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.
Strawberry Hill Gothic Pier Mirror
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A carved gilt-wood Gothic design pier mirror inspired by the style and decoration of The Long Gallery at Strawberry Hill. Please note we are currently working to a 30-36 week lead t...
Giltwood
Strawberry Hill Gothic Pier Glass
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A carved gilt-wood pier mirror with cluster form columns supporting a carved Gothic foliate arch top, inspired by Robert Walpole’s library. Please note that we are currently working...
Giltwood
Strawberry Hill Robert Adam Round
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A carved, gilt-wood geometric Gothic design circular wall mirror inspired by the ceiling decoration by Robert Adam, from the formal drawing room set within Walpole’s Gothic villa. P...
Giltwood
Venetian Style Round Mirror with Pink Purple Orange Glass and Brass Frame
Located in Barcelona, ES
Colorful midcentury Large Round Polyhedral Venetian Mirror Cool Venetian style Hollywood Regency round mirror with pink purple amber iridiscent mirror glass panels. Spain, 1950s This glamorous mirror featuring a double layered mirror frame made of brass. 16 panels forming a circle with a frame that has two layers of decorative paneled mirrors. Both layers are made of iridiscent mirror glasses with colors in shades from pink to lilac with soft blue and amber yellow accents. The mirrored panels are adorned by decorative brass patterns and classical flowers. The large glass surface allows to use this mirror as console mirror or hanging on a bathroon, powder room or any other bedroom. Rare find. Overall measures: 80 cm diameter x3,5 cm H // 31,49 in diameter x 1,37 in H Central glass measures: 64 cm diameter // 25,19 in diameter Venetian Style Mirror // midcentury Wall Mirror // Venetian Round Mirror // Pink Wall Mirror // Pink Purple Mosaic Glass Mirror...
Metal, Brass
Neoclassical Pier Mirrors
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of completely original, hand-carved and gilded, Italian, c. 1800 pier mirrors. Each featuring a spectacular crown consisting of a pierced, flower c...
Mercury Glass, Wood
$688Sale Price|20% Off
H 26.38 in W 21.66 in D 1.19 in
Strawberry Hill Style Chinoiserie Japanned Vanity Mirror
Located in Bruton, GB
A highly decorative Strawberry Hill style mirror, featuring a shaped and faceted mirror plate set within a black japanned frame adorned with delicate gilt chinoiserie decoration. The...
Mirror, Wood
$2,457
H 1.97 in Dm 23.23 in
Venetian Style Round Mirror with Brass Details, Hollywood Regency Style, 1960
Located in Barcelona, ES
Venetian style round wall mirror with brass accents, Spain, 1950-1960s. This circular mirror has a triple mirror frame. The mirrored panels are adorned by metal patterns and flowers....
Metal, Brass
$14,400 / set
H 29.53 in W 36.62 in D 11.82 in
Midcentury Console & Round Beveled Mirror with Stools, by Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Vigonza, Padua
They can be sold separately Italy entry room set, attributed to Osvaldo Borsani, circa 1950: mirrored console with drowing and two stools in solid walnut, t...
Plastic, Walnut, Mirror
$3,371
H 1.58 in Dm 27.56 in
Venetian Modern Round Wall Mirror with Pink Purple Glass and Brass Details
Located in Barcelona, ES
Round Venetian Style Mirror, Spain 1960s Elegant Venetian style Hollywood Regency round mirror with iridiscent and mirror glass panels. This glamo...
Metal, Brass
$12,161
H 0.4 in W 0.4 in D 0.4 in
18th Century George I Gilt-Gesso Pier Glass mirror, Manner of John Belchier
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A Rare George I Gilt-Gesso Pier Glass Mirror, Circa 1725. England. In the Manner of John Belchier The mirror has an elaborately carved gilt-gesso frame, which was a hallmark of luxu...
Gold Leaf
George III Gilt Pier Mirror
Located in Altrincham, GB
George III Gilt Pier Mirror - with rectangular bevelled plate, with urn and eagle surmount, hung with ball and chain, and beaded frame - 14"w x 30"h
Mirror, Giltwood
Magnificent George II Stone-Painted Pier Glass
Located in London, GB
A MAGNIFICENT GEORGE II STONE-PAINTED PIER GLASS IN THE MANNER OF WILLIAM KENT, CIRCA 1730. Carved in lime wood and Baltic pine. The eared Greek-key frame surmounted by a frieze wit...
Gesso, Mirror, Pine
French Neoclassical Giltwood and Eglomise Pier Mirror
Located in San Francisco, CA
Neoclassical carved and giltwood frame with églomisé ‘reverse hand-painted glass panels’ at the top, bottom and surrounding periphery, and having original period mirror. In beautiful...
Glass, Mirror, Giltwood
Italian Neoclassical Pier Mirror
Located in San Francisco, CA
A large gilded pier mirror with an architectural design. Beautiful patina and aged glass. All original condition. Italy, late 18th to early 19th century.
Mirror, Wood
Neoclassical Gold Gilt Pier Mirror, 2 Section
Located in Newfoundland, PA
Wonderful two section neoclassical gold leaf gilt mirror, it retains the original mirror and gold gilt. Measuring 22 inches wide x 43 3/8 inches High x 2 3/4 inches deep, section siz...
Wood
Eastlake Victorian Walnut PIer Mirror
Located in Sheffield, MA
This rare Eastlake Victorian antique walnut pier mirror is a stunning piece that will add a touch of elegance to any room. Crafted in the late 1800s, it features a beautiful mirror i...
Walnut
$4,022 / set
H 47.25 in W 35.44 in D 11.03 in
Round Mirror & Console Shelf, Christian Langeström for Fröseke, Sweden 1970s
By Fröseke 2
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful console set in dark pine made of a round mirror and a two drawer hanging shelf. The set has a slightly brutal feel to it, but is quite calm and would fit perfectly in mod...
Mirror, Pine
Round Tessellated Bone Mirror with Wall Mounted Console Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Round mirror and cantilevered console shelf, clad in rectangular bone tiles, in the manner of Karl Springer. Measurements below are for cantilevered console. Mirror is 36" diamet...
Bone, Lacquer, Mirror, Wood