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
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
$3,250 / set
Gothic 12 Arm Bronze Chandelier Union Theological Seminary NYC
Located in New York, NY
This 12-light cast bronze gothic chandelier was reclaimed from the Union Theological Seminary in NYC. The Seminary was established in 1836 with an English Gothic Revival style. This ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Medieval Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$23,600 Sale Price
20% Off
St. Marks Gothic Wall Lantern
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
This wrought iron Gothic Lantern was made for a private chapel in France. We also made matching pendants that are availalble. The Bronze finish and Honey opal...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Wrought Iron
$1,600 / set
20th Century French Iron Chandelier
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
French six-armed iron chandelier, circa 1950.The arms and central shaft feature scrolling acanthus leaves in alternating directions. This chandelier has a great composition with an i...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
Antique Gothic Revival Gold Bronze Figural Candelabra Table Lamps, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Gothic Revival Gold Bronze Figural Candelabra Table Lamps - a Pair. Item features wooden decorative candles, twin light sockets, pierced decorated frames, very nice antique p...
Category
Early 20th Century Medieval Lighting
Materials
Brass
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
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
$3,500 / set
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
Large French Decorated Gothic Hall Lantern Ceiling Light
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large French Decorated Gothic Hall Lantern Ceiling Light
This is a Large and Very Heavy Hall Lantern it is a Classic Elaborate Gothic Design decorated with animals Caryatid and symb...
Category
1880s Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pendant "Cibulak", Czechoslovakia, 1960's
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in the Czech Republic.
Made of brass and glass.
Brass shows some signs of use, such as scratch marks.
Category
1960s Czech Vintage Medieval Lighting
Materials
Brass
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 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
Atelier Ciani Florence Italy design prod. years 80' medieval stylish wall lamp
Located in Biella, IT
atelier Ciani design Florence Italy production years 80' medieval stylish wall lamp in brass & wrought iron
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Medieval Lighting
Materials
Brass, Wrought 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
Atelier Ciani Florence Italy prod. years 80' medieval stylish wall lamp bronze
Located in Biella, IT
Atelier Ciani Florence Italy design production years 80' medieval stylish sconce in brass & bronze wrought
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Medieval Lighting
Materials
Brass, Bronze
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
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 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
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
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
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
Tall Heavy Gothic Table Lamp A very decorative table lamp
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Tall Heavy Gothic Table Lamp
A very decorative table lamp, the base is in age darkened brass and in the Gothic style standing on claw feet and acanthus decoration around the colu...
Category
1930s Vintage Medieval Lighting
Materials
Brass
Italian antique carved wood and yellow fabric floor lamps or torch holders, 1500
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian antique carved wood and yellow fabric floor lamps or torch holders, 1500.
Pair of floor lamps or torch holders with dark patina wooden structure, finely carved, and yellow fa...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Fabric, Wood
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...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Medieval Lighting
Materials
Wrought 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
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
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
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
Large Vintage Gothic or Art Deco Black Wrought Iron & White Milk Glass Lights
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful large vintage gothic or Art Deco black painted wrought iron & white milk glass light fixtures. 3 total selling separately. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these a...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Medieval Lighting
Materials
Wrought Iron
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
$14,500 / set
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
Pair of 12' Polychromed Plaster Angel 14-Light Candelabra / Lamps on Pedestals
By Daprato Rigali Studios
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of 12' polychromed plaster angel 14-light candelabra / lamps on pedestals
Subtle and dramatic, impressive in size and well executed.
Each angel sta...
Category
Early 20th Century American Medieval Lighting
Materials
Brass
$11,800 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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
$1,680 Sale Price
20% Off
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
$1,304 Sale Price
20% Off
Late 19th Century Gilt Wrought Iron Medieval Style Four-Light Chandelier
Located in Barntrup, DE
Late 19th century gilt wrought iron medieval style four-light chandelier
An impressive and heavy medieval-style castle design gilt wrought iron four-light chandelier from the late 1...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Wrought Iron, Metal
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
19th Century French Gothic Forged Iron Five-Light Floor Lamp
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a study of office with this elegant floor fixture. Crafted in southern France, circa 1860, the candelabra lamp stands on a tripod base ending with three feet. The twisted st...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
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
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
Pair of Medieval Style Jeweled Lamps, France, circa 1930s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Fabulous and whimsical pair of lamps with three lights each. They are made of beechwood, painted gold, with geometric patterning, and are decorated with coloured cut-glass cabochons....
Category
Early 20th Century French Medieval Lighting
Materials
Glass, Beech
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
$756 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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
5 Lights Wrought Iron Candlestick
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice 5 lights candlestick. is made of wrought iron. This is a French work. Circa 1950
Category
1950s French Vintage Medieval Lighting
Materials
Wrought Iron
$1,034 Sale Price
30% Off
Spanish Hand Forged Iron and Wood Medieval Inspired Torch Wall Sconce, 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Medieval style three-light torch wall sconce in iron and wood, Spain, 1940s
This wall sconce features a wooden backplate holding three hand forged iron branches with naturalistic de...
Category
20th Century Spanish Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
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
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
$650 / set
Pair Of Antique Cornelius Gilt Bronze And Crystal Three Arm Candelabra
Located in New Orleans, LA
An exquisite, period pair of antique Cornelius and Company gilt bronze three arm candlesticks, Philadelphia, circa 1840, having been electrified ...
Category
1840s American Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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
$4,500 / set
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
Antique Pair of Bronze Medieval Revival, Former Church Candlestick Table Lamps
Located in Lisse, NL
Good size, great quality, antique bronze table lamps with an amazing patina.
We are always on the lookout for antiques that have something ...
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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
$3,723 Sale Price
30% Off
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
20th Century French Lantern
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant 20th-century French lantern showcases the timeless artistry of wrought iron craftsmanship. Its intricate scrollwork features delicate curves and flourishes, creating a s...
Category
20th Century French Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
Vintage Gothic Gold Painted Metal & White Hanging Light Fixtures Sold Separate
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous vintage Gothic Ecclesiastical gold painted metal & white & red plastic hanging light fixtures, selling separately. Beautiful condition, ...
Category
Late 20th Century Medieval Lighting
Materials
Metal
Gothic Gilded Brass 5 Branch Chandelier This is a rare piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Gothic Gilded Brass 5 Branch Chandelier
This is a rare piece, it has been converted to electricity from a Gas Ceiling Light it is an excellent qual...
Category
19th Century Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Brass
Maison Baguès Red Signed Crystal Flowers Sconces, Wrought Iron, circa 1900
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing 2 lights each, will be rewired with certified UL US sockets for the USA and certified sockets for other countries and ready to hang. Wrought iron in construction. Adorning 3 ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Wrought Iron
Pair Of Bronze Candlesticks, Late 18th/early 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Pair of bronze candlesticks on a tripod base resting on lion's paws, and at the top, the point used to fix the candle
Period late 18th early 19th century
Wear from use, one of the ...
Category
Late 18th Century European Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Gilt Wrought Iron Sconces, Set of 2
Located in Barntrup, DE
Late 19th-century French gilt wrought iron two-light sconces, set of two.
A beautiful pair of Medieval style sconces, France, from the late 19th century.
These wrought iron wall lamp...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique 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
$3,268 Sale Price
30% Off
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.