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
French Gothic Fireplace Grate or Fire Basket, 17th Century
Located in Soest, NL
17th century French Gothic fire grate with period andirons and a recently forged grate. Made of wrought iron. The condition is good.
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
Antique Wrought Iron Gate Pediment
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique decorative mounted wrought iron pediment.
The ironwork is taken from the choir screen removed from Salisbury Cathedral in 1959, displaying intricately worked and decorated wrought iron decorated with parcel gilt.
The cathedral is known for its gothic architecture, with this piece designed in 1869 by Sir George Gilbert Scott...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
English Medieval Style Leaded Glass Window
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique English medieval style leaded glass window circa 1850 in Tudor revival style depicting an armoured knight holding a banner beside a priest ...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Lead
French Gothic Style 'Pillars and Pediment' Fireback / Backspash
Located in Soest, NL
20th century French Gothic style fireback with two pillars of Hercules and a pediment.
The pillar refers to the club of Hercules, his favorite weapon. It symbolizes power. Since ant...
Category
20th Century French Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
17th - 18th C. French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Soest, NL
17th/18th Century English andirons made of wrought iron. The andirons have a Gothic period style. The condition is good.
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
17th-18th Century French Gothic Firedogs, Andirons
Located in Soest, NL
17th-18th century French Gothic fire dogs made of wrought iron. The condition is good.
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
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...
Category
16th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Metal, Iron
Pair of Forged Wrought Iron Andirons, French, 19th Century
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This rack and pinions andirons are made of forged wrought iron. They are French, from 19th century.
Category
1880s French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
Antique French Gothic Style Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Soest, NL
Large 19th century French Gothic style andirons. The andirons are made of wrought iron. They have spit hooks to grill food. The condition is good.
Category
19th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
17th c. Square Gothic Fire Grate
Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland
Wrought iron Gothic fire grate, gorgeous patina.
Category
18th Century and Earlier Dutch Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Limestone
16th-17th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Soest, NL
Impressive 16th-17th century French Gothic andirons made of cast iron. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food and cups to keep drinks warm. The andirons are therefore also called...
Category
Early 17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Large French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs, 18th Century
Located in Soest, NL
Large 18th century French andirons made of wrought iron. The style of the andirons is Gothic. These French andirons are called 'landiers' in France. This dates from the times the and...
Category
18th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
Antique French Andirons or Firedogs, 18th Century
Located in Soest, NL
18th century, French Gothic style fire dogs made of wrought iron. The andirons have spit hooks. They are in a good condition.
Category
18th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
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
16th Century German Gothic Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Soest, NL
16th century German Gothic fireback from the early days of casting firebacks. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upo...
Category
16th Century German Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
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
Large 17th Century French Andirons, Cupdogs
Located in Soest, NL
17th century andirons made of cast iron. These French andirons are called 'landiers' in France. This dates from the times the andirons were the main cooking equipment in the house. T...
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Antique French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs, 17th Century
Located in Soest, NL
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
Antique Gothic Arts & Crafts Large Wrought Iron Fireplace Andirons w/ Bar - Set
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Gothic Arts & Crafts Large Wrought Iron Fireplace Andirons w/ Bar - a Set. Item features a large impressive size, scrolling iron frames, removable scrolling crossbar, very ni...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
17th-18th Century Large Gothic Style Firedogs or Andirons
Located in Soest, NL
17th-18th century, French Gothic style fire dogs made of wrought iron. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food. These French andirons are called 'landiers' in France.
The condit...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
Antique Victorian Oak Fireplace
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A beautifully crafted antique Victorian oak fireplace. This impressive fire surround dates from circa 1900. Its simple yet elegant design has stood the test of time, with its surface...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood, Oak
17th-18th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Soest, NL
17th-18th century French andirons made of wrought iron. The style of the andirons is gothic. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food. They have a natural brown patina. Upon reques...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
Antique French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs, 17th Century
Located in Soest, NL
17th century French andirons made of cast iron. The style of the andirons is Gothic. They are in a good condition.
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Victorian Gothic Style Interior Door
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A late 19th century Victorian gothic style interior door, one of two similar reclaimed from a country house in Surrey (please enquire for details). This antique internal door...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood, Pine, Paint
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone
Antique Victorian English Medieval Styled Solid Bronze Architectural Sundial
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Presumably having English origins, this antique solid bronze sundial is ornately cast with a series of Medieval figures across the top portion and standing in the facade of an arched...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze
A Heavy Black Wrought Iron Blacksmith made Fireplace Club Fender Brutalist Form
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A heavy form wrought iron club fender with tan leather padded seats. An incredible individual handmade piece, probably a commission piece or an estate made piece.
The piece is made ...
Category
Early 20th Century European Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
Mid 20th Century Pair of Weathered Cast Stone Garden Planters
Located in Chillerton, 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
Antique Carved English Oak Fireplace
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Though this antique carved English oak fireplace dates from the late 19th century, it draws inspiration from eras across the ages. It is elaborately carved throughout and handcrafted...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood, Hardwood, Oak
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze
Italy 14th Century Medieval Black Wrought Cast Iron Tripode Pedestal
Located in Brescia, IT
This piece of antique Italian wrought cast iron pedestal is made with an high level of quality in consideration of the age of the realization. From a...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
Pair 19th Century Palatial Spelter Medieval Statues Roland & Robert I on Stands
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
This is an amazing pair of detailed spelter medieval military figures on wonderful bases with dragon heads and paw feet. The figures are titled Roland and Robert 1 and are completely...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Spelter
Antique Gothic Arts & Crafts Renaissance Cast Metal Fireplace Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Gothic Arts & Crafts Renaissance Cast Metal Fireplace Andirons - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 18" H x10" W x 19" D.
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Metal
Pair of Wrought Iron Andirons, French, 18th Century
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice pair of andiron is made of wrought Iron. This is a French work. Circa 18th Century.
Category
1780s French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
Antique Arched Church Window 20" x 46"
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Early 20th Century gothic style window with leaded design. Slight arch at the top of the window. This window comes from a church and has geometric designs with textured clear glass.
...
Category
Early 20th Century Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Glass
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
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone
Pair of Wrought Iron Landiers. French. 18th century
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice and rare pair of landiers is made of wrought iron. This is a very old and fine work. The iron is twisted on top and there is a "cremaillere" as we say in French. This ...
Category
1750s French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Marble, Bronze
A Carved English Stone Fireplace
Located in London, GB
A carved stone English fireplace in the Gothic manner. The jambs with panels carved with scrolled foliage throughout surmounted by end blocking with carved cartouche and shell. The f...
Category
19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
Antique 19th Century Cast Iron Gothic Manner Fire Basket Grate
Located in Edinburgh, GB
A petite French antique early 19th century cast iron fire basket in the Gothic manner, a shaped back with original steel heat plate, linked circles to the front instead of fire bars....
Category
1840s French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Sandstone
1890 Arched Wooden Gothic Church Window Frame
Located in Surrey, BC
Wooden arched church window retaining old white paint with great balanced details.
Salvaged from an old church in Montreal.
Category
Late 19th Century Canadian Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Softwood
Victorian Gothic Carved Oak Green Man Coal or Log Box
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Victorian Gothic carved oak green man coal or log box
This is an unusual design, the Purdonium is carved in the Gothic Oak Style, with a geometric panel on the top and the handle on the fall front is carved with the face of the Green Man with a huge shell...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Oak
English 19th Century Stone Fireplace Mantel
Located in London, GB
An early to mid 19th century Gothic style English limestone fireplace. Unusual in design, very well proportioned and a substantial piece. The castellated shelf which steps down to sit on a plain frieze with carved ends to meet the roundels carved at the top of the jambs, which are inverted with interior panels with outer mouldings. Areas of this surround with natural fossil and patterning adding to its charm. A superior quality Gothic surround...
Category
1830s English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone
Pair of Important French Gothic Cast Iron Fireplace Chenets, 16th Century
Located in Dallas, TX
These important Gothic cast iron fireplace chenets are close to 500 years old. Sometimes called fire dogs or andirons, chenets are fireplace accessories designed to elevate firewood....
Category
16th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Limestone
Antique German Lutheran 'Eisleben' 32" x 19" Stained Glass Window
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Antique stained glass church window featuring the German town for Eisleben. Deep coloring in each glass panel. This window is a dedication to the life of Protestant Reformer Martin L...
Category
19th Century German Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stained Glass
Edging Setts, Circular Fountain, Parterre Herb Garden Fire Pit
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Edging Setts, Circular Fountain, Parterre Herb Garden Fire Pit
A real rarity, decorative Edging Setts forming a circle, there are 7 each of the curved and of the shell pieces
The se...
Category
Mid-20th Century Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
Petite Polished Cast Iron Fire Basket
Located in London, GB
A decorative cast iron fire grate. The legs with beading, foliage, and fruit throughout, surmounted by flamed finals. Plain iron back behind. Modern.
Sizes:
Width at front 555 mm...
Category
Late 20th Century Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone
17th Century German 'Lot and Daughters' Stove Plate / Backsplash, Gothic Period
Located in Soest, NL
Gothic Period German stove plate depicting Lot and his daughters.
The stove plate is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon request, it ...
Category
17th Century German Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Arts and Crafts Folding Fire Guard, Spark Screen
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Arts and Crafts Folding Fire Guard, Spark Screen
The Fire guard is a stylish good quality piece with a “fleurs des lys decoration” at the centre
It has the added advantage that it ...
Category
1920s Vintage Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
19th Century English Gothic Stone Fireplace Mantel
Located in London, GB
An antique English limestone fireplace from the 19th century in the Gothic manner. The columns supporting large carved brackets, in turn supportin...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone
Pair of Antique Stained Glass Panels of Medieval Soldiers
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A pair antique stained glass panels of medieval soldiers. Dating to circa 1780, these stained glass panels have stood the test of time; each one showcases precision, detail and good ...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Lead
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.