Medieval Decorative Objects
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
French Gothic Stone Lion, 15th Century
Located in Charlottesville, VA
French Gothic Stone Lion. a reclining stone lion with shaped base, 15th Century. Found at St. Sulpice. Height: overall 7 in. x Width: 11 in. x Depth: 6 1/2 in.
Category
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
Antique 18th Century Gilt Gothic Art Carved Wood Angel Sculpture Candlestick
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful and sizeable Church altar candelabra in the form of a winged Angel.
This hand-carved Church altar piece is carved out of wood and the gilt finishing gives this piece it's ...
Category
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Marble Base Bronze Sculpture "Escholier" Signed E. Picault
Located in Dallas, TX
This beautiful antique bronze figure, was created in France, circa 1880. The realistic sculpture, titled on the front: "Escholier, 14eme Siecle", (meaning middle French, 14th century...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Indian Carved Sandstone Frieze of Lakshmi, Central India, 10th-11th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A large and impressive Indian carved sandstone architectural frieze featuring a central image of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi flanked by two atten...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Indian Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Sandstone
Original Gothic Style 1860 Candlesticks 19th Century Emperor of House Habsburg
By Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Gothic style of Laxenburg so called after the "Laxenburg Castle", the favoured summer-residence of the Austrian Emperor of the house of Habsburg.
Material used is carved wood, gilded.
Category
Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Antique Grotesque Monk Wall Candle Head in Plaster, Italy 1900s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A small sculptural candleholder for wall mount. A medieval style inspired painted plaster head depicting a monks head. Grotesque caricature with strong evil/dark features. It was mad...
Category
Early 20th Century European Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Plaster
Antique French Romanesque 11th Century Pair of St.Peter and St.Paul Limestone
Located in Doha, QA
An extremely rare pair of original 11th century French Romanesque limestone hand carved sculptures of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Each figure is represented on a marble block, withou...
Category
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Limestone
Antique French Romanesque 12th century Enthroned Madonna and Child
Located in Doha, QA
This extraordinary museum piece Enthroned Virgin Mary/Madonna with child on her lap comes from the Rhone region in France. The saint symbol and protec...
Category
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Rare Large 15th Century Renaissance English Oak Roof Angels Corbel.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Rare Large 15th Century Renaissance English Oak Roof Angels Corbel.
Truly astonishing rare roof angels, circa 1450. The large Medieval carvi...
Category
15th Century and Earlier English Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Oak
Large Gothic wrought iron candlestick holder, France 1900
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1900 / candlestick holder / cast iron / Classical / Gothic / Medieval / Antique
Very large antique candlestick holder with two ca...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Wrought Iron
Large Church Antique Torcheres Floor Candlestick for 19 Candles
Located in Antwerp, BE
Brass and enamel multi-light standing candelabra in the Gothic style. The foot is bulbous scroll pattern with enamelled cartouches sitting on three mythical beasts. The candle holder...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze, Brass
Bronze mortar - Italy, 16th century
Located in London, GB
Mortars are an ancient culinary tool, described as indispensable to the preparation of food and medicines in texts like the Egyptian Ebers Papyrus, dating from 1550 BC, and the writi...
Category
16th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
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.
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
Large Carved Oak Grotesque Corbel
Located in Bradenton, FL
Large heavy 18th century or earlier carved oak corbel. The corbel depicts a large male open-eyed smiling face with broad features. Finly carved details with wonderful old patina.
Category
18th Century European Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Oak
Georgian Architectural Model
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very fine English early 19th century mahogany architectural model of a church, the multiple steeples flanking a faux carved slate shingled room, wh...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Mahogany
Spanish Wrought Gilt Iron Gothic Style Floor Candlestick
Located in Barcelona, ES
Hand-hammered Gothic style floor candle stand with gold leaf accents, Spain, circa 1890.
This elegant floor standing candleholder has a tr...
Category
19th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf, Iron
Antique Seth Thomas English Gothic Style Mahogany Bracket Clock C1910
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Seth Thomas English Gothic Style Mahogany Bracket Clock C1910
Measures- 15"H x 10.5"W x 7.5"D
Category
Early 20th Century Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Italian Alabaster Carved Head Of A Bishop Saint
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century Italian carved alabaster head of a saint wearing a bishop's mitre in the Gothic style. Though a fragment, the intense gaze of this small carving gives it a lot of presence. Rendered by a master carver, this piece has a lot of personality. Likely an architectural fragment, the weathered surface and distressed condition only add to the appeal of this unique sculpture. Mounted on an ebonized walnut base.
10 inches high 3.5 square
5 7/8 inches high by 4 wide by 3.75 deep (head only)
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Alabaster
Small Antique Bronze Cauldron, Pot or Incense Burner, Unknown
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A small sized bronze cauldron, water pot or incense burner. Chinese in style. Presumably continental. Age and precise origin unknown. Would make a grea...
Category
19th Century European Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Antique Gothic Style French Gilt Bronze Arch Form Vanity Table Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Elegant and stylish, Gothic style gilt bronze vanity mirror.
France, 19th century
Beautiful antique gold patina, fine details, unusual trefoil foliate and berry design. Well propo...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
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
...
Category
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Alabaster
Gothic Virgin and Child with a Phylactery
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This Virgin and Child is wearing clothes with a limited number of folds and showing a thickness characteristic of the Burgundy region. As a result of the presence in the region of th...
Category
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Walnut
Pair of eight-light antique vintage Italian candelabrum in wrought gilded iron
Located in Leesburg, VA
Pair of eight-light antique vintage Italian candelabrum in wrought gilded iron
Anonymous
Probably early 20th century; Italy
Iron
A distinctive pa...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Mid Century Wrought Iron Medievalist Candelabra
Located in Fort Collins, CO
Extraordinary sculptural bent iron Italian candelabra, sourced from Italy. This candelabra has a distinct visual weight, and the size and marked medieval silhouette commands attentio...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Antique Pair Gothic Revival of Handcrafted Gilt Bronze Candlesticks Holders
Located in Lisse, NL
Great pair of 19th century candleholders.
If you are looking for a stylish and small pair of church candle holders to create a special atmospher...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass, Bronze
18th Century French Gothic Forged Wrought Iron Candle Holder
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1780 and forged of solid iron, the candle holder stands on four scrolled legs over a turned central shaft decorated with a few ornamental discs. The tall wrou...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Wrought Iron
19th Century Carved Dummy Board Oil Painting of an Angel & Crown of Thorns
Located in London, GB
19th Century Religious Dummy Board Oil Painting of Angel & Crown of Thorns.
Rare life size 19th Century religious oil painting on carved pinew...
Category
19th Century German Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Paint
Pair of Neo-Gothic Bronze Candlesticks, Done in the Manner of A. W. N. Pugin
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A pair of neo-gothic bronze candlesticks in the manner of Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin, finely cast in form of a gothic cluster column on ...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Early 1900s Impressive and Finely Handcrafted Antique Gothic Art Porcelain Vase
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare and impressive work of Gothic art pottery.
This most skillfully created and highly decorative work of Gothic art is very rare and of a great size. The impressive floral decor o...
Category
Early 20th Century European Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
French Gothic Oak Coffer Chest
Located in Queens, NY
French Gothic-style (19/20th Century) oak coffer chest on stand with tracery carved panels and a domed lid with iron strap work
Category
19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Pair of 19th century French Gothic-style 5-light candelabra
Located in Cantù, IT
Pair of 19th-century French Gothic-style 5-light Candelabra - Private Collection Domenico Rugiano
Category
19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
15th Century and Earlier English Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone, Limestone
14th Century Sculpture of the Head of an Angel from East of France or Rhineland
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This face with prominent eyes, open mouth and beautiful hairs with symetrical undulations may be the face of the Archangel Gabriel.
Category
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century Brass Gothic Style Candlesticks
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful pair of antique brass candlesticks.
Gothic style. The candlesticks are in good condition. Beautiful color and shine. Sturdy and solid.
Estimated age and origin: France, ...
Category
1880s French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Early 20th Century 27 Light Gothic Cast Brass Floor CandleStick Torchere
Located in Germantown, MD
An exceptional Early 20th Century two tier 27 Light Gothic Cast Brass Floor CandleStick Torchere.
Measures 9.5" in width, 9.5" in depth and stands 40" tall . Lower tier had 17 light...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Head of a crowned Virgin - Lorraine, first half of 14th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Head of a crowned Virgin
Lorraine, first half of 14th century.
H26 x 14 x 14 cm
Provenance :
- Private Collection, Paris France (1960)
Private Collection Tuscany, Italy (1980)
Ex...
Category
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Limestone
20th Century German 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 17.5 cm high and depicts a 15th century German soldier with sword ...
Category
1990s Italian Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique Bronze Pen Tray & Double Inkwell Desk Set 19 Century, France
Located in Bastogne, BE
Double Bronze Inkwell Bronze Ink Stand with central handle and two pen holders flanked by lidded inkwells. Manufactured in France, 19th Century.
Made using traditional technology by...
Category
1890s French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Very Large and Rare Christ on the Cross ( height 130. cms ) 14th Century
Located in PARIS, FR
Very large Christ on the Cross ( height 1,30 m),
Painted and carved in the round in poplar wood.
Some old traces of polychromy.
Restorations to the fingers. but not recently.
South...
Category
15th Century and Earlier German Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Poplar
17th Century Carved Figure of a Saint
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Mid 17th century Northern European carved figure of a saint.
This striking statue depicts a saint who is dressed in robes, whilst holding his hand over his heart. This figure is freestanding and is stood within a leaning position which makes him stand out.
It has been beautifully carved from oak and has remnants of its original paintwork.
Likely to have stood within a church for many years and would have been removed due to renovation reasons.
This historical figure...
Category
17th Century German Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Oak, Paint
STUNNING ANTIQUE SUPER DECORATIVE HAND HAMMERED BOWL IDEAL FOR FRUiT OR BBQ
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely antique bowl with hand hammered finish ideally suited for fruit
A super decorative and highly c...
Category
20th Century European Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Late Regency Pair Gothic Openwork Bronze Spill Vases, circa 1820
By Pugin
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare and unusual pair quality late Regency period open work spill vases of Gothic style cast in bronze dating from circa 1820. The spill vases are supported on a weighted quatrefoil base with open trellis work spill holders...
Category
Early 19th Century British Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
1890 Sterling Silver King Arthur Knight by B. Neresheimer & Söhne Hanau
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This antique sterling silver knight sculpture from the 19th century is based on the statue found at the Tomb of Maximilian I: King Arthur completed in 1513. Dressed in full medieval ...
Category
19th Century German Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver
19th Century French Gothic Polished Black and Silver Cast Iron Strongbox Safe
Located in Dallas, TX
Keep your jewelry or important documents locked up in this small antique safe from Northern France. Crafted, circa 1880, the 52 pound cast safe has a chic two-tone black and silver paint finish. The heavy...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
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.
Category
15th Century and Earlier Spanish Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Dragon head
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Architectural Gothic Copper down spout, A lion Gargoyle style face. These architectural detail adorned many a building in old Europe. This example was salv...
Category
19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Copper
19th Century Gothic Brass Jardiniere with Shields
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
19th Century Gothic Brass Jardiniere with Shields
This is a very old piece it is decorated with Lions and Shields and it has a Latin Motto inscribed on both sides which means ‘Virt...
Category
19th Century Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
A granite sculpture of a young woman's head - France - 1960
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A refined granite sculpture portraying the head of a young woman, believed to likely represent Saint Joan of Arc, crafted in France during the 1950s. It features a magnificent patina...
Category
1960s European Vintage Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Granite
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...
Category
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Sandstone
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...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Steel
Solid Brass French Architectural Element or Planter Jardinières
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Acquired in Paris France, an architectural element that is solid brass. The piece is very detailed and architectural. A wonderful paperweight or decorative object standing alone... also could hold office supplies...
Category
20th Century French Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Medieval Style Iron Wall Candelabra
Located in Redding, CT
Medieval style iron wall torchiere. The perfect romantic touch for your home. Fill with candles above a bath tub or use on a porch or outside barn wall....
Category
1930s Vintage Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Early Heavily Embossed Brass Box This is a large and heavy chest
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Early Heavily Embossed Brass Box
This is a large and heavy chest is made in Brass with a wooden lining, the beaten brass is embossed with decorativ...
Category
Early 1800s Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Spanish Church Alms Box / Wall Decoration with Carved Nun Detail, 18th Century
Located in Barcelona, ES
Carved wood hand painted donation / offering ALM BOX, Spain, 18th century.
Polychromed carved wood church collection offering donation money box as wall decoration.
This alms box is made of pine wood painted in terracotta hues. A nun carved ornamentation decorates the top.
Wall hanging collection / donation money box. Originally used to collect donations at Christian churches/chapels. Interesting to be used as key box or key cabinet or as wall decoration
Rare find.
Provenance: Private collection.
No key avaliable.
Overall Measures:
45 cm H x 26 cm W x 21 cm D
Poor box...
Category
18th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Pine
French 19th Century Church Altar Candlesticks
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A towering pair of 19th century French brass altar candlesticks from a cathedral or church. The center of each bobeche is fitted with a spike, surrounded by a pierced brass crown of ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Set of 2 wood and brass torcheres, Netherlands 1950s
Located in ECHT, NL
Set of 2 floor standing candle holders. Made from wood and brass. They came from a monastery in Oirschot Netherlands
The bases are made ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Romanesque Style Chest, Wood, Bone, Metal, Spain
Located in Madrid, ES
Romanesque style chest. Wood, bone, metal.
Spain Rectangular chest with a lid in the shape of a trough, decorated on the outside with rectangular pla...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Other
Gothic Brass Jardiniere with Lions Mask Handles and Liner
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Gothic Brass Jardiniere with Lions Mask Handles and Liner
This is a very old piece and it has its original lead liner
The pot is oval and ...
Category
19th Century Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Medieval decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Medieval decorative objects 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 decorative objects 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 metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Medieval decorative objects 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 decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Argenteria Etruria, AUGUST MAXIMILIEN DELAFONTAINE, and Bauche. 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 decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $95 and tops out at $134,141 while the average work can sell for $2,712.
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