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.
19th Century American Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Silver
19th Century Unknown Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Marble
16th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Alabaster
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Stone
Mid-19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Plaster
19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Brass
Late 20th Century French Medieval Decorative Objects
Brass
Early 1900s French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Brass
Early 1900s French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Brass
19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Brass
Early 20th Century French Medieval Decorative Objects
Brass
19th Century Unknown Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Wrought Iron
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Wood
Late 19th Century European Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Bronze, Brass
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Stone
1990s American Medieval Decorative Objects
Bronze
15th Century and Earlier Malagasy Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Eggshell
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Marble
Mid-17th Century Belgian Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Oak
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Iron
15th Century and Earlier English Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Alabaster
Mid-20th Century Dutch Medieval Decorative Objects
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Medieval Decorative Objects
Iron
17th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Stone, Limestone
19th Century Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Oak
1960s European Vintage Medieval Decorative Objects
Granite
19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Quartz, Marble, Ormolu
1890s Italian Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Wrought Iron
1940s Danish Vintage Medieval Decorative Objects
Bronze, Iron
15th Century and Earlier German Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Wood
15th Century and Earlier German Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Wood
15th Century and Earlier Spanish Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Softwood
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Softwood
Early 20th Century Spanish Medieval Decorative Objects
Iron, Wrought Iron
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Medieval Decorative Objects
Iron
16th Century Portuguese Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Brass, Copper
Late 19th Century Sicilian Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Iron
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Sandstone
Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Bronze
20th Century Medieval Decorative Objects
Stone, Bronze
Late 19th Century German Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Brass, Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Medieval Decorative Objects
Crystal
Early 17th Century Italian Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Medieval Decorative Objects
Brass, Copper
19th Century European Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
Early 17th Century Italian Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Stone
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Stone
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Iron
Early 20th Century European Medieval Decorative Objects
Brass
Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Brass, Copper
15th Century and Earlier Spanish Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Alabaster
1940s Italian Vintage Medieval Decorative Objects
Iron
1880s French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Bronze
18th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Iron
Early 20th Century European Medieval Decorative Objects
Wood