Medieval Table Clocks and Desk 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.

Style: Medieval

Antique Desk Clock by André Romain Guilmet, Knight Helmet, Circa 1860

By Andre Romain Guilmet

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Fantastic desk clock made by the great novelty clockmaker and inventor Andre Romain Guilmet. This desktop timepiece has an eight day movement, with a platform escapement, a silvered ...

Category

1860s French Antique Medieval Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Griotte Marble, Bronze

Antique Desk Clock by André Romain Guilmet, Knight Helmet, Circa 1860

$9,040

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 Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Antique Gilt Bronze and Porcelain Mantel Clock with Chivalric Scenes

$4,442

Category

Early 1900s German Antique Medieval Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Gold Plate, Bronze

Gilt Bronze Mounted Porcelain Clock

$1,675

H 8.5 in W 4.5 in D 2.25 in

Nomon Swing Wall Clock By Andres Martinez

By ANDRÉS MARTÍNEZ

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Among the fashionable and avant-garde watches offered by the Nomon brand, is the Swing G Wall Clock. It has an innovative design using dark tones of walnut and Gold needles. It is part of the Gold N collection that stands out for showing the elegance of home, while maintaining simplicity at all times. The combination of simplicity and elegance will go hand in hand with the decorative style of your home, establishment or office. The use of wooden floors, furniture or dark sofas, or the decorative piece of your choice, will be enhanced in beauty and character. You should take into account the neutral color palette for the walls and thus know where to place it. The Swing G Watch by Nomon stands out for being one of those watches with wooden pendulum variations in its lower part. American walnut wood is the star and main material of this work of are, in addition to its polished brass needles...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Medieval Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

Nomon Swing Wall Clock By Andres Martinez

$950 Sale Price / item

20% Off

H 31.5 in W 13.4 in D 3.1 in

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

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock

$2,500

H 22 in W 15 in D 9 in

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.

Category

Early 1800s French Antique Medieval Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Empire Gilt Bronze Clock Mantel, circa 1800

$12,294

H 17.72 in W 7.09 in D 7.09 in

Nomon Atomo Table Clock By Andres Martinez

By ANDRÉS MARTÍNEZ

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Átomo clocks, whose design reflects creativity with a great sense of refinement, dress the corners of tables and provide light and style. ø10cm clock with natural walnut wood body...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Medieval Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

Nomon Atomo Table Clock By Andres Martinez

$211 Sale Price / item

20% Off

H 4.1 in W 3.9 in D 1.9 in

French porcelain and ormolu mantel clock with silver highlights mantel clock

Located in London, GB

French porcelain and ormolu mantel clock with silver highlights mantel clock. A superb Napoleon III clock in the Louis XVIth style. The original fire/mercury gilt ormolu in very good...

Category

1860s French Antique Medieval Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

French porcelain and ormolu mantel clock with silver highlights mantel clock

$6,178

H 16 in W 18.5 in D 6.25 in

Antique French Gilt Bronze and Sevres Porcelain Clock - Fully Working

By Samuel Marti

Located in Belper, Derbyshire

A highly decorative and beautifully modelled French gilt-bronze mantel clock, of elegant Louis XV Rococo revival design, surmounted by an exceptionally charming putto. Set within the...

Category

19th Century British Antique Medieval Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Gilt Bronze and Sevres Porcelain Clock - Fully Working

$3,679

H 16 in W 9.75 in D 5 in

Large Gilt-Brass Automaton Clock with Barometer, Paris, Circa 1880

By Andre Romain Guilmet

Located in Brighton, West Sussex

A Rare and Large Gilt and Silvered Brass Automaton Clock With Aneroid Barometer, Modelled as a Steam-Driven Water Pump. Attributed to André Romain Guilmet (1827-1892), Paris. France...

Category

19th Century French Antique Medieval Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Large Gilt-Brass Automaton Clock with Barometer, Paris, Circa 1880

$66,639

H 19.69 in W 14.18 in D 7.88 in

Exceptional Antique French Bronze Clock 1860-1890s

Located in Media, PA

Exceptional antique french clock with superb bronze workmanship. Created by hand in the late 19th century, with utmost craftsmanship. The way the bronze figure is made is unreal, if ...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Exceptional Antique French Bronze Clock 1860-1890s

$4,990

H 15 in W 23 in D 7 in

Charles X Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock with Cupid and a Dog Stamped Bechot

Located in Dallas, TX

a Charles X gilt bronze mantel clock with Cupid and a dog on its hind legs barking / jumping / or begging, the figures flank the rectangular clock, t...

Category

19th Century French Antique Medieval Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Charles X Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock with Cupid and a Dog Stamped Bechot

$3,575

H 13 in W 10.25 in D 4 in

Nomon Barcelona Wall Clock By Andres Martinez

By ANDRÉS MARTÍNEZ

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Nomon's large Barcelona wall clock a design clock with two large rings and needles in natural walnut wood. The clock with a large minimalist design has a diameter of 90 cm. An eas...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Medieval Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Fiberglass, Walnut

Nomon Barcelona Wall Clock By Andres Martinez

$1,496 Sale Price / item

20% Off

H 39.4 in W 35.4 in D 6.3 in

Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock

Located in Astoria, NY

Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock, late 19th century, surmounted by an urn issuing a laurel wreath, the circular dial with enamel numerals, the movement strike on bell, flanke...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock

$1,450

H 19 in W 12 in D 6 in

Previously Available Items

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...

Category

19th Century Antique Medieval Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Glass, Mahogany, Paint

Antique Wm Gilbert Gothic Mahogany Reverse Painted Mantel Steeple Clock

H 19.5 in W 9.75 in D 4 in

19th Century Gothic Style J.E. Caldwell Gilt Bronze Clock Garniture Set

By J.E. Caldwell & Co.

Located in Manhasset, NY

A simply stunning Gothic Style J.E. Caldwell (1882) gilt bronze clock garniture set. A finely cast bronze clock with a pair of matching candelabra each 24 inches tall having five arms and the pair retaining their original snuffers. James Emmett Caldwell (1813-1881) apprenticed to Peter B...

Category

Late 19th Century Antique Medieval Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Gothic Style J.E. Caldwell Gilt Bronze Clock Garniture Set

H 8.5 in W 13 in D 20.875 in

19th Century Gothic Style J.E. Caldwell Gilt Bronze Clock Garniture Set

By J.E. Caldwell & Co.

Located in Manhasset, NY

Category

Late 19th Century Antique Medieval Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Gothic Style J.E. Caldwell Gilt Bronze Clock Garniture Set

H 8.5 in W 13 in D 20.875 in

Medieval table clocks and desk clocks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Medieval table clocks and desk clocks for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage table clocks and desk 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 table clocks and desk clocks made in a specific country, there are Europe, England, and United Kingdom 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 table clocks and desk 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 $5,445 while the average work can sell for $1,900.