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.
Heavy Bronze Gothic Pestle and Mortar An unusual pair
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Heavy Bronze Gothic Pestle and Mortar An unusual pair and very heavy probably made for the preparation of herbal treatments rather than for culinary use The mortar is clean inside ...
Bronze
Antique Medieval Tuscan Mortar in Nembro Marble, Italy
Located in Roma, IT
Incredilbe apothecary Mortar in Nembro Marble, made from a single block of marble and dated back to the early 600 from Tuscany. It was used in the in apothecaries to grind herbs and spices into powder for food or medicine. Very unique and rare piece in great conditions considering the the period to which it dates. This highly sculptural and unique piece would be suitable today as a magnificent decoration on a table or mantle, or to grace the counter of an open kitchen...
Marble
Byzantine Style Marble Baptismal Font on Later Stand
Located in Essex, MA
Byzantine style carved marble Baptismal font on later cast stone stand. Four lion leads Circumnavigate the font. Foliate and Byzantine Carving Th...
Marble
Three Piece Alabaster Clock Garniture in the Form of a Neo-Gothic Cathedral
Located in London, GB
This exquisite three-piece alabaster clock garniture consists of a central clock with two flanking vases. The central clock is designed to resemble the shape of a neo-Gothic cathedra...
Alabaster, Ormolu
$2,405Sale Price|35% Off
Hand Carved Stone Vide poche Basin Jardinière Bowl Planter Vessel Sink Antiques
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Hand Carved Stone Vide poche Basin Jardinière bowl planter vessel sink Antiques . 17th C. Possibly earlier Gothic Container . A Water Trough Benitier in a ...
Stone, Limestone
Pair of Large Gilt Bronze and Brown Patina Cassolette Vases, Charles X Period
Located in NICE, FR
Pair of Large “Cathedral” Model Cassolettes in Gilt and Patinated Bronze, Charles X Period, Early 19th Century An elegant pair of cassolettes in mercu...
Bronze
18th Spanish Century Glazed Alhambra Majolica Amphora Vase
Located in Miami, FL
Spanish Mid 19th Century Glazed Alhambra Majolica Amphora Vase Valencian medieval jug reflexes with heraldic shield.
Ceramic
19th Century Gothic Brass Planter, Hand Beaten, 1880
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th Century Arts and Crafts brass planter This is a good quality brass piece, it is hand beaten, the brass has a very dark patina, it almost ...
Brass
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...
Porcelain
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...
Bronze
Very Large 17th Century Bartmann Jug / Bellarmine Jug Salt Glazed Stoneware
Located in Meer, VAN
Very Large 17th Century Bartmann Jug / Bellarmine Jug German Salt Glazed Stoneware Very Large 17th Century Bartmann Jug / Bellarmine Jug German Salt Glazed Stoneware Substantial - ...
Stoneware
Murano "Albarelli" Italian Pair of Bottles with Lid Blue Blown Glass
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Delicious and harmonious pair of blue blown glass bottles with lid...
Glass
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...
Brass
Gothic Brass Jardiniere with Lions Mask Handles This is a lovely old piece, the
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Gothic Brass Jardiniere with Lions Mask Handles This is a lovely old piece, the pot is round and is made in brass with a hand beaten decoration and lions mask ring handles at each s...
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
Iron
Mid 19th Century Gothic Brass Jardiniere with Shields This is a very old piece
Located in Godshill, 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...
Brass
18th Century Spanish Fruitwood and Brass “Brasero” Table with Barley Twist Legs
Located in Dallas, TX
Add warmth and character to any interior with this unique and richly decorated antique “Brasero” table. Crafted in Spain circa 1780, the round fruitwood table...
Brass, Copper
Exceptional 18th Century French Stone Baptismal Font
Located in Round Top, TX
An exceptional 18th century stone Baptismal font from the South of France. Beautifully hand-sculpted with a sensational patina. Perfect as a water...
Stone
Rectangular Hand-Carved Stone Planter
Located in Dallas, TX
This cement planter is a beautiful way to add texture to any space. This planter from our one of a kind, LeMonde, collection features a narrow rectangul...
Cement
Willy Guhl Saucer Planter on Stand
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
31" Willy Guhl saucer planter on stand for Eternit Floating saucer planter on base Sculptural garden vessel The base can be flipped upside down for use ...
Concrete
Giant Mortar and Pestle Set Black Marble Polished Italy
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Italian deep black polished marble giant mortar bowl and pestle. Mortar and pestle set has been used for thousand of years as the way to crush, grind and p...
Marble
Black Marble Low Pedestal Cylinder
By Casa Mineral
Located in Mexico City, MX
Monterrey black marble carved cylinder. Handmade in Mexico by local craftsmen. Production time: 6-8 weeks for items without marble / 13-14 weeks for marble pieces. Shipping +10 addi...
Marble
$760Sale Price|30% Off
H 5.12 in Dm 8.67 in
Antique Large Quality Art Nouveau Jardinière Bowl Censor Planter Japanese
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique large quality Art Nouveau Jardinière bowl censor planter Japanese Oriental mixed metal Meiji Period early 20th Century. Would look amazing in the right location and make a...
Metal
Extra Large Spanish Terracotta Planter/Jardinière
Located in Brecht, BE
A huge terracotta planter with wonderful green patina inside and old restorations... highly decorative item, can be used indoors as well as outdoors.
Terracotta
New Modern Vase in Marble Creator Arthur Arbesser
Located in Milan, IT
Vase in Black Marquinia, White Michelangelo, Arabescato Vagli Filo Rosso, Green Guatemala and Blu Sodalite marbles. Size: 20 x 12 x 32 cm, 7.9 x 4.7 x 12.6 in, smooth finishing. Comm...
Marble
Antique German Three Piece Porcelain Clock Garniture
Located in Montreal, QC
For those who enjoy the fine quality of blue and white German porcelain from the middle of the last century, this is a particularly fin...
Porcelain
Baptismal Font in Ashburton Marble
Located in London, GB
An impressive and large baptismal font entirely carved from Ashburton Marble. This is a soft grey and blush pink, lightly veined marble with evidence of...
Marble
$19,500 / set
H 25 in W 17 in D 9 in
Nice Late 19th Century Gilt and Patinated Bronze Three Piece Clock Set
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Nice Late 19th Century Gilt and Patinated Bronze Three Piece Clock Set The heavily bronze mounted clock with three putti, bronze designs of flowers, birds and instruments, sitting...
Bronze, Ormolu
$1,654
H 18.9 in Dm 16.54 in
Large Antique Sky Blue Spanish Ceramic Pot, Jardinière, Planter, Indoor Outdoor
Located in Madrid, ES
Large ceramic jardiniére / planter glazed a charming aqua blue color. Dating to the early part of the 20th century, this set was probably produced in the Triana district of Seville, ...
Ceramic
20th Century French Gothic Decorative Storage Box with Foliage Motifs
Located in Dallas, TX
This beautifully executed square box crafted circa 1990 is embellished with a handle made into a twisted branch form with a leaf accented on either side, a latch on the front firmly ...
Iron
Pair of Finely Cast French Gothic Vases on Matching Pedestals
Located in Dallas, TX
These cast French vases with matching pedestals have some exquisite Gothic motifs. Both octagonal vases have several layers of molding along the 17 ...
Stone, Cast Stone, Cement
Antique 15th Century Gothic Mortar in Bronze Patina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous antique mortar in bronze with excellent patina Spain, 15th Century.
Bronze
Pair of 18th Century Coade Stone Gothic Stoops
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Pair of finely cast 18th Century Coade Stone gothic stoops. In super condition, stamped 'Coade London', these are glazed internally, for holding water which is an unusual design for...
Terracotta
Sold
H 9.75 in W 9 in D 9 in
Antique English Embossed Repousse Brass Planter Cache Pot Windmill Celtic Cross
Located in Shreveport, LA
-Direct from England -One of several amazing pieces of antique brass in our most recent container! -Each side has a lovely different vignette.. one features a windmill, birds in th...
Brass
Italian Porcelain 5 Pharmacy Containers with Pure Gold Decorations
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Five elegant and particular pharmacy containers in fine white porcelain; they have a slender cylindrical shape and a lid with a knob on which there are linear decorations in gold; on the front, the Latin name of the product contained is inserted in a shield outlined in pure gold, under the shield are painted two branches intertwined with leaves and a flower; on the top of the shield is represented, always in pure gold, in a stylized way the "caduceus" symbol in Italy of the pharmacist. They were made between 1910 and 1914 in the area of Bassano del Grappa and Nove (Vicenza-Italy), where the production of porcelain and earthenware dates back to the 18th century and has developed over time to levels of excellence; Vicenza porcelain is characterized by a wide variety of processes, colors, and models where the artistic component is very present up to the realization of unique works. The term "albarello" indicates a container used in ancient pharmacies to contain spices, herbal products, or medicinal preparations such as ointments and powders. It spread in Italy during the medieval and renaissance period, at the time of Petrarch, Boccaccio, and the Dolce Stil Novo...
Porcelain
French Sarreguemines Style Glazed Ceramic Urn with Griffin Handles
Located in Houston, TX
French Sarreguemines style glazed ceramic urn with griffin handles. Handsome French sarreguemines style glazed ceramic urn, vase vessel with grif...
Ceramic
Vase " Sauve Qui Peut", Louis Carrier-Belleuse
By Louis Robert Carrier-Belleuse
Located in Brussels, BE
Vase "Sauve Qui Peut", Louis Carrier-Belleuse.
Ceramic
Sold
H 11.82 in W 6.3 in D 3.15 in
Vases Tulip Pair Delft Blue & White 19th Century Dutch Medieval Style Crusaders
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Tapered. The shaped tops and feet with borders of acanthus leaves. One vase depicting men and a dog walking in hilly medieval landscape, the other with crusaders fighting. The bottom...
Pottery
Sold
H 6.5 in W 36.5 in D 36.5 in
Early 19th Century Spanish Carved Walnut "Brasero" with Repousse Brass Tray Top
Located in Dallas, TX
Place this elegant and unusual fruit wood "Brasero" on a buffet or dining room table for there ultimate Spanish look! Crafted in Spain, circa 1820, the ornate, octagonal table sits o...
Brass
German Cup with Handle, Early 17th Century Pot, Delft/German/Low Countries
Located in Brooklyn, NY
16th century German (Tudor) cup with handle (grey) Early 17th century pot (sangue de boeuf), delft/German territories/low countries Earthenware Measures: Height 3.5, diameter ...
Earthenware
17th Century German Low Countries Grey Ceramic Pitcher
Located in Brooklyn, NY
17th century rare primitive German low countries pitcher.
Ceramic