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.
Early 20th Century Murano Art Glass Vase, Pale Green, Italy
Located in Den Haag, NL
Original Early 20th Century Italian Design Intricate Art Glass Vase in pale green glass. Made in Italy, Murano region, early 20th century. Beautiful pale green glass, hand blown, han...
Blown Glass
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
Midcentury Murano Glass Lidded Vessel with Gold Inclusions
Located in Troy, MI
Midcentury Murano glass tall lidded vessel in clear glass embellished with gold inclusions. Unknown maker. Excellent vintage condition with no flaws found. Minor scattered surface wear.
Murano Glass
20th Century Italian Murano Glass Vase
Located in Antwerp, BE
An Italian Murano glass vase manufactured in the 1960s.
Glass, Murano Glass
Large Vintage Multicolor Murano Glass Vase, Italy, Late 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Large vintage multicolor Murano glass vase - featuring a white glass interior with red rim - clear cased glass to the outside and base - unsigned - Italy - late 20th century. Exce...
Art Glass
$3,750 / set
H 6.19 in Dm 3.94 in
Cenedese Rare Vintage Set of 5 Green Glass Apothecary Lidded Jars Murano Italy
By Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Rare set of five Venetian Murano green colored / coloured glass Apothecary jars or urns with lids. Wonderful vintage Mid-Century Italian glass and perfect for the storage sweets or snacks in the kitchen or for cotton wool buds or cosmetics in a bathroom or for make-up or jewellery or cotton wool buds and such accessoires. Similar in style to the original designs of apothecary jars from the 19th and early 20th century. Measurements are circa: Large jar - 15.7cm tall by 10cm wide Medium jar - 12.5cm tall by 10cm wide Small jar - 9.5cm tall by 10cm wide. Rare set of jars...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$772Sale Price|34% Off
H 16.54 in Dm 7.49 in
20th Century Italian Murano Artistic Glass Tall Vase, 1960s
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Refined Italian tall vase in Murano art glass, 1960s. This vase is characterized by a particular design shape. The vase is of high artistic quality made with the blown glass techniqu...
Murano Glass
$2,500 / set
H 7.41 in Dm 4.22 in
Cenedese Rare Vintage Trio of Blue Glass Apothecary Lidded Jars Murano Italy
By Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Rare set of three Venetian Murano blue colored / coloured glass Apothecary jars or urns with lids. Wonderful vintage Mid-Century Italian glass and perfect for the storage sweets or snacks in the kitchen or for cotton wool buds or cosmetics in a bathroom or for make-up or jewellery or cotton wool buds and such accessoires. Similar in style to the original designs of apothecary jars from the 19th and early 20th century. Measurements are circa: Large jar - 18.8cm tall by 10.7cm wide Medium jar - 15.7cm tall by 10.7cm wide Small jar - 12.5cm tall by 10.7cm wide. Rare set of jars...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$903Sale Price|57% Off
H 9.85 in W 10.63 in D 7.88 in
20th Century Italian Murano Artistic Glass Vase, 1970s, Transparent Smoked Glass
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Refined artistic glass vase, Italy, production 1970s Murano. Not signed. There is a small original label but without writing. Typical model called a tulip in refined smoked transpare...
Murano Glass
$536Sale Price|54% Off
H 12.41 in W 7.88 in D 5.52 in
20th Century Italian Murano Artistic Glass Large Vase, 1960s
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
This refined Italian vase from the 1960s is a stunning example of Murano artistic glass, distinguished by its unique and captivating design. Crafted using the traditional blown glass...
Murano Glass
$1,506 / set
H 4.73 in Dm 4.73 in
Set of 3 Murano Vanity Decorative Blown Glass with Gold by Barovier, Italy 1950s
By Barovier
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning decorative vanity set of 3 Murano blown glass with 24k gold. This incredibly stylish and rare set was made by Barovier in Italy during the 1950s. In fabulous conditions, wi...
Gold Leaf
20th Century Italian Murano Artistic Glass Large Vase, 1960s
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Refined artistic glass vase, Italy, production 1960s Murano. Not signed. High quality artistic craftsmanship hand-blown glass in shades of green with red decorations. Perfect conditi...
Murano Glass
Early 20th Century Vase - Loetz - Iridescent Art Glass - Papillon Texture
By Loetz Glass
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful early 20th-century art glass vase attributed to Loetz, the renowned Bohemian glass manufacturer celebrated for its innovative iridescent finishes and sophisticated Art No...
Glass
$475Sale Price|20% Off
H 11.13 in Dm 7.25 in
Murano Art Glass Vase, Black and Clear, Italian Design, 20th Century
Located in Miami, FL
A good quality Murano art glass vase great for showcasing your most favorite flowers. Measures: 7 1/4" Diameter x 11 1/8" High.
Art Glass
c. 1970 Set of 8 Lismore by Waterford Champagne Coups
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1970 set of 8 Lismore by Waterford champagne coups. For champagne cocktails or sherbet. Used once & stored, single owner. Retain labels. 4 1/8" h., 4" dia.
Crystal
Antique Crystal Ball on Solid Brass Gothic Style Base
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Crystal Ball ( 8" diameter) on an antique Gothic style solid brass tripod base with a bat motif.
Crystal, Brass
c. 1970 Set of 6 Powerscourt by Waterford Flat Tumbler Glasses
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1970 Set of 6 Powerscourt by Waterford 10oz flat tumbler glasses, Ireland. 4 3/8" h. Crystal. Gothic-script "Waterford" mark. The pattern was introduced in 1969, it is now disc...
Crystal
c. 1970 Set of 8 Powerscourt by Waterford Sherry Glasses
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1970 Set of 8 Powerscourt by Waterford Sherry Glasses, Ireland. 6 3/8" h. Also ideal for cordials or liquors. Crystal. Gothic-script "Waterford" mark. The pattern was introduce...
Crystal
c. 1970 Set of 8 Powerscourt by Waterford Claret Crystal Glasses
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1970 Set of 8 Powerscourt by Waterford Claret Glasses, Ireland. 7 1/8" h. Crystal. Gothic-script "Waterford" mark. The pattern was introduced in 1969, it is now discoutinued. T...
Crystal
c. 1970 Set of 8 Powerscourt by Waterford Goblets
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1970 Set of 8 Powerscourt by Waterford Water Goblets, Ireland. 7 5/8" h. Also ideal as red wine goblets. Crystal. Gothic-script "Waterfor...
Crystal
Bohemian Antique Engraved Overlay Yellow Glass Sugar Casket
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very fine and charming antique Bohemian engraved yellow overlay glass lidded presentation sugar casket dating from the 19th century. The small rectangul...
Cut Glass
Artefact Merovingian Glass Bell-Beaker, 6th Century A.D
Located in Antwerp, BE
Late Roman Merovingian Glass Bell Beaker secular art from the Country: Germany / Krefeld. Culture: Merovingian.Date: 6th century AD.Material: Pale yellow, ...
Blown Glass
Ornate 19th Century Medieval Style Bejeweled Goblet/Chalice
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Beautiful ornate 19th century jeweled chalice embedded in brass wire on colored glass. A very unique drinking vessel.
Brass
Bohemian Glass and Enamel Beaker after Anton Kothgasser
By Anton Kothgasser
Located in London, GB
This fantastic antique cup is the work of the Bohemian glassmakers of the 19th century, Bohemia being a region of Central Europe particularly renowned for the quality of its glass wa...
Cut Glass, Glass
Collection of Five 15th-16th Century European Bottles
Located in Bridgeport, CT
In all original condition with great forms and color. Bottles range in size from 8" high to 14" high.
Glass