Medieval Decorative Boxes
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
Spanish Alms Box / Wall Decoration with Carved Saints Detail, 18th Century
Located in Barcelona, ES
Carved wood hand painted donation / offering ALM Box, Spain, 18th century.
Polychromed carved wood church collection offering donation money box as wall decoration.
This alms box is made of pine wood painted in shades of blue and gray with carved saint figures onamentations decorating the top.
Wall hanging collection / donation money box. Originally used to collect donations at Christian churches/chapels. Interesting to be used as key box or key cabinet or as wall decoration
Rare find.
Provenance: Private collection.
No key avaliable.
Overall Measures:
Saints Box: 33 cm H x 37 cm W x 14 cm D
Poor...
Category
18th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Pine
Set of Three Spanish Church Alms Boxes Wall Decoration, 18th Century
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of three carved wood hand painted donation / offering ALM Boxes, Spain, 18th century.
Polychromed wooden Church Collection offering donation money boxes as wall decorations.
Beautiful wall decoration comprised of three wall hanging collection / doation money boxes. Originally used to collect donations at Christian churches/chapels.
Each one has a different design. All three create a colorful set displayed together.
Rare find.
Provenance: Private collection.
On sale as a set.
Measures:
Religious woman: 45 cm H x 26 cm W x 21 cm D
Saints Box: 33 cm H x 37 cm W x 14 cm D
Blue Box:46 cm H x 31,5 cm W x 14 cm D
Poor box...
Category
18th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Pine
Spanish Alms Box / Wall Decoration in Blue & Yellow Patina, 18th Century
Located in Barcelona, ES
Carved wood hand painted donation / offering ALM Box, Spain, 18th century.
Polychromed carved wood church collection offering donation money box as wall decoration.
Wall hanging collection / donation money box. Originally used to collect donations at Christian churches/chapels. Interesting to be used as key box or key cabinet or as wall decoration
Rare find.
Provenance: Private collection.
No key avaliable.
Overall Measures:
46 cm H x 31,5 cm W x 14 cm D
Poor box...
Category
18th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Pine
Stunning Handcrafted Late 1800s Gothic Casket with Peacock & Gargoyle Sculptures
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful and rare Gothic Revival treasure box with bronze handle.
If you are a collector of antique boxes and/or if you are looking for an extraordinary jewelry box to grace your credenza or side table then this unique and top quality made specimen in the Gothic style could be perfect. Gothic Revival boxes are very hard to find and we have never seen one with such prodigious carvings on all sides. The unique and cat-like dragon gargoyles (with fangs) that look like they are carrying this casket, are just some of the stunningly carved and detailed sculptures that make this antique rarity even more artistic and impressive.
Another great feature are the peacock sculptures. In Christianity the peacock is the symbol of purity. Christians believe that once someone has passed their soul rises and goes to heaven. This is why in earlier times Christians would spread the feathers of a peacock over the deceased since it symbolized a pure soul that was immune to corruption. The peacock also represents immortality, resurrection, and the spiritual teachings of Jesus Christ and the Christian church.
Have you also noticed the top quality details on both ends of the bronze handle on top? The quality of that ornamental work is of the absolute highest standard also. There are many more incredibly beautiful, hand carved details and together they show that no expense was spared to create one of the most amazing Gothic caskets...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bronze, Iron
Very Rare Casket Minnekästchen or Box, Germany or Italy, 15th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Wooden coffret, call minnekästchen, engraved with a dog, a hare and foliage with
polychromy remains. During the Middle Age, the hare is a symbol of fertility, joy and represents the Christ...
Category
15th Century and Earlier European Antique Medieval Decorative Boxes
Materials
Iron
Antique Bronze Box from Belgium Gothic Style
Located in Miami, FL
Gothic Style, very detailed crafted antique bronze box.
Marked underneath, made in Belgium.
In original good condition.
A-444-335
Category
20th Century Belgian Medieval Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Polished Cast Iron Safe with Key and Two-Letter Combination
Located in Dallas, TX
Keep your jewelry and important documents locked up in this elegant, antique safe from the Champagne-Ardenne region of France. Crafted circa 1880, and built in cast iron, this heavy 162 pound travel safe is decorated with studded hobnails and embellished with floral medallions on each panel. The front door features two center brass wheels with alphabet letters. A two-letter combination activates the key and opens the safe; when opens, the safe reveals an inside with felt, a center metal shelf and a lower walnut wooden door compartment with lock for additional storage. The front door is embellished with the engraved inscription "Incombustible Systeme Bauche Brevete...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass, Iron
Early 17th Century Medieval Handcrafted Black Iron Coffer or Box
Located in Brescia, IT
The iron coffer, fully original in every part of it, was forged and handcrafted in German in the 1610. Complete with key. Full working iron mechanisms. It ...
Category
Early 17th Century German Antique Medieval Decorative Boxes
Materials
Iron
Vintage Gothic Figurative Brass Box
Located in west palm beach, FL
Add a touch of medieval mystique to your décor with this Vintage Gothic Figurative Brass Box. Crafted from solid brass, this striking box features intricate Gothic-inspired detailing...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Medieval Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal
Danish Cast Iron and Bronze Jewelry Box or Dresser Box, Circa 1940s
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful casket form cast iron and bronze dresser box, jewelry box, cigar box, or decorative box with interior cedar lining. The front depicts a scene from the 1219 Battle of Lynd...
Category
1940s Danish Vintage Medieval Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bronze, Iron
Georgian Architectural Model
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very fine English early 19th century mahogany architectural model of a church, the multiple steeples flanking a faux carved slate shingled room, wh...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Medieval Decorative Boxes
Materials
Mahogany
French Gothic Oak Coffer Chest
Located in Queens, NY
French Gothic-style (19/20th Century) oak coffer chest on stand with tracery carved panels and a domed lid with iron strap work
Category
19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Boxes
Materials
Iron
19th Century French Gothic Polished Black and Silver Cast Iron Strongbox Safe
Located in Dallas, TX
Keep your jewelry or important documents locked up in this small antique safe from Northern France. Crafted, circa 1880, the 52 pound cast safe has a chic two-tone black and silver paint finish. The heavy...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Boxes
Materials
Iron
Spanish Church Alms Box / Wall Decoration with Carved Nun Detail, 18th Century
Located in Barcelona, ES
Carved wood hand painted donation / offering ALM BOX, Spain, 18th century.
Polychromed carved wood church collection offering donation money box as wall decoration.
This alms box is made of pine wood painted in terracotta hues. A nun carved ornamentation decorates the top.
Wall hanging collection / donation money box. Originally used to collect donations at Christian churches/chapels. Interesting to be used as key box or key cabinet or as wall decoration
Rare find.
Provenance: Private collection.
No key avaliable.
Overall Measures:
45 cm H x 26 cm W x 21 cm D
Poor box...
Category
18th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Pine
Romanesque Style Chest, Wood, Bone, Metal, Spain
Located in Madrid, ES
Romanesque style chest. Wood, bone, metal.
Spain Rectangular chest with a lid in the shape of a trough, decorated on the outside with rectangular pla...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Medieval Decorative Boxes
Materials
Other
Early 20th Century Decorative Box - Brass - Gothic Tristan and Isolde Theme
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful decorative box, made of brass.
The box is richly decorated with elegant motifs and representations of the classic story Tristan and Isolde.
The box was probably made in B...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Medieval Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Early Heavily Embossed Brass Box This is a large and heavy chest
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Early Heavily Embossed Brass Box
This is a large and heavy chest is made in Brass with a wooden lining, the beaten brass is embossed with decorativ...
Category
Early 1800s Antique Medieval Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Bone and Stone Lidded Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Metal decorative box with bone and stone inlay. The exterior of the box showcases a mosaic bone inlay adorned with turquoise and red stones set in pewter. The inside of the box is li...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Medieval Decorative Boxes
Materials
Multi-gemstone, Metal, Pewter
Small English Wood and Metal Box with Dual Lids
Located in New York, NY
1950s English wooden box with handle and two lids. Suede interior.
Category
1940s English Vintage Medieval Decorative Boxes
Materials
Suede, Wood
Neo Gothic Style Bronze Box, circa 1900
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Neo gothic style bronze box circa 1900.
Category
Early 20th Century French Medieval Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
1910s American Vintage Medieval Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Cast Bronze Lidded Box with Medieval Scenes and hardwood liner, Late 19thC
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a cast bronze metal box modelled as a casket with a wood liner and depicting medieval scenes. We date this box to the late 19th Century.
The box is made of a cast metal (b...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Carved Oak Correspondence, Post or Letter Box
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
19th Century Carved Oak Correspondence, Post or Letter Box
This very attractive Carved Box is made in Oak, it is carved on the top with 2 letter slots, one for UNANSWERED and the ot...
Category
19th Century Antique Medieval Decorative Boxes
Materials
Oak
Brass and Copper Textured Lidded Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Textured copper box with brass detailing. The exterior of the box features pebbled like texture, perfectly patinated with brass hinges, ball feet and detailing. The hinged box is per...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Medieval Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass, Copper
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Dimensions: h. 18 cm, l. 23 cm, p. 14cm
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Late 19th Century Brass Gothic Style Decorative Storage Box
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Located in Madrid, ES
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H 5.5 in W 9.25 in D 5 in
Medieval decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Medieval decorative boxes 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 decorative boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Medieval decorative boxes made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative boxes, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Bauche, and Edward F. Caldwell & 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 decorative boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $243 and tops out at $44,528 while the average work can sell for $2,900.