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.
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...
Lead
Very Large Reclaimed Medieval Style Stained Glass Window
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A very large rectangular reclaimed medieval style stained glass window, one of three similar in the same design in different sizes we are selling. This stained and leaded glass pan...
Lead
Reclaimed Medieval Style Square Stained Glass Window
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A reclaimed medieval style square stained glass window, one of three similar in the same design in different sizes we are selling. This stained and leaded glass panel will make a b...
Lead
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....
Lead
$2,400 / set
Gothic Church Windows 23" x 23"
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Gothic style church windows with dedications. Gorgeous stained glass coloring and designs with dedication marker on each. The windows are housed in an iron frame with clear g...
Stained Glass
19th Century Monogram Stained Glass Panel From Locko Park Derbyshire
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A 19th Century Monogram Stained Glass Panel From Locko Park Derbyshire. The panel in two parts shows the monogram of William Drury Nathaniel Drury-Lowe JP, DL (1828 - 1906), and Lucy...
Metal, Lead
The Holkham Hall Stained Glass Window
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A very large and impressive antique medieval style stained glass window removed from Holkham Hall, Norfolk. This beautifully preserved piece of English history was recently discovere...
Lead
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...
Lead
Small Antique Stained Glass Window of a Nobleman
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A small and well-captured antique stained glass window panel depicting a nobleman with blonde hair and bushy beard, dressed in red and wearing a cap. Though this piece dates from the...
Lead
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 ...
Lead
English Medieval Style Leaded Glass Window
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique English medieval style leaded glass window circa 1850 in Tudor revival style depicting an armoured knight holding a banner beside a priest ...
Lead
German Armorial Oval Stained Glass Window Hanging
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A 19th century antique German armorial oval stained glass window hanging. This small oval stained glass panel depicts a family crest, the coat of arms consisting of a black shield m...
Lead
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 ...
Glass, Wood, Paint
19th Century Armorial Stained Glass Panel From Locko Park Derbyshire
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A 19th Century Armorial Stained Glass Panel From Locko Park Derbyshire. This stained glass window panel depicts the impaled arms of the Drury-Lowe and Needham families. This intri...
Metal, Lead
Antique Arched Church Window 20" x 46"
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Early 20th Century gothic style window with leaded design. Slight arch at the top of the window. This window comes from a church and has geometric designs with textured clear glass. ...
Glass
Antique German Lutheran 'Eisleben' 32" x 19" Stained Glass Window
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Antique stained glass church window featuring the German town for Eisleben. Deep coloring in each glass panel. This window is a dedication to the life of Protestant Reformer Martin L...
Stained Glass
Reclaimed Stained Glass Church Window
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A reclaimed stained glass church window dating from the late 19th century with decorative foliate panels within a red glass border. This stunning antique window is comprised of two c...
Lead
$1,820Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.5 in W 30 in D 1.25 in
Late 19th Century Antique Arched Stained Glass Window in a New Wood Frame
Located in Stamford, CT
Beautiful 19th century antique stained glass window with an arch top in a new square wood frame. This window is full of color with a turquoise center...
Stained Glass, Wood
Stained Glass Panel
Located in Antwerp, BE
Offering this stunning stained glass panel on chain. In the shape of a floral tree with various colors and pattern. Also have many shades of green,...
Stained Glass
Antique English Stained Glass Church Window
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large and wonderfully vibrant antique English stained glass church window, circa 1880. Beautifully handpainted with an array of vibrant...
Lead
$1,400Sale Price|30% Off
H 60 in W 15.25 in D 1 in
2 Vintage Reclaimed Arched Leaded Geometric Diamond Stained Glass Windows Pair
Located in Dayton, OH
An exceptional pair of diamond pattern stained glass windows. Features an arched form with geometric leaded dimaond pattern. The windows are framed in blue with a ruby diamond patt...
Lead
Large Stained Glass Window 32" x 52"
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Antique brownstone window with yellow tinted glass and beautiful leaded designs. Currently housed in a wooden frame - the overall dimensions are for the stained glass and the frame. ...
Lead
$1,427 / item
H 74.81 in W 20.48 in D 0.79 in
One of four "Liberty" Italian Stained Glass door- window Panel, Italy 1900 ca.
Located in Sacile, PN
One of four "Liberty" Italian Stained Glass door- window Panel, Italy 1900 c Measure: Each door/panel measures height cm. 190, width cm. 5...
Lead
Large Stained Glass Window 38"x45"
Located in Brooklyn, NY
American made stained glass window with masterful coloring and led work. Deep colors of blue and red with amber. Currently housed in a temporary wooden frame - the overall dimensions...
Stained Glass
Stained Glass Window 36"x28"
Located in Brooklyn, NY
American turn of the century window with stained glass and leaded decoration. Beautiful colors to brighten your room! Currently housed in a temporary wooden frame - the overall dimen...
Stained Glass
Turn of Century Triptych Stained Glass Windows
Located in Asheville, NC
Early Arts and Crafts, oak framed trio of leaded stained glass windows.
Lead
19th Century Arts and Crafts Stained Glass Window with Cast Iron Frame
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th Century Arts and Crafts Stained Glass Window This is a pretty and colourful Arts and Crafts Cast iron window, with stylis...
Stained Glass
$34,500 / set
H 72 in W 48 in D 4.5 in
Pair Of Large Antique Architectural Religious Stained Glass Windows
Located in Norwood, NJ
Fabulous quality turn of the 19th century pair of religious painted stained glass arched windows. Set in oak and bent wood frame. Beautifully...
Stained Glass
Handpainted Post-Medieval Stained Glass Window Hanging
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A small early 19th century antique stained glass window hanging depicting a fragment of a post-medieval woman resting her face on her hand with eyes closed, circa 1800. Finely handp...
Lead
Large Reclaimed Medieval Style Stained Glass Window
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large rectangular reclaimed medieval style stained glass window, one of three similar in the same design in different sizes we are selling. This stained and leaded glass panel wil...
Lead
Stained Glass Window Panels, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Stained Glass Window Panels, 19th century, depicting crowned king and heraldic crests. Each approx: 17" H x 27" W. Provenance: From an Upper West Side Estate located at the A...
Metal
Sold
H 91 in W 38 in D 4 in
Antique English PAIR LARGE GOTHIC CHURCH Stained Glass Windows Leaded Framed
Located in Tyler, TX
GORGEOUS Antique English LARGE Pair of GOTHIC Wood-Framed Leaded, Stained Glass Windows Beautiful LARGE matching PAIR of antique English leaded stained-glass windows ~~red, green, ...
Glass, Oak
Large Gothic Style Red Stained Glass Roundel ø140cm
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A very large and impressive gothic style red stained glass roundel by Sax Shaw, third-generation family business of well-known stained glass artist, Sax Roland Shaw (1916-2000). Bea...
Cut Steel, Lead
Heraldic Diamond Shaped Stained Glass Panel
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A small heraldic diamond shaped stained glass window panel, vibrantly designed with red, green and blue glass panes. Though this piece dates from the early 20th century, the style is...
Lead
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...
Lead
3 Pane Antique Heraldic Stained Glass Window
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A 3 pane antique stained glass window detailed with hand painted heraldic symbols: a Bohun swan, rampant lions and a mythical creature with the tail of a lion, body of a leopard, horns of a gazelle and head of a boar. Dating from the mid 19th century, this reclaimed stained glass window...
Lead
3 Pane Antique English Leaded Glass Window
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A 3 pane antique leaded glass window detailed with hand painted heraldic symbols: a boar, a portcullis and a coat of arms reading ‘Honi soi...
Lead
Pair of Antique Stained Glass Panels of Medieval Soldiers
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A pair antique stained glass panels of medieval soldiers. Dating to circa 1780, these stained glass panels have stood the test of time; each one showcases precision, detail and good ...
Lead
Sold
H 47 in W 58 in D 4.5 in
Antique Catholic Church Religious Stained Glass Double Window - Pre Hung
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Catholic Church Religious Stained Glass Pre Hung Double Window.
Steel, Lead
Antique English Heraldic Stained Glass Window
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A fascinating early 19th century English heraldic stained glass window detailing an unidentified family crest, circa 1820. Dating from the Georgian era, this stunning stained glass w...
Lead