Medieval Decorative Objects
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.
1950s Danish Vintage Medieval Decorative Objects
Brass
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Stone
18th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Wood, Pine
18th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Wood, Pine
Late 19th Century German Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Brass, Metal
Late 20th Century English Medieval Decorative Objects
Wood, Giltwood
15th Century and Earlier English Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Stone
Early 19th Century German Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Fruitwood, Oak
Early 20th Century European Medieval Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 20th Century Spanish Medieval Decorative Objects
Iron, Wrought Iron
18th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Wood, Pine
20th Century American Medieval Decorative Objects
Brass
15th Century and Earlier German Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Wood
Late 20th Century Spanish Medieval Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Bronze, Iron
18th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Medieval Decorative Objects
Metal, Steel
1980s Italian Vintage Medieval Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century English Medieval Decorative Objects
Wood
15th Century and Earlier German Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Wood
Late 18th Century English Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Metal, Brass
Early 17th Century Italian Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Stone
15th Century and Earlier Indian Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Sandstone
15th Century and Earlier European Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Iron
1920s French Vintage Medieval Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1940s Italian Vintage Medieval Decorative Objects
Iron
1960s Vintage Medieval Decorative Objects
Brass, Iron
19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Wood, Giltwood
15th Century and Earlier Spanish Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Softwood
20th Century Belgian Medieval Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 20th Century Spanish Medieval Decorative Objects
Iron, Wrought Iron
19th Century Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Brass, Iron
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Medieval Decorative Objects
Metal
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Limestone
19th Century European Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf, Iron
15th Century and Earlier Unknown Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Limestone
19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Bronze
15th Century and Earlier Dutch Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-20th Century Greek Medieval Decorative Objects
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Medieval Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
15th Century and Earlier German Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Wood
20th Century Medieval Decorative Objects
Stone, Bronze
19th Century Unknown Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Medieval Decorative Objects
Glass
Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Brass, Copper
1940s Danish Vintage Medieval Decorative Objects
Bronze, Iron
15th Century and Earlier Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Medieval Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1960s Vintage Medieval Decorative Objects
Stoneware
Early 17th Century German Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Iron
Mid-19th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Wrought Iron
Early 1900s French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Spelter
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Marble
Early 20th Century European Medieval Decorative Objects
Wood, Mirror
21st Century and Contemporary French Medieval Decorative Objects
Plaster
15th Century and Earlier Indian Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Sandstone