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 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
$510Sale Price / set|40% Off
Antique Decorative Cast Bronze Mission Bell Sculpture, a Pair
Located in Plainview, NY
A decorative set of two antique cast bronze Mission bells sculptures. Each bell features fine details and engraving. Perfect to decorate your desk, st...
Bronze
Victorian gilt inkstand desk set in the Gothic style
Located in London, GB
Victorian gilt inkstand desk set in the Gothic style English, 19th Century Height 19cm, width 27cm, depth 12.5cm This wonderful inkstand is a fine piece of Victorian period design. ...
Brass
19th Century Viennese Miniature Covered Silver and Enamel Cornucopia
Located in New York, NY
A very fine antique jeweled, silver Viennese enamel covered Cornucopia. Each panel is beautifully enameled with cupids, Angeles and Maidens with neoclassical mythological subjects, f...
Enamel
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
French Gothic Revival Iron Roll Blotter
Located in Queens, NY
French Gothic Revival-style (19th Century) wrought iron roll blotter with X design and nailheads (Related items: 035057A, 035057B, 048571D)
Iron
$636Sale Price|20% Off
French Gothic Ormolu Cut Glass & Marble/Quartz Double Inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Gothic Ormolu Cut Glass and Marble/Quartz Double Inkwell France, circa 1870s A magnificent French Gothic Ormolu Cut Glass and Marble/Quartz Double Inkwell, dating back to the...
Quartz, Marble, Ormolu
English Arts & Crafts Mahogany and Brass Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
English Arts & Crafts (Gothic Revival-style) mahogany and brass trimmed double inkwell with glass jewels and drawer.
Brass
English Arts & Crafts Mahogany and Brass Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
English Arts & Crafts (Gothic Revival-style) mahogany and brass trimmed double inkwell with glass jewels and drawer.
Brass
2-Piece Victorian Gothic Iron Double Inkwell Desk Set
Located in Queens, NY
French Victorian Gothic-style wrought iron double inkwell with (later) crystal wells and filigree back-rail. (with calendar stand) (PRICED AS SET).
Crystal, Iron, Wrought Iron
$1,800
H 6.7 in W 2.76 in D 4.34 in
Apache Indian Chief Head Car Mascot, Hood Ornament / Paperweight, France, 1925
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Apache indian Chief Head Car Mascot - Hood Ornament / Paperweight. Designed by H. Briand publisher, Paris. Silvered bronze. Mounted over a black marble base. It has a hole at the bac...
Marble, Bronze
Oriental Cast Bronze Elephant Sculpture with Trunk Up
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Beautiful Oriental Japanese Meiji period style bronze sculpture of a walking elephant with his trunk up. Well casted metal art, heavy, bronze elephant in a dark brown copper finish. Elephant figurine statue in a triumphant pose, will make an excellent display ornament. Created with the traditional technique of the lost-wax that allows a great precision and finesse in the details, this bronze sculpture charms is with its exquisite depiction of a trumpeting elephant. Heavy bronze presents striking detail and cool copper tones with a hint of natural bronze. Raising its trunk skywards, the elephant will grace any desk as a paperweight or display case. This is a delightful vintage elephant statue...
Bronze
$3,250 / set
H 4.63 in W 5.75 in D 3 in
Pair of Antique Bronze Sculpture Paperweights Wounded Stag and Wild Boar
Located in Shippensburg, PA
Pair of figural bronze paperweights over cararra marble bases. circa early 19th century; models of "Il Porcellino" and "Wounded Stag" Item # C104009 A superb pair of 19th century p...
Carrara Marble, Bronze
19th Century Bronze Sculpture "The Letter"
Located in Rochester, NY
Antique bronze sculpture of man reading a letter or proclamation. Marble base, 19th century. Unsigned.
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
Gilt Bronze and Champleve Enamelled Inkstand
Located in Cheshire, GB
19th Century gilt bronze and champlevé enameled inkstand with single well with hinge cover and pen rest. All raised up on bun feet. Dimensions H...
Bronze
$5,000
H 2.76 in W 9.85 in D 5.12 in
Enamel cloissoné and gilt bronze inkwell. France, late 19th century.
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Enamel cloissoné and gilt bronze inkwell. France, late 19th century.
Bronze, Enamel
$291 / 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
$303 / 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
Bronze Hand Inkstand / Inkwell Desk Piece
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
A bronze sculpture of a hand with an open palm. Resting on the palm is a bronze object that resembles a traditional spinning top. The hand appears to be life-sized (Small Children s...
Bronze
19th Century Bronze Letter Rack - Gothic Revival
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Elegant French bronze letter rack, late 19th century. The openwork design features intricate Gothic Revival motifs with stylized foliage, quatrefoils, and decorative details, complem...
Bronze
Sold
H 4.73 in W 16.93 in D 7.68 in
Antique Bronze Pen Tray & Double Inkwell Desk Set 19 Century, France
Located in Bastogne, BE
Double Bronze Inkwell Bronze Ink Stand with central handle and two pen holders flanked by lidded inkwells. Manufactured in France, 19th Century. Made using traditional technology by...
Bronze
Sold
H 5.75 in W 0.75 in D 0.75 in
Krone Edgar Allan Poe Limited Edition Fountain Pen with Original Box
Located in Plainview, NY
This exquisite Krone fountain pen showcases a dark brown celluloid barrel intricately marbled with subtle violet veins. Its sterling silver cap and endpiece are adorned with beautif...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 0.38 in W 3.88 in D 3.88 in
TIFFANY Studios Desk Set Bronze Blotter Corners Rare "Ninth Century" Motif
Located in Glenford, NY
Tiffany Studios "Ninth Century" Gilt Bronze Desk Blotter Corners Set The “Ninth Century” Desk Set produced by Tiffany Studios around 1906 was one of the company's more elaborate des...
Bronze
Ancient dagger Memento mori
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Ancient dagger Memento mori Remember that you will die (memento mori) Circa 1850 Origin Italy 19th century Double-edged steel blade etched with acid wit...
Steel
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
Antique bronze Inkwell tittle ALL DAVIL, signed
Located in Milano, IT
Introducing the exquisite Antique Bronze Inkwell - a mesmerizing piece that blends artistry and functionality flawlessly. Crafted with utmost precision, this inkwell showcases intricately carved devils...
Marble, Bronze
Vintage French Medieval Knight's Helmet in Brass
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage French Medieval Knight's Helmet in Brass is a marvelous recreation of a period artifact. Hand-crafted by an obviously skilled artisan who clear...
Brass, Nickel
“In Out” Office Notice Board
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
“In Out” Office Notice Board This is a rare piece nowadays, it used to be used in offices or perhaps Doctors surgeries to indicate who was available b...
Fruitwood
Mid-Century English Silver Plate Toast Rack
Located in Pearland, TX
A superb vintage English silverplated six slice toast rack. This Fine quality silver toast rack is well made and heavy with a lovely Gothic...
Silver Plate
Bronze Seal, Possibly 12th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Stamp. Bronze. Possibly 12th century. Oval seal with intaglio carving on one side and, on the other, a rectangular shape and a small protruding piece to...
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 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
Victorian Gothic Reading Stand Antique Brass 1860 Lecturn
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Collectable Victorian reading stand in the Gothic style Crafted from brass and we date this to circa 1860 Herts showroom, just 25 minutes nor...
Brass