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Medieval Building and Garden 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
Spanish Gothic Style Dragon Motif Fireplace Tools Set Stand, Black Wrought Iron
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish hand forged iron five-piece fireplace tools set stand with scrolls ornamentation and dragon motifs, wrought iron. Spain, 1920s-1930s. This sculptural tools set hangs on a tri...
Category

20th Century Spanish Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

Monumental Rare Antique Renaissance Revival Gothic Walnut Fireplace Mantel 11 FT
Located in Dayton, OH
Very large and exceedingly rare English Renaissance Revival fireplace mantel, circa 1860s. Made of hand carved walnut featuring a gothic cathedral design. The fireplace portion is ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Walnut

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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Limestone

18th Century Italian Antique Wall Fontana Verona
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 ...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Marble

French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs, 17th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th century French andirons made of wrought iron. The style of the andirons is Gothic. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food. They are in a good condition.
Category

17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood, Paint

Antique French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs, 17th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th century French andirons made of wrought iron. The style of the andirons is gothic. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food. They are in a good condition.
Category

17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Marble

Wrought iron Fence Door Pediment / Wall Decoration
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...
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

14th Century Medieval Encaustic Slip Glazed Floor Tile
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
Encaustic Medieval Floor Tile, with impressed and inlaid slip filled decoration. 14th Century, wear and condition commensurate with age, minor loss to one corner.
Category

15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stoneware

15 Inch English Patinated Iron Gargoyle Door Knocker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An English Solid Iron Door Knocker displaying an ominous Gargoyle. The piece is very large at 15" tall and also has a very good weight at 7 pounds. Definitely a substantial stateme...
Category

19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Gothic Style 'Religious Theme' Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Gothic Style German fireback depicting a religious theme. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black / pewter color. The fireback is in a good condition and does not have cracks.
Category

20th Century German Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique Gothic Oak Church Door
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An enchanting tall arched oak door replicating something out of an ancient castle or English church. Beautifully weathered by the ages and displaying ornate iron hinge embellishment...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron

French Gothic Arms Fireback
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
French Gothic fireback reproduction. With decorations in the style of the early days of casting firebacks. 20th century. The fireback has a black / pewter color. The fireback is in ...
Category

20th Century French Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Brutalist Raw French Garden Fountain Element Or Trough Or Waterbassin
Located in Beervelde, BE
Exceptional fountain trough. Extra raw and in hard red French stone. 15th century or earlier. Reclaimed in Provence. The real deal, rare to find with unique artempo details and wear....
Category

15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone

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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Oak

Antique Reclaimed Neo-Gothic Carved Tan Marble Mantel
Located in New York, NY
This Neo-Gothic marble mantel was reclaimed from a NYC townhouse in the Upper West Side near Central Park. This striking mantel draws clear inspiration f...
Category

Early 20th Century Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Marble

1950's Italian Gothic Dragon Andirons
Located in New York, NY
Unique pair of large 1960's Italian Gothic Dragons andirons, in vintage original condition with minor wear and patina due to age and use, amazing craft...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Set of 4 French Cast Stone Medeival Style Jardiniere Stone Planters
Located in Hopewell, NJ
These stone French Medieval style cast stone planters are each decorated with a horizontal frieze relief scene depicting early figures and figural scenes, as well as architectural e...
Category

20th Century French Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Cast Stone

Mid-Century French Wrought Iron Decorative Fireplace Screen with Fleur-de-Lys
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand-forged in France circa 1960, this elegant vintage screen features a scrolling wrought iron frame centered by a boldly stylized fleur-de-lis motif. The symmetrical design is comp...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Oak

Early 1900 Hand Carved Marble Statue / Sculpture of Mother Mary w. Cross & Book
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful antique and all handcrafted, solid Carrara marble sculpture. This rare work of religious art is entirely hand carved out of white marble. We are not certain, but we feel t...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Carrara Marble, Marble

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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Terracotta

Rare Monumental Italian Carved Carrara Marble Model of a Cathedral
Located in Queens, 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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Carrara Marble

Large Antique Gothic Arched Oak Door
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large antique unusual Gothic arched oak exterior door, reclaimed from St Edith's church, Eaton Under Heywood. At over 170 years old, this exceptional door has kept its good qualit...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron

Tall Antique Gothic Arched Oak Door
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A tall antique gothic arched oak door dating to circa 1900, sourced from a grade II listed building in Bristol’s old city. Once used in an established gentlemen’s club, the text 'Ge...
Category

Early 20th Century English Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood, Oak

Monumental 16th Century French Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Nashville, TN
17th century monumental sized French Gothic firedogs made of wrought iron.
Category

17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Spanish Gothic Revival Fireplace Tools Stand in Wrought Iron with Dragon Motif
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish hand forged iron four-piece fireplace tools set stand with scrolls ornamentation, dragon motif and original gold leaf gilt finishing. Spain, 1920s-1930s. This sculptural tool...
Category

20th Century Spanish Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

Byzantine Style Marble Baptismal Font on Later Stand
Located in Essex, MA
Byzantine style carved marble Baptismal font on later cast stone stand. Four lion leads Circumnavigate the font. Foliate and Byzantine Carving Th...
Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Marble

Large Swan-Neck Wrought Fireplace Andirons Fire Dogs
Located in London, GB
A large pair of wrought-iron swan-neck andirons / fire dogs. The swan-necks are set on arch-supports with iron-rivet. A sturdy blacksmith-made pair of fire dogs suitable for burning...
Category

1890s English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Late 19th Century Wooden Door with Gothic Style Arch Detail
Located in Atlanta, GA
Late 19th Century Wooden Door with Gothic Style Arch Detail
Category

19th Century Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood

Large Reclaimed Medieval Style Stained Glass Window
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large rectangular reclaimed medieval style stained glass window, one of three similar in the same design in different sizes we are selling. This stained and leaded glass panel wil...
Category

20th Century English Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Lead

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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron, Metal

Fireplace Tools Stand in Gilt Iron with Dragon Motif, Spain 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish hand forged iron four-piece fireplace tools set stand with scrolls ornamentation, dragon motif and gilt patinated finish. Spain, 1940s. This sculptural tools set hangs on a t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

Gothic Style 'Religious Theme' Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
20th century Gothic Style German fireback with a religious theme. The fireback has a natural brown patina. Upon request it can be made black / pewter color with stove polish at no ...
Category

20th Century German Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Very Large Reclaimed Medieval Style Stained Glass Window
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A very large rectangular reclaimed medieval style stained glass window, one of three similar in the same design in different sizes we are selling. This stained and leaded glass pan...
Category

20th Century English Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Lead

Mid 20th Century Pair of Weathered Cast Stone Garden Planters
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Mid 20th century pair of weathered cast stone garden planters A good pair of 20th century planters, they are well weathered and have a drainage hole in the centre In good sound c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone

Old Antique Reclaimed Large Stone Fireplace Mantel with Trumeau Overmantle
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Reclaimed from a castle in Caithness, England, this majestic 115" high mid-18th century hand-carved limestone fireplace is a truly rare and captivating royal masterpiece. It represents an artistic mix of elegance, history and sophistication that has been extremely well kept throughout the years. The perfection within the details of this two-tiered fireplace is quite fascinating. It is a true representation for the skilled craftsmanship and sculptural artistry of the period's master carvers. Engraved right into the trumeau center of this monumental antique mantel...
Category

18th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Limestone, Iron

Arched Gothic Oak Cathedral Door
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Sourced from a cathedral in the south west of England, this arched gothic front door dates from the mid 1800s. On the front, it features vertical oak...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

17th Century Gothic Period Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th century French Gothic Period andirons made of wrought iron. The andirons are in good condition and are fit for use in the fireplace.
Category

17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Marble

Antique 13th-14th Century Medieval Carved Stone Gargoyle
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique medieval carved stone gargoyle from the private collection of a country house in Oxfordshire, originally purchased from Crowther of Syon Lodge in 1985. Dating to the 13...
Category

15th Century and Earlier English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone

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...
Category

Early 20th Century European Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

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 Building and Garden 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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Earthenware, Pottery

20th Century French Gothic Style Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
20th century French Gothic Style andirons made of wrought iron. The condition is good.
Category

20th Century French Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

17th-18th Century Italian Medieval St. Rosso Verona Carved Marble Fountain
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extraordinary 17/18th century Italian large scale Medieval st. square Rosso Verona marble hand carved fountain. The fountain with its grand scale one piece basin has a mottled bas...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Marble

Pair 19th C 6’ Tall Palatial Spelter Medieval Statues Roland & Robert I w/Stands
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
This is an impressive pair of detailed spelter medieval military figures on wonderful tall bases which are adorned with dragon heads and paw feet. The figures are titled Roland and R...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Spelter

16th - 17th Century German Gothic 'Joab and Abner' Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
16th - 17th century Gothic style German fireback depicting Joab and Abner. After King Saul’s death, his army commander Abner supported Saul’s son Ish-bosheth as king over Israel, w...
Category

Early 17th Century German Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs, Gothic Period, 17th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th century French andirons made of wrought iron. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food. They are in good condition.
Category

17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Spanish Medieval Double Planter Jardinière, Gilt Wrought Iron
Located in Barcelona, ES
Hand Forged Double Floor Planter, Gold leaf, gilt iron, Spain, 1940s. Rare find. One of a kind double plant iron stand entirely made by hand. This planter features two basket planter...
Category

20th Century Spanish Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, Gold Leaf, Metal, Wrought Iron

16th Century Gothic Period Fireback / Backsplash with Unknown Coat of Arms
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
This 16th-century French Gothic fireback features an unknown coat of arms. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a brown patina. Upon request, it can be made black/pewter colored...
Category

16th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Mid-Century French Gothic Wrought Iron Fireplace Tool Set with Fleur-de-Lys
Located in Dallas, TX
Place this unique antique fireplace tool set next to your mantel. Hand forged in southwest France circa 1950 in Gothic style, the "Serviteur" sits on four folded legs ending with small feet over a twisted stem. The set includes four tools including a shovel, tongs, brush and poker. The free standing...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

A Victorian Gothic Style Exterior Door
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An Arched Gothic style door, salvaged from a Church in Shrewsbury. Total Height 252 cm (99.21 in) Height to shoulder: 153 cm (60.23 in)
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood, Pine

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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone

Tall Antique Arched External Oak Door for Glazing
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A tall antique arched external oak door for glazing dating to circa 1900, sourced from a grade II listed building in Bristol’s old city. In Victorian and gothic styles, it is beauti...
Category

Early 20th Century English Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood, Oak

17th Century French Gothic Period Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Large 17th century French Gothic Period andirons. The andirons are made of wrought iron. They have spit hooks to grill food. The condition is good.
Category

17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Reclaimed Medieval Style Square Stained Glass Window
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A reclaimed medieval style square stained glass window, one of three similar in the same design in different sizes we are selling. This stained and leaded glass panel will make a b...
Category

20th Century English Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Lead

French Pair of 18th Century Wrought Iron Andirons
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An elegant pair of French hand-wrought iron fireplace andirons, made in the 18th century if not earlier. They are Gothic in style with a reddish brown patina from oxidation of the ir...
Category

18th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique 19th century Jacobean Carved Oak Fireplace
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique 19th century Jacobean style carved oak fireplace. Dating to circa 1850, this English fireplace is elaborately carved and ...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood, Oak

Medieval building and garden elements for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Medieval building and garden elements 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 building and garden 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 metal, iron and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Medieval building and garden elements made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original building and garden elements, popular names associated with this style include Arthur Umanoff, Maitland Smith, P.&F. Corbin Company, and Yale & Towne Manufacturing Co.. 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 building and garden elements differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $180 and tops out at $275,000 while the average work can sell for $1,522.

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