Medieval Lighting
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
French Gothic Style Wrought Iron 6 Arms Rectangular Chandelier or Pendant
Located in Plainview, NY
An exceptional 19th century French gothic style chandelier or pendant. The medieval style chandelier features a rectangular shape and has 6 lights . Finely carved of wrought iron, the chandelier shows amazing and intricate scrolls and swords design. The chandelier is embellished with a green band with yellow gold diamond design surrounding the body of the piece and a round mosaic floral design on each side adding class and beauty to it. Each arm is ending with French babouche holding a candelabra light , covered in a dripped candle sleeve in red. The chandelier is suspended by its original 4 chains attached to a scrolls design crown and comes with a canopy. The French Gothic chandelier...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Wrought Iron
19th Century Gothic Aged Brass English Pair of Wall Sconces
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Character rich large pair of antique Gothic brass wall sconces that look like they came from a castle! Two arms in each with open cages around the sockets and handsome masculine des...
Category
19th Century English Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Brass
1930s Brass Candlestick Table Lamp with Spikes and Ball Feet at Base
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1930s Brass Candlestick Table Lamp with Spikes and Ball Feet at Base
Height to finial: 24"
Height to socket: 19"
Two Light Socket with pull chains
Ball Feet
Medieval
Art Deco
Needs R...
Category
1930s Vintage Medieval Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of French Gothic Style Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of French Gothic stye gilt bronze 2-tier 5 arm wall sconces featuring floral and foliage motifs
Condition: Good; Wear consistent with age and use
Category
20th Century French Medieval Lighting
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Gothic Forged Iron Six Candles Chandelier
Located in Paris, FR
Large decorative forged iron chandelier, late 19th century. Forged in France, circa 1890, the large chandelier can receive 6 candles (candles not provided). On wavy shapes, the chand...
Category
19th Century French Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
Medieval Style Iron Wall Candelabra
Located in Redding, CT
Medieval style iron wall torchiere. The perfect romantic touch for your home. Fill with candles above a bath tub or use on a porch or outside barn wall....
Category
1930s Vintage Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
Spanish 1940's Gothic Style Eight Light Chandelier
Located in Buchanan, NY
This unusual Spanish 1940s medieval style iron chandelier features a sturdy frame with eight torchiere arms suspended from an ornate hanger. The fixture has been recently wired to ac...
Category
1940s Spanish Vintage Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
Gothic Style Iron Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine Hand Hammered Iron Chandelier in the Gothic style. Extraordinary iron work. 16 lights. France, circa 1890.
Dimensions: Height 51" Diameter 44"
CW5203
Category
1890s French Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
Wrought Iron Floor Lamp with 4 Lights, French, circa 1950
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This 4 lights decorative floor lamp is made of wrought iron. This is a nice French work, circa 1950.
Category
1950s French Vintage Medieval Lighting
Materials
Wrought Iron
Stoneware Lamp with Gothic Face
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Ceramic lamp with a gothic face. Lamp measures 19" high from base to the bottom of socket and 10" diameter. Lamp has been professionally rewired for a 3-way light bulb. We also added...
Category
1970s American Vintage Medieval Lighting
Materials
Ceramic
Gothic Style Brass Table Lamps with Belgium Linen Shade
Located in Sheffield, MA
Pair of antique French Gothic Revival style brass table lamps with Belgium, linen shades. Great original condition with patina.
Measures: Height from bottom to top of shade 26"
Dia...
Category
19th Century French Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Gothic Wrought Iron Two-Light Lanterns Sconces, Set of 4
Located in Dallas, TX
For a unique lighting feature, look no further than these four elegant antique sconces. Crafted in France circa 1880, the outdoor wall lights feature a dome shaped top and dressed wi...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
19th Century French Gothic Wrought Iron Six-Light Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring a true "Old World" flair to your dining room or den with this large and imposing light fixture. Crafted in France circa 1870 and round in shape, this antique chandelier has a c...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
Antique Painted Iron Floor Torchere from France, Early 1900s
Located in Dallas, TX
This five light, antique French cast iron torchere has been painted deep green with gold colored bands around the motifs. The motifs are trefoils, ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
Antique Forged Iron Fleur-de-Lys Torchere Sconce from France, circa 1900
Located in Dallas, TX
From France, this antique forged iron torchere style sconce has a large single fleur-de-lis at the top and a thick scroll at the bottom of it. The sconce’s stem is at an angle, held to the backplate by a twisted iron bar. There is a flame style glass...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
Early 20th Century French Gothic Forged Iron Four-Light Floor Lamp
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique fixture was crafted in southern France, circa 1920. The Gothic candelabra lamp stands on a twisted, forged stem with three curve...
Category
Early 20th Century French Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
19th Century French Gothic Verdigris Flat Bottom Iron Eight-Light Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a kitchen island or breakfast room with this elegant antique flat bottom light fixture. Forged in France, circa 1920 and rectangular in shape, the large chandelier has eight...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
Set Of Eight Mediaeval Bronze Sconces, Great For A Wine Cellar. Priced per sconc
Located in Buchanan, MI
Set Of Eight Mediaeval Bronze Sconces, Great For A Wine Cellar. Priced per sconce. Original wirring.
Category
20th Century Medieval Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Large French Medieval Rustic Chandelier
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large French Medieval Rustic Chandelier
This is a Large French Medieval style Rustic Chandelier, it is very heavy and hangs on a long chain, it has 6 hand-forged iron light sconces ...
Category
1960s Vintage Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
Pair of Vintage Etruscan Bronze Statuette Table Lamps
Located in North Miami, FL
These outstanding solid bronze hand forged Etruscan statuettes of a male and female are mounted on metal and brass bases. These lamps are simple and heavy - custom designed base and...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Medieval Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass, Bronze
Chandelier Pendant Wrought Iron Wood Gothic Style French Design 1940s
Located in Palermo, IT
Particular Gothic style chandelier made of wrought iron and wood. Made in France in the 1940s.Please watch the video and photos carefully, thank you.
Weight: 10 Kg
Bulbs: 4 E14 ligh...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Lighting
Materials
Wrought Iron
Palatial Silver Distressed Rustic Metal Chandelier by Schonbek
By Schonbek
Located in Manhasset, NY
Palatial silver distressed rustic metal chandelier by Schonbek. A wonderful rustic silver metal chandelier by one of Germany's finest crystal ...
Category
1970s Vintage Medieval Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Silver
19th Century Blacksmith Made Gothic Wrought Iron Floor Lamp
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th Century Blacksmith Made Gothic wrought iron floor lamp
This is a very unusual Gothic Wrought Iron Floor Lamp the stand is blacksmith made, it stands on 3 feet and takes a wax candle which sits in the centre sconce...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
Early 19th C Pair of French Brass and Enamel 5 Candle Wall Sconces
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Early 19th C Pair of French Brass and Enamel 5 Candle Wall Sconces
Stunning pieces very heavy and beautifully crafted, originally they were powered by 5 candles each and they have ...
Category
1850s Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Brass
Extra-Large Wrought Iron Chandelier, Spain, circa 1950s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Very impressive medieval-style sixteen-light wrought iron chandelier, of very large proportions, ending in stylized fleur-de-lys. Each light has a large amber-colored glass shade.
...
Category
Mid-20th Century Spanish Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
Pair of Bronze Candelabra Style Buffet Lamps by Oscar Bach
Located in Toledo, OH
A fantastic pair of buffet lamps by Oscar Bach. Candelabra with two electrified candle sockets on each with mica shades that are included. They ha...
Category
20th Century American Medieval Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Set of Three Wrought Iron Dragon Sconces
Located in Benalmadena, ES
This set of three dragon-shaped sconces captures the essence of artisanal wrought iron design from the turn of the century. Each sconce, with its elegant curvature and stylized wings...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
Pair of Large Twisted Hand-Forged Wrought Iron Wall Sconces
Located in Troy, NY
Large hand-forged twisted wrought iron wall sconces, timeless, bold and Stark appearance, exclusively designed for the Fortress, each sconce is individually hand-forged by local arti...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
Pair of 19th Century French Gothic Painted Wrought Iron Three-Light Wall Sconces
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate an entry or man's study with this elegant pair of wall sconces. Forged in France circa 1860, each fixture with twisted arm features three lights newly wired and dressed with decorative candle sleeve covers. Both lights are decorated with eagle motifs and embellished with a hand painted crest in the middle. The tall Gothic style sconces...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Wrought Iron
Antique Gothic American Iron Hall Lantern, Circa 1900-1910
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique Gothic American iron hall lantern, Circa 1900-1910.
Category
Early 20th Century American Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
Wrought Iron Table Lamp with Dragon, Italy, circa 1900
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Elegant table / desk lamp in wrought iron, figuring a winged dragon holding a torch / torchiere.
Beautiful metal work: subject well done, beautiful verdigris patina.
Neo-Gothi...
Category
Early 1900s Italian Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century Gothic Wrought Iron Floor Lamp in the Style of Samuel Yellin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Early 20th century, Gothic, craftsman-made, wrought iron floor lamp with decoratively scored stem, tripod base and foliate top with three-bulb fitter in the style of Samuel Yellin. T...
Category
1920s American Vintage Medieval Lighting
Materials
Wrought Iron
13th Century Italian Iron Torches: Tuscan Medieval Wall Sconces
Located in Firenze, IT
An extraordinary trio of 13th-century Tuscan iron torches, exquisite examples of medieval wall lighting that stand as a testament to early Italian craftsmanship. These hand-forged sconces, also known as torchères or wall-mounted candleholders, offer a unique glimpse into the artistry of High Medieval Tuscany. They are sold individually and price is per item.
Crafted by skilled blacksmiths in the 1200s, these iron wall lights are a Tuscan salvage showcasing an unexpected delicacy in metalwork.
The antique...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Wrought Iron
French Arts and Crafts Gothic Hall Lantern Ceiling Light
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large French Arts and Crafts Gothic Hall Lantern Ceiling Light
This is a very Large and Heavy Hall Lantern it is a Classic Designed and signed E...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Brass
Rare Pair Artistic Design Hand Crafted Wrought Iron Dragon Wall Sconce Light
Located in Lisse, NL
Monumental pair of hand-forged wrought iron dragon wall sconces .. masterpiece craftsmanship.
Why We Love It: Because drama meets craftsmanship in these breathtaking, museum-worthy...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Medieval Lighting
Materials
Wrought Iron
Tall Arts & Crafts Cast Iron Candle Stick or Torchère
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Tall Arts & Crafts cast iron candle stick or torchère.
This is a tall and very heavy Torchere, it has a pricket in the centre of the sconce and sta...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
Antique Gothic Silvered Bronze 12-Light Chandelier, Circa 1860.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique Gothic Silvered Bronze 12-Light Chandelier, Circa 1860.
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Spanish Medieval Style Wall Sconces in Gilt Hand Forged Iron
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish Medieval style hand forged uplighter torch wall sconces, 1930s.
Rare hand forged iron gothic inspired cylinder wall lights with terrific aged patina showing the original gold leaf gilding.
This pair of medieval iron...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Medieval Lighting
Materials
Wrought Iron, Metal, Gold Leaf, Iron
Pair of Early 20th Century Forged Polished Iron Wall Torchere Sconces
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a powder room or an entry way with this elegant pair of antiques wall torcheres lights. Crafted in France, circa 1920, each narrow fixture made...
Category
Early 20th Century French Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
large wrought iron chandelier with 8 lights. French work. Circa 1950
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice large 8 lights chandelier is made of wrought iron. This is a French work in the gothic style. Circa 1950
Category
1950s French Vintage Medieval Lighting
Materials
Wrought Iron
19th Century Pair of Wooden Wall Chandeliers
Located in Esbeek, NL
Wall chandeliers in Gothic style.
Category
19th Century French Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Wood
Pair of Gothic Brass Wall Sconces
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Vintage Gothic style two arm wall sconces having black and weathered gold back plates 4 w x 5.5 h.
Newly rewired.
Category
1950s American Vintage Medieval Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of Large Hand-Forged Wrought Iron Wall Sconces
Located in Troy, NY
Large, hand-forged wrought iron wall sconces, timeless, bold and stark appearance, exclusively designed for the Fortress, each sconce is individually hand-forged by local artisans; s...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
Wrought Iron Floor Lamp with 7 Lights, French, Circa 1940
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice 7 lights candelabras floor lamp is made of wrought iron. This is a French work. Circa 1940.
Category
1940s French Vintage Medieval Lighting
Materials
Wrought Iron
French 19th Century Gothic Style Brass Chandelier
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A stunning 6-light Gothic style brass chandelier from 19th century France. The dramatically styled fixture has a multifoil shaped base from which the six lights extend. The base is h...
Category
19th Century French Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Brass
Heavily Turned Oak Floor Standing Lamp
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Heavily turned oak floor standing lamp
This is an attractive piece in style of a Corinthian column with a stepped base and acanthus carvings at...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Oak
Interesting Gilt Bronze and Crystal "Grotesque" Chandelier
Located in Long Island City, NY
An interesting early 20th century gilt bronze and crystal twenty-six-light "Grotesque" chandelier.
A unique Gothic style, drop crystal, basket chandelier with different "Grotesque" faces and designs. Twenty-four-tiered perimeter lights (including six lanterns) and two-tiered interior lights.
Artists began to give the tiny faces of the figures in grotesque decorations strange caricatured expressions, in a direct continuation of the medieval traditions of the drolleries in the border decorations or initials in illuminated manuscripts. From this the term began to be applied to larger caricatures, such as those of Leonardo da Vinci, and the modern sense began to develop. It is first recorded in English in 1646 from Sir Thomas Browne: "In nature there are no grotesques". By extension backwards in time, the term became also used for the medieval originals, and in modern terminology medieval drolleries, half-human thumbnail vignettes drawn in the margins, and carved figures on buildings (that are not also waterspouts, and so gargoyles) are also called "grotesques".
A Boom in the production of works of art in the grotesque genre, characterized the period 1920–1933 of German art. In contemporary illustration art, the "grotesque" figures, in the ordinary conversational sense, commonly appear in the genre grotesque art...
Category
Early 20th Century French Medieval Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
1960s Wrought Iron Castle Chandelier
Located in Pueblo, CO
Large wrought iron chandelier fit for your castle, hand wrought iron with beautiful hammered bronze finish, six fixture, with original medallion and 14" of chain.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Medieval Lighting
Materials
Wrought Iron
Antique Victorian Milk Glass Pendant Lights - Set Of 4
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Victorian Milk Glass Pendant Lights - Set Of 4
Featuring 4 Chicago Church Salvaged Antique Milk Glass Pendant Lights from the 1920’s
***2 pe...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Medieval Lighting
Materials
Milk Glass
Antique Gothic Revival Wrought Iron Torchiere Altar Candle Stand Floor Lamp 70"
Located in Dayton, OH
Large antique wrought / forged iron converted torchiere candle stand / candle holder floor lamp featuring Gothic / Spanish styling with scrolled accents, fleur de lis and two lights....
Category
Early 20th Century Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
Set of Four Neo-Gothic Iron Sconces, France, 1940s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Large and unusual set of four Gothic inspired sconces displaying striking ironwork. Each sconce has three arms. Can be wired.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Lighting
Rectangular wrought iron chandelier
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Rectangular wrought iron chandelier with golden twist trim details and original canopy.
Category
1940s French Vintage Medieval Lighting
Materials
Wrought Iron
Round Wrought Iron Chandelier with 8 Lights in the Gothic Style
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This 8 lights round chandelier is made of wrought iron. This is a French work in the Gothic style. Circa 1950
Category
1940s French Vintage Medieval Lighting
Materials
Wrought Iron
One Pair of Lime Painted Gothic Lanterns
Located in Washington, DC
One pair of very unusual pine lime painted wooden gothic lanterns
glass to either side and the bottom.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Glass, Wood
Gothic Iron Chandelier
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Large Gothic style wrought iron chandelier boasting eight sockets, four on arms and four inset. Beautiful scrolling iron work, including gargoyle heads on each arm.
Please confirm lo...
Category
20th Century Medieval Lighting
Materials
Wrought Iron
Gothic Style Tole Hollywood Regency Chandelier with Murano Shades Italy 1980s
By Koegl
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Add a touch of opulence to your home with this charming Chandelier. Perfect black and gilded colored parts to enhance any chic or eclectic home. We'd love to see it hanging in an ent...
Category
1980s German Vintage Medieval Lighting
Materials
Metal
Ceiling Lamp from 1930's, forged and welded steel.
Located in Turku, FI
Quite special and unique ceiling lamp from 1930's. Designer and manufacturer is unknown but it has a bit same style like Taidetakomo Hakkarainen lamps and other works.
Rough hardly...
Category
Early 20th Century Finnish Medieval Lighting
Materials
Metal
Italian Wooden Church Candlesticks in the Shape of a Torch Holder
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest that you read the entire description, as with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to ensure the authenticity of our objects.
Peculiar, rare, and antique pair of Italian altar candlesticks in the shape of a torch; they were made completely by the technique of manual turning, a special way of working that allows the objects to have a rounded shape: the piece of wood rotates with the aid of the lathe, while the craftsman uses special tools called "gouges" to shape and decorate its surface; they were then painted with a pasty gray-white varnish, which over time has taken on the craquelure effect; on the wooden structure we did not, therefore, consider doing any restoration because its veiled patina and imperfections make it truly alluring and fascinating and attest to its antiquity and authenticity; at the top of each one is a metal "bobeche" of shaped leaves made to hold large candles; when, in more recent times, they were electrified, a candle-shaped lamp holder was applied; the base is made of three lion's paws in cast bronze. They were produced in a craft workshop in the province of Lucca (Tuscany, Italy) between 1830 and 1835; the area was famous for producing liturgical furnishings of all kinds. The master craftsman was inspired by ancient medieval torch...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Medieval lighting for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Medieval lighting 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 lighting created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, iron and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Medieval lighting made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original lighting, popular names associated with this style include Edward F. Caldwell & Co., Maison Baguès, Oscar Bruno Bach, and Schonbek. 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 lighting differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $200 and tops out at $37,500 while the average work can sell for $2,900.