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
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Clay
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
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
French Gothic Ormolu Cut Glass & Marble/Quartz Double Inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Gothic Ormolu Cut Glass and Marble/Quartz Double Inkwell
France, circa 1870s
A magnificent French Gothic Ormolu Cut Glass and Marble/Quartz Double Inkwell, dating back to the...
Category
19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Quartz, Marble, Ormolu
$636 Sale Price
20% Off
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Limestone
Antique French Wrought Iron Candelabra with Gothic Floral Motifs
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This striking antique wrought iron candelabra beautifully captures the elegance and meticulous craftsmanship of early 20th-century Fren...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Wrought Iron
Large Pair Gothic Revival Arts & Crafts Brass Table or Altar Candlesticks
Located in Lisse, NL
Large and heavy pair of altar candle sticks.
These handcrafted and heavy candleholders are made around 1930 by H. v/d Heijden. With beautiful scro...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Other
Pair of Alabaster Marble Bookends in Form of Medieval Library Very Original
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
Alabaster and marble bookends in the shape of monks sitting on a throne reading a book Medieval style figur of a monge carved on the albastro bench in Italian marble.
Library, Book,...
Category
20th Century Italian Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Alabaster, Marble
Pair of "Holy Family" CandleHolders attr. to P.Poussielgue-Rusand, France, c1880
By Poussielgue-Rusand
Located in PARIS, FR
Rare pair of gilded and silvered bronze candle holders with engraved shafts decorated with rings embellished with colored cabochons in imitation of semi-precious stones. The religious character of these candles is recalled by the presence of angels in medallions in the center of the shaft, and by the presence of members of the Holy Family in a mandorla on each side of the tripod foot.
A rich bestiary of fantastic animals inspired by the Middle Ages adorns the whole.
The abundance of details transforms these candle holders from simple utilitarian objects during a religious celebration into a decorative artwork.
Biography :
Placide Poussielgue-Rusand (1824-1889) is a Parisian goldsmith and bronze maker known above all for his liturgical objects (chalices, ciboriums, patens, monstrances, etc.) and church bronzes...
Category
1880s French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
reclining lion in finely chased bronze - Italy, 15th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Small reclining lion in finely chased bronze
Italy, 15th century
Traces of gilding
H 4,8 x L 6 x P 2 cm
Delicately worked bronze depicting a lion in repose, characteristic of early ...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
$1,267 Sale Price
35% Off
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Early 20th Century 27-Light Gothic Cast Brass Floor Lamp Candelabra Torchere
Located in Germantown, MD
An exceptional Early 20th Century two tier 27 Light Gothic Cast Brass Floor Lamp Candelabra Torchere.
Measures 10" in width, 10" in depth and stands 66" tall to the top of the finia...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Oak
1980s Antique Bust of an Angel with Curly Hair in Gothic-style Resin
Located in Marbella, ES
Stone sculpture depicting the bust of an angel with a serene expression and intricately carved curly hair. The face features soft features and an introspective gaze, while the bust d...
Category
Late 20th Century German Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Resin
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
Vintage Boho Brass Dragon Vase - Set of 2
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Unleash a touch of mythical drama with this striking pair of vintage brass vases or cachepots. Each piece features a warm, aged brass body with a distinctive scalloped rim, dramatica...
Category
Late 20th Century Indian Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
$1,450 / set
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
French Plaster Head
Located in Stamford, CT
Fanciful French plaster head with pocket.
Category
1940s French Vintage Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Plaster
$1,500
Romanesque Telamon - Northern Italy, late 12th (Reemployed Roman marble)
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Telamon
Northern Italy, late 12th - early 13th century
Reemployed Roman marble
H 32 x L 18 x P 17 cm
« Sono coloro che hanno dimenticato che l’uomo é solo un bruco, destinato a dive...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
$23,845 Sale Price
20% Off
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
STUNNING ANTIQUE SUPER DECORATiVE HAND HAMMERED BOWL IDEAL FOR FRUIT OR PUNCH
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 or punch
A super decorative an...
Category
20th Century European Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
19th Century Viennese Miniature Covered Silver and Enamel Cornucopia
Located in New York, NY
A very fine antique jeweled, silver Viennese enamel covered Cornucopia. Each panel is beautifully enameled with cupids, Angeles and Maidens with neoclassical mythological subjects, f...
Category
1850s Austrian Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Enamel
1800s Baroque / Gothic Style Brass Church Candlestick
Located in Skien, NO
This stunning brass/bronze candlestick features a rustic patina and showcases the craftsmanship of the European Gothic Revival and Baroque styles from the 1800s.
Its timeless desig...
Category
19th Century European Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass, Bronze
$412 Sale Price
25% Off
1960s Italian Brutalist Mediavel Iron and Ceramic Floor Standing Candleholder
Located in London, England
A stunning handcrafted floor standing Brutalist Italian candleholder manufactured circa 1960s. A very heavy and well made piece with six candleholders in total. Five around the out...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Wrought Iron
$737 Sale Price
67% Off
Small English Wood and Metal Box with Dual Lids
Located in New York, NY
1950s English wooden box with handle and two lids. Suede interior.
Category
1940s English Vintage Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Suede, Wood
16th C. Polychromed Carved St. Florian, Former N. Rothschild Collection
Located in Doha, QA
From the esteemed former collection of Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild, this exquisite early 16th-century polychromed carved wood figure of St. Florian stands as a rare example of late...
Category
16th Century German Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
Set of Candel Holders Chateau de Loire
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Set of candel holders Chateau de Loire
Artisan-made Candel Holders in solid brass and provided with a vintage brass finish
Tall - h: 50 cm, l: 18.5 cm, d: 16.5 cm
Small - h: 35.5 ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
$2,980 / set
Gothic Style Wrought Iron Candle holder/Torchere
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a tall wrought iron candle holder/torchere that ends in a tripod base. Each leg of this base is adorned with large scrolls that...
Category
20th Century Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Wrought Iron
$1,440 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Carved Oak Correspondence, Post or Letter Box
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th Century Carved Oak Correspondence, Post or Letter Box
This very attractive Carved Box is made in Oak, it is carved on the top with 2 letter slots, one for UNANSWERED and the ot...
Category
19th Century Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Oak
Tall Pair of Wrought Iron Candleholders, Early 19th Century
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Elegant and rare pair of heavy wrought iron candleholders with a crown of flowers, raised on a tripod base.
Probably from Italy.
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Bronze Candlestick or Candle Holder, 16th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Bronze candlestick. Century XVI.
Polished bronze candlestick with a wide circular base from which arises a truncated cone axis opening into a smooth plat...
Category
16th Century European Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
English Arts & Crafts Mahogany and Brass Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
English Arts & Crafts (Gothic Revival-style) mahogany and brass trimmed double inkwell with glass jewels and drawer.
Category
20th Century Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Pair of 19th Century French Forged Iron Candlesticks
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of forged iron candlesticks candle holders with a handle in the form of a sea creature and a movable clamp to keep your candle in place ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
2-Piece Victorian Gothic Iron Double Inkwell Desk Set
Located in Queens, NY
French Victorian Gothic-style wrought iron double inkwell with (later) crystal wells and filigree back-rail. (with calendar stand) (PRICED AS SET).
Category
20th Century Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal, Iron, Wrought Iron
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Steel
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
18th Century Candlesticks Bronze with Birds
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Beautiful candlesticks made around the 18th century but could also be older.
Made of bronze, they have marvelous patina.
Category
18th Century English Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Bone and Stone Lidded Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Metal decorative box with bone and stone inlay. The exterior of the box showcases a mosaic bone inlay adorned with turquoise and red stones set in pewter. The inside of the box is li...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Multi-gemstone, Metal, Pewter
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Ash
Antique French Neogothic Altar Torchère Candlestick Set w/ Architectural Element
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique French Neogothic Altar Torchère Candlestick Set w/ Architectural Elements & Patina
Decorate your mantlepiece, altar, church, or chapel with these large ornate candlesticks. ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Mortar and Pilar End 15th Century Gothic Period
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Iron mortar with its original pestle end 15th beginning 16th century Gothic period, France
Beautiful original object with a beautiful patina and in good condition
Category
16th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Alabaster
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Plaster
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Giltwood
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Sandstone
A Collection of 4 Superbly Carved Oak Door Panels
Located in Godshill, 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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Oak
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Clay
Antique English Gothic Removable Candle Torch Set - Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique English Gothic Removable Candle Torch Set - Pair
This set includes two identical candlestick holders mounted on sturdy carved wood. Each candlestick holder has space for thr...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Oak
Very Fine Pair of Antique Continental Silver Mounted Rock Crystal Candlesticks
Located in London, GB
The candlestick bodies of fine, translucent rock crystal accented with silver gilt mounts; the candlestick base mounts decorated with neo-Gothic style patterns and masked faces.
T...
Category
19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Rock Crystal, Silver
Antique French Neogothic Altar Torchère Candlestick Set w/ Jesus & Cross
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique French Neogothic Altar Torchère Candlestick Set w/ Jesus & Cross
This set of antique French candle holders are decorated with im...
Category
19th Century French Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Vintage French Neogothic Altar Torchère Candlestick Set w/ Black Porcelain
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage French Neogothic Altar Torchère Candlestick Set w/ Black Porcelain
These matching black porcelain candlesticks have bronze flourishes. The base of each candlestick has three...
Category
Late 20th Century French Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
$6,199 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Antique Gothic Style Pedestal Candelabra Torcheres
Located in Dallas, TX
A handsome pair of antique gothic style pedestal candelabra torcheres. Made of wrought iron. Contains 13 candle holders at three different levels. The upper level is supported by wave pattern iron bars. The base is made up of intricate designs that mimic an upside down floral...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Medieval Decorative Objects
Materials
Wrought Iron
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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