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
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Limestone
Austin & Seeley Antique Armillary Sundial
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An impressive antique sundial pairing a mid 19th century gothic style stone pedestal by Austin and Seeley (unsigned) circa 1840, with a 20th century s...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone, Composition, Metal, Steel
Gothic Wrought Iron Andirons with Forged Scrolled Feet and Brass Finials, 1920s
Located in New York, NY
AFP0603
A pair of antique wrought iron andirons with twisted shafts and scrolled feet, terminating in turned aged brass finials. Circa 1920.
Dimensions:
Overall: 30-1/2" H. x 11-1/2...
Category
1920s Vintage Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Plaster
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
Circa 1900 Pair Of Lion Motif Andirons
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Nice pair of circa 1900's cast iron Lion motif andirons in very good original condition. They have recently been repainted.
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Antique French Gothic Fireplace Grate or Fire Basket, 17th - 18th Century
Located in Soest, NL
Late 17th or early 18th century French Gothic period fire grate. Hand forged of wrought iron. The condition of the basket is good.
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Set of 9 Reclaimed Minton & Co Gothic Encaustic Tiles
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of nine vibrant reclaimed gothic encaustic tiles by Minton & Co (stamped), circa 1840- 1860. Each 6-inch tile is detailed with buff and red terracotta tones to create an ornate...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Clay
Pair of Antique Carved Stone Sinks (Stoups or Benitiers) from France, Circa 1830
Located in Dallas, TX
These antique French Gothic style white limestone (Pierre Calcaire) pieces are old holy water vessels (stoups or 'benitiers' in French) are from a small chapel in the Drome departmen...
Category
19th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone, Limestone
Antique German Heraldic Stained Glass Window Hanging
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A 19th century antique German heraldic stained glass window hanging.
Since the early years of the Holy Roman Empire, the black eagle has ...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Lead
Large 19th Century Inglenook Andirons and Grate
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large 19th Century Inglenook Andirons and Grate
These are heavy hand Forged Iron Andirons, they come with a brand new state of the art grate sutable for both coal or logs, the grate...
Category
19th Century Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Early 19th Century Set of Double Castle Door Hinges A rare find
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Early 19th Century Set of Double Castle Door Hinges
A rare find, this set of hinges are blacksmith made in solid iron, they are very heavy and beautifully decorative, there is also ...
Category
Early 1800s 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
Small Medieval Style Stained Glass Window
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A small and unusual antique stained glass window panel depicting a stylised black wolf. Though this piece dates from the 16th / 17th century, the styling is older, reminiscent of med...
Category
Early 17th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Lead
Hand Carved Stone Vide poche Basin Jardinière Bowl Planter Vessel Sink Antiques
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Hand Carved Stone Vide poche Basin Jardinière bowl planter vessel sink Antiques . 17th C. Possibly earlier Gothic Container . A Water Trough Benitier in a ...
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone, Limestone
Large 19th Century Inglenook Fire Grate on Andirons
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large 19th Century Inglenook Fire Grate on Andirons
This is heavy hand Forged Iron Log Grate is supported on a Pair of Iron Andirons
The Grate is in very good but used condition and it is very heavy and would look superb in an open or Inglenook fire place
The Andirons and Grate...
Category
19th Century Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Gothic Style Free Standing Fire Basket with Decorative Back and Ash Pan
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Gothic Style Free Standing Fire Basket with Decorative Back and Ash Pan
This is a useful and decorative piece, it has an arched fire back decorated with a fighting scene, the body o...
Category
1920s Vintage Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
19th Century English Finials Carved as Heraldic Lions
Located in Baambrugge, NL
The beast are portrayed sejant each with the forepaws supporting a shield. They are sitting on octagonal bases.
The armorials might have been painted at some point, but no traces ...
Category
19th Century Great Britain (UK) Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Sandstone
Rare 15th Century English Studded Door
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A rare and striking 15th century English studded door.
At over 420 years old, this unique and impressive door offers a glimpse into historic England.
Thick and sturdy, it features...
Category
15th Century and Earlier English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood, Oak
Medieval Style Diamond Shaped Stained Glass Panel
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A small medieval style diamond shaped stained glass panel, vibrantly designed with red and green glass panes. Though this piece dates from the early 20th century, the style is much o...
Category
Early 20th Century English Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Lead
English Steel Firebasket in the Gothic Manner
Located in London, GB
An English polished cast iron firegrate. The legs and front bars of architectural form sympathetic to the Gothic style throughout, the cast iron back plate...
Category
18th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Steel
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone
Antique Medieval Style Wrought Iron Gate Guard
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique early 18th century wrought iron gate guard. Believed to originate from a Scottish castle, this large unusual gate guard’s striking spikes give a menacing, medieval look, w...
Category
Mid-18th Century Scottish Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Oak
17th Century Gothic Period Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Soest, NL
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
A Superb Set of Arts and Crafts Gothic Fireside Tools
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A Superb Set of Arts and Crafts Gothic Fireside Tools
This is a long handled set on its own pair of matching andirons, there is a shovel, tongs, and poker, the handles have a gothic...
Category
1880s Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
16th Century Large Gothic Andirons, Firedogs
Located in Soest, NL
Impressive gothic fire dogs with spit hooks with faces. These French andirons are called 'landiers' in France. This dates from the times the andirons were the main cooking equipment ...
Category
16th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
17th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Soest, NL
17th century French Gothic fire dogs made of wrought iron. The andirons have spit hooks. The condition is good.
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
19th Century French Iron & Enamel Planter
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th Century French Iron & Enamel Planter having gargoyle figures as legs with a total of 20 enameled tiles depicting flowers, Dimensions Height: 13.5" Width: 30" Depth: 14 3/4"
Category
19th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Large French Gothic Firedogs or Andirons, 16th Century
Located in Soest, NL
16th century French Gothic andirons made of wrought iron. The andirons have bull's heads and spit hooks.
These French andirons are called 'landiers' in France. This dates from the t...
Category
16th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
Large Pair of French Brass Andirons, Fire Dogs or Chenets
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large pair of French brass andirons, fire dogs or chenets
This is a Large globe shaped pair of Brass Andirons they are decorated with Gothic faces in the centre of the large scrol...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Oak
Curious Pair of Andirons in Patinated Bronze and Iron, in the Gothic Style, with
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Curious pair of andirons in patinated bronze and iron, in the Gothic style, with spooky animal heads and dragons
Period 19th century
Measures: Height 73 cm
62 x 35cm.
Category
19th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze, Iron
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone
Heavy Folding Wrought Iron Fire Guard for Inglenook Fireplace
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Heavy folding wrought iron fire guard for inglenook fireplace
This is a heavy folding fireguard, it would suit a traditional Inglenook fireplace or ...
Category
Early 20th Century Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone
Unique 16th Century Antique Fireback, Biblical Wine Feast
Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland
Beautifully decorated antique fireback or "ofenplatte".
This used to be one of the sides of an antique stove made from several decorated firebacks.
B...
Category
16th Century European Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
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 Building and Garden 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 Building and Garden 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 Building and Garden 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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Leather
Pair of Neo Gothic Steel Firedogs
Located in London, GB
Pair of 19th century (dated 1861) neo-Gothic polished cast iron firedogs, with heraldic masks, horseshoe shaped bases, and orb finial tops. Scrolled backbars.
Measures: Height: 690 ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
An Unusual English Antique Coal Box.
Located in London, GB
An unusual English antique coal box. This antique coal box/scuttle is made in steel and dates from around 1900. The coal box is very well made and is ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Large French Gothic Style Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Soest, NL
Large early 19th century French Gothic Style Period andirons. The andirons are made of wrought iron. The condition is good.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
Large Set of Black Stone Tiles
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This set is composed of around 2500 of Soignies black stone square tiles. Each side be 35 cm. Total surface about 280m².
Category
19th Century Belgian Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone
16th Century German Gothic Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Soest, NL
16th century German Gothic fireback with a religious theme. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black / pewter patina. The condition is good, n...
Category
16th Century German Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Important stone mantel from the 17th century
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This monumental mantel was made of stone in the 17th century.
Its moulded entablature, adorned with a crest in a Gothic inspired decor, comes in proj...
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone
French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs, 17th Century
Located in Soest, NL
Hand forged 17th century French andirons made of wrought iron. The style of the andirons is Gothic. The tops of the andirons have the shape of a bulls head. The andirons have spit ho...
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
20th Century 'Religious Theme' Fireback / Backsplash, Gothic Style
Located in Soest, NL
20th century Gothic style fireback depicting a religious theme. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon request it can be made black / pewter. The fire...
Category
20th Century French Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
French Gothic Wrought Iron Manor House Fire Surround
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
French Gothic Wrought Iron Manor House Fire Surround
The stand is very large and heavy, it dates from the early 19th century and comes from a Brittany Manor House
This is a very u...
Category
19th Century Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Gothic Style 'Religious Theme' Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Soest, NL
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
French Gothic Style Fireplace Grate or Fire Basket, 20th Century
Located in Soest, NL
French Gothic Style Fireplace Grate or Fire Basket. Made of cast iron as well as wrought iron.
Category
20th Century French Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron, 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
French 'Gothic Arms' Fireback / Backsplash, 20th Century
Located in Soest, NL
20th century French 'Gothic Arms' fireback or backsplash with Gothic Style design. Constructed from cast iron, it showcases a brown patina, with the option to be refinished to black ...
Category
20th Century French Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Early 18th Century Gothic Style Firedogs or Andirons
Located in Soest, NL
Early 18th Century French Gothic style andirons. Made of wrought iron. The andirons are in a good condition and are fully functional. With spit hooks to grill food and a cup to keep ...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
18th Century French Fire Andirons, Gothic Style
Located in Soest, NL
18th Century French fire andirons, Gothic style. Made of wrought iron. The andirons are in good condition and are fully functional.
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
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.