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Medieval Clocks

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
Antique Seth Thomas English Gothic Style Mahogany Bracket Clock C1910
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Seth Thomas English Gothic Style Mahogany Bracket Clock C1910 Measures- 15"H x 10.5"W x 7.5"D
Category

Early 20th Century Medieval Clocks

Materials

Mahogany

Georgian Mahogany Gothic Style Tall Case Clock with Moon Phase Dial
Located in Milford, NH
A fine English Georgian Gothic style tall case clock, its bonnet with a swan’s neck broken arch pediment with Battersea enamel oval polychrome urn accents surmounting scrolled fabric...
Category

Late 18th Century English Antique Medieval Clocks

Materials

Metal, Brass

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...
Category

19th Century French Antique Medieval Clocks

Materials

Alabaster, Ormolu

Neo-Gothic antique three piece ormolu clock set
Located in London, GB
The central clock with dial to the center, displaying hours in individual plaques in Roman numerals and five minute intervals engraved into the ormolu case in Arabic numerals, the ca...
Category

19th Century French Antique Medieval Clocks

Materials

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...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Clocks

Materials

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 ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

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.
Category

19th Century French Antique Medieval Clocks

Materials

Marble

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A fine Louis XV style gilt and Patinated bronze figural clock garniture by Maison Baguès. This rare example of a clock garniture by Maison Baguès has a twin train eight-day movement striking on a bell.  The garniture consists of a clock and a pair of candelabra en suite. The clock has a Rococo cast case surmounted by a patinated bronze putto playing a lyre, above a circular white enamel dial with Roman numerals, Arabic seconds and pierced hands. The dial inscribed 'Eug Bagues, Paris'. The case terminates in four scrolling legs put down on an acanthus cast plinth base. The candelabra en suite have gilt bronze pierced acanthus cast bases supporting patinated bronze putti each holding aloft three scrolling acanthus arms terminating in circular and foliate cast drip trays and nozzles. Maison Baguès The Baguès Company, located at 31, rue des Francs-Bourgeois, was founded in 1840 by Mr. Noel Baguès who started his business to cast liturgical bronzes. By 1880 the company had expanded into the production of bronze light fixtures in response to the development of electrical lighting. Carried on by Noël’s son Eugène and grandsons Victor and Robert, Maison Baguès continued to progress, adding intricately detailed iron lighting collections in the 1920s as well as stair banisters...
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English Clock, William Barrow, London, circa 1870
Located in Chorzów, PL
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Medieval clocks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Medieval clocks for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, brass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Medieval clocks made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,900 and tops out at $18,581 while the average work can sell for $4,705.

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