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.
Antique Desk Clock by André Romain Guilmet, Knight Helmet, Circa 1860
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 ...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
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
Nomon Swing Wall Clock By Andres Martinez
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...
Brass
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
Neoclassical Mantel Clock with Gilt Bronze Accents
Located in New York, NY
This mantel clock is rooted in early 19th-century French design yet timeless in its appeal. The body of the clock is finished in a lustrous black ebony, contrasted with the bronze gi...
Bronze
Quality Antique Victorian Walnut Desk Clock
Located in Suffolk, GB
Quality antique Victorian walnut desk clock having a quality attractive walnut and ebonised shaped case with a drum shaped clock flanked by carved scrolls on a moulded plinth, original brass bezel and glass, quality enamel dial, original hands and striking on the hour and half hour on a bell. A charming clock...
Walnut
$6,152
H 16 in W 18.5 in D 6.25 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...
Bronze
Nomon Atomo Table Clock By Andres Martinez
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...
Brass
Antique Edwardian Mahogany Desk / Mantel Clock
Located in Ipswich, GB
Antique Edwardian Mahogany Desk / Mantel Clock with string inlay around the edge having a round enamelled Arabic dial and French movement. All clocks get serviced by our horologist ...
Brass
$9,954
H 25.6 in W 13 in D 7.49 in
Napoléon III Marble Mantle Clock by James Pradier, France, Circa 1860
By J. Pradier
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Napoléon III Marble Mantle Clock With A Patinated Bronze Figure of 'Phryné' by James Pradier. France, Circa 1860. Surmounted by a finely cast pa...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Nomon Barcelona Wall Clock By Andres Martinez
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...
Fiberglass, Walnut
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 ...
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