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.
$414Sale Price|30% Off
Weighted Resin Chess Set Game in Jointed Wood Box 9.5cm Kings, Ca 1930s
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good and complete English resin moulded "weighted" chess set game of 32 pieces, in a jointed pine box, all dating to the early/ mid 20th century, Circa 1930's. The chess p...
Resin, Pine
Early Medieval Gold Brooch Inlaid with Red Garnet, Blue and Green Glass
Located in London, GB
This dazzling gold brooch, inlaid with red garnet, and blue and green glass, is a fine example of one of the most striking emblems of the early medieval elite. Its rich colours, expe...
Gold
21th Century Italian Table, Chess Board, Chess Game Gold /Silver plated brass
Located in VALENZA, IT
Chess table and chess game in bronze and brass made with the ancient casting technique. After the casting, the finishing was chiseled and subsequently silvered and finished with 24-k...
Brass, Bronze
Antique Veil of Veronica Engraving, in Polychrome, Large Gilded Frame
Located in Lisse, NL
A striking and deeply expressive antique devotional work, centered around a finely detailed engraving of the “Vera Icon”, the sacred veil bearing the face of Christ. The print itse...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Antique Medieval European Castle Gothic Forged Iron Processional on Stand
Located in Forney, TX
A spectacular early European castle altar processional / torchiere stand. circa 1730 or earlier. Born in Continental Europe in the early 18th century or earlier, some later elements, most likely Germanic, Medieval Gothic style, hand forged iron sculptural cross form mounted with primitive push-button panel opening to reveal heraldic coat of arms embossed brass plaque, with The Nelsons family banner, royal crown crest with cross, standing mythical goat and stag heraldic supporters, shield escutcheon castle, fleur-de-lis, three diamonds and eagle shield...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Antique Medieval Helmet, 1930s
Located in Praha, CZ
Its replica from 1930s In original condition fully functional
Steel
Set of Three Vintage Paintings with People in Rococo Costumes
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Three Vintage Paintings with People in Rococo Costumes A set of three paintings depicting two noble ladies and a noble man in Rococo costumes. Handpainted with enamel paint o...
Wood
English Medieval Stone Head Mounted onto Steel Stand
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A medieval stone carving of a female head dating form the 16th century. Reclaimed from Northern England and mounted on a modern steel stand. Additional...
Stone, Steel
Antique Gothic Carved Limestone Model of a Madonna or Venus
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique limestone carving. Modeled as a Madonna. With her head slightly tilted, holding an orb in one hand, and with her other hand resting on her breast. By repute ...
Limestone
19th Century Carved Oak Caryatid Pedestal This is a superbly carved piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th Century Carved Oak Caryatid Pedestal This is a superbly carved piece of 19th Century carving, it probably originated from a piece of furniture from where it was removed in the ...
Oak
17thC atypical stone mortar
Located in Haaltert, BE
Atypical 17th century stone mortar. These mortars were used to crush herbs for apothecary or herbalist use. Nicely worn surface, two of the four handles are still visible. This morta...
Stone
Pair of English Medieval Style Carved Caryatids
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A pair of 19th century English medieval style limewood female caryatids carved as Queens or valkyries. These carvings are matching in design, each dep...
Wood
19th C Original Painted Game Board
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C original painted game board. Nice original Salmon and black paint.
Wood
$2,174
H 0.79 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Chess Game in Two Colored Travertine, Angelo Mangiarotti, Italy, 1970
Located in Brussels, BE
Chess Game in Two Colored Travertine, Angelo Mangiarotti, Italy, 1970
Travertine
Antique Iron Mesh Container
Located in New York, NY
Antique Folk Art from Flores. Handwoven iron mesh container with an hour glass shape. Measures: 10- 22" DIA x 34" high. Andrianna Shamaris, Inc. The Leader ...
Metal, Iron
Mid-Century Owl Sculpture on Stand
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage ceramic owl sculpture on stand with glass eyes.
Cast Stone
Bronze Resting Camel Sculpture on Marble Stand French School
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
French School of an Egyptian Middle Eastern Camel Sculpture on Marble Stand. Large and heavy art Deco Style Bronze Resting Camel on White Marble Stand Sculpture. Boasting a dark pati...
Bronze
European Antique Artifact Hand Carved Wooden Foot
Located in Malibu, CA
Antique rare & ancient artifact, a foot, wearing a sandal, the bottom of the foot has been carved with the sandals bottom as well.
Wood
$1,850
H 0.75 in W 14.25 in D 14.25 in
Vintage Marble Chess Set with Hand Carved Turquoise and White Onyx Pieces
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Marble Large Chess Set with hand carved Turquoise and White Onyx Pieces. 1950s. Vintage mid 20th century Mexican stone marble chess set comple...
Onyx, Marble
$2,452 / item
H 3.94 in W 6.7 in D 20.08 in
21st Mahjong Game Set in Walnut Wood and Leather Handmade in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Our brand new Mahjong, a complete restyling for one of the most popular and played games worldwide. Entirely covered in genuine calf leather, our Mahjong comes in a luxurious woo...
Leather, Wood, Walnut
Santa Rita Retablo
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This late 19th century Mexican Folk Art devotional painting depicts St. Rita of Casia, the patron saint of lost and improbable causes. Wishing to join an Augustinian convent ...
Tin
American Legion Baseball and Basketball Folk Art Paintings
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Pair of baseball and basketball paintings found in a Midwestern American Legion hall. These were proudly displayed behind the legion hall bar. Grea...
Vintage Italian Lapiz Lazuli Chess Board 1980s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Embark on a journey of opulence with our Vintage Italian Lapis Lazuli Chess Board, a striking piece from the 1980s. This exquisite chess board, meti...
Lapis Lazuli
Venezia Game Table
By Giobagnara
Located in Milan, IT
This stunning table is the ideal surface to play backgammon, chess, and checkers in style. The wood structure is upholstered in leather and features removable legs, so that both sides of the beveled top can be used: a backgammon field with leather inlays on one side and an inlaid chessboard on the other. Under the top three leather-covered trays with compartments store the boxwood chess pawns, the maple and walnut backgammon...
Leather, Wood, Boxwood, Maple, Walnut
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H 18.51 in W 10.63 in D 0.4 in
Sculpted oak Gothic panel hand crafted in Belgium in the 16th century
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Belgium / 16th century / wooden sculpted panel / oak / Gothic / Rustic / Antique A panel in oak wood enriched with Gothic graphic carvings. Hand carved in Belgium in the 16th centur...
Oak
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H 23 in W 23 in D 3 in
Antique Hand Carved and Painted Wood Coat of Arms Plaque Wadham College, Oxford
Located in Morristown, NJ
Late 19th/Early 20th c., England, carved wood, gesso and paint, made of two panels held together with butterfly joints, later hanging hardware added. This Wadham College, Oxford Coat...
Wood, Paint
Sold
H 7.88 in Dm 2.56 in
Grand jeu d'échecs Peter Ganine en céramique style gothique 32pièces Vintage
By Ganine
Located in London, England
Grand jeu d'échecs Peter Ganine 1947 en céramique émaillée, style gothique il se compose de 32 pièces . Vendu sans boîte de rangement.
Ceramic
Gothic Wood Panel, France, 1600s
Located in Meulebeke, BE
This charming iconic gothic panel has a beautifully carved geometric pattern decoration with a carved frame. The combination of the geometric architectural decoration with its beauti...
Wood
French 19th Century Tapestry-Style Painting on Canvas
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A large 19th century French oil-on-canvas hunting scene painting in the manner of a 'verdure' tapestry.
Canvas
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H 3.75 in W 14.18 in D 2.76 in
Antique Tobacciana Pipe Rack Wall Art Sculpture Seven Deadly Sins, C1920, France
Located in Trensacq, FR
Antique pipe rack wall art sculpture 'Seven Deadly Sins' From Early 20th Century France. A grotesquerie of hooded monks representing the seven dead...
Wire
Small French 19th Century Hand Forged Iron Key-Makers Shop-Sign
Located in Buisson, FR
Very nice small key makers shop-sign in neo-Gothic style. Beautiful and very detailed work, France, circa 1850-1900. Weathered. Measurement is with the base.
Iron
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H 1 in W 20.75 in D 22 in
French Medieval Relief Carved Oakwood Panel Depicting the Crucified Christ
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This medieval French relief carved oakwood panel depicts the crucified Christ flanked by two cornucopias and incorporated in a shaped border surmounte...
Wood, Oak, Giltwood
Ancient Serpentine Celtic Cross
Located in London, GB
Ancient serpentine celtic cross We are proud to offer a rare museum quality Cornish carved Celtic cross. Hand carved from Serpentine and granite...
Serpentine
IKaros Hand Painted Carnations and Tulips Decorative Plate Rhodes, Greece
By Iznik Pottery
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
A decorative I Karos Pottery, I Caro collector polychrome hand painted and handcrafted in Rhodes, Greece ceramic wall decorative plate with a boat in the sea and Fish Design in polychrome design. The plate is decorated with a white, blue, aqua, green, and sienna red design gilded with 24-karat gold. These are intricately, hand painted plates made in Rhodes, Greece by the famous I Caro pottery. Rhodes is famous for its kiln products, such as tiles and pottery, which are glazed and multicolored. It has a beautifully hand painted in burgundy, light and dark blue and turquoise foliage and gold. An Islamic ceramic plate in the Iznik style, painted in vivid colors. The back of the plate is signed and numbered, it has a string to the back for hanging. It is marked “Handmade in Rhodes Greece by Ikaros...
Ceramic
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H 12.75 in W 0.5 in D 9.5 in
Antique Hand Painted Christian Icon on Board Saint Patrick Wood Panel
Located in Dayton, OH
19th century European hand painted icon featuring Saint Patrick on wooded board. Measure: 13".
Hardwood, Paint
Medieval Aquatic Wildman or Merman Pagan Wood Carving
Located in Chattanooga, TN
This appears to be what can be best described as an Aquatic Wildman. This rarely illustrated figure holds a bat in his hand like a Wildman, but has an aquatic tail like a Merman or M...
Oak