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
Vintage Mid-20th Century French Iron and Brass Ring Chandelier with 6 Torches
Located in Casteren, NL
This elegant chandelier was made in France in the 1960s. It features a black patinated steel ring supporting 6 brass torches. The torches end with beautiful yellow twisted glass cove...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Lighting
Materials
Brass, Steel
$1,938 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique French Gothic Revival Figural Bronze Candlestick Table Lamp by Leandri
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Gothic French Renaissance Figural Bronze Tall Candlestick Table Lamp by "Leandri". Item features the original French foundry mark, stunning cast bronze figures of winged grif...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Wrought Iron and Gold Votive Candelabra Electrified or Table Lamp
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
Large size 57x28x22 cm
This very beautiful wrought iron and gold candelabra with two side candles and another electrified central candle
This is an ...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
Italian Table Lamp Converted from the Carriage antique Spot Light
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique Italian table lamp used in the 1900 s like the carriage spot light working on the petroleum .Lamp have the Murano glass behind the b...
Category
Early 1900s Italian Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Brass, Bronze
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
$1,530 Sale Price
30% Off
French 19th Century Iron Chandelier
Located in Stockbridge, GA
19th century French iron chandelier with 12 lights.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
Circa 1900s Silverplate Chandelier with 5 Arms
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A vintage silverplate chandelier with a broad belly, five arms with beautiful details, original canopy.
The piece came from Remains Lighting.
Measurements:
32 inches high x 18...
Category
20th Century English Medieval Lighting
Materials
Silver Plate
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
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
$1,034 Sale Price
30% Off
6 Lights Wrought Iron Candlestick
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice and delicate 6 lights candlestick is made of wrought iron. This is a French work. Circa 1950
Category
1950s French Vintage Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
$1,117 Sale Price
34% Off
18th century 5 Branch Wall Sconce Candelabra
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
18th century 5 Branch Wall Sconce Candelabra
This is a very large antique wall candle sconce, the sconce is highly decorated in the gothic style, there are 5 heavy arms to this ver...
Category
Late 18th Century Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920s Gothic Amber Glass Sconce
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is a beautiful Gothic amber hammered glass sconce. The glass has a brass stained glass style frame with the original patina. They give off a warm rich glow. One left in stock.
Category
Early 20th Century American Medieval Lighting
Materials
Glass
Blacksmith Made Gothic Wrought Iron Floor Lamp
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
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 4 feet and takes a 2” diameter wa...
Category
Early 20th Century Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
Pair of 19th Century Neo-Gothic Italian Wrought Iron Dragon Wall Lights
Located in Hastings, GB
An incredible pair of late 19th century wrought iron wall lights/ torchiere's. This stunning pair of hand crafted Dragons are attributed to the Italian Master Ironworker Alessandro Mazzucotelli. These would have originally been holding candles but have been cleverly adapted to become the most unique pair of wall lights. Each Dragon grapsing two torchieres housing a single e114 (small screw in lamp holder) on each.
They have been fully rewired and PAT tested. Wear and Patina commensurate with age
42cm Height, 30.5cm Width, 27.5cm Depth
Mazzucotelli was born in Lodi to Giovanni Valente, an Iron Merchant originally from Locatello di valle Imagna, and Rosa Caprara. At the age of 18 he moved to Milan as an apprentice with his brother Carlo in the blacksmith store of Defendente Oriani, which he later took over in 1891. From 1902 to 1908 the company running the shop was called Mazzucotelli-Engelmann; later he worked alone, first in via Ponchielli and then in 1909 at Biocca
Mazzucotelli collaborated with architects such as Giuseppe Sommaruga,Gaetano Moretti, Ernesto Pirovano, Franco Oliva, Ulisse...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Wrought Iron
Large Neo Gothic Style Cast Iron Two Arms Wall Sconce
Located in Plainview, NY
An exceptional Neo Gothic large size wall scone. The wall sconce has two large arms, each arm ending in a candelabra light with a custom made French style shade. The iron cast sconce...
Category
Late 20th Century Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
$1,250 Sale Price
28% Off
19th Century French Wrought Iron Twelve-Light Chandelier with Fleurs-de-Lys
Located in Dallas, TX
Place this large antique light fixture over a dining table, or in a den. Forged in Normandy France circa 1880, and almost four feet in diameter, the large chandelier built of solid w...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
Early 20th Century French Forged Wrought Iron 5 Light Candelabra Floor Lamp
Located in Miami, FL
Early 20th century Gothic Style French forged wrought iron 5 light candelabra floor lamp.
US Rewiring and each takes a regular or LED Light bulb.
Has a cord switch attached to the tw...
Category
Early 20th Century French Medieval Lighting
Materials
Wrought Iron
Gothic Pendant from the Magic Kingdom Collection
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
This authentic Wrought Iron Gothic Lantern was originally made for a theme park in Anaheim Ca. The intricate forged iron lantern is composed of over 50 individual handmade parts. ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
$600 Sale Price
24% Off
Early 20th C Etched Gothic Motif White Glass Pendant Light
Located in New York, NY
Single pendant light featuring an etched arched Gothic design on the white shade. Original brass fitter and iron hardware. This can be seen at our 400 Gilligan St location in Scranto...
Category
Early 20th Century American Medieval Lighting
Materials
Brass, 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
$750 Sale Price / set
40% Off
A Superb French Gothic Iron Wall Light
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Superb French Gothic Iron Wall Light
A very handsome Large Heavy French wall light, the light is set at a slight incline and would enhance the entrance ...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
Mid Century Gothic Chandelier Pendant Hexagon Witco Style
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Great period piece of modern Medieval lighting. Faux hewn wood in hexagon form. Metal shades supported with metal crown stantions. Center spot light for nice downlighting. Source fro...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Medieval Lighting
Materials
Metal
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
Large Wrought Iron Wall Sconce, French, circa 1950
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This decorative single large wall light is made of wrought iron. This is a French work, circa 1950.
Category
1950s French Vintage Medieval Lighting
Materials
Wrought Iron
$703 Sale Price
30% Off
A Pair of Heavy French Gothic Brass Table Lamps
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Pair of Heavy French Gothic Brass Table Lamps
A pair of very decorative Chateau table lamps, the bases are in the Gothic style with a wide 3 footed base and an elaborate centre...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Brass
$1,734 / set
Large and Heavy Gothic Iron Castle Wall Light
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large and Heavy Gothic Iron Castle Wall Light
This wonderful piece is made in iron, it was originally powered by gas, it has now been converted to electricity
We have added a large...
Category
19th Century Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
Rare 1920's Bronze lantern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful and rare 1920's bronze lantern, the patina is so much nicer in person
Category
1920s American Vintage Medieval Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Antique, French, Folk Art, wrought iron gothic chandelier. Circa early 1900's
Located in CARENTAN-LES-MARAIS, FR
Sourced in the Mayenne department of France, this wonderful Folk Art, wrought iron, chandelier captures the essence of the Gothic style with its featured dragon and serpent twisted and sculptured bodywork. The high quality craftsmanship and detailing, including the spiralled candle holders...
Category
Early 20th Century French Medieval Lighting
Materials
Wrought Iron
Very Large Gothic Gilt Church Chandelier
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Very Large Gothic Gilt Church Chandelier
This amazing piece has come from a private chapel, it is made in Iron and is decorated with oak leaves and acorns, the chandelier has 6 Arms ...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
Spanish Renaissance Style Gilt Metal Chandelier
Located in Sheffield, MA
The vintage four-branch gilt metal Gothic Revival style chandler is all curls and is newly re-wired for regular US use and has sockets that take regular bulbs.
Measures:
Chain: 63"...
Category
20th Century Medieval Lighting
Materials
Metal
Pair of Gothic Wrought Iron & Bronze 2 Arm Wall Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Antique Gothic wall sconces with two arms each in a wrought iron and bronze construction. Each sconce requires two candelabra light bulbs. ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Medieval Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Wrought 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
Pair Of Vintage Cast Brass Candleholders, Wall Sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair Of Vintage Cast Brass Double Swing Arm Candleholders, Wall Sconces, Gothic Fleurs De Lis, Circa 19th Century
Category
1950s French Vintage Medieval Lighting
Materials
Brass
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
Painted Napoleon III Cast Iron Chandelier
Located in Washington, DC
Painted Napoleon III Cast Iron Chandelier from Northern France probably around Lille.
Category
19th Century French Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
American Gothic-Revival Gilt-Bronze "Dragon" Chandelier in the Manner of Tiffany
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and rare American Gothic-Revival gilt bronze "Dragon" six-light figural chandelier. The elongated body in the form of a winged dragon biting on a perch with his tail wrap...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$19,850 Sale Price
42% Off
Antique French Wrought Iron Viking Long Boat Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Wrought Iron Viking Long Boat Chandelier will make an eye-catching Old World statement in any room! The solid wrought iron fixture resembles a Viking Long Boat, which...
Category
Early 20th Century French Medieval Lighting
Materials
Wrought Iron
Antique Chandelier, Gothic Style
Located in Atlanta, GA
Unusual iron French Gothic style two-light chandelier with shades, great for over kitchen island or billiard table. Four available. The fixture is 58 inches long x 48 inches wide wit...
Category
1930s French Vintage Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
$3,750 / item
Hand Forged Iron 4 Candle Candelabra Designed in the brutalist Gothic style
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Hand Forged Iron 4 Candle Candelabra
Designed in the brutalist Gothic style, the candlestick is very heavy, and stable it is 6” tall, 12” in long and 6L wide
TZX143
Category
1960s Vintage 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
Pair of 1950s Gothic Pendant Lights W/ Hexagon Shape and White Textured Glass
Located in New York, NY
1950's Gothic style pendant lights with textured white glass. This pair of hexagon shaped steel lights with brass plating have the original patina although there some wear with the b...
Category
1950s American Vintage Medieval Lighting
Materials
Steel, Brass
1970s Modern Gothic Metal 4 Light Chandelier
Located in Pasadena, CA
Iron 4 light 4 arm chandelier with wax candle shades with electrically lit lighting. The hook shaped arms extend generously outward and offer a glow thro...
Category
Late 20th Century 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
A Superb French Gothic Iron Entrance Wall Light
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Superb French Gothic Iron Entrance Wall Light
A very handsome French iron wall light with a glass flame shade, the light is set at a slight incline and would enhance the entrance...
Category
1930s Vintage Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
Pair of 19th Century Italian Medieval Style One-Arm Sconces
Located in New Orleans, LA
A pair of carved, painted and gilded sconces in the Medieval style. 19th century Italian.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Gothic Black Painted Wrought Iron Six-Light Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring a true "Old World" flair to your dining room, entryway or den with this large and imposing light fixture. Crafted in France circa 1870 and round in shape, this antique chandeli...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
Pair of Nine-Light Crystal and Bronze Domed Chandelier Depicting Gargoyle
Located in North Bergen, NJ
Pair of Gothic nine-light crystal and bronze domed chandelier depicting gargoyle motif. Having one large centre glass bowl surrounded by six smaller glass bowls...
Category
Late 20th Century Medieval Lighting
Unique Pair of Elegant Vessels in a Soft Patina Metal Finish
Located in Bronx, NY
A unique pair of elegant vessels in a soft patina metal finish with lamp application. Our lamps have the unique distinction of being comprised of vases an...
Category
1970s European Vintage Medieval Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
$1,200 Sale Price / set
54% Off
Pair of Vintage Architectural Element Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Vintage architectural element lamps, black finish.
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Medieval Lighting
Materials
Cement, Stone, Brass
$2,960 / set
A 19th/Early 20th Century Solid Bronze Gothic Lantern, Six Lights. Circular
Located in Manhasset, NY
A 19th/Early 20th Century Solid Bronze Gothic Lantern, Six Lights. Circular
Having fine bronze escutcheons This large and impressive lantern is...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Gothic Form Steel Wall Lights
Located in New York, NY
Gothic form steel wall lights, 17 available.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Medieval Lighting
Materials
Steel
$2,800 / item
1950 Medieval Chandelier in the Style of Maison Jansen
Located in Paris, FR
Chandelier of wrought iron medieval style, everything is screwed and welded, eight arms of light, the measures are without the chain, approximately 1 meter more , eight bulbs and fou...
Category
1950s French Vintage Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
Large, Magnificent and Rare Gothic Revival Silver Plated Incense Burner
Located in London, GB
A magnificent and rare Gothic Revival, Byzantine influenced antique silver plated incense burner. The highly decorative bowl, set with many coloured glass cabochon and bearing the initials I H S a symbolic monogram of Christ, is suspended from a high domed crown on six sturdy chains. Beneath the bowl is a reversed crown terminating in a reversed ring...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Silver
A Superb Gothic Iron and Wood Chandelier
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Superb Gothic Iron and Wood Chandelier
A very handsome piece, Large Heavy and very Gothic in design, the light
has 5 wide branches and would enhance the...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Medieval Lighting
Materials
Iron
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
neoclassical table lamp in golden wrought iron circa 1950
Located in Mouscron, WHT
neoclassical table lamp in golden wrought iron circa 1950
Category
1950s European Vintage Medieval Lighting
Materials
Wrought Iron
Pair of Lime Painted Gothic Lanterns
Located in Washington, DC
A 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
Iron
$4,900 / item
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.