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.
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 ...
Bronze
Antique Gilt Bronze Three Arm Candelabra by Cornelius & Co., 1840, USA
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 ...
Bronze
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Brass, Bronze
$5,350
Neo Gothic Bronze Lamp
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Neo Gothic bronze architectural fragment mounted as lamp.
Bronze
$1,274Sale Price|25% 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
Iron, Wrought Iron
Stoneware Lamp with Gothic Face
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Ceramic lamp with a gothic face. Lamp measures 19" high from base to the bottom of socket and 10" diameter. Lamp has been professionally rewired for a 3-way light bulb. We also added...
Ceramic
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 ...
Bronze
Spanish Medieval Table Lamp in Gilt Wrought Iron
Located in Barcelona, ES
Medieval Style Iron Table Lamp, Spain, 1940s Gorgeous Spanish Colonial table lamp hand forged in iron with gilt patinated finsih. Tripod standing p...
Iron, Wrought Iron, Metal
Nexus - wireless table lamp
Located in Firenze, FI
Compact and sculptural, this wireless lamp features a circular brass base and a curved arm that encloses a vertical satin-finish glass LED light source. A blue enamel accent punctuat...
Brass
French 19th Century Brass Altar Candlestick Lamp and Shade
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An antique brass altar candlestick from 19th century France, that has been converted into an electrified lamp. This gorgeous fixture i...
Brass
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...
Brass, Bronze
19th Century French Carved Limestone Gothic Architectural Fragment Table Lamp
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
19th Century French architectural table lamp formed from a carved limestone Gothic fragment. The tapering element carved in relief with stylised foliate crockets/leafwork, later dr...
Limestone
$1,106Sale Price|25% Off
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
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...
Brass
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...
Bronze
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...
Metal, Brass, Bronze
Heavy French Gothic Brass Table Lamps, Pair, Decorative Design, 1900
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...
Brass
$1,200Sale Price / set|54% Off
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...
Porcelain
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
Iron
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...
Brass
1930s Brass Candlestick Table Lamp with Spikes and Ball Feet at Base
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1930s Brass Candlestick Table Lamp with Spikes and Ball Feet at Base Height to finial: 24" Height to socket: 19" Two Light Socket with pull chains Ball Feet Medieval Art Deco Needs R...
Brass
neoclassical table lamp in golden wrought iron circa 1950
Located in Mouscron, WHT
neoclassical table lamp in golden wrought iron circa 1950
Wrought Iron
"Vintage Architectural Element Lamps, Blackened Finish, Medieval Style"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Vintage architectural element lamps, black finish.
Cement, Stone, Brass
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....
Glass, Beech
Large Stoneware Table Lamp
Located in London, GB
A large stoneware table lamp France, 1960s With the shade: 63 cm high by 46 cm diameter Lamp base only: 39 cm high by 26 cm diameter
Stoneware
Antique Pair of French Bronze Lamps with Handmade Pink Lace Shades
Located in Toronto, ON
A beautiful and grand pair of French antique bronze 5 candle lamps, with handmade pink silk shades. Newly rewired.
Bronze
Hand-Wrought Iron Tripod Table Lamp
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
A substantial wrought iron single light table lamp on a tripod base.
Wrought Iron
$2,508
H 25.6 in Dm 11.82 in
Elegant 19th Century Classical Brass Table Lamp, Converted from an Oil Lamp
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant 19th Century Classical Brass Table Lamp, Converted from an Oil Lamp An impressive and elegantly proportioned brass table lamp in the classical tradition, originally crafted...
Brass
Gothic wrought iron candelabra style floor lamp
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Gothic wrought iron candelabra style floor lamp.
Wrought Iron
Bob Kinzie Stoneware Table Lamp
By Bob Kinzie
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Stoneware lamp base with relief texture design by Bob Kinzie, United States circa 1960's.
Stoneware
Pair of Bronze Table Lamps in the Manner of James Mont
By James Mont
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1960s cast bronze with brass hardware on a wood base table lamps in the manner of James Mont. Newly rewired and new vanilla linen shades. Lamps can be purchased without shades. D...
1930s French Patinated Wrought Iron Table Lamp
Located in London, GB
Patinated Metal Twin-Arm Table Lamp with Twisted Central Support, Early 20th Century. A decorative twin-light table lamp formed from patinated cast and wrought metal. The design fea...
Wrought Iron
Pair of Gothic Revival Gilt and Patinated Bronze Oil Lamps
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Decorated with tracery arches and medieval characters and raised on scrolling legs ending in a tripartite concave base. With glass globes. Electrified.
Bronze
$2,950
H 31 in Dm 16 in
Wonderful French Louis XVI Gilt Bronze Three-Arm Bouillotte Lamp Swan Tole Shade
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful large French neoclassical Louis XVI gilt bronze bouillotte lamp with three acanthus leaf arms and fluted center shaft with applied swags and top offed with a swan head gr...
Tôle, Bronze
$3,850 / set
H 33 in Dm 15 in
Pair of Antique French Six Arm Candelabra, Bronze Dore on Rouge Marble Bases
Located in Montreal, QC
This pair, very much in the Louis XV style, has a number of points of interest : The six arms are arranged around the central light so there are actually seven lights, the vase shaped stem is modelled in bas-relief with leaves, and the base is a well-chosen shaped rouge griotte marble tablet...
Bronze
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...
Iron
Sold
H 28.35 in W 13.78 in D 5.12 in
A pair of Extruder Skull Table Lamps, designed by the luxury brand Eichholtz
Located in Bishop's Stortford, GB
Extruder Skull Table Lamps, designed by the luxury brand Eichholtz. Characterized by their edgy, macabre aesthetic, they feature a highly detailed, ha...
Metal
A Silver Plated Column Lamp by The Northern Goldsmiths Company
By Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. Ltd.
Located in London, GB
A George V silver plated column lamp with octagonal base. Manufactured by the Nothern Goldsmith's Company c.1920. Re-wired with brown silk flex. Shade not included. H: 33cm to ba...
Silver Plate, Brass
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.
Brass
A brass gothic column table lamp
Located in London, GB
England, circa 1840 An unusual mid nineteenth century single brass column lamp, decorated with Gothic tracery, supported on an octagonal base. Height of column 44.00cm Height with ...
Brass
Gothic Style Barley Twist Floor Lamp Table This is an unusual Piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Gothic Style Barley Twist Floor Lamp Table This is an unusual Piece, the base of the lamp is in the form of a small carved wine table and the lamp rises from the centre The wooden ...
Oak
Rare Mid-20th Century Bronze Iron Rose Motif Table Lamp
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautiful craftsmanship bronze / wrought iron table lamp with rose flowers and thorns in high relief to the base and shade. The lamp features a bell shaped shade of beige fabric and ...
Bronze, Iron
Pair of Massive Brass 'Trumpet' Gothic Style Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of massive brass 'Trumpet' Gothic Style lamps England, 1900s Each one of substantial size and grace, standing 35-inches tot he socket, 32.5-Inches high to the the top of the c...
Brass
Gothic Style Table Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Gothic lantern style hexagonal table lamp. Textured amber glass panes on each side sit behind scrolled elements and twisted wrought iron posts deco...
Wrought Iron
Pair of Gothic Chess Pieces Laguna Brayton Lamps 1947 Design Peter Ganine
By Ganine
Located in Palm Springs, CA
These pieces are so rare and happy to offer them in a pair of custom lamps. The King and Queen chess pieces were designed by Peter Ganine and made by Calif...
Ceramic
Heavy French Gothic Brass Table Lamp
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Heavy French Gothic brass table lamp A very decorative Chateau table lamp, the base is in the Gothic style with a wide straight upright column and a ...
Brass
Pair of Antique Solid Brass Table Lamps
Located in London, GB
A stunning pair of antique table lamps in solid brass. These were made in England, they date from around the 1930’s. The quality is superb, they are very well made and are a lovel...
Brass
Unique Lamp Bronze Medieval Style Aquamanile, 1944
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Unique lamp made of Bronze, inspired by a medieval aquamanile in the shape of a lion. This lamp is made for 25 years service of Jacq. A.D.M. Daniëls as ...
Bronze