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.
Miniature Gothic Rosewood Bracket Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Miniature Gothic Rosewood Bracket Clock Miniature bracket clock housed in a Gothic style Rosewood case with carved decoration, stepped plinth...
Rosewood
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
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
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 Victorian Miniature Grandfather Longcase Table Clock
Located in Suffolk, GB
A highly unusual antique Victorian miniature grandfather or longcase table clock dating to around 1880, with a wonderfully architectural dark wood case and exceptionally decorative g...
Brass
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 measuring 22 by 15 by 9 inches with porcelain dial signed C.H. BAGLIA, MILANO, a prestigious upscale retailer...
Bronze
Howard Miller Graham Bracket Mantel Clock
Located in Pasadena, TX
Finished in Windsor Cherry on select hardwoods and veneers. Brass finished dial offers a silver chapter ring and decorative corner spandrels. A high-precision, German-made, key-wound...
Brass
$20,396 / set
H 22.05 in W 8.67 in D 4.73 in
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
$3,575
H 13 in W 10.25 in D 4 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...
Bronze
Tiffany & Co. Gilt Bronze and Rouge Marble Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
A Tiffany & Co. gilt bronze and rouge marble mantel clock with figures of night and day Maker: Tiffany & Co. (American, 1837-) Date: Circa 1890...
Bronze
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...
Ormolu
$2,039
H 9.06 in W 6.3 in D 4.34 in
A George III style miniature 8 Day striking bracket clock by Mappin & Webb C1910
Located in Central England, GB
A delightful miniature 8 day striking bracket clock by Mappin & Webb, crafted in the elegant George II style and dating to circa 1910. The figured walnut case stands on four raised ...
Wood
English Bracket Clock, 19th Century Georgian
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
19th century Georgian English bracket clock. A fine quality 8-day mahogany and ormolu-mounted triple chain Fusee 4-Gong Westminster Chime bracket clock. The high quality mahogany ...
Brass
Fine Gilt and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock with Putti by A Paris
By Antide Janvier
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite figural bronze mantel clock with Putti leaning on clock face which sits on a fluted column draped in garlands and fabrics. Sitting on a r...
Bronze
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
Sold
H 8.5 in W 13 in D 20.875 in
19th Century Gothic Style J.E. Caldwell Gilt Bronze Clock Garniture Set
Located in Stamford, CT
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...
Bronze
Sold
H 8.5 in W 13 in D 20.875 in
19th Century Gothic Style J.E. Caldwell Gilt Bronze Clock Garniture Set
Located in Stamford, CT
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...
Bronze