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
Very Large Pair of Polished Steel Andirons in the Gothic Manner
Located in London, GB
A very large pair of polished steel firedogs in the Gothic manner. The arched feet with scrollwork below, the shafts with dragon's heads and figure, surmounted by mulling top of crow...
Category
Late 20th Century English Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Steel
15th Century English Red Sandstone Font
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Potentially dating from as early as the 15th century medieval era, this carved red English sandstone font is between 500 and 600 years old. Though heavily weathered by the elements, ...
Category
15th Century and Earlier English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Sandstone
Large & Imposing English Antique Polished Steel Firegrate
Located in London, GB
A large and imposing 19th century English polished steel firegrate with a Gothic influence. The turned cylindrical feet surmounted by elegant ball finials with teardrop tops, large b...
Category
19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Steel
A Small Gothic Revival Cast Iron Fender with Pierced Trefoil Decoration
Located in London, GB
A Small Gothic Revival Cast Iron Fender with pierced trefoil and pointed arch decoration to the front and sides, a row of decorative arches with fleur-de-lys motifs, and a castellate...
Category
20th Century British Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
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...
Category
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone
$6,147 Sale Price
20% Off
A Large English Fireplace Mantel in Grey York Stone
Located in London, GB
A large English fireplace in grey York stone. The frieze and jambs with moulded ingrounds surmounted by plain shelf, 19th century.
Measure:
Shelf Width: 1940 mm 76 3/8 in
Over...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone
Antique Gothic Style Fire Grate
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An unusual late 19th century antique gothic style fire grate, reclaimed from a property in Sussex. Pairing function with form, this fire grate is a striking piece for any setting, de...
Category
19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass, Iron
English Fireplace in York Stone
Located in London, GB
An English fireplace in York stone. The plain jambs surmounted by brackets, with moulded shelf above. English, circa 1900.
Measures:
Shelf width: 1445 mm...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone
17th-18th Century Large Gothic Style Firedogs or Andirons
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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
20th Century German 'John the Baptist' Fireback in Gothic Style
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Large 20th century German Gothic Style fireback with a religious theme. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a brown patina. Upon request it can be made black / pewter at no ext...
Category
20th Century German Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Pairs of Antique Carved Oak Column Pedestals
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A pair of turned and carved oak column pedestals, salvaged from a church in Portsmouth.
Styled foliage and floral designs to the centre, these large scale, rich colour and appealing...
Category
Early 20th Century English Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Oak, Wood
Mid-19th Century Neo-Gothic Cast Iron Fire Grate
Located in London, GB
A 19th century English polished cast iron fire grate in the Gothic style. The shaped feet surmounted by fleur-de-lys finials, the large burning area with cast iron back behind dated ...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
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
French Gothic Fireplace Grate or Fire Basket, 15th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
15th century French Gothic fire grate. Made of beautifully cast iron as well as wrought iron. The total width of the front of the grate is 66.5 cm (2...
Category
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
French Gothic Fireplace Grate or Fire Basket, 17th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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
17th Century German 'Lot and Daughters' Stove Plate / Backsplash, Gothic Period
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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
French 17th Century Gothic Period Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th century French gothic andirons - fire dogs made of wrought iron. They have spit hooks to grill meat or poultry.
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
French 17th Century Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th century French gothic andirons - fire dogs made of wrought iron. They have spit hooks to grill meat or poultry.
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
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
16th Century German Gothic Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
16th century German gothic fireback with a religious theme. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black patina.
This product weighs more tha...
Category
16th Century German Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Antique French Gothic Andirons, 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
Large French 17th Century Gothic Andirons or Landiers with Wolf Head
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th century French gothic andirons - fire dogs made of wrought iron. These French andirons are called 'landiers' in France. This dates from the times the andirons were the main cook...
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
Early 18th Century Gothic Style Firedogs or Andirons
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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
20th Century 'Religious Theme' Fireback / Backsplash, Gothic Style
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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
Antique French Gothic Fireplace Grate or Fire Basket, 17th - 18th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th - 18th century French Gothic fire grate with period andirons and a recently forged grate. Made of wrought iron. The condition is good.
The total width at the front of the grat...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
Large French Gothic Style Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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
French 'Gothic Arms' Fireback / Backsplash, 20th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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
German Gothic Style 'Religious Theme' Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th - 20th Century Gothic style German fireback depicting a religious theme. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black / pewter patina. The fireback is in a good condition a...
Category
Early 20th Century German Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
17th Century French Gothic Period Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th century Gothic Period andirons made of wrought iron. The andirons are in a good condition and are fit for use in the fireplace.
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
17th Century Dutch Fireplace Grate or Fireplace Basket
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th century Dutch fire grate made of wrought iron. Gothic period. The grate is in a good condition.
Category
17th Century Dutch Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
French Gothic Period 'Pillars and Pediment' Fireback / Backspash, 16th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
16th century French Gothic Period fireback with two pillars of Hercules and a pediment.
The pillar refers to the club of Hercules, his favorite weapon. It symbolizes power. Since an...
Category
16th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
20th Century French Andirons or Firedogs, Gothic Style
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
20th century French andirons or firedogs in the Gothic Style. The condition is good.
Category
20th Century French Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
Large 18th Century French 'Marriage' Andirons, Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Beautiful 18th century French andirons made of wrought iron. The style of the andirons is Gothic Period. They have a natural brown patina. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food....
Category
18th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs, 17th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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
$1,152 / set
Large French Gothic Firedogs or Andirons, 16th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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
17th Century Large Gothic Bulls Head Firedogs, Andirons
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th century Gothic bulls head fire dogs, andirons. These French andirons are called 'landiers' in France. This dates from the times the andirons were the main cooking equipment in t...
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
Vintage Gothic Style Rustic Wood Window or Wall Décor w/Amber Dimpled Glass
Located in Topeka, KS
Phenomenal Early to Mid-20th Century Gothic style rustic wood window or wall décor with amber dimpled glass. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so ...
Category
20th Century American Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paint
French Gothic Style Firedogs or Andirons
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
French Gothic style fire dogs made of cast iron. With spit hooks to grill food and a cup to keep drinks or soup warm. This type of andirons are also called cupdogs. 20th century.
T...
Category
20th Century French Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
$466 / set
French Gothic 'Pillars and Pediment' Fireback, 17th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th century French Gothic fireback with two pillars of Hercules and a pediment.
The pillar refers to the club of Hercules, his favorite weapon. It symbolizes power. Since antiquity...
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
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
Pair, Large 20th Century Iron Doors, Hungary
Located in Round Top, TX
This large pair of iron doors make an impressive architectural statement standing over 8' tall.
Notice the unique pattern of central cross and spear head design.
The aged patina show...
Category
Early 20th Century Hungarian Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
$4,650 / set
Antique French Gothic Fireplace Grate or Fire Basket, 17th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th century French Gothic fire grate with period andirons and a recently forged grate. Made of wrought iron. The condition is good.
The total width at the front of the grate is 81...
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
French 17th Century Gothic Period Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th century French gothic andirons - fire dogs. Hand forged of wrought iron. They have spit hooks to grill meat or poultry.
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
French Gothic Period 'Pillars and Pediment' Fireback / Backspash, 16th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
16th century French Gothic fireback with two pillars of Hercules and a pediment.
The pillar refers to the club of Hercules, his favorite weapon. It symbolizes power. Since antiquity...
Category
16th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Beautiful 17th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Beautiful 17th century French Gothic andirons made of wrought iron. The tops of the andirons have the shape of bull heads, which is characteristic for this type of andirons. In Franc...
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
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...
Category
20th Century French Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood, Pine
Large French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs, 18th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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 Gothic Style Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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 Century Gothic Cup Dogs, Andirons
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
French 17th century Gothic firedogs.
With spit hooks to grill food and a cup to keep drinks or soup warm.
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
$561 / set
17th - 18th Century Gothic Large French Andirons
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th - 18th century French andirons - fire dogs made of wrought iron. These French andirons are called 'landiers' in France. This dates from the times the andirons were the main cook...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
$1,152 / set
Large Antique Gothic Andirons or Firedogs, 17th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Large 17th 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
17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
German Gothic Style Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th/20th Century Gothic style German fireback. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black / pewter patina. The fireback is in a good condition and does not have cracks.
Category
Early 20th Century German Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
16th Century German Gothic Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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
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
Large French 17th Century Gothic Andirons or Landiers
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th century French gothic andirons - fire dogs made of wrought iron. These French andirons are called 'landiers' in France. This dates from the times the andirons were the main cook...
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
17th Century German 'Rural Scene' Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th Century German Gothic fireback with a rural scene. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black / pewter patina. The condition is good, no cracks.
Category
17th Century German Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
16th Century German Gothic Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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
17th-18th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th-18th century French Gothic fire dogs made of wrought iron. The andirons have spit hooks. The condition is good.
Category
18th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
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
17th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th century French Gothic andirons made of wrought iron. These French andirons are called 'landiers' in France. This dates from the times the andirons were the main cooking equipmen...
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
$2,062 / set
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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