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.
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
$1,925Sale Price|20% Off
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
c.1860–1880 Pair of Gothic Revival Bronze Church Candlesticks, France, 16.5in
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Impressive pair of 19th century bronze candlesticks executed in the Gothic Revival style, likely of French or Northern European origin. These sculptural candlesticks feature an archi...
Bronze
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 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
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
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
Pair of 19th Century French Gothic Brass 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
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
Pair 17th Century Spanish Gothic Style Wrought Iron Pricket Floor Candlesticks.
Located in Buisson, FR
An exceptional and imposing pair of monumentally scaled floor-standing pricket candlesticks, masterfully crafted from hand-wrought iron in Northern Spain during the early 17th centur...
Iron
Rare Late Gothic Ecclesiastical Pricket Candlestick, France ca. 1475
Located in Doha, QA
A rare and exceptionally atmospheric Late Gothic ecclesiastical pricket candlestick, hand-crafted during the closing decades of the medieval period. Standing an impressive 65 cm in h...
Wrought Iron
Pair of 16th or 17th Century Italian Forged Iron Tripod Pricket Candlesticks
Located in Dallas, TX
During the Medieval period, most pricket-style candlesticks utilized tripod bases, as the wide stance provided more stability on uneven stone or dirt floors. That same tripod form ca...
Metal, Iron
$1,457Sale Price|20% Off
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
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
Gothic Hand-Sculpted Candle Stick Holder Carved from Solid Teak, USA, c. 1960s
Located in Deland, FL
This hand-carved and turned solid teak sculpture shows exceptional artisan craftsmanship as well as exquisite old-growth woodgrains unique to the Burmese teak species. At over 16 inc...
Teak
$265Sale Price / item|20% Off
Antique Mahogany Candle Holder, Turned Design, Medieval Style, 1800s
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
$1,750Sale Price|20% Off
H 11.13 in Dm 4.63 in
Pair of 19th Century French Brass Neoclassical Candlesticks
Located in Pembroke, MA
A pair of very finely-chased French brass candlesticks, circa 1870 in the neoclassical style (could be electrified as table lamps). Bases are decorated with rose vines.
Brass
$900
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
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
$966Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.7 in Dm 3.94 in
Antique Pair of Candle Holder Silver Rococo Style Candlesticks, 1900s Home Decor
By G.A. Berg
Located in Wembley, GB
Pair of Silver Plated Candlesticks by G.A.B Rococo Style, Sweden 1900 A scarce and elegant pair of antique silver-plated Rococo-style candlesticks by the renowned Swedish silversmit...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
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
$295
H 14.5 in W 10 in D 5 in
Pair of Rock Crystal, Lead Crystal, and Brass Candelabra, Late 19th Century
Located in valatie, NY
Pair of rock crystal, lead crystal, and brass candelabra, late 19th century. This pair of candelabras have a series of large rock crystal beads supporting their stems topped by a pin...
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Brass
Pair of Hand Blown Salviati Venetian Swan Figural Candlesticks
By Salviati
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This pair of hand blown candlesticks are made of a very unusual green with a subtle iridescence featuring a charming swan connector who is enci...
Blown Glass
Antique Dutch Brass Adjustable Candlestick, Hand-Crafted, 1860s
Located in New York, NY
Antique brass chamber candlestick with aged patina and adjustable mechanism and finger ring. Great patina to brass.
Brass
$300Sale Price|20% Off
H 17 in Dm 9 in
2 Vintage Baroque Figural Brass Candelabra Candlestick Holders 17"
Located in Dayton, OH
Two vintage brass candelabras / candle sticks featuring two figures in Renaissance attire holding a torchiere with four candlesticks. Supported by a tripod base. Dimensions: 9" x 1...
Brass
Pair of Gothic Revival Wrought Iron Candlesticks
Located in Nottingham, GB
Pricket candlesticks represent one of the earliest forms of candle holder, distinguished by a central spike used to secure the candle in place. Before the widespread adoption of sock...
Wrought Iron
$795 / set
H 8.25 in Dm 4 in
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
Pair of 19th Century, French Iron Candelabra
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Pair of 19th century, French iron candelabra.
Iron
Sold
H 8.67 in Dm 3.94 in
Late Medieval Gothic Bronze Knopped Candlestick with Bell Foot, 15th Century
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
A late medieval socket candlestick in bronze, made in the Netherlands in the 15th century (circa 1475). It is a beautiful example of Gothic domestic metalwork: small in scale, strong in form, and with the deep, dark patina that only centuries can give. Form and details The candlestick stands on a pronounced bell-shaped foot with an integral drip pan, designed to catch the wax of tallow and beeswax candles. From this base rises a slender stem with a series of knops (the rounded rings along the shaft), which both strengthened the stem and gave a firm grip. At the top sits a tall cylindrical socket with an opening in the side, an early and practical detail that made it possible to push out the stub of a burnt-down candle. The proportions are balanced and architectural, and the silhouette reads almost like a small sculpture. Condition Good condition for its age, with a beautiful dark patina and wear consistent with more than five centuries of use. Please see the photos for details. Dimensions: height 22 cm, diameter 10 cm. Context Bronze and brass candlesticks of this type were used in Dutch, Flemish and German households and churches in the late Middle Ages, and similar examples can be found in museum collections of early metalwork. For collectors of medieval and Gothic objects, early lighting or Dutch antiques, this candlestick is a rare opportunity to own an original piece from the period rather than a later reproduction. In the interior Today a piece like this works as much as a sculpture as a candlestick. Place it on a mantelpiece, a stone console or a bookshelf, alone or together with other early objects, or use it as a quiet focal point in a minimalist, wabi-sabi or contemporary interior. The combination of the archaic form and the dark bronze surface fits well with plaster walls, oak furniture and natural materials, in the way interior designers such as Axel Vervoordt like to combine early antiques with modern spaces. Keywords: medieval candlestick...
Brass
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
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
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
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