Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
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.
Early 19th Century French Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
16th Century Belgian Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold
17th Century Italian Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
17th Century Belgian Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Silk, Velvet
20th Century English Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Oak
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Parchment Paper
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Early 1900s Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Fabric, Velvet, Trimming
19th Century Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
19th Century Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Oak
19th Century French Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Oak
1890s German Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
15th Century and Earlier Spanish Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Other
16th Century Belgian Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
17th Century European Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass, Bronze
Early 20th Century Austrian Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Spelter
20th Century American Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
1880s English Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Oak
Early 20th Century European Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
15th Century and Earlier German Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Stone
Early 1900s Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Canvas, Wood, Paint
19th Century Scottish Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Sterling Silver
18th Century European Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Mid-19th Century Spanish Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
1990s French Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Early 20th Century European Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
19th Century European Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Sterling Silver
19th Century Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Silver
Early 20th Century British Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
15th Century and Earlier Unknown Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Hardwood, Paint
1890s English Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather, Paper
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
Late 20th Century Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Oak, Paint
Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Silk
Mid-20th Century Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal, Steel
17th Century Italian Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
Late 20th Century Unknown Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
20th Century Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather, Glass, Wood
Early 20th Century British Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Resin, Pine
Early 19th Century German Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Fruitwood, Oak
2010s American Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Plaster
20th Century Italian Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Alabaster
Early 19th Century English Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
Mid-20th Century French Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass, Nickel
19th Century Italian Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
1910s Irish Vintage Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Stained Glass, Wood
2010s Italian Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble, Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century European Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass, Iron
19th Century Italian Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Carrara Marble
Late 20th Century French Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather, Satin, Paper
19th Century Italian Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
Late 18th Century French Antique Medieval More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron