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.
$23,237Sale Price|20% Off
Gothic Canopy, France, 15th Century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Gothic canopy France, 15th century Alabaster, some traces of polychromy 33 x 23 x 20 cm Provenance: - Private collection Genève, Switzerland ...
Alabaster
Antique W. Godwin Medieval Style Encaustic Tile
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique 19th century post-medieval style encaustic 5-inch tile by English makers Godwin of Lugwardine; one of 6 similar we have available. Dating to circa 1870, this antique tile...
Clay
20th Century French in Enameled Sterling Silver Armor on Wood Decorated Base
By Brumal
Located in VALENZA, IT
Figure realized in sterling silver using the lost wax process. The details are gilded and enameled. The figure is 19.5 cm high and depicts a 15th century French soldier with Jousting Lance and shield The wood square base is 7 cm high where there is an engraved label "Armatura Francese XV° Secolo" - "French Armour...
Sterling Silver
Saint John The Evangelist And The Virgin From A Crucifixion Group, Spain, Circa
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Saint John the Evangelist and the Virgin from a Crucifixion Group, Spain, circa 1500, in walnut. Superb pair of gilded and polychrome wood sculptures from the late 15th century, circ...
Walnut
Large European Mediaeval Oak Carving of Christ in the Tomb
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large European Mediaeval Oak Carving of Christ in the Tomb The sculpture is partially polychrome and depicts “The Pamoison de la Vierge” also known as the “Swooning Virgin” this sc...
Oak
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
20th Century Sterling Made in Italy Silver Horse and Knight Armour
Located in VALENZA, IT
Horse in black lacquered resin with a sterling silver armor with Italian XIV Century Knight in sterling silver armor with golden and enamelled details.
Sterling Silver
20th Century English Enamelled Sterling Silver Armour on Wood Decorated Base
By Brumal
Located in VALENZA, IT
Figure realized in Sterling Silver using the lost wax process. The details are gilded and enameled. The figure is 18 cm high and depicts a 15th century Italian soldier with sword and dagger The wood square base is 7 cm high where there is an engraved label "Armatura Inglese XV° Secolo" - "English...
Sterling Silver
Stone Head Sculpture, United Kingdom, XVIIth Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Sculpted stone head on a modern base, of a mustachioed man According to the 1983 sales certificate, it would be a 17th century sculpture, even before, of United Kingdom or Ireland o...
Stone
$21,378Sale Price|20% Off
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 ...
Stone
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
French Plaster Head Sculpture, Medieval Style, Circa 1940, Decorative
Located in Stamford, CT
Fanciful French plaster head with pocket.
Plaster
Gothic head of a Holy Woman - Burgundy, c. 15th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Head of a Holy Woman Burgundy, c. 15th century Stone (limestone) H 21 x L 16,5 x P 14 This fragmentary head is a poignant testament to Burgundian sculpture of the fifteenth centur...
Limestone
Set of 4 Godwin & Co 19th Century Encaustic Tiles
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of four mid 19th century encaustic tiles in the post-medieval style by W. Godwin (stamped). Supplied loose, this group contains four identical Godwin tiles with a fleur-de-lis...
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
Set of 9 Encaustic Tiles by W. Maw & Co
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of nine encaustic tiles by W. Maw & Co Benthall Works, Broseley. Dating from the mid 19th century, this reclaimed set of encaustic tiles are of a neo-medieval style. Made in b...
Clay
A Set Of Four Reclaimed Encaustic Floral Quatrefoil Tiles
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of four reclaimed encaustic floral quatrefoil tiles. These vibrant neo-medieval style tiles come together to create a quatrefoil design housing a vivid black and blue fleur-de...
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
W. Godwin Tudor Revival 5-inch Encaustic Tile
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A Tudor revival glazed encaustic 5-inch tile by Godwin of Lugwardine; one of 8 similar we have available. Dating to circa 1865, this antique tile is inspired by earlier Gothic and T...
Clay
Set of 4 Godwin & Co Post-Medieval Encaustic Tiles
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of four late 19th century post-medieval encaustic tiles by W. Godwin (stamped). Supplied loose, this group contains four Godwin tiles of different design in complementary red ...
Clay
$60,417Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Marble
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...
Wood
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
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
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
San Antonio Abad, Spanish School of the 15th Century '1440-1501'
Located in Madrid, ES
San Antonio Abad, Castilian school of the 15th century (1440-1501) Carving in polychrome wood, measures: 45 x 15 cm good vintage conditions.
Wood
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.
Marble, Bronze
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
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...
Plaster