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.
Three Piece Alabaster Clock Garniture in the Form of a Neo-Gothic Cathedral
Located in London, GB
This exquisite three-piece alabaster clock garniture consists of a central clock with two flanking vases. The central clock is designed to resemble the shape of a neo-Gothic cathedra...
Alabaster, Ormolu
Antique brass clock set with religious decoration
Located in London, GB
This three-piece brass clock set is wonderfully designed to look like a collection of Christian church bells. The mantel clock features a bell-shaped b...
Brass, Enamel
Antique Gilt Bronze and Porcelain Mantel Clock with Chivalric Scenes
Located in London, GB
This beautiful porcelain mantel clock is designed in the shape of a shield which is propped up on a gilt bronze (ormolu) easel support, composed of two shields and a staff topped by ...
Ormolu, Bronze
$38,950Sale Price / set|48% Off
H 34 in W 22 in D 13.5 in
French 19th Century Louis XIV Style Empire Ormolu Clock Garniture, Raingo Frers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and palatial French 19th century Louis XIV style Empire figural ormolu three-piece clock and candelabra garniture suite, comprising of a gilt-bronze clock and a pair of t...
Bronze
$4,901
H 16.54 in W 8.27 in D 5.12 in
Late 18th Century Louis XVI Period Bronze Ormolu Mantel Clock with Candelabras
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A finely bronze fire-gilded ormolu mantel clock set with matching candelabras. Rich ornate with typical Louis XVI mounts, floral garlands, scr...
Carrara Marble, Bronze, Ormolu, Enamel
Gilt Bronze Mounted Porcelain Clock
Located in Norwood, NJ
Gilt bronze mounted continental Porcelain clock. Porcelain and gilt bronze mounted continental clock. Loius XVI style. Figural and floral painted scenes. Features open escapement...
Gold Plate, Bronze
$19,500 / set
H 25 in W 17 in D 9 in
Nice Late 19th Century Gilt and Patinated Bronze Three Piece Clock Set
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Nice Late 19th Century Gilt and Patinated Bronze Three Piece Clock Set The heavily bronze mounted clock with three putti, bronze designs of flowers, birds and instruments, sitting...
Bronze, Ormolu
Second Empire Gothic Cathedral Clock and Garniture
By Pierre-François Feuchère
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A mid 19 century French Gilt Bronze Gothic style mantel clock and garniture which the French call " A la Cathedrale". The three pieces are of finely chased and gilded bronze; the cl...
Bronze
Antique German Three Piece Porcelain Clock Garniture
Located in Montreal, QC
For those who enjoy the fine quality of blue and white German porcelain from the middle of the last century, this is a particularly fin...
Porcelain
Empire Gilt Bronze Clock Mantel, circa 1800
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
An Empire gilt bronze clock mantel, circa 1800 The case surmounted by an Alexander the Great bust. Dial signed: "Rocquet à Paris” France.
Bronze
Antique French Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
very fine quality Antique French Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Bronze
$38,000 / set
H 29 in W 13 in D 9 in
Exceptional Late 19th Century Three-Piece Clock Set by Ferdinand Gervais
Located in Long Island City, NY
An exceptional late 19th century gilt bronze-mounted marble three-piece clock set By Ferdinand Gervais The lyre shaped case surrounded with bronze roses, acanthus and lilys, a ...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Museum Quality Neo-Gothic Three-Train Vienna Regulator Wall Clock
Located in Lisse, NL
A striking and high-quality Neo-Gothic Vienna regulator wall clock, dating to the late 19th century and featuring a rare three-train movement with quarter-hour strike on two gongs. ...
Enamel, Brass, Bronze
Antique Victorian Miniature Brass Carriage Clock With Alarm
Located in Suffolk, GB
A charming antique Victorian miniature brass carriage clock with alarm, housed in a traditional gilt brass case with bevelled glass panels and a folding carry handle. The clock is o...
Brass
Antique Bornholm Clock With Hand Painted Decoration
Located in Lejre, DK
Antique Bornholm clock / grandfather clock from the 1840s. Painted with hand-painted decoration. — Period: 1840s — Type: Bornholm clock / grandfather c...
Paint
Sold
H 12.75 in W 8.5 in D 5.25 in
Antique French Ormolu and Porcelain Gothic Clock - Vincenti - Fully Overhauled
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A lovely, early ormolu (finely gilded bronze) Gothic clock mounted with exquisite porcelain panels with a royal blue ground. These are beautifully decorated with heraldic motifs. The...
Ormolu
Sold
H 19.5 in W 9.75 in D 4 in
Antique Wm Gilbert Gothic Mahogany Reverse Painted Mantel Steeple Clock
By Gilbert Clock Co
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th century mahogany cathedral / steeple Gothic Revival mantel clock by William L Gilbert Clock Company, with Roman numeral face and reverse painted scene...
Glass, Mahogany, Paint
Antique Gilt Bronze Gothic Clock
By Cie Des Bronzes De Bruxelles, A.D. Mougin
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A lovely decorative Gothic clock, dating from circa 1900, by the famous bronze foundry Compagnie Des Bronzes of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Brussels and the mo...
Bronze
Japy Freres Antique French Gilt Bronze Gothic Clock
By Japy Frères
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A superb antique French clock by Japy Frères, circa 1870. It is very well made in gilt bronze in the Gothic style. The case is architecturally formed of 4 gothic columns supporting f...
Bronze
English Skeleton Clock by J. Smith & Sons of Clerkenwell
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional two-train English skeleton clock was crafted by the celebrated clockmakers J. Smith & Sons of Clerkenwell. The beautifully desi...
Metal, Brass
Japy Freres Antique French Gilt Bronze Gothic Clock Set
By Japy Frères
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A stunning Gothic clock set by the famous maker Japy Freres, circa 1880. It is of architectural form, finely modelled and well finished in gilt bronze. T...
Bronze
Antique German Junghans Mahogany Shelf or Mantel Clock, circa 1920
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique German mantel clock by Junghans offers mahogany case in arch form with face having Arabic numerals, speed dial and chime dial, c...
Mahogany
Large Antique French Gothic Gilt Bronze Clock
By Vassy, Paris
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A very large antique French clock in the Gothic style. It is of exquisite quality in gilt bronze, architectural in design with a domed top, blind fret work decoration and scrolling b...
Bronze
Sold
H 21 in W 14 in D 6 in
French Gothic Style Inlaid Marble Mantel Clock Dial Signed H. Azur à Paris
Located in New York, NY
French 19 century Gothic style inlaid marble mantel clock. Dial signed H. Azur à Paris. Height 21 inches, width 14 1/4 inches.
Marble
Japy Freres Gilt Bronze Gothic Clock Set
By Japy Frères
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A rare and superb Gothic clock set by the famous maker Japy Freres, dating from C1890. It is beautifully gilded and finished bronze. It features profuse ...
Bronze
Antique French Gilt Bronze Gothic Clock Set
By Bernard Fleury, Samuel Marti
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A stunning original antique French clock set by Samuel Marti dating from circa 1870. It is beautifully modelled in gilt bronze, Gothic in style with a light and delicate design of fr...
Bronze
Antique Gothic Revival Bronze and Wood Mantel Clock
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique Gothic Revival bronze and wood mantel clock is a charming way to add an Old World touch to any room! Engraved onto the plaque above the ...