Skip to main content

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.

to
23
278
70
347
2
1
Height
to
Width
to
2,933
2,180
1,488
1,334
957
828
797
787
505
496
466
312
300
249
146
139
124
99
165
104
78
3
31
11
7
3
4
1
2
1
1
251
216
112
65
34
292
164
79
73
19
350
349
349
2
2
Style: Medieval
Large Antique Gothic Andirons or Firedogs, 17th Century
Located in Soest, NL
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

15th Century Stone Sculpture, Bust of a Wooman
Located in BARSAC, FR
Sculpture In limestone from the 15th century representing a wooman probably a saint. The face is round and serene, the hair long and the fore...
Category

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

Materials

Stone

Pair of Tall 19th Century Chapel Doors from Belgium
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand-carved in Belgium, circa 1860, this 11 foot tall pair of doors (132.88 inches) were recently salvaged from a Belgian chapel. They can be considered of the Gothic style, which is sometimes referred to as “pointed architecture”, because of the prevalence of pointed arches in buildings. Each door is composed of six vertical planks constructed with mortise and tenon joinery. All planks have been adorned with iron pyramid protuberances, placed in a repeating pattern. The planks and iron retain their white paint, now naturally weathered over the years, perfect for those who appreciate original condition. At over 11 feet tall, these 19th century chapel doors...
Category

1860s Belgian Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

17th-18th Century French Fire Grate, Fireplace Grate
Located in Soest, NL
17th-18th century French Gothic fireplace basket - fire basket made of wrought iron. The basket is in a good condition and is fully functional.
Category

Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

17th Century Style Pair of Gothic Serpent Andirons
Located in London, GB
A large pair of iron 17th century style Gothic serpent andirons with rope twist, English made circa 1920-1930   Measure: Overall height 36" 91 cm ...
Category

17th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs, 17th-18th Century
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 are in a good condition.
Category

Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Black Wrought Iron Andirons with Trefoil Finials and Semi-Circle Legs, c. 1920s
Located in New York, NY
AFP0506 A pair of antique blackened wrought iron andirons pierced with a gothic style trefoil finial atop rectangular bodies and semi-circle legs. Circa 1920s. DIMENSIONS: Overall:...
Category

Early 20th Century American Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

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

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. The conditi...
Category

Early 18th 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

Set of 4 Minton Tiles Attributed to Edward Hammond
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of four 19th Century Mintons tile attributed to the artist Edward Hammond. Modelled in relief, each 8-inch tile is decorated with a different musician in medieval dress picked...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Clay

Brass Fire Tool Stand Attributed to Oscar Bach
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A rare brass fireplace tool stand with a candle holder featuring an intricate repoussé coat of arms with five cherubs each having a fire too...
Category

Early 20th Century American Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass

Bronze Woman Sculpture Door Stop Bookend
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful sculptural figure of a lady, intricate in detail and wearing women's medieval attire and hat. A good weight at 18 lbs - use as a heavy duty bookend, decor or door sto...
Category

Early 20th Century French Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Bronze

Artisan Crafted Mixed Metal Griffin Form Andirons
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Regal Griffin Pair in iron with textured gray tone surfaces. The ferocious open mouthed creatures with shields on the chests with chased rampant lions and applied brass tops of the s...
Category

20th Century Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, Brass

Monumental Large Ornate Gothic Black Iron Andirons
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Truly belong in a castle, a pair of palatial, large black iron andirons adorned with curlicues and hooks for hanging cookware.  
Category

19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique French Cast Iron Fire Back the Fire Back is Extremely Heavy
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Antique French cast iron fire back The Fire back is extremely heavy, it is decorated with the “Armes de France” with the Crest of the House of Bourbon...
Category

19th Century Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique Gothic Wrought Iron Spiral Twist 56" Fireplace Mantel Fender Surround
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Gothic Wrought Iron Spiral Twist 56" Fireplace Mantel Fender Surround. Item features twisted finials, vintage scrolling central design,...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

19th Century English Gothic Style Stone Fireplace
Located in London, GB
A mid-late 19th century English Gothic style stone fireplace. The moulded jambs surmounted by arched frieze with spandrel panels. Two-tier moulded shelf. Some markings to the stone c...
Category

19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone

19th Century Handwrought Iron Gothic Fireplace Andirons Firedogs
Located in Southall, GB
A large pair of 19th century handwrought iron Gothic fireplace andirons firedogs. This pair are completely wrought by hand out of very thick iron and have a dark black finish, crafte...
Category

19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

A Pair of French Gothic Iron Andirons with Guardians
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A Pair of French Gothic Iron Andirons with Guardians This is a Heavy pair of Antique Andirons, they are made in iron, and stand on an upward curving foot each has a female figure Th...
Category

19th Century Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Very Large Early 19th Century French Fire Grate Set on Iron Andirons
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Very large early 19th century French fire grate set on iron andirons This is a very large fire grate set on tall bowl Andirons, they are Blacksmith...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

20th Century Marble Castle Chimneypiece Fireplace
Located in London, GB
20th Century Marble Castle Chimneypiece Fireplace. Hand Carved In Brown Tiger Like Marble. With Hand Carved Centre Hound Motif Emblem. And Prominent Turrets To The Top Of Each Firepl...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Marble

Vintage French Gothic Wrought Iron Five-Piece Fireplace Tool Set on Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
Place this elegant antique fireplace tool set next to your mantel. Crafted circa 2000, the Gothic style "Serviteur" sits on four curved leg...
Category

Early 2000s American Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Gothic Baptistery in Stone-Spain
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Baptiphere Gothic period -Spain-Galicia (probably granite) The baptisphere was at the time attached to a wall Delivery in Belgium, France and abroad.    
Category

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

Materials

Granite

Gothic Hand-Forged Iron Andirons
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
Large hand-forged iron fir place andirons with ball finials and decorative rings.
Category

Early 20th Century American Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Gothic Pugin Vintage Faux Marble Painted Large Pedestal Plinth for Marble Bust
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely Gothic style vintage Faux marble painted pine pedestal pillar column for displaying antiques. ...
Category

20th Century English Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Pine

Large Antique Cast Iron Fire Grate
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large late 19th century cast iron fire grate, salvaged from a farmhouse in Suffolk. This antique fire grate is ideal for a large fireplace in the main ro...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron, Metal

19th Century French Gothic Wrought Iron Fireplace Tool Set with Bronze Handles
Located in Dallas, TX
Place this unique antique fireplace tool set next to your mantel. Hand forged in southwest France circa 1870 in Gothic style, the "Serviteur" sits on three curved legs the end with a decorative twist, with one straight leg that makes it easy to push up against a firelplace. The set includes four tools with heavy bronze handles including a shovel, tongs and broom in excellent condition. The free standing pedestal is dressed at the top with a round bronze pediment...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron, Bronze

Very Heavy Pair of 19th Century Iron Andirons or Fire Dogs
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A Very Heavy Pair of 19th Century Iron Andirons or Fire Dogs This is a Very Heavy pair of Andirons and they are made of cast iron The Andirons are 15” high, 14” long and are 8.5...
Category

19th Century Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

French Gothic Wrought Iron Manor House Fire Tool Companion Set
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
French Gothic wrought iron manor house fire tool companion set The stand is very large and heavy, it dates from the early 19th century and comes from a Brittany Manor House Thi...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Small Pair of Andirons in the Gothic Style
Located in London, GB
A pair of English polished wrought iron firedogs in the Gothic style. 20th century. (Back bars could be extended if required). Measures: Height: 395 mm 15 ½" Width: 230 mm 9" De...
Category

20th Century English Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

18th Century French Hanging Iron Fireplace Accessory
Located in Atlanta, GA
A tall French hanging iron fireplace accessory from the 18th century. This fabulous antique fireplace accessory piece from France, when hu...
Category

18th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Metal, Iron

Pair of Very Large Painted Wall Brackets
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A pair of very large painted wall brackets. The brackets are in 5” wide solid wood with old silver blue/grey paint, they are over 1ft high and has are deeply moulded. They do have...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Pine

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

16th C set of Four Evangelist Vault Keys
Located in MADRID, ES
Vault keys such as these were used where the vault ribs came together, as a finishing touch. These particular ones depict the four Evangelists. The Angel for St Matthew...
Category

16th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone

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

An English Stone Firepace in the Gothic Style
Located in London, GB
An English stone fireplace in the Gothic style. The moulded jambs surmounted by frieze with spandrels. Early 20th century. Shelf Width: 1408 mm 55 ⅜" Overall Height:...
Category

19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone

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

Rustic English Fireplace in the Gothic Manner
Located in London, GB
A large stone fireplace in the Gothic style. The moulded jambs with plain frieze above and heavy moulded shelf. Rustic travertine stone. English,...
Category

19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone

Early 19th Century Limestone Mantel Chimneypiece in the Gothic Manner
Located in London, GB
A 19th century English limestone fireplace in the Gothic manner. The jambs and end blocks with Quinto acuto arches, the frieze with accompanying arch motif throughout with shelf abov...
Category

Early 19th Century British Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Limestone

Antique Gothic Style Hob Grate
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A Victorian era Gothic style hob grate dating from circa 1830 and unusually decorated with castellations and quatrefoils. Finished in black graphite polish, this antique cast iron hob grate...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Metal, Iron

English Fireplace in the Gothic Style
Located in London, GB
An English stone fireplace in the Gothic manner. The moulded jambs surmounted by arched frieze, circa 1900. Measure: Shelf Width: 1395 mm 54 7/8 in Overall Height: 1125 mm ...
Category

19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone

Carved Limestone Balustrade, North of France, First Half of the 15th Century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Carved Limestone balustrade. In a modern metal frame. North of France, Ile de France or Normandy. End of the 14th century - first half of the 15th century. Measures: 90 x 62 x 8...
Category

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

Materials

Limestone

English Stone Fireplace in the Gothic Style
Located in London, GB
A 19th century English stone fireplace in the Gothic style. The jambs and frieze with recessed panels and end blocking featuring shield crest,...
Category

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

Materials

Stone

19th Century Cast Iron Hob Grate in the Gothic Style
Located in London, GB
A 19th century cast iron hob grate in the Gothic style. The burning area with rosette pattern and cast spandrels below. Decorative wreath motif to back. English, 19th century. Width...
Category

19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

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

English Bath Stone Fireplace Mantel in the Gothic Manner
Located in London, GB
A large English Bath stone fireplace in the Gothic style, with arched opening and moulded shelf. Modern. Measures: Shelf Width: 1850 mm 72 ?" Overall ...
Category

20th Century English Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone

Small Gothic Style Wrought Iron Firegrate
Located in London, GB
A small Gothic style wrought iron firegrate. The turned feet surmounted by shaped front bars and finials. Shaped cast iron fireback behind with scrollwork behind. English, 20th centu...
Category

20th Century English Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

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

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

An Understated Burnish Steel Firegrate
Located in London, GB
An understated burnish steel fire grate. Shown in antiqued finished, but also available in clean steel finish. Reproduction. N.B. May be subject to an ...
Category

Late 20th Century English Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Steel

English Stone Fireplace in the Gothic Style
Located in London, GB
A 19th century English stone fireplace in the Gothic style. The jambs and frieze with recessed panels and end blocking featuring shield crest,...
Category

19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone

Small Gothic Style Fireplace in Purbeck Stone
Located in London, GB
A small English Gothic style fireplace in grey Purbeck stone. The moulded legs surmounted by arched frieze, English, 20th century. Shelf Width: 1220 mm 48 in Overall Height: 1...
Category

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

Materials

Stone

Polished Steel Firegrate with Upright Bars
Located in London, GB
An understated burnish steel firegrate with upright bars to centre. Shown in antiqued finished, but also available in clean steel finish. Reproduction. N...
Category

Late 20th Century English Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Steel

Pair of 19th Century French Wrought Iron “Landiers” Andirons with Fleur de Lys
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a fireplace with this elegant pair of antique wrought iron andirons with matching cross bar. Forged in France, circa 1820, and standing on three feet, the andirons called “L...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Pair of Gothic Style Fire Tools
Located in Southall, GB
A 19th century set of Gothic Style fire tools handmade with decorative weaved handles. On original gothic stand, complete with fire tongs, shovel, brush and poker.  
Category

19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

English Hob Grate with Greek Key to Fret
Located in London, GB
A good quality English hob grate in the Gothic taste. The shaped front area with Greek key fret below. Half polish finish. Width At Front: 770 mm 30 ⅜"...
Category

18th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

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.

Recently Viewed

View All