Medieval Furniture
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.
Mid-18th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Limestone, Iron
Early 20th Century European Medieval Furniture
Stone
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Medieval Furniture
Spelter
2010s Indian Medieval Furniture
Wool
17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Iron
19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture
Leather, Walnut
1950s Danish Vintage Medieval Furniture
Brass
1920s French Vintage Medieval Furniture
Oak
Late 19th Century Scottish Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Furniture
Stone
20th Century German Medieval Furniture
Iron
17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Iron
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
2010s Indian Medieval Furniture
Silk
Early 20th Century Medieval Furniture
Linen, Wood, Paper
18th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood, Pine
Late 20th Century Italian Medieval Furniture
Oak
19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Iron
18th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood, Pine
Early 18th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Glass, Oak
Mid-19th Century Antique Medieval Furniture
Walnut
18th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood, Pine
Late 19th Century German Antique Medieval Furniture
Brass, Metal
1820s English Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century English Medieval Furniture
Wood, Giltwood
1930s Spanish Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wrought Iron
15th Century and Earlier Dutch Antique Medieval Furniture
Wrought Iron
18th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood, Pine
1730s French Antique Medieval Furniture
Limestone
18th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood, Pine
Early 20th Century Spanish Medieval Furniture
Giltwood, Wood
2010s Indian Medieval Furniture
Silk
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Cotton
Early 20th Century European Medieval Furniture
Stone
15th Century and Earlier English Antique Medieval Furniture
Stone
18th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century British Medieval Furniture
Resin, Pine
Early 19th Century German Antique Medieval Furniture
Fruitwood, Oak
20th Century American Medieval Furniture
Iron
1910s English Vintage Medieval Furniture
Mahogany
1880s English Antique Medieval Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century European Medieval Furniture
Wood
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
18th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Iron
15th Century and Earlier English Antique Medieval Furniture
Metallic Thread
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century Spanish Medieval Furniture
Iron, Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century Medieval Furniture
Marble
1960s Belgian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Fabric
Early 20th Century Medieval Furniture
Glass, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Medieval Furniture
Iron, Wrought Iron
16th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood, Chestnut
15th Century and Earlier Spanish Antique Medieval Furniture
Parchment Paper, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Early 20th Century Spanish Medieval Furniture
Iron, Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Cotton
15th Century and Earlier European Antique Medieval Furniture
Steel, Iron
Early 20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Antler
Mid-19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Spanish Medieval Furniture
Iron, Wrought Iron
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood, Oak
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
18th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood, Pine
20th Century Medieval Furniture
Metal, Bronze, Wrought Iron
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Furniture
Glass, Wood, Parchment Paper
1980s French Vintage Medieval Furniture
Fabric, Cotton
18th Century European Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood
20th Century Medieval Furniture
Resin