Medieval Sculptures
MEDIEVAL STYLE
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.
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Style: Medieval
Rare Romanesque Capital Depicting Four Africans, Apulia, 13th Century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Large stone capital carved on each side in strong relief. The basket is covered with two crowns of vertical acanthus leaves which sprout from the astragal and fill the space between ...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Stone
Wrought Iron Table Lamp with Dragon, Italy, circa 1900
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Elegant table / desk lamp in wrought iron, figuring a winged dragon holding a torch / torchiere.
Beautiful metal work: subject well done, beautiful verdigris patina.
Neo-Gothi...
Category
Early 1900s Italian Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Wrought Iron
Saint Ambrosius Italian Sculpture 17th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Saint Ambrosius
Italian sculpture
17th century
in painted and gilded wood.
The figure is represented standing up blessing with the hand.
Faults and defects.
Dimensions. Heigh...
Category
Mid-17th Century Italian Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Mid-18th Century French Carved Polychrome Statue of Moses in Oak Niche
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1760 and resting in a carved oak niche, the figure depicts the prophet Moses, the most important prophet in Judaism and Christianity. Moses is best known from the story in the biblical Book of Exodus and Quran as the lawgiver who met God face-to-face on Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments after leading his people, the Hebrews, out of bondage in Egypt and to the "promised land" of Canaan. He is represented with horns on top of his head. The horns came about because of an ambiguity of the Latin version of Exodus 34, 30. After being addressed by God on top of Mount Sinai and given the Tablets of the Law containing the Ten Commandments, Moses descended to his people in the desert. His face was seen to shine with a divine light. (The first Moses with horns was commissioned in 1505 by Pope Julius II for his tomb; it was based on a description in chapter 34 of Exodus in the Vulgate, the Latin translation of the Bible used at that time). The religious and biblical item...
Category
Mid-18th Century French Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Oak
Large Size French Wall Crucifix / Jesus Christ on the Cross with Crown of Thorns
Located in Lisse, NL
Antique large size sculpture and an impressive, religious work of art.
Looking at Christ suffering like this, the crucifix (in our view) is a symbol of what 'telling people the trut...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Medieval English Alabaster Statue
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A medieval English alabaster statue, possibly dating as far back as the late 14th / early 15th century, mounted on one of our exclusive large display plinths. Well weathered over the centuries, this 600-year-old statue depicts a medieval cloaked figure, possibly a monk, offering a glimpse into English architecture and sculpture of the Middle Ages.
This sculpture is possibly made from Nottingham alabaster. During the 14th and 15th centuries, Nottingham was the centre of alabaster carving and painting. Alabaster works were mostly made as small alabaster models with religious themes. During the 16th century Reformation, many alabaster carvings were destroyed under King Henry VIII's rule, making any surviving examples even more significant.
Provenance
From the collection of Peter Hone (b. 1941). A master plaster caster, he is an expert and experienced collector, building up an extraordinary, museum-worthy collection of items in his one-bedroom flat in London W11...
Category
15th Century and Earlier English Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Alabaster
19th Century Bronze Statue of a Medieval Page
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century bronze statue of a medieval page holding a book, it is raised on a stepped rectangular marble plinth.
Category
19th Century European Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
12th Century Italian Roman Marble Lion
Located in Madrid, ES
Italian Romanesque 12th century marble recumbent lion
12th century Italian roman marble lion
with a stylized mane and tail wrapped around its body a...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Stone
17th Century German Carved Oak Religious Sculpture
Located in Bradenton, FL
17th Century German hand-carved oak religious sculpture. Possibly a saint or a bishop. The bearded man is cloaked in draped fabric with only left ...
Category
17th Century German Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Oak
13th Century Virgin and Child from Catalonia
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Seating on a bench-like throne the Virgin carries her child on her left knee.
She bears an important crown high on her head .The Virgin has an ovoid face with bulging eyes, straight long nose and thin lips. The hair parts in the middle and are carved as thick horizontals parallel hair strands...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Spanish Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Oak
Wood Sculpture Depicting John the Baptist
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This wood scultpure showing fine traces of polychromy depicts John the Baptist, one the Old Testament’s last prophets and the first martyr of the New Testament. He is easily recognizable with the lamb he is carrying in his left hand. The way the artist has carved the face exudes a spiritual strenght inherited from previous centuries.
Description
Saint John the Baptist is depicted bare feet, seated in a hieratic manner. His elongated face is marked by a beard and a moustache. The straight nose and wide eyes indicate a Spanish origin. This asumption is reaffirmed by the Saint’s resigned expression.
His parted hair frames his face while uncovering his ears.
He wears a round collar red-orange tunic, draped onto the body and belted at the waist. A flap of his green coat covers his knees and falls down in stylized pleats.
Following iconographic rules Saint John the Baptist is pointing with his right hand the lamb seated...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Spanish Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
Early 20th Century French Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Wrought Iron
Beautiful German Pieta known as "Vesperbild"
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
BEAUTIFUL GERMAN PIETA KNOWN AS “VESPERBILD”
ORIGIN : GERMANY
PERIOD : 15th CENTURUY
Height : 74 cm
Width : 43 cm
Depth : 22,5 cm
Good condition
Oak wood
This beautiful 15th-c...
Category
15th Century and Earlier German Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Oak
A Late 19th Century Hand-Carved Wood Sicilian Head of a Saracen Marionette
Located in Catania, Sicilia
A Sicilian Marionette head depicting a Saracene, it's a part of " Opera dei Pupi " inspired by The French poem " La Chanson de Roland ". This one it's in original condition with consistent signs of use and age, original fabric and natural hair.
A Late 19th Century Hand-Carved Wood Sicilian Head...
Category
Late 19th Century Sicilian Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Gothic Virgin and Child from Flanders
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Exhibition
Museum Cantini, 1952, The art of the Middle Ages in the Marseille collections, n°101
Provenance
Former collection Louis Bresset (before 1952)
Former collection Profe...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Dutch Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Oak
Antique French Statue Figure Saint Lady Sculpture Book Bible Carved Oak 23.5" T
Located in Tyler, TX
RARE Carved Oak Statue Figure~~Medieval Saint or Lady Holding Bible~~c. late 19th to early 20th century
MASTERFULLY CARVED from one piece of oak depict...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Oak
Flemish Polychrome Sculpture of the Meeting of St. Joachim and St. Anna
Located in Bradenton, FL
Flemish Polychrome Sculpture of the Meeting of St. Joachim and St. Anna. Sandstone cast over limestone depicting St. Joachim and St. Anna's embrace at the Golden Gate after the news ...
Category
19th Century Belgian Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Limestone
Rare Nursing Virgin from the 14th century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
RARE NURSING VIRGIN FROM THE 14TH CENTURY
ORIGIN : ITALY
PERIOD : 14TH CENTURY
Height : 60 cm
Width : 20,5 cm
Depth : 11 cm
Wood
Seated and in a very maternal position, Mary is wearing a red dress with a long, flowing cloak covering her narrow shoulders and falling down her body, with one side hugging her bust.
Her hair, half hidden under a veil, frames an oval face featuring a high forehead, a long and thin nose, a small mouth with thin lips and half-closed eyes.
Mary is carrying her son, the infant Jesus, who is wrapped in a cloak, in her lap. Jesus is being nursed by his mother, held by her left hand.
This remarkable depiction, imbued with such gentleness, is directly inspired by the iconographic theme of the Virgin and Child in Majesty. It breaks with the hieratic, impassive style of the models from the 12th and 13th centuries, adding a touch of realism. From Virgin Queen, Mary became Virgin Mother.
Linked to the development of the Marian cult, this type of representation, sometimes known as Virgo lactans, Virgin of Milk or Nurturing Virgin, remains extremely rare. This image of the Virgin Mary and the Infant Jesus is an extremely delicate representation of the intimate bond formed...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Wood
A Collection of 4 Superbly Carved Oak Door Panels
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A Collection of 4 Superbly Carved Oak Door Panels
These carved panels have come from a piece of 19th Century Oak Furniture Cupboard, probably of French origin.
The carved panels m...
Category
19th Century Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Oak
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...
Category
1880s Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Large rare antique statue of Saint Eligius, France ca. 1550
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1550 / statue Saint Eligius / Antique / reliques
Religious statue of Saint Eligius from the 16th century in full wood found in France. This very rare find has a beautiful patina due to its old age. The hand and staff are missing. A true treasure and historical piece. The intricate carvings on the robe showcase the artisan's talent, with every fold. The natural wood grain adds a touch of warmth and authenticity to this unique piece of relic art...
Category
16th Century French Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Wood
15th Century Carved Wood Depicting Saint James
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
The Saint depicted here is Saint James the Great.
James is the brother of St. John the Evangelist. Nothing is known of his activities after the Ascension...
Category
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Oak
Circle of Pierpaolo and Jacobello Dalle Masegne (Venice, late 14th century)
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Circle of Pierpaolo and Jacobello Dalle Masegne (Venice, late 14th century)
San Bartolomeo
high relief 'en applique'
white marble
52 x 30 x 14 cm
Provenance :
Collection South of...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Marble
16th Century French Oak Polychrome Statue of Saint Maudez
Located in San Francisco, CA
16th century French oak polychrome statue of Saint Maudez. A Breton saint from the 5th-6th century who founded a monastery off the coast of Brittany. Saint Maudez was said to have ba...
Category
16th Century French Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Gesso, Oak
Early 20th Century Gilt Spelter Small Bust Jesus Christ
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A small antique bust of Jesus Christ. Made of gilded spelter (zinc alloy). On a black marble plinth. No signature. Minor wear to the gilt patina.
Dimensions: 14 (h) x 6 x 6 cm
Free...
Category
1920s French Vintage Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Spelter
Antique 17th-18th Century Wood Italian Seated Saint Figure Fragment with Beard
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Antique 17th-18th century Italian carved wood seated saint figure fragment with beard. Possibly earlier. Remains of paint or pigments in multiple layers.
Arms and one leg missing, old damage to nose and other areas. Mounted on vintage base...
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Rare and Remarkable Corpus Christi on a Decorated Wooden Cross with a Skull
Located in Antwerp, BE
19th century crucifix or corpus Christi made from wood. Wooden cross with a nice patina and an exquisite shape.
This item depicts the Christ in his last agony on the cross, after be...
Category
Late 19th Century Belgian Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Medieval Architectural Fragment Cornice, Corbel
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A fragment of a sandstone corbel with flat upper face, moulded transverse ledge and two protruding lobes with reserved trefoil detailing. The lower edge has fine dentiled carving and...
Category
15th Century and Earlier British Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Sandstone
Saint Woman in polychrome carved wood
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
SAINT WOMAN IN POLYCHROME CARVED WOOD
ORIGIN : ITALY
PERIOD : late 13th century
Height : 103 cm
Length : 28 cm
Width : 16 cm
Remains of polychromy
...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Softwood
Element of an Outdoor Carved Woodwork Showing a Salamander from a Normand House
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This carved oak woodwork was probably placed on the facade of the house, close to the roofing framework of a Norman house. The sculptor had depicted the salamender frontview in a sty...
Category
16th Century French Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Oak
Carved Amber Figure of Christ
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This fine amber sculpture depicting Jesus Christ is a very rare object. Exemples of this sort can only be found in Germanic countries.
Already used during Prehistoric times, amber have always fascinated people. Because of the virtues associated with this material amber was carved as amulets and prophylactic ornaments. As an expression of luxury and means amber was also used for adornments and small figures collected by the upper classes.
This fossilized resin was picked on the Baltic Sea shores and soon entered a intense trade system.
From the 14th century onwards knights of the Teutonic Order...
Category
19th Century German Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Other
19th Century Brass Wall hanging Shield A Decorative Gothic wall hanging Shield
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
19th Century Brass Wall hanging Shield
A Decorative Gothic wall hanging Shield hand made in brass, the shield is decorated with mythical Warriors and beasts, there are 2 images of t...
Category
19th Century Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Bronze Woman Sculpture Door Stop Bookend
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful sculptural figure of a lady, intricate in detail and wearing women's medieval attire and hat.
A good weight at 18 lbs - use as a heavy duty bookend, decor or door sto...
Category
Early 20th Century French Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
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. Cott...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Clay
A Huge Christ of Pity, Normandy circa 1480
Located in PARIS, FR
A rare and large Christ of pity, or Christ in bonds.
Jesus is sitting on a rock, stripped of his clothes, awaiting his execution.
Monoxyle Ash wood carved in the round. Traces of po...
Category
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Ash
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...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Steel
A large French 19th century simulated stone plaster bust of a medieval man C1860
Located in Central England, GB
This most impressive life sized characterful plaster bust dates to circa 1860. It is finely modelled and depicts a medieval gentleman wearing a simple hat and tunic top. The features...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Plaster
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...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Steel
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...
Category
15th Century and Earlier English Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
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...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Clay
16th Century Carved Red Sandstone Roundel
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An English medieval style carved red sandstone roundel possibly dating from as early as the 16th century. Likely once used as decoration for an exterior capital, this 400 – 500 year ...
Category
16th Century Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Sandstone
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 ...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Metal, 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...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Large Hexagonale Base of Pilaster in Burgundy Stone, Burgundy, 15th Century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Large base of molded hexagonal pilaster in burgundy stone carved with vines, grapes and rosettes in high relief.
Burgundy, 15th century
28 x 63 x 30 cm
Provenance : collection De...
Category
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Stone
Pair of 16th Century Carved Oak Saints
Located in Basildon, GB
A Pair of 16th Century Oak Saints: One being a male depicted wearing a long hooded cloak held together with a brooch over a flowing tunic tied at the ...
Category
16th Century European Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Oak
16th Century Giltwood and Polychrome Group Carving – 'God and Mary'
Located in Basildon, GB
A 16th Century Giltwood and Polychromed Carved Group depicting God and Mary seated on a plinth.
Category
16th Century European Antique Medieval Sculptures
Materials
Giltwood
Medieval sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Medieval sculptures for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, stone and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Medieval sculptures made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original sculptures, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Argenteria Etruria, Lladro, and Saint Clément. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $265 and tops out at $134,141 while the average work can sell for $3,746.