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.
Gothic Revival Gilded Brass Wall Candle holders 1890s Holland
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very beathiful set of Gothic revival Wall candle sconces . Hand forced ,Gilded Brass .very nice ornate . super rare to find a set of 4 . Comes with the hand made brackets . All in...
Brass
$450Sale Price / item|40% Off
1960s Iridescent Glass and Twisted Iron Candle Sconce
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A 1960s candle sconce. Consists of a panel of iridescent glass framed by twisted iron. Seven fluted brass heads elevate to hold taper candles. Lovely patina throughout. Pair availabl...
Brass, Iron
Spanish Gilt Iron Medieval Revival Style Two-Arm Candle Wall Sconce, ca. 1950s
Located in Barntrup, DE
A striking Spanish wall-mounted candle sconce in medieval revival style, dating to circa the 1950s. Crafted from gilt iron, this sculptural piece features two candle arms and express...
Iron
$4,800 / set
Very Large Hand Forged Iron Candle Sconces
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Pair of impressively large hand forged sconces of iron and tole having 3 arms each for candles. Could be electrified.
Iron
19th Century French Pair of Antique Large Wrought Iron Wall Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of large antique French wall sconces, hand-forged in wrought iron and dating to the late 19th Century, in good condition. Crafted in the Medieval style, each sconce features b...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
1950s Italian Painted Metal Leaf and Branch Candle Wall Sconce
Located in Austin, TX
These Italian candle sconces from the 1950's are from the once iconic JL Hudson's department store in Detroit. From color palette to design, these hand-paint...
Metal
Large Tree Shaped Candle Holder in Hand Forged Steel 1970s
Located in Meer, VAN
Large Tree Shaped Candle Holder in Hand Forged Steel 1970s This well sized hand forged candle holder is wonderfully shaped like a tree, it origins from Europe, 1970s. It is original...
Wrought Iron
$8,950Sale Price|22% Off
H 24 in W 14 in D 7 in
Pair 19th Century French Empire Figural Bronze 2 Arm Wall Sconces Sothebys
Located in Roslyn, NY
A pair of very fine 19th century French empire doré bronze figural two-arm sconces. The left facing figure is of a woman, and countering her is the right facing man. Provenance to...
Bronze
$1,250Sale Price|47% Off
H 29 in W 40 in D 6 in
Vintage Italian Gilt Metal and Wood 7-Light Candle Sconce, 1960s
By Palladio
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
8-157 Italian gilt metal and wood 7-light candle sconce with foil details. Large size lends itself as an elaborate wall sculpture.
Metal
$1,884
H 31.7 in W 8.67 in D 7.88 in
Spanish Medieval Hand Forged Iron Candle Stand / Floor Candle Holder
Located in Barcelona, ES
Gorgeous handwrought torchère candle holder, Spain, 1940s This medieval style floor candleholder stands up on three legs tripod base. It has a terrific aged patina. It has a clean de...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Hollywood Regency Iron And Tole Candle Sconce
Located in Tampa, FL
An exquisite pair of iron and tole Hollywood Regency candle sconces featuring intricate detailing and a timeless design, these sconces bring elegance and charm to any wall.
Iron
$285Sale Price|25% Off
H 24 in W 4 in D 7.5 in
Iron Candle Sconce, Vintage Wall Decor Snake Antique Style, 1950s
Located in Toronto, CA
This sculptural torch-form candle wall sconce is crafted from hand-forged wrought iron and dates to the mid-20th century, circa the 1950s. The design features a tapered torch-style c...
Wrought Iron
Hand-forged Swedish Iron Candelabra, 1940s
Located in Karis, Nyland
A Swedish wrought iron candelabra from the 1940. Hand-forged with a spiral base and four curved arms, this piece blends Scandinavian Modern elegance with a raw, Brutalist edge. Both ...
Iron
$1,118 / set
H 15.36 in Dm 5.91 in
Gothic Revival style. Wrought iron candelabras by Ferro Art, Spain, 1950s
By Maison Jansen, Ferro Art, Ferrocolor, Maison Charles
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Gothic revival and Brutalist style wrought iron candelabras by Ferro Art, Spain, 1950s. Pair of sculptural candle holders made by hand in wrought iron and using techniques such as ha...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Medieval Style Iron Wall Candelabra
Located in Redding, CT
Medieval style iron wall torchiere. The perfect romantic touch for your home. Fill with candles above a bath tub or use on a porch or outside barn wall....
Iron
Brutalist Wrought Iron Knotted Wall Candle Sconces
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1970s, Sweden. A pair of wall candle sconces crafted in Sweden with a tapered edge design. Designer is unknown and pieces are unmarked. Priced & sold as a pair.
Wrought Iron
$1,122Sale Price|50% Off
H 8.67 in W 4.34 in D 3.94 in
Art Nouveau Hand Forged Iron Candlestick Candle Holder Majorelle Blossfeldt
By Karl Blossfeldt, Carlo Rizzarda, Louis Majorelle
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This hand-forged candle holder is an exquisite piece of the Arts & Crafts era. It depicts a thistle, and its design is attributed to the Ecole de Nancy made during the Art Nouvea...
Iron
Vintage Gothic Wrought Iron Candle Holder Wall Sconces
By Walldecor
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
Vintage Gothic wrought iron candle holder wall sconces.
Wrought Iron
Gothic Floral Wreath Candle Wall Sconce
Located in Brooklyn, NY
19th century, Gothic, blacksmith made, painted wrought iron, floral wreath, candle wall sconce features 8 spikes for candles.
Wrought Iron