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.
Gothic inscription - France, 15th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Fragment of an Inscribed Stone France, 15th century Limestone 14 × 24.5 × 5 cm This evocative limestone fragment preserves the refined vestiges of a Gothic inscription carved in ...
Limestone
Antique Runestone Desk Ornament - Paperweight in Cast Iron, 1894
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A cast model of a Danish Runestone from the Viking era. The so-called Klemensker Stenen on the Island of Bornholm found in 1882. It is one of the tallest/largest Danish Runestones me...
Iron
French Bulldog Bronze Desk Paperweight, Austria, 1920´s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
French bulldog bronze figure / sculpture desk paperweight - Austria 1920´s. Very nice conditions. Bronze is mounted over a Belgian Black Marble base. A statue of a bulldog standing on a black cylindrical base. The bulldog is depicted in a standing position with its head turned slightly to the right. The statue is highly polished, giving it a shiny and reflective surface. The black base contrasts with the gold statue, making the bulldog figure...
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
$1,400
H 5.12 in W 3.15 in D 3.15 in
Art Deco Max Le Verrier / Artus Pelican Hood Ornament / Paperweight, France
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Art Deco Max Le Verrier / Artus Bird Hood Ornament / Paperweight - France. Hard to find circa 1925 famous Pelican by Artus. (Pseudonym for Max ...
Marble, Metal
Solid Polished Clear Crystal Sphere Paperweight Decorative Desk Ornament
Located in Red Lion, PA
This striking decorative crystal orb is a masterclass in minimalist sophistication, offering a brilliant blend of optical clarity and sculptural presence. Meticulously polished to a ...
Crystal
$565
H 10 in W 5.25 in D 4.5 in
Antique Hubley Art Deco Cast Iron Modernist Black Cat Doorstop Paperweight 10"
By Hubley Manufacturing Company 2
Located in Dayton, OH
Rare antique Art Deco Hubley cast iron modernist black cat door stop. Dimensions: 5.25" x 4.5" x 10" (W x D x H)
Metal
$290 / item
H 0.04 in W 0.04 in D 3.35 in
Carl Auböck Paperweight #4223 'Hand', Cast Brass, Polished, Austria
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck paperweight #4223 "Hand", Austria.
Brass
$302 / item
H 0.04 in W 1.97 in D 0.04 in
Brass Paperweight by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Cast & Polished, Austria
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Paperweight #4867 "Egg", Austria. Price is per piece.
Brass
$895
H 1.5 in W 3.5 in D 2.25 in
Egyptian Revival Bronze Scarab Paperweight with Hieroglyphic Inscription
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Egyptian Revival Bronze Scarab Paperweight with Hieroglyphic Inscription, Early 20th Century A finely cast Egyptian Revival scarab paperweight in p...
Bronze
Brass Four Leaf Clover Paperweight with Inscription
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage brass four leaf clover paperweight with inscription, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition and measures 4.5"W x 4.5"D x .25"H. A very cool and unique piec...
Brass
French 18th Century Balance Scale
Located in Round Top, TX
A handsome French 18th century balance scale in iron and brass. The balance mechanism is in iron. The foot and the plates are in brass. The...
Brass, Iron
Brass Desk Paperweight in original wooden Box, byWerkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Brass desk paperweight by Werkstätten Carl Auböck, preserved in its original wooden presentation box printed “la plume de ma tante.” The object is formed as a long, faceted shaft w...
Brass
Cast Iron Dog Nut Cracker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Black painted cast iron dog nut cracker. The condition is very good and in working order.
Iron
Bugatti Tank Car Mascot / Hood Ornament / Paperweight. France 1930
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Bugatti Tank Car Mascot / Hood Ornament / Paperweight. France 1930. Silvered Bronze Sculpture depicting a Bugatti Type 32 ¨Tank¨ Car. Mounted over an acylic base. Signed CAD. Lovely ...
Bronze
Sold
H 2.5 in W 2 in D 3 in
Fine Quality Retired Swarovski Crystal Faceted Jet Hematite Skull Figurine
By Swarovski
Located in Tustin, CA
Beautifully and expertly hand made in Austria, finest quality Swarovski Crystal Jet Hematite faceted crystal skull with ruthenium finish metal accents on the face and base. Skull fea...
Crystal
Sold
H 2.5 in W 2 in D 3 in
Fine Quality Retired Swarovski Crystal Faceted Jet Hematite Skull Figurine
By Swarovski
Located in Tustin, CA
Beautifully and expertly hand made in Austria, finest quality Swarovski Crystal Jet Hematite faceted crystal skull with ruthenium finish metal accents on the face and base. Skull features square faceted hand cut matching faceted crystal teeth. Circa 2011 and retired in 2013, the Swarovski Crystal skull is part of the Soulmates group. Signed with the Swarovski Swan logo on the bottom of the metal base. In excellent condition. Comes with its' original box and packaging. Measures approximately 2.5" tall x 3.00" deep x 2.00' wide. Weighs approximately 3/4 pound. Swarovski is an award winning Austrian producer of fine crystal and is headquartered in Wattens, Austria. It is a family owned business founded by Daniel Swarovski in 1895. Swarovski produces some of the finest crystal pieces in the world including the 9 foot diameter, 550 pound crystal star or snowflake that tops the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in New York City...
Crystal
Sold
H 2.5 in W 2 in D 3 in
Fine Quality Retired Swarovski Crystal Faceted Jet Hematite Skull Figurine
By Swarovski
Located in Tustin, CA
Beautifully and expertly hand made in Austria, finest quality Swarovski Crystal Jet Hematite faceted crystal skull with ruthenium finish metal accents on the face and base. Skull features square faceted hand cut matching faceted crystal teeth. Circa 2011 and retired in 2013, the Swarovski Crystal skull is part of the Soulmates group. Signed with the Swarovski Swan logo on the bottom of the metal base. In excellent condition. Comes with its' original box and packaging. Measures approximately 2.5" tall x 3.00" deep x 2.00' wide. Weighs approximately 3/4 pound. Swarovski is an award winning Austrian producer of fine crystal and is headquartered in Wattens, Austria. It is a family owned business founded by Daniel Swarovski in 1895. Swarovski produces some of the finest crystal pieces in the world including the 9 foot diameter, 550 pound crystal star or snowflake that tops the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in New York City...
Crystal