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.
$399Sale Price|20% Off
2'3"x8'5" Brown Vintage Persian Bibikabad 100% Wool Hand Knotted Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Pecan Brown, Vintage Persian Bibikabad, 100% Wool, Hand Knotted, Worn Down and Distressed, Zero Pile, Sides and Ends Professionally Secured, Narrow Runner, Oriental Rug Primary mater...
Wool
$2,370Sale Price|25% Off
11'8"x14'9" Dutch White Turkish Knot Design 100% Wool Hand Knotted Oversized Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Dutch White, Turkish Knot Paisley Design, 100% Wool, Hand Knotted, Oversized, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Transitional Primary colo...
Wool
$416Sale Price|25% Off
2'x3' Gray Wool And Silk Broken Zoroastrian Hand Knotted Design Mat Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Wool and Silk, Hand Knotted, Broken Persian Design, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving craftsm...
Silk
$2,370Sale Price|25% Off
8'x10' Blue, Silk with Wool, Tone on Tone, Modern Design Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Sky Blue, Silk with Textured Wool, Tone on Tone, Modern All Over Design, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Transiti...
Wool
$520Sale Price|20% Off
2'8"x9'3" Brown Vintage Northwest Persian Hand Knotted Pure Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Carob Brown, Vintage Northwest Persian, Worn and Distressed, Sheared Low, Zero Pile, Sides and Ends Professionally Secured, Hand Knotted, 100% Wool, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary mate...
Wool
Pretty Vintage Aubusson Style médiéval design Jacquard Tapestry « the harvest »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
very beautiful Aubusson style tapestry, with a design of a medieval tapestry That Tapestry has been created in about 1530 by B. Van Orley, creator of "Chasses de Maximilien" (acces...
Wool
$3,570Sale Price|25% Off
11'x13' Red Semi Antique Persian Heriz Clean Pure Wool Hand Knotted Squarish Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Crimson Red, Semi Antique, Persian Heriz, Full Pile, Clean, Soft and in Very Good Condition, 100% Wool, Hand Knotted, Squarish, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile he...
Wool
$2,812Sale Price|25% Off
Beige Antique Persian Kerman with Areas of Wear, Distressed, Clean, Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous hand knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Wool
$3,644Sale Price|25% Off
Burgundy Red Rajasthan Design Wool and Silk Hand Knotted Rug 9'0" x 12'0"
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Silk
$4,366Sale Price|25% Off
9'x11'10" Marlin Blue Peshawar Tree of Life Hand Knotted Wool Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Afghan Peshawar with Birds of Paradise Design, Hand Knotted, Pure Wool, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries...
Wool
Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French screen-printed by hand tapestry featuring the exquisite design of a medieval museum tapestry This tapestry, a replica of the origin...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
$2,701Sale Price|25% Off
10'2"x14' Beige Ancient Persian Garden Design Tone on Tone Hand Knotted Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Beige, Ancient Persian Garden Design, Tone on Tone, Hand Knotted, Pure Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Transitional Primary colo...
Wool
$4,399Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage French Medieval Tapestry, the Promenade Tapestry
Located in Dallas, TX
77769, vintage French Medieval tapestry, the Promenade tapestry. Drawing inspiration from a combination of Pieter van Aeist and French Medieval sty...
Wool
$996Sale Price|25% Off
4'1"x6'2" Almond Brown, Hand Knotted Cypress Tree Design, Silk With Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Almond Brown, Hand Knotted Cypress Tree Design, Silk With Textured Wool, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centurie...
Silk
$992Sale Price|20% Off
3'3"x9'6" Umber Brown Antique Persian Baluch Pure Wool Hand Knotted Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Umber Brown, Antique Persian Baluch, 100% Wool, Hand Knotted, Professionally Cleaned, Even Wear, Sides and Ends Secured, Wide Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No P...
Wool
$492Sale Price|20% Off
2'8"x8'9" Brown Vintage Persian Bibikabad Hand Knotted Pure Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Mink Brown, Vintage Persian Bibikabad, Worn Down and Distressed, 100% Wool, Hand Knotted, Zero Pile, Sides and Ends Professionally Secured, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wo...
Wool
$9,878Sale Price|25% Off
Red Hand Knotted Wool Antiqued Fine Heriz Re-Creation Oriental Rug 12'1" x 18'2"
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Wool
$501Sale Price|25% Off
2'1"x3' Cypress Tree Design Silk With Textured Wool Hand Knotted Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Cypress Tree Design Silk With Textured Wool Hand Knotted Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old Persian we...
Silk
$3,430Sale Price|25% Off
Sky Blue Hand Knotted Jewellery Design Wool and Pure Silk Square Rug 10' x 10'2"
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Silk
$1,624Sale Price|25% Off
2'8"x9'8" Gray With Small Bird Figurines Vegetable Dyes Runner Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Armenian Inspired Caucasian Design, Hand Knotted, Pure Wool, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weavin...
Wool
$3,160Sale Price|25% Off
9'x12' Stardew Gray Karjihooz 100% Wool Geometric Hand Knotted Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Organic Wool Karajeh and Geometric Design Hand Knotted Oriental Rug. It has been woven for months and months in the centuries-old Persian weavin...
Wool
$3,808Sale Price|20% Off
6'7"x10'2" Red Antique Persian Fereghan Sarouk Hand Knotted Wool Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Blush Red, Antique Persian Fereghan Sarouk, Medallion Design, Even Low Pile, Soft, 100% Wool, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool\ Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches ...
Wool
$543Sale Price|20% Off
3'x8'10" Red Vintage Northwest Persian Hand Knotted Pure Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Desire Red, Vintage Northwest Persian, Geometric Design, Sheared Low, Zero Pile, Sides and Ends Professionally Secured, Hand Knotted, 100% Wool, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary material...
Wool
$570Sale Price|25% Off
3'4"x10'9" Red Semi Antique Persian Heriz Full Pile Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Savvy Red, Semi Antique Persian Heriz, Geometric Medallion Design, Clean, Full and Soft Even Pile, 100% Wool, Hand Knotted, Oriental, Wide Runner Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: N...
Wool
$8,848Sale Price|20% Off
Late 19th Century French Aubusson Verdure Tapestry with Louis XVI Revival Style
Located in Dallas, TX
79208 Late 19th Century Antique French Aubusson Tapestry, 06'00 x 08'10. A sanctuary of woven splendor and poetic artistry, this handwoven wool and silk French Aubusson tapestry from...
Wool, Silk
$3,920Sale Price|20% Off
18th Century Antique Indian Medieval Tapestry after the Battle of Karnal in 1739
Located in Dallas, TX
74417 18th Century Antique Indian Medieval Wall Tapestry after the Battle of Karnal in 1739. This beautiful antique Indian painted tapestry is done on a canvas. It features a hunting battle scene with kings, kingsmen and royalty with multiple types of animals ranging from horses, elephants, lions, birds, peacocks and leopards. This tapestry is possibly in relation to The Battle of Karnal in 1739. The Muhammed Shah fought with Nader Shah...
Fabric
$2,409Sale Price|25% Off
Navy Blue Worn Wool Cropped Thin Hand Knotted Old Persian Kerman Distressed Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Wool
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
The Lovers’ Draught: Antique English Medieval Needlepoint Masterpiece of Romance
Located in Dallas, TX
78092 Rare Antique English Needlepoint Tapestry 02'04 x 03'05. Woven in the quiet hush of late-Victorian England yet echoing the soul of the Middle Ages, this extraordinary handwoven...
Wool
$2,337Sale Price|25% Off
8'4"x11' Barn Red Clean Tribal Weave Vintage Persian Heriz Hand Knotted Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Wool
Pretty Vintage Aubusson Style médiéval design Jacquard Tapestry
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
very beautiful French Aubusson style tapestry, with a design of a medieval tapestries. This tapestry has been made in the renowned “La Filandière” manufacturing Beautiful colours w...
Wool, Cotton
$1,968Sale Price|20% Off
2'9"x12'2" Beau Blue Nain 250 KPSI Hand Knotted Wool & Silk Soft Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Beau Blue, Nain with Flower Medallions Design, 250 KPSI, Soft Pile, Wool and Silk, Hand Knotted, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 ...
Wool
$650Sale Price|20% Off
3'1"x10' Beaver Brown Vintage Persian Hamadan Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Beaver Brown with Pink, Vintage Persian Hamadan with Geometric Pattern, Worn Out and Distressed, Zero Pile, Clean, Hand Knotted, 100% Wool, Wide Runner, Oriental Rug Primary material...
Wool
$911Sale Price|25% Off
9'9"x13' Colorful Veggie Dyes Organic Wool Hand Woven Afghan Kilim Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Colorful, Veggie Dyes Organic Wool Hand Woven, Afghan Kilim with Geometric Design Flat Weave, Reversible Oriental Rug. It has been Woven for mon...
Wool
$7,199Sale Price|20% Off
Antique French Aubusson Verdure Tapestry
Located in Dallas, TX
77764, antique French Verdure tapestry. This hand-woven antique French Aubusson verdure tapestry depicts a landscape scene of the French countryside. ...
Wool
$1,200Sale Price|25% Off
Blueish Grey Distressed Feel Worn Wool Hand Knotted Vintage Persian Tabriz Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous hand-knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Wool
$317Sale Price|25% Off
2'x3'1" Natural Tan Sickle Leaf Hand Knotted Wool and Silk Oriental Mat Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Silk With Textured Wool Hand Knotted, Sickle Leaf Design, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving c...
Silk
$1,276Sale Price|20% Off
Blue Hand Knotted Overdyed Old Persian Tabriz Worn Down Rustic Look Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Wool
$4,377Sale Price|25% Off
9'2"x11'8" Caviar Black Wool and Silk Botanical Design Hand Knotted Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Caviar Black, Half Wool and Half Silk, Borderless Botanical Design, Densely Woven, Soft Pile, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0....
Silk
$10,420Sale Price|25% Off
Acadia White Antiqued Heriz Re-Creation Hand Knotted Wool Round Rug 14' x 14'
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Wool
$2,797Sale Price|25% Off
Colorful Mamluk Design Sari Silk with Wool Runner Hand Knotted Rug 3'1" x 16'1"
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Silk
Pretty Vintage French screen printed Tapestry by hand. « Sheep shearing »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French screen printed tapestry by hand featuring the exquisite design of the renowned medieval museum tapestry,I « La tonte des Moutons» ( S...
Wool, Cotton
$2,778Sale Price|25% Off
Blue Pure Wool Armenian 200 KPSI Caucasian Design Hand Knotted Round Rug 8' x 8'
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Wool
$30,000Sale Price|25% Off
13'7"x20'7" White Mansion Sized Persian Nain Hand Knotted Wool and Silk XL Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Linen White, Mansion Sized Persian Nain with Medallion Design, Finely Made, 300 KPSI, Wool and Silk, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile hei...
Silk
$570Sale Price|25% Off
2'8"x9'10" Salsa Red Vintage Northwest Persian 100% Wool Hand Knotted Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Salsa Red, Vintage Northwest Persian with Serrated Leaf Design, Shaved Low, Zero Pile, Sides and Ends Professionally Secured, Hand Knotted, 100% Wool, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary ma...
Wool
$20,000Sale Price|20% Off
Zabihi Collection Antique Persian Sarouk Carpet
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th-century Persian Sarouk rug. Seafoam Green background with a terracotta border. Pink and turqoise accent colors 10'9'' x 13'11''
Wool
$766Sale Price|25% Off
Purple Overdyed Hand Knotted Old Persian Hamadan Wool Clean Rustic Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Wool
Nice Vintage Kalamkar Ispahan
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Beautiful midcentury hand painted kalamkar with a nice design of Safavid period and beautiful colors, hand painted on cotton foundation.
Cotton
$1,170Sale Price|25% Off
2'1"x8'3" Coral Color Antique Turkish Oushak Wool Weft Hand Knotted Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Coral Color, Antique Turkish Oushak, Clean, Even Wear, Wool Weft, 100% Wool, Hand Knotted, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Trad...
Wool
$3,315Sale Price|25% Off
8'2'x10' Onyx Black Borderless Botanical Design Wool and Silk Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Onyx Black, Borderless Botanical Design, Half Wool and Half Silk, Densely Woven, Soft Pile, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25...
Silk
$1,995Sale Price|25% Off
9'x12'1" Brown Wool and Silk Hand Knotted Modern Grass Design Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Shades of Brown, Wool and Silk, Hand Knotted, Modern Grass Design, Tone on Tone, Lush and Plush, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches S...
Wool
$1,677Sale Price|25% Off
5'x7' Colorful Sari Silk Mamluk Design Hand Knotted Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Colorful Sari Silk Mamluk Design Hand Knotted Oriental Rug. It has been woven for months and months in the centuries-old Persian weaving craftsm...
Silk
$1,017Sale Price|25% Off
4'1"x6'1" Caviar Black Half Wool and Half Silk Botanical Design Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Caviar Black, Half Wool and Half Silk, Borderless Botanical Design, Densely Woven, Soft Pile, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 I...
Silk
$2,370Sale Price|25% Off
9'1"x11'7" Hot Pink Sari Silk Solid Design Kilim Flat Weave Hand Woven Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Hot Pink, Sari Silk, Solid Design Kilim, Flat Weave, Hand Woven, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Sari Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Traditional Primary color: Pink ...
Wool
$968Sale Price|25% Off
4'x6' Parchment White Botanical Design Half Wool and Half Silk Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Parchment White, Botanical Design, Borderless, Half Wool and Half Silk, Densely Woven, Soft Pile, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height...
Silk
$4,977Sale Price|25% Off
10'x10' Falcon Gray Willow and Cypress Tree Wool Hand Knotted Round Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Beige, Silk With Textured Wool Hand Knotted, Willow And Cypress Tree Design, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the cent...
Silk
$1,599Sale Price|25% Off
2'6"x10'1" Brown Mamluk Design Hand Knotted Textured Wool and Silk Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Khaki Brown, Mamluk Design with Geometric Medallions, Hand Knotted, Textured Wool and Silk, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches St...
Wool
$366Sale Price|20% Off
2'3"x6'2" Red New Persian Hussainabad Full Pile All Wool Hand Knotted Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Ajax Red, New Persian Hussainabad with All Over Design, Full Pile and Soft, Hand Knotted, Pure Wool, Narrow Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 ...
Wool
$354Sale Price|25% Off
3'9"x6'1" Ivory Pure Wool Hand Knotted Faded Out Worn Down Persian Vintage Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Vintage Persian Tabriz, Hand Knotted, Pure Wool, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving craftsmans...
Wool
$453Sale Price|25% Off
6'x9' Ruddy Blue Pure Cotton Durie Kilim Flat Weave Hand Woven Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Ruddy Blue, Pure Cotton, Durie Kilim Flat Weave, Stripe Design, Hand Woven, Reversible Oriental Rug Primary materials: Cotton Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Traditional P...
Silk
Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry “fountain concert”
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French screen-printed by hand tapestry featuring the exquisite design of a medieval museum tapestry titled “fountain concert “ This tapestr...
Wool, Cotton, Linen