoyle fountain spout features a human-like face with pointed ears, possibly representing a centaur or a satyr. The roughly rectangular block of marble was hand-carved in Arezzo, in the Tuscany region of Italy. All sides except the front of the cream-colored stone have a sawed finish, resulting in a rough texture. The back has been excavated, adding to the character of the gargoyle. A 1 ½” diameter hole has been cut all the way through, forming an open mouth of the gargoyle. The gaping mouth was often a symbol used to conjure images of devouring giants and used to remind people that they are susceptible to certain forces. Our 15th/16th century marble...
Marble
Monumental Italian Water Fountain with Delphine Sculptures
Located in Rome, IT
This monumental finely carved limestone fountain is composed a three levels. The first tiered with three amazing dolphin statues, the others adorned with lion heads ending with a pu...
Limestone
$6,500
H 29 in W 65 in D 28 in
French Classical Cast Bronze Large Garden Water Fountain with Embraced Cherubs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Classical Style Cast Bronze Large Garden Water Fountain with Embraced Cherubs. Item features water shooting from genitals into lar...
Bronze
19th Century French Patinated Black Cast Iron Fountain with Lion Head
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring the grand elegance of the Loire Valley into your home with this antique, Gothic iron fountain. Crafted in France, circa 1840, the water fountain features a majestic lion head s...
Bronze, Iron
Early Limestone Fountain Head
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is a figural spout head that once was the focal point of a fountain. The limestone is in wonderful condition with no damage and a beautiful aged patina. Included is a custom-mad...
Limestone
Large Bluestone Fountain, 19th Century
Located in Udenhout, NL
A very beautiful water fountain in Gothic style to place in the garden.
Stone
19th Century French Patinated Black Cast Iron Fountain with Lion Head
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring the grand elegance of the Loire Valley into your home with this antique, Gothic iron fountain. Crafted in France, circa 1840, the water fountain features a majestic lion head s...
Bronze, Iron
Fabulous 19th Century Cast Stone Wellhead
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Beautiful Craftsmanship Displayed In This Hand Made Cast Stone Wellhead. Architectural Details Galore On All Sides. Franciscan Monk, an Urn, Gargoyle. T...
Cast Stone