Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
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 & Unique Glazed Earthenware Pot W. Gothic Christogram / Christ Symbolism
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique glazed pot with a hand-painted and rare Gothic Christogram. Possibly medieval.
Over the past decades we have seen and sold many works of religious art, but we never before had the pleasure of offering such a unique and all handcrafted and glazed earthenware 'pot'. To have found a piece of this unicity, this size, this great shape and in this beautiful condition more than made our day. The unique Christogram ofcourse is at the center of this one of a kind antique. At the outer end of each letter of this Christogram is the famous Gothic trefoil...
Category
19th Century European Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Terracotta, Paint
Antique French Statue Figure Saint Lady Sculpture Book Bible Carved Oak 23.5" T
Located in Tyler, TX
RARE Carved Oak Statue Figure~~Medieval Saint or Lady Holding Bible~~c. late 19th to early 20th century
MASTERFULLY CARVED from one piece of oak depict...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Oak
Georgian Architectural Model
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very fine English early 19th century mahogany architectural model of a church, the multiple steeples flanking a faux carved slate shingled room, wh...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mahogany
Wooden Cross, Western Europe, 1950s
Located in Chorzów, PL
A wooden cross from the 1950s.
Dimensions: height 85 cm / width 40 cm / depth 15 cm.
Category
1950s Polish Vintage Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Cross of Caravaca 17th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Cross of caravaca xvii century.
Very beautiful cross of caravaca made in bronze. 17th Century. Measurements: 14x6 cm.
Good condition.
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Sterling Silver on Brass Spider Web Belt Buckle Signed Baldwin
Located in Ferndale, MI
Brass frame belt buckle with nicely soldered spider web embellishment. Signed Baldwin on the backside.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver, Brass
Stunning Large Oak Corpus Christi on Crucifix w. Symbols of the Four Evangelists
Located in Lisse, NL
Antique large crucifix with stunning quality, hand carved details and an amazing patina.
This remarkable and large sculpture of a suffering Chr...
Category
Early 20th Century European Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Oak
Antique Enthroned Virgin Mary and Child
Located in Doha, QA
This extraordinary museum piece Enthroned Virgin Mary with the child on her lap comes from the Rhone region in France. The saint symbol and protector ...
Category
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Oak Kneeler, France, circa 1870
Located in Chorzów, PL
Oak kneeler, France, circa 1870.
Very good condition.
Dimensions: height 99 cm, width 48 cm, depth 52 cm.
Category
1870s French Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Oak, Wood
Good Size Pair of Hand Carved & Patinated Don Quixote and Sancho Panza Bookends
Located in Lisse, NL
Finest quality carved and mint condition 1930s, famous novel bookends.
If you are looking for decorative, practical and very well-crafted bookends then this detailed pair could be...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
20th Century Sculptural Italian Chess Game
Located in VALENZA, IT
Brass chess board and chess game made with the ancient casting technique.
After casting, the finish was chiseled and subsequently silvered and finished with 24-carat gold plating.
The figures are in Florentine medieval style then painted with antioxidant treatment using a special transparent lacquer.
The two-tone mirrored glass chess top which highlights the high quality of execution.
Italian silverware, already with a centuries-old tradition, had a great development in the twentieth century and produced pieces of the highest quality that the whole world envies. Italian craftsmanship had a kind of new Renaissance after the war.
A great many high-quality silverware was born where exceptional pieces were produced that now decorate the most prestigious houses.
Made entirely by hand in the artisan workshop of piero Benzoni...
Category
1980s Vintage Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver Plate
Wooden Cross, Western Europe, 1950s
Located in Chorzów, PL
A wooden cross from the 1950s.
Dimensions: height 85 cm / width 40 cm / depth 15 cm.
Category
1950s Polish Vintage Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Stunning Handcrafted Late 1800s Gothic Casket with Peacock & Gargoyle Sculptures
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful and rare Gothic Revival treasure box with bronze handle.
If you are a collector of antique boxes and/or if you are looking for an extraordinary jewelry box to grace your credenza or side table then this unique and top quality made specimen in the Gothic style could be perfect. Gothic Revival boxes are very hard to find and we have never seen one with such prodigious carvings on all sides. The unique and cat-like dragon gargoyles (with fangs) that look like they are carrying this casket, are just some of the stunningly carved and detailed sculptures that make this antique rarity even more artistic and impressive.
Another great feature are the peacock sculptures. In Christianity the peacock is the symbol of purity. Christians believe that once someone has passed their soul rises and goes to heaven. This is why in earlier times Christians would spread the feathers of a peacock over the deceased since it symbolized a pure soul that was immune to corruption. The peacock also represents immortality, resurrection, and the spiritual teachings of Jesus Christ and the Christian church.
Have you also noticed the top quality details on both ends of the bronze handle on top? The quality of that ornamental work is of the absolute highest standard also. There are many more incredibly beautiful, hand carved details and together they show that no expense was spared to create one of the most amazing Gothic caskets...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze, Iron
16th Century French Gothic Carved Oak Architectural Fragment
Located in Stamford, CT
Early 16th century carved oak fragment of Gothic tracery likely from a choir screen or other decorative element from the interior of a cathedral or chapel. Very fine organic carving ...
Category
16th Century French Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Oak
Pair of 12' Polychromed Plaster Angel 14-Light Candelabra / Lamps on Pedestals
By Daprato Rigali Studios
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of 12' polychromed plaster angel 14-light candelabra / lamps on pedestals
Subtle and dramatic, impressive in size and well executed.
Each angel sta...
Category
Early 20th Century American Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Cross, Western Europe, 1950s
Located in Chorzów, PL
A wooden cross from the 1950s.
Dimensions: height 170 cm / width 75 cm / depth 20 cm.
Category
1950s Belgian Vintage Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
12th Century Rare Romanesque Wood Sculpture of the Virgin Mary
Located in Vero Beach, FL
12th century extremely rare romanesque wood sculpture of the Virgin Mary.
Magnificent wood hand carved sculpture of the Virgin Mary holding a book to her chest.
It is an extremely rare survivor of the 12th century. The style is European, possibly French or English. This statue is a testimony to beautiful religious art from about 1150. A truly rare Romanesque sculpture...
Category
15th Century and Earlier English Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Stone
Cross, Western Europe, 1950s
Located in Chorzów, PL
A wooden cross from the 1950s.
Dimensions: height 85 cm / width 40 cm / depth 15 cm.
Category
1950s Belgian Vintage Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Saint Blaise, Carved, Polychrome and Gilded Wood, Castilian School, 14th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Sculpture "San Blas". Carved, polychrome and gilded wood. Castilian school, 14th century.
The figure stands, looking straight ahead with large, expressive ...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Spanish Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Other
Rare Antique Gothic Revival Bronze 12 Candle Chandelier with Gargoyle Sculptures
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique and stunning 19th century copy of a 16th century Gothic art chandelier.
With another year of selling rare and beautiful antiques almost over, we are proud to offer you one of...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Large Size French Wall Crucifix / Jesus Christ on the Cross with Crown of Thorns
Located in Lisse, NL
Antique large size sculpture and an impressive, religious work of art.
Looking at Christ suffering like this, the crucifix (in our view) is a symbol of what 'telling people the trut...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Early 1900 Hand Carved Marble Statue / Sculpture of Mother Mary w. Cross & Book
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful antique and all handcrafted, solid Carrara marble sculpture.
This rare work of religious art is entirely hand carved out of white marble. We are not certain, but we feel t...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Carrara Marble, Marble
Antique 18th Century Gilt Gothic Art Carved Wood Angel Sculpture Candlestick
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful and sizeable Church altar candelabra in the form of a winged Angel.
This hand-carved Church altar piece is carved out of wood and the gilt finishing gives this piece it's ...
Category
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Unique Fine Table Altar Crucifix with Bronze Sculptures of Christ, Mary and John
Located in Lisse, NL
Large and exceptional work of religious art.
If you are a collector of truly exceptional church artefacts then this early 20th century altar piece could be perfect for you. With church related antiques as one of our specialties we know that you will rarely find a better quality altar crucifix...
Category
Early 20th Century Belgian Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Negretti and Zambra Aneroid Barometer, 19th Century
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
19th century Negretti & Zambra aneroid barometer.
Large English oak, Gothic style barometer.
Free shipping within the United States and Canada.
Category
19th Century Great Britain (UK) Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
The Grandes Heures of Jean, Duke of Berry by Marcel Thomas, 1st Edition
Located in valatie, NY
The Grandes Heures of Jean, Duke of Berry by Marcel Thomas. George Braziller, 1971. 1st Ed hardcover with dust jacket and with the original Mylar protective overlay jacket. The book ...
Category
1970s French Vintage Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
15th C Gothic Tabernacle 4 ft.+ Rare Architectural Religious Art, Museum Quality
Located in Vero Beach, FL
15th century period Gothic Tabernacle, extremely rare (Medieval) architectural religious art, museum quality ecclesiastical altar piece.
This is an ...
Category
15th Century and Earlier German Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Paint
Early 1900s Marked Art Deco Period Bronze Relief Wall Plaque Depicting the Pieta
Located in Lisse, NL
Heavy and finest quality, religious bronze wall plaque.
This intense, bronze wall plaque depicts the Virgin Mary grieving over the body of Jesus Christ after the crucifixion. The h...
Category
Early 20th Century European Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Impressive and Large Bronze Wall Plaque of a Suffering Christ by Sylvain Norga
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare and sizeable Art Deco religious plaque.
Stunning sculpture / plaque by one of the greats when it comes to religious art. This sizeable, heavy and detailed plaque depicts Jesus...
Category
Early 20th Century Belgian Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Hand Carved Medieval Style & Excellent Condition Wooden Canon on Wheels Bookends
Located in Lisse, NL
Good size and striking pair of handcrafted canon bookends.
Nobody in his right mind will like warfare, but there is something so cool about the shape and the look and feel of Mediev...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Antique Model of Ulm Cathedral
By Michael Molz
Located in Atlanta, GA
Stunning and rare scale model of the Ulm Cathedral, completed in 1925 by Michael Molz of Los Angeles. It is in remarkably good condition and features sta...
Category
Early 20th Century North American Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Antique Greek Orthodox carved wood and silver cross
Located in London, GB
Antique Greek Orthodox carved wood and silver cross
Greek, 18th Century
Height 18.5cm, width 8.5cm, depth 6.5cm
This superb piece is a Greek Orthodox cross...
Category
18th Century Greek Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Coral, Silver
Large Pair Gothic Revival Hand Crafted Brass Table or Altar Candlesticks
Located in Lisse, NL
Large and heavy pair of altar candle sticks.
These handcrafted and heavy candleholders are made around 1930 by H. v/d Heijden. With beautiful scro...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Works of Art Polychrome Guardian Angel with Candelabrum, Netherlands
Located in Antwerp, BE
This 15th century oak angel a piece of works of art is a great quality the carving is sober but extremely refined the artist has succeeded wonderfully in displaying this very modest moment in which the miraculous reveals itself in a very serene and tranquil way.
We see the hand of an unknown master in this Gothic polychrome guardian angel in oak.
Low Countries, Mosan region,Gothic 15th...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Dutch Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Oak, Paint
Mid-19th Century English Cast Iron Commodities Scale, Marked Birmingham
Located in Charleston, SC
A large 19th century English cast iron scale, circa 1840, marked Birmingham, England and features scrolling decorative and organic elements. It was purchased in the U.S. and would ha...
Category
19th Century British Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
19th Century French Gothic Free Standing Repousse Brass Church Crucifix
Located in Dallas, TX
This beautiful and intricate crucifix was created in France circa 1880. Coming from a small catholic chapel in France and built of brass, the cross stands on three small curved acant...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Metal Cross with Candlesticks
Located in Chorzów, PL
Metal cross with candlesticks
Very good condition
Measures: height 26 cm, width 31 cm.
Category
1950s Polish Vintage Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Russian Icon of Madonna and Child in Repoussé Metal, Early 20th Century
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Russian icon of Madonna and Child from the early 20th Century. The handmade icon features silvered sheet metal over wood with Repoussé work featuring etched, engraved, and hammered ...
Category
1910s Russian Vintage Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Silver
Rare Early 19th Century French Vampire Stone Boss Fragment
Located in London, GB
Rare early 19th century stone boss
We are proud to offer one of the most unusual examples of a European hand carved stone boss. In the form of a vampire / grotesque. The paint is c...
Category
1820s French Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Stone
Antique, Large and Hand-Carved French Wall Crucifix / Jesus Christ on the Cross
Located in Lisse, NL
Large size sculpture and an impressive religious work of art.
Looking at Christ suffering like this, the crucifix (in our view) is a symbol of what 'telling people the truth' can le...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Medieval collectibles and curiosities for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Medieval collectibles and curiosities 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 collectibles and curiosities created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Medieval collectibles and curiosities made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original collectibles and curiosities, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Arval Argenti Valenza, Edward F. Caldwell & Co., and Michael Molz. 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 collectibles and curiosities differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $88 and tops out at $48,000 while the average work can sell for $1,795.
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