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.
Great Quality Carved & Superb Condition Wooden Corpus Christi on Crucifix, 1800s
Located in Lisse, NL
Antique crucifix with stunning hand carved details and an amazing patina. This remarkable and good size crucifix with a sculpture of a suffering Christ on the cross is another one...
Fruitwood, Oak
19th Century Medieval Style Terracotta Plaque on Stand
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A fascinating mid-19th century medieval style buff terracotta plaque handcarved in relief with Saint George and the Dragon. In this artistic retelling of this legendary story of fol...
Steel
Post-Medieval English Encaustic Tile by Godwin
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A 19th century post-medieval encaustic tile by English makers Godwin of Lugwardine; one of 6 similar we have available. Dating to circa 1870, this antique tile features a heraldic, ...
Clay
16th Century Late Medieval Encaustic Tile with Rampant Lion
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A 445-year-old late medieval 16th century encaustic tile of Flemish origin (unmarked), detailed with a rampant lion. Made from terracotta and glazed, this 6-inch antique tile is an e...
Terracotta
16th Century Late Medieval Heraldic Encaustic Tile
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A 445-year-old late medieval 16th century heraldic encaustic tile of Flemish origin (unmarked). Made from terracotta and glazed, this 6-inch antique tile is an excellent collector’s ...
Terracotta
$4,989Sale Price|37% Off
Spanish Medieval Carved Stone Fragment Depicting A Dragon/ Mythical Figure
Located in Buisson, FR
Amazing period piece. Beautiful hand-carved fragment depicting a dragon / mythical creature. Once had its place in wall of a medieval church or chapel in Spain. Weathered stone full ...
Stone
French Museum Plaster Romanesque Capital Model on Plinth
By Atelier de moulage du Louvre
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An impressive plaster Romanesque capital model elevated by a later 20th century bespoke oak display plinth, made by the French Louvre Museum workshops in the late 19th/early 20th century (stamped). The cast is a museum reproduction taken from the original medieval limestone capital dating back to the 12th century, circa 1125-1130. It is just one of various carved capitals in the Louvre’s diverse artistic collection that was sourced from the Moutiers-St-Jean, a Benedictine Church in Burgundy, France. This area, famed for its wines, is reflected in the cast carving of this model, the capital displaying a vineyard scene with figures harvesting grapes to make wine. Steeped in history, this reproduction medieval capital...
Plaster, Oak
Gothic Architectural fragment abstract sculpture
Located in Vosselaar, BE
We mounted this Gothic architectural fragment on a custom iron stand. In this new context it becomes a sculpture with a almost abstract f...
Sandstone
Rare English Romanesque Limestone Capital on Stand
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
This weathered English Romanesque limestone capital is centuries old, dating from the Norman era of the 11th and 12th centuries. Originating from Oxf...
Stone, Limestone
Set of 4 Medieval Style Terracotta Rampant Lion Tiles
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A stunning set of 4 identical medieval style terracotta tiles decorated with raised rampant lions and foliage within scalloped borders, dating to circa 1920. These antique tiles are ...
Terracotta
A. W. N. Pugin 'Bull of St Luke' 6-Inch Encaustic Tile by Minton
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A superb mid-19th century 6-inch glazed encaustic tile depicting the Bull of Saint Luke, designed by A. W. N. Pugin and manufactured by Minton & Co. (stamped). Similar tile depicting the Lion of Saint Mark also available under Stock No. 37042. Dating to circa 1850, this antique tile is an excellent example of 19th century Minton works, depicting a winged bull bearing the name ‘St. Luke’ in buff tones before a terracotta background. The reverse is equally as impressive, clearly bearing the Minton name and marked '21'. Steeped in history, this antique English tile...
Clay
Antique Chamberlain Co Encaustic Heraldic Tile Panel
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of four 6-inch antique encaustic heraldic tiles by Chamberlain Co of Worcester circa 1845. Dating from the mid 19th century, these four reclaimed tiles are mounted on a bespok...
Clay
$1,800 / set
Pair of Plaster Gothic Crocketed Finials
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of cast plaster Gothic finials exudes the elegance and intricacy of Gothic architectural design. Each finial is adorned with floral form crockets, meticulously crafted to r...
Plaster
French Gothic Style Wrought Iron Giant Key Locksmith Trade Sign
Located in Stamford, CT
French wrought iron black painted locksmith trade sign in the form of a large and elaborate key. The trefoil top filled with interlocking Gothic style quatrefoils (like four leaf clovers), with a ladder in the center joining them and a cut metal crest...
Wrought Iron
W. Godwin Post-Medieval English Encaustic Tile c.1870
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A 19th century post-medieval encaustic tile by English makers Godwin of Lugwardine; one of 6 similar we have available. Dating to circa 1870, this antique tile features a heraldic, ...
Clay
English 14th Century Terracotta Medieval Encaustic Tile
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An English terracotta Medieval encaustic tile of exceptional rarity. This tile would have been found in a monastery, church or abbey around the 14th to 15th century. With a distinc...
Terracotta
19th Century 5-inch Medieval Style Encaustic Tile by Godwin
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A 19th century 5-inch medieval style encaustic tile by English makers Godwin of Lugwardine; one of 5 similar we have available. Dating to circa 1870, this antique tile features a he...
Clay
A. W. N. Pugin 'Lion of St Mark' 6-Inch Encaustic Tile by Minton
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A superb mid-19th century 6-inch glazed encaustic tile depicting the Lion of Saint Mark, designed by A. W. N. Pugin and manufactured by Minton & Co. (stamped). Similar tile depicting the Bull of Saint Luke also available under Stock No. 37043. Dating to circa 1850, this antique tile is an excellent example of 19th century Minton works, depicting a winged lion bearing the name ‘St. Mark’ in buff tones before a terracotta background. The reverse is equally as impressive, clearly bearing the Minton name and marked '21'. Steeped in history, this antique English tile...
Clay
W. Godwin Antique Armorial Design Encaustic Tile
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A 19th century armorial style encaustic tile by English makers Godwin of Lugwardine; one of 5 similar we have available. Dating to circa 1870, this 5-inch antique tile features a me...
Clay
W. Godwin English Encaustic Coat of Arms Tile
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A 19th century encaustic coat of arms tile by English makers Godwin of Lugwardine; one of 6 similar we have available. Dating to circa 1870, this 5-inch antique tile features a medi...
Clay
Antique English Post-Medieval Encaustic Tile by W. Godwin
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique post-medieval style encaustic tile by English makers Godwin of Lugwardine; one of 5 similar we have available. Dating to circa 1870, this 5-inch antique tile features a h...
Clay
Antique Chamberlain & Co Fleur de Lys Encaustic Tile
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique French medieval style encaustic tile by Chamberlain and Co of Worcester. This 6-inch glazed tile is a striking decorative interior piece or a welcome addition to an enc...
Clay
Pair of Antique English Encaustic Medieval Tiles c.1400
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A pair of antique English encaustic medieval tiles, sourced from a private collection, Oxfordshire, dating to the 14-15th century. The set com...
Clay
Chamberlain & Co Fleur de Lys Encaustic Tile
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique French medieval style encaustic tile by Chamberlain and Co of Worcester. This 6-inch glazed tile is a striking decorative interior piece or a welcome addition to an encau...
Clay
Craven Dunnill & Co 6-inch Encaustic Lion Tile on Stand
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A late 19th century encaustic floor tile by Craven Dunhill and Co (stamped) depicting four passant lions in deep red and buff tones. This 6-inch tile includes a bespoke steel stand a...
Steel
Minton & Co Encaustic Neo-Medieval English Tile Depicting a Queen
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique English neo-medieval encaustic tile depicting a Queen, possibly Queen Eleanor, with a bird, attributed to Minton & Co. This tile was commissioned in 1840-42 by L. N. ...
Clay
A. W. N. Pugin Encaustic Tile Panel by Minton & Co
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of nine 6-inch by 6-inch neo-medieval style encaustic tiles by Minton & Co (stamped); an exact match to an identical set in the British Museum attributed to architect and desig...
Steel
Antique Encaustic Heraldic Tile Panel by Chamberlain & Co
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of four 6-inch antique encaustic heraldic tiles by Chamberlains of Worcester circa 1845. Dating from the mid 19th century, these four reclaimed tiles are mounted on a bespoke ...
Metal, Steel
Chamberlain & Co 6-inch Encaustic Bird Tile on Stand
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A mid 19th century glazed encaustic floor tile by Chamberlain & Co (stamped) depicting a pair of entwined addorsed birds, likely pheasants. This 6-inch tile includes a bespoke steel...
Steel
Craven Dunnill & Co 6-inch Encaustic Crown Tile on Stand
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A late 19th century encaustic floor tile by Craven Dunhill and Co (stamped) depicting a neo-medieval crown in deep red and buff tones. This 6-inch tile in...
Steel