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Medieval Building and Garden Elements

MEDIEVAL STYLE

The Middle Ages in Europe followed the end of the Roman Empire, and in this time of change, which preceded the Renaissance, furniture was simple and utilitarian, with most homes having only the necessities like chests and benches. Much of medieval furniture, which was often made in oak or walnut, was built for the elite, particularly the emerging merchant class who owned multiple homes.

Life for many in the medieval era was unstable, and furniture was designed to be functional and portable. Peasants worked the fields for affluent landowners and didn’t have access to literature in the way that nobles and people of the church did (women less so than men). The furniture in their modest dwellings was typically limited to cookware and a handful of stools. Foldable chairs, while uncommon in homes of the early Middle Ages and emblematic of wealth, like all other furnishings of the time, allowed for easy transportation of a household. Trestle tables with detachable legs and collapsible beds were designed to be simply moved from place to place.

Medieval blanket chests were among the most important furniture objects and could further serve as tables or even beds. Some ancient traditions were carried forward to build this sturdy furniture, such as turnery. Although the furniture was minimally designed, embellishments like carvings added elegance to the heavy wood pieces. These details sometimes reflected trends in religious art like rose windows.

By the later Middle Ages, storage pieces like chests of drawers were often adorned with high relief carvings, such as geometric and floral motifs. By the 14th and 15th centuries, design had developed to include more involved pieces like cupboards and desks, while benches frequently doubled as chests with hinged seats. Beds also changed in this era from basic boards to four-post designs with large drapes to keep the sleeper warm. These beds and other medieval bedroom furniture were significant status symbols, passed down through families and used as places to conduct business and receive visitors.

Surviving examples of medieval furniture are very rare, yet its distinctive aesthetics influenced later styles like William and Mary and Arts and Crafts.

Find a collection of medieval seating, garden elements, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.

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Style: Medieval
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

A Pair of French Gothic Iron Andirons with Guardians
Located in Godshill, 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

Carved Oak Gothic Wall Bracket Shelf
Located in Godshill, 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

Large 19th Century Andirons with Grate These are heavy hand Forged Iron Andiron
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large 19th Century Andirons with Grate These are heavy hand Forged Iron Andirons, they come with a curved log grate, the grate sits on the andirons and has a good airflow The Andiro...
Category

19th Century Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Edging Setts, Circular Fountain, Parterre Herb Garden Fire Pit
Located in Godshill, 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

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

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

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

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

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

Pair of Very Large Painted Wall Brackets
Located in Godshill, 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

A Superb Set of Arts and Crafts Gothic Fireside Tools
Located in Godshill, 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

Medieval Style Stained Glass Window of St Michael
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A reclaimed religious stained glass window of St Michael weighing a soul, after a medieval era stained glass window in Eaton Bishop Church, Herefordshire. This English church origina...
Category

20th Century English Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Lead

Set of 9 Antique Gothic Encaustic Tiles by Minton & Co
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of nine vibrant antique 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 o...
Category

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

Materials

Clay

Victorian Gothic Carved Oak Green Man Coal or Log Box
Located in Godshill, 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

Very Heavy Pair of 19th Century Iron Andirons or Fire Dogs
Located in Godshill, 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

Medieval Stained Glass Window Hanging Panel of a Saint
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A really interesting antique stained glass window hanging panel of a saintly figure with halo dating from the medieval period, circa 1400, set within a further stained glass diamond....
Category

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

Materials

Lead

Antique French Cast Iron Fire Back the Fire Back is Extremely Heavy
Located in Godshill, 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

Pair of important wrought iron landiers. French work in the Gothic Style. C 1900
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This tall pair of gothic style wrought iron andirons are also called landiers because of the shape of the top parts that where used to have water or soup boiling on receipt near the ...
Category

1880s French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

A Pair of French Gothic Iron Andirons or Fire Dogs
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Pair of French Gothic Iron Andirons or Fire Dogs This is a Heavy pair of Antique Andirons, they are made in iron, and stand on a broad front foot with a chunky gothic look The And...
Category

Early 1800s Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

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

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

Large 19th Century Inglenook Andirons and Grate
Located in Godshill, 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

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

Very Large Early 19th Century French Fire Grate Set on Iron Andirons
Located in Godshill, 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

Large Pair of French Brass Andirons, Fire Dogs or Chenets
Located in Godshill, 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

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

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

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

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

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

Heavy Folding Wrought Iron Fire Guard for Inglenook Fireplace
Located in Godshill, 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

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

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

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

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

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

Polished Steel Firegrate in the Neo-Gothic Style
Located in London, GB
A polished steel firegrate in the neo-Gothic style. The horseshoe feet surmounted by straight shafts and acorn finials. Decorative cast iron back behind. English, circa 1900. Measu...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Steel

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

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

Neo-Gothic Style Firegrate
Located in London, GB
A delicate cast iron firegrate in the neo-Gothic taste. The shaped paw feet with four leaf clover motif above. The cast iron back plate with nicely cas...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Pair 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 appealin...
Category

20th Century Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Oak

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

Pair of Gothic Style Fire Tools
Pair of Gothic Style Fire Tools
$2,764 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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

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

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

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

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

Mid 19th Century Polished Cast Iron Gothic Style Firegrate
Located in London, GB
A substantial mid 19th century polished cast iron Gothic style firegrate, with twisted design to firedogs and centre bar. Width At Front: 895 mm 35 ¼" Width At Back: 510 mm ...
Category

19th Century Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Polished 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 extended lead time. Measures...
Category

Late 20th Century English Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Steel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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