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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
Early 20th Century French Gothic Twelve-Light Iron Chandelier with Gilt Accents
Located in Dallas, TX
Illuminate a dining room or entryway with this impressive round chandelier. Crafted in France circa 1920, the hand-forged wrought iron fixture features twelve lights arranged around ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Medieval Lighting

Materials

Wrought Iron

Neo Gothic Medieval Style Carved Wood Wall Candle Holder or Torchere
Located in Bishop's Stortford, GB
Neo Gothic Medieval Style Carved Wood Wall Candle Holder or Torchere. This imposing wooden candle holder seamlessly combines natural beauty with functionality, featuring a sturdy des...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Medieval Lighting

Materials

Oak

Farm House Tole Hollywood Regency Chandelier with Murano Shades Italy 1980s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Add a touch of opulence to your home with this charming Chandelier. Perfect verdigris colored parts to enhance any chic or eclectic home. We'd love to see it hanging in an entryway o...
Category

1980s German Vintage Medieval Lighting

Materials

Metal

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

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

5 Lights Wrought Iron Candlestick
5 Lights Wrought Iron Candlestick
$1,185 Sale Price
20% Off
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

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

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

Ceiling Lamp from 1930's, forged and welded steel.
Located in Turku, Finland
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

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

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

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

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

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

French 19th Century Iron Chandelier
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Medieval Lighting

Materials

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

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

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

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

6 Lights Wrought Iron Candlestick
6 Lights Wrought Iron Candlestick
$1,280 Sale Price
25% 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

French Gothic Style Eight-Light Iron Chandelier with Hand-Painted Crests, Wired
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Gothic style eight-light iron chandelier from the 20th century with hand-painted crests. This French Gothic style chandelier from the 20th century is an exquisite example of...
Category

20th Century French Medieval Lighting

Materials

Brass, 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

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

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

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

French Gothic Wrought Iron Chandelier, c. 1930
Located in Chicago, IL
This magnificent frosted glass chandelier combines the soft finish of molded Art Deco glass with the striking forms of a Gothic wrought iron frame. The cent...
Category

Early 20th Century French Medieval Lighting

Materials

Iron

Pair Large French Wall Sconces Gilbert Poillerat Style
Located in SAINTE-COLOMBE, FR
Pair Large French Wall Sconces Gilbert Poillerat Style   This elegant matching pair of wall sconces are styled in a gothic manner.   The main stem is in twisted wrought iron and each...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Lighting

Materials

Metal, Wrought 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

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

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

Gothic Style Brass Altar Candlestick as Lamp
Located in Astoria, NY
Gothic Style Brass Altar Candlestick as Lamp, with pierced floral and scalloped motif on shaped base. Overall: 44" H x 10" Diameter. Provenance: From a Fifth Avenue Collection.
Category

20th Century European Medieval Lighting

Materials

Brass

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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