Medieval Figurative Sculptures
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.
Late 19th Century German Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Brass, Metal
15th Century and Earlier English Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Stone
Early 20th Century European Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Wood
20th Century American Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Wood, Giltwood
15th Century and Earlier German Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Wood
1980s Italian Vintage Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Sterling Silver
15th Century and Earlier German Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Wood
Mid-20th Century Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Metal, Steel
15th Century and Earlier Indian Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Sandstone
15th Century and Earlier Spanish Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Softwood
15th Century and Earlier German Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Wood
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Walnut
15th Century and Earlier Unknown Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Limestone
15th Century and Earlier Dutch Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Wood
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Limestone
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Wood, Walnut
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
15th Century and Earlier Indian Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Sandstone
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Limestone
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Wood
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Wood
15th Century and Earlier English Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Oak
15th Century and Earlier German Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Poplar
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Alabaster
1980s Italian Vintage Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Sterling Silver
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Walnut
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Stone
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Limestone
19th Century German Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Wood, Paint
1990s Italian Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Sterling Silver
19th Century German Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Silver
18th Century European Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Oak
15th Century and Earlier Spanish Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Wood
1990s Italian Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Sterling Silver
17th Century German Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Oak, Paint
19th Century Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Brass
17th Century British Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Stone
1990s Italian Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Sterling Silver
Late 17th Century Dutch Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Wood
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Stone
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Marble
15th Century and Earlier Belgian Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Wood
Mid-17th Century Italian Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Wood
15th Century and Earlier English Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Alabaster
1990s American Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Wood
15th Century and Earlier Spanish Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Wood
Mid-18th Century French Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Oak
19th Century European Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Marble, Bronze
17th Century German Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Oak
15th Century and Earlier Spanish Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Oak
15th Century and Earlier German Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Oak
Late 19th Century Sicilian Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Iron
17th Century Italian Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Oak