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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
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

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

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

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

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

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

18th century 5 Branch Wall Sconce Candelabra
Located in Chillerton, 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

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

Antique Gothic Hanging Milk-Glass Pendant Lights - Set Of 4
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Gothic Hanging Milk-Glass Pendant Lights - Set of 4 Featuring 4 Chicago Church Salvaged Antique Milk Glass Pendant Lights from the 1920’s *...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Medieval Lighting

Materials

Milk Glass

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 sc...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Medieval Lighting

Materials

Wrought Iron

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

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

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

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

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

A Superb Gothic Iron and Wood Chandelier
Located in Chillerton, 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

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

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

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

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

Very Rare Set of Twenty Large, 1940s Church Indoor or Outdoor Sconces (
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very rare set of twenty of large 1940 church sconces, the glass can be easily change, to a different color of glass, the price is for the pair they c...
Category

1940s American Vintage Medieval Lighting

Materials

Metal

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

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

1960s Hand Wrought Iron Oval Fleur De Lys Chandelier from Brittany, France
Located in Dallas, TX
Recently found in a home in Brittany, France, this high quality wrought iron chandelier was hand-formed with fleur de lys motifs. The main body is a thick, open oval, formed by three...
Category

1960s French Vintage Medieval Lighting

Materials

Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron

19th Century French Medieval Painted Iron Four-Light Chandelier with Old Script
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a den or study with this interesting antique chandelier. Crafted in France circa 1880, the medieval-style fixture is built of wrought iron and adorns a painted with an aged,...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Lighting

Materials

Wrought Iron

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

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

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

Beautiful French Late 19th Century Gothic/Church Bronze / Brass Light
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful late 19th century church light, the patina is so much nicer in person, originally it was for candle, but was converted to electricity, can be ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Lighting

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Large wall lamp with sword, 1950's
Located in Meulebeke, BE
A large wall lamp with a metal sword in wrought iron is a unique and original choice for a home. This lamp has a beautiful design that creates a medieval atmosphere. The sword is ma...
Category

1950s French Vintage Medieval Lighting

Materials

Wrought Iron

19th Century French Gothic Forged Iron Eight-Light Island Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique light fixture was forged in France, circa 1890. Rectangular in shape and almost 4 feet long, the chandelier with a flat bottom, features an intricate pierced gallery with scrolled work around the perimeter, and embellished with gilt floral rosette medallions in each recessed corner; the light has the original double chains on each side connected to a crossed bar, under the top double chain. The large chandelier has eight inside arms newly wired and each iron torch light...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Lighting

Materials

Iron

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

Hand Forged Iron 4 Candle Candelabra Designed in the brutalist Gothic style
Located in Chillerton, 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

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

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

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

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

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 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

Blacksmith Made Gothic Wrought Iron Floor Lamp
Located in Chillerton, 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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 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

Beech, Glass

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.

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