Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
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.
17th Century Italian Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
17th Century Belgian Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Silk, Velvet
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
16th Century Belgian Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Gold
Early 20th Century European Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Parchment Paper
15th Century and Earlier Spanish Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Other
16th Century Belgian Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Walnut
15th Century and Earlier German Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Stone
Early 20th Century European Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
Early 20th Century British Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
Early 20th Century British Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Resin, Pine
17th Century Italian Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
Early 19th Century German Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Fruitwood, Oak
19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
2010s American Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Plaster
20th Century Italian Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Alabaster
19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
1910s Irish Vintage Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century French Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Leather, Satin, Paper
17th Century Italian Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
17th Century Italian Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
2010s Italian Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Marble, Sterling Silver
2010s French Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Leather
Early 20th Century French Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Wrought Iron
19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
17th Century Italian Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
1950s Polish Vintage Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
19th Century European Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Terracotta, Paint
2010s French Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Leather
2010s Dutch Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Sheet Metal
17th Century Italian Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
Early 20th Century European Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Oak
1870s French Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Oak, Wood
19th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Plaster
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood, Walnut
1950s Polish Vintage Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze, Iron
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Late 19th Century Belgian Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
1980s Vintage Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Silver Plate
1950s Belgian Vintage Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
1950s Belgian Vintage Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Early 20th Century Belgian Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Carrara Marble, Marble
Early 20th Century Belgian Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
Early 20th Century European Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
15th Century and Earlier Spanish Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Other
18th Century Greek Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Coral, Silver
Mid-20th Century Dutch Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
Mid-20th Century Dutch Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
15th Century and Earlier Dutch Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Oak, Paint
1950s Polish Vintage Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal