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.
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
$1,462Sale Price|20% Off
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
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
19th Century Victorian Terracotta Model Of A Gothic Font
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A 19th century Victorian terracotta model of a gothic font. An English architectural model of a font in the ecclesiastical style dated to circa 1850. The octagonal design has a repeating trefoil design on all sides. A pleasing object modelled after an unknown church font...
Terracotta
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
Late 18th Century Khmer Brown Glazed Terracotta Vase
Located in Brescia, IT
This Khmer brown glazed terracotta vase is a very stunning piece with its organic shape and all the signs of the time. The enameled surface well shows its period and for this reasons...
Terracotta
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
Art Deco Japanese Porcelain Vases Meiji Period, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful pair of polychromed Kutani porcelain Japanese vases, circa early 20th century, Meiji period, Japan. Vases are hand painted and designed with two different sides; one...
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese 18th Century Flambe Glazed Trunk Form Vases
Located in Austin, TX
A pair of vases molded as naturalistic plum tree trunks, with applied decorations of flowering plum branches. All are covered by a rich flambe glaze of predominantly fuchsia, with st...
Stoneware
Italy Richard Ginori Early 18th Century Porcelain Vase
Located in Brescia, IT
This elegant vase was produced by Richard Ginori porcelain manufacturer in Doccia, Italy, in the 1730 Not easy to find this model so fine and elegant with its country flowers in pin...
Porcelain
19th Century Rustic Mediterranean Terracotta Olive Jar
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Mediterranean Peloponnese olive oil jar with the typical handcrafted ribbed Nekuma decoration on its round bodice. The rim has a warm honey glaze. These antique garden pot...
Terracotta
19th Century Greek Grand Tour Terracotta Jar
Located in Bradenton, FL
Late 19th Century Grand Tour style terracotta vessel decorated with Grecian figures with Amphora form, two handles on neck. Hand painted. Dimensions: 8.5"H x 7"W; Mouth opening is ...
Terracotta
Collection of Six Salt Glazed Stoneware Jugs
Located in Antwerp, BE
A collection of six salt glazed stoneware jugs decorated in blue patterns. Alsace, France, late 19th century. Height:40 cm. Diameter:30 cm.
Ceramic, Pottery
Late 19th Century North African Hand-Molded Terracotta Vessel
Located in Memphis, TN
A beautifully primitive hand-molded clay vessel originating from North Africa and dating to the late 19th century. Compact and sculptural in form, the vessel features a low rounded b...
Clay, Terracotta
19th Century Ceramic Terracotta Olive Oil Jug
Located in High Point, NC
This 19th century olive oil jug was sourced from France and is worked in terracotta, its surface finished in a deep chestnut brown tone. The olive oil jug is a rustic, hand-thrown ve...
Terracotta
Early 20th Century Amphora Enameled Pottery Vase
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This striking enameled pottery vase was made by Amphora and is decorated with stylized floral decoration set against a textured ground made up of variegated blue enamel paint on a me...
Pottery
French Provincial Terracotta Vase, 19th‑Century
Located in Meulebeke, BE
A beautifully authentic example of mid‑19th‑century French provincial pottery, this terracotta vase embodies the rustic elegance and utilitarian craftsmanship of rural France. Hand‑f...
Terracotta
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
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
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
Antique French Brass Jug
Located in Pasadena, CA
Newly polished antique French cookware brass milk jug made in Normandy during the 1850s.
Brass