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.
French 19th Century Church Altar Candlesticks
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A towering pair of 19th century French brass altar candlesticks from a cathedral or church. The center of each bobeche is fitted with a spike, surrounded by a pierced brass crown of ...
Brass
Beautiful Gothic Brass Candelabra/Candlestick, circa 1500
Located in Vienna, AT
The item on sale is an original Gothic candelabra that dates back to the 1500s. It was expertly handcrafted from brass and consists of two parts that...
Brass
Antique Dutch Brass Mid-Drip Heemskerk Candlestick circa 1525
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A rare and historically significant Dutch brass candlestick of the Heemskerk type, dating to around 1525. This early 16th-century example features a pronounced mid-drip pan with slig...
Brass, Bronze
Antique Grotesque Monk Wall Candle Head in Plaster, Italy 1900s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A small sculptural candleholder for wall mount. A medieval style inspired painted plaster head depicting a monks head. Grotesque caricature with strong evil/dark features. It was mad...
Plaster
Antique Pair Gothic Revival of Handcrafted Gilt Bronze Candlesticks Holders
Located in Lisse, NL
Great pair of 19th century candleholders. If you are looking for a stylish and small pair of church candle holders to create a special atmospher...
Brass, Bronze
Bronze Candlestick or Candle Holder, 16th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Bronze candlestick. Century XVI. Polished bronze candlestick with a wide circular base from which arises a truncated cone axis opening into a smooth plat...
Bronze
Medieval Knopped Bronze Candlestick Bell Base, Netherlands, 15th Century
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
An 15th Century Gothic socket candlestick in in bronze with a pronounced bell foot, integral drip tray, and a slender, knopped stem rising to a tall socket with an early clean-out ap...
Brass
Late 19th Century Brass Gothic Style Candlesticks
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful pair of antique brass candlesticks. Gothic style. The candlesticks are in good condition. Beautiful color and shine. Sturdy and solid. Estimated age and origin: France, ...
Brass
$2,009 / set
Pair of Bronze Candlesticks, 17th Century
Located in NICE, FR
A pair of 17th-century bronze candlesticks featuring architectural details. Each piece is crafted from heavy cast bronze and displays intricate floral and geometric motifs, including...
Bronze
$440Sale Price|20% Off
1800s Baroque / Gothic Style Brass Church Candlestick
Located in Skien, NO
This stunning brass/bronze candlestick features a rustic patina and showcases the craftsmanship of the European Gothic Revival and Baroque styles from the 1800s. Its timeless desig...
Brass, Bronze
Very Fine Pair of Antique Continental Silver Mounted Rock Crystal Candlesticks
Located in London, GB
The candlestick bodies of fine, translucent rock crystal accented with silver gilt mounts; the candlestick base mounts decorated with neo-Gothic style patterns and masked faces. T...
Rock Crystal, Silver
Pair of 19th Century French Forged Iron Candlesticks
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of forged iron candlesticks candle holders with a handle in the form of a sea creature and a movable clamp to keep your candle in place ...
Iron
Original Gothic Style 1860 Candlesticks 19th Century Emperor of House Habsburg
By Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Gothic style of Laxenburg so called after the "Laxenburg Castle", the favoured summer-residence of the Austrian Emperor of the house of Habsburg. Material used is carved wood, gilded.
Wood
Spanish Gothic Style Floor Candlestick in Wrought Gilt Iron
Located in Barcelona, ES
Hand-hammered Gothic style floor candle stand with gold leaf accents, Spain, circa 1890. This elegant floor standing candleholder has a tri...
Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf, Iron
Pair of English Gothic Revival Style Bronze Altar Candlesticks
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of English Gothic Revival-style (19th Century) bronze altar sticks with round pad feet (PRICED AS PAIR)
Bronze
Large Pair Gothic Revival Arts & Crafts Brass Table or Altar Candlesticks
Located in Lisse, NL
Large and heavy pair of altar candle sticks. These handcrafted and heavy candleholders are made around 1930 by H. v/d Heijden. With beautiful scro...
Brass
Pair of 16th or 17th Century Italian Forged Iron Tripod Pricket Candlesticks
Located in Dallas, TX
More information coming soon… Forged in Italy during the late 1500s or early 1600s, this pair of tripod prickets once served as candlesticks. Most modern collectors will utilize th...
Metal, Iron
Set of 3 brutalist tripod candlesticks/candle holders in wrought iron
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Brutalist - Chalet - decoration Sold without candles Measures : L: Ø 37 H:128cm M: Ø 33 H: 102cm S: Ø 29 H: 77cm Style: Medieval (In the Style Of) Materials and Techniques: Iron,...
Iron
Pair of Neo-Gothic Bronze Candlesticks, Done in the Manner of A. W. N. Pugin
By Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A pair of neo-gothic bronze candlesticks in the manner of Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin, finely cast in form of a gothic cluster column on ...
Bronze
Antique turned wooden candle holder Circa 1800's
Located in Bishop's Stortford, GB
Antique turned wooden candle holder Circa 1800's. Elevate your home decor with this exquisite candle holder, featuring a sturdy wooden base complemented by a sleek turned wooden stan...
Mahogany
Vintage Boho Sarreid Bronze Heraldic Lion Candlesticks - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elevate your decor with this regal pair of Vintage Bronze Heraldic Lion Candlesticks by Sarreid. Cast in solid bronze with a rich patina, each lion sits proudly upright, clutching a ...
Bronze
19th Century Hand Forged Spanish Blackened Iron Hearth Warmer
Located in Fort Collins, CO
Hand forged blackened hearth warmer from Spain. Blacksmith forged elements into piece that shows their creative eye, including a horse's head motif. Piece originally lived in front ...
Iron
Antique English Gothic Removable Candle Torch Set - Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique English Gothic Removable Candle Torch Set - Pair This set includes two identical candlestick holders mounted on sturdy carved wood. Each candlestick holder has space for thr...
Metal
$3,550 / set
H 35 in W 8.5 in D 8.5 in
Pair 19th Century French Silvered Louis XV Church Candlesticks with Wax Candles
Located in Dallas, TX
Add dramatic presence and liturgical elegance to any interior with this important pair of antique church candlesticks, crafted in France circa 1870. Each tall candle holder stands on...
Silver Plate, Brass
Neoclassic Bronze Candle Holders
Located in Tampa, FL
A very unusual and attractive pair of tapered French bronze candle holders. circa 1800s.
Bronze
19th Century Gothic Revival Bronze Altar Candlestick Pair
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning pair of antique Neo-Gothic bronze church altar stick candle prickets with beautifully aged patina. European, late 19th century, each with a single candle socket, mural crown, pierced quatrefoils, wafer stem, rising on paw feet. Dimensions: (approx) 27.25" Tall, 8.25" Diameter; 28lbs total Condition: Great original unrestored antique condition with nicely aged dark warm patinated finish. Distinctive gilt brass and copper like tones. Wear consistent with age and indicative of use. Overall outstanding examples World Wide Shipping Available Local Pickup/Delivery available around Dallas, Texas We here at Lynx Hollow Antiques absolutely love collecting and decorating with religious objects. From a church altar table...
Bronze
Tall Late 19th Century Brass Repousse Church Pricket, Candlestick
Located in Fayetteville, AR
Originally used in a French chapel, this exquisite brass repousse pricket or candlestick from the late nineteenth century stands at over two and a half f...
Brass
Italian Silver Gilt 5 Arm Candle Wall Sconce, Pair
Located in San Angelo, TX
Unique and simple pair of silver gilt Italian 5 Arm Candle Wall Sconces that feature antique Italian bobeches. These are lightweight and are neutral toned making them perfect for man...
Metal
$1,122 / set
H 16.93 in W 7.49 in D 7.49 in
A Pair 19th Century Candelabras - Bronze Patinated Spelter - Gothic Style
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful set of 2 antique candelabras in Gothic style. The candelabras each have room for three candles. Estimated origin and age: France, circa 1900. The candelabras are made of ...
Spelter
$1,195
H 27 in W 22 in D 5 in
Vintage Gothic Black Wrought Iron Wall Hanging Candelabra Made in Mexico
Located in Topeka, KS
Awesome vintage Gothic or Spanish Revival handmade solid wrought iron black painted candelabra wall hanging made in Mexico. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage ...
Wrought Iron
$640Sale Price|36% Off
H 37.8 in W 9.45 in D 7.88 in
Japanese Antique Natural Wood Large Candle Stick 1860s-1900s / Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old Japanese natural wood Shokudai (candlestick). It was made in the late Edo period (1860s-1900s), and the material used is probably coniferous cedar wood. The texture o...
Iron
A tall gilt brass European Gothic Revival pricket candlestick
Located in Leesburg, VA
A tall gilt brass European Gothic Revival pricket candlestick Anonymous Europe; first-half 20th century Gilt Brass Approximate size: 29 (h) x 6 (w) x 6 (d) in. A tall gilt brass E...
Brass
Antique Neo-Gothic Gilt Bronze Pricket Candlestick
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning Late Victorian Neo-Gothic gilt bronze altar stick pricket candlestick. Late 19th to early 20th century, the Continental European antique features an exceptionally executed...
Bronze, Ormolu
Stunning Pair of 7-candle Gothic Revival Brass Candelabra
Located in Leesburg, VA
Stunning Pair of 7-candle Gothic Revival Brass Candelabra Anonymous Europe; 19th century Brass or bronze Approximate size: 13 (h) x 21 (w) x 4 (d) in. This pair of European bras...
Brass
18th Century French Gothic Forged Wrought Iron Candle Holder
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1780 and forged of solid iron, the candle holder stands on four scrolled legs over a turned central shaft decorated with a few ornamental discs. The tall wrou...
Wrought Iron
Pair of Unusual 16th Century-Style Capstan Candlesticks
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Unusual pair of sterling silver, Capstan candlesticks, in the 16th century style, Gorham Manufacturing Company, Providence, Rhode Island, Ca. 1895. Each candlestick measures 4 inches...
Sterling Silver
Vintage Pair of Black Wrought Iron Candle Holders
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
Vintage pair of Gothic wrought iron candle holders.
Wrought Iron
Pair of French Gothic Style Brass Candle Stick Holders
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition Original Vintage Condition
Brass
Pair of Antique Brass Gothic Candle Holders
Located in North Palm Beach, FL
Pair of large antique brass candle holders. The iconography depicting the winged dog/lion can be traced back to the East Slavic trad...
Brass
A Pair of Antique Bronze Gothic Style Candlesticks
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A great pair of bronze gothic style candles. The set dates from circa 1890. Origin: France The candlesticks are in good condition with minor signs of use. One of the candles has ...
Bronze
20th Century Brass and Agate Gothic Style Candle Sticks
Located in New York, NY
20th century Brass Candle Sticks, meticulously crafted in a captivating Gothic style. Each candlestick is a true work of art, featuring int...
Agate, Brass
Metal Cross with Candlesticks
Located in Chorzów, PL
Metal cross with candlesticks Very good condition Measures: height 26 cm, width 31 cm.
Metal
Set of Candel Holders Chateau de Loire
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Set of candel holders Chateau de Loire Artisan-made Candel Holders in solid brass and provided with a vintage brass finish Tall - h: 50 cm, l: 18.5 cm, d: 16.5 cm Small - h: 35.5 ...
Brass
18th Century Candlesticks Bronze with Birds
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Beautiful candlesticks made around the 18th century but could also be older. Made of bronze, they have marvelous patina.
Bronze
Sold
H 17.5 in Dm 12 in
Pair Large Antique Early 19th Century French Gold Bronze Chateau Candle Holders
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair exceptional antique early 19th century French gold bronze chateau candle holders with swans. Wonderful Gothic candlesticks in a large size and with intricate carving.
Bronze
Brass Candlesticks
Located in Chorzów, PL
Two brass candlesticks Very good condition Measures: Height 8 cm, diameter 9 cm.
Brass
Sold
H 18 in W 22 in D 7 in
Pair Antique French Brass Altar Candelabra Adjustable Fleur de Lis Candlestick
Located in Shreveport, LA
Pair antique French brass Altar candelabra adjustable fleur de lis candlestick ~Direct from France~ ~Lovely pair of antique French altar candlesticks...
Brass