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.
Late 19th Century French Gothic style Walnut Cigar cabinet
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Elegant 19th-century French cigar cabinet in the Gothic style. This beautifully crafted piece features a tambour roll-top door that opens to reveal compartments for cigars and two sm...
Brass
American Bronze and Enameled Box/Humidor by E.F. Caldwell, New York, 1900s
Located in New York, NY
An American Gothic Revival bronze and enamelled box/humidor. By Edward F. Caldwell & Co. Inc., New York, first quarter of 1900s. The rectangul...
Bronze, Enamel
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Pattern Bronze Doré Box
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period gilt bronze "Zodiac" pattern desk box, decorative box, or jewelry box By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA...
Bronze
Antique French Silver Mussel Vesta Case, Late 19th Century
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique French silver vesta case in the form of a mussel; an addition to our diverse smoking related silverware collection This exceptional antique French silver vesta case has an elongated asymmetrical form, realistically modelled in the form of a mussel shell. The anterior and posterior surfaces of the vesta are embellished with engraved decoration replicating the contours of the natural shell. This fine antique silver vesta...
Silver
Tiffany Studios New York Bronze Doré Desk Box or Humidor
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period gilt bronze desk box or humidor By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 6"W x ...
Bronze
$886Sale Price|49% Off
H 6.7 in W 17.72 in D 9.06 in
19th Century French Walnut and Brass Writing Boxe
Located in LEGNY, FR
Beautiful walnut desktop box which opens into a writing slope. Decorated on the outside with 2 decorative inlaid tunbridge ware bands. Box opens out to a beige fabric writing slo...
Brass
$1,084
H 13.39 in W 17.72 in D 10.24 in
Early 20th Century Italian Gothic style Decorative Boxe or Small Trunk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this beautiful and rare small trunk made in the early 20th century. Made entirely of iron with brass decorations, this trunk has a Gothic-inspired design. A unique decora...
Iron
French Late 19th Century Onyx Champlevé Jewelry Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful onyx and gilt bronze champlevé enamel jewelry box in a chest design; made in France in the Late 19th Century, having a soft red velvet interior and impeccable hand-painted ...
Onyx, Bronze
Late 19th Century Humidor
Located in Huntington, NY
American circa 1890 humidor.
Brass
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Patinated Bronze Box, Circa 1910
Located in South Bend, IN
A stunning antique Arts & Crafts period bronze desk box, jewelry box, or decorative box featuring Zodiac designs By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 2...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Stamp Box
Located in South Bend, IN
A stunning antique bronze stamp box featuring Zodiac designs By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 3...
Bronze
19th Century Antique Empire Style Cigar Box with Cedar Interior
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely empire style wooden box probably produced in Sweden. The box is 14 x 14 cm (5.6" x 5,6") in diameter and 23.5 cm (9.4") high. It is in excellent condition except from that t...
Glass, Wood
$2,000
H 6.5 in W 6.5 in D 8.5 in
Ready, Aim, Light: VICTORIAN CANNON-FORM CIGAR COMPANION BOX, LATE 19TH CENTURY
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Cannon-Form Cigar Companion Box Late 19th Century Whimsical Victorian smoking accessory modeled as a field cannon mounted atop a richly finished hardwood case. The cannon i...
Silver
$2,600
H 42 in W 33 in D 17 in
19th Century French Louis XV Carved Walnut Panetière Cabinet from Provence
Located in Dallas, TX
A superb example of provincial craftsmanship, this richly carved walnut panetière was crafted in Provence circa 1830. The hanging bread cabinet features an arched crest topped with t...
Walnut
Vintage Brass Cigar Box with Medieval Micro-Cosmos, 1950s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A unusual brass cigar box embossed with medieval scenes to its lid and sides. Cedar wood panneling to its inside making in suitable as a humidor for storing cigar, pipe tobacco or ci...
Brass
Bronze Cigar Box w. Scene from The Bayeux Tapestry by N. Dam Ravn
Located in Esbjerg, DK
- Heavy bronze box with a scene from The Bayeux Tapestry in relief. Latin text: ISTI PORTAN:ARMAS ADNAVES: EIHIC:TRANVNT CARRVM: CVMVINO:ETARMIS - The Bayeux Tapestry tells the stor...
Bronze