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.
$840Sale Price|25% Off
5'2"x6'5" Red Afghan Khamyab with Bokara Design Hand Knotted Wool Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Scarlet Red, Afghan Khamyab with Khoja Roshni Bokara Small Repetitive Design, Hand Knotted, Soft and Velvety Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 I...
Wool
$1,314Sale Price|25% Off
2'7"x9'10" Blue Peshawar with Bijar Garus Design Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Bayern Blue, Bijar Garus Design, Hand Knotted, High Mountain Wool, Aryana Grade, Soft Pile, Vegetable Dyes, Densely Woven, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile...
Wool
Pretty Vintage French aubusson médiéval style jacquard Tapestry "Vendanges"
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French jacquard tapestry featuring the exquisite design of the renowned medieval museum tapestry, "Les Vendanges" (grape harvest) from the C...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
$827Sale Price|25% Off
2'8"x6' Blue Peshawar with Bijar Garus Design Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Imperial Blue, Peshawar with Bijar Garus Design, High Mountain Wool, Aryana Grade, Hand Knotted, Soft Pile, Vegetable Dyes, Densely Woven, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Woo...
Wool
$1,097Sale Price|25% Off
4'2"x5'5" Pink Afghan Ersari with Antique Caucasian Motif Hand Knotted Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Blush Pink, Afghan Ersari with Turkish Knot, Antique Caucasian Motif, Vegetable Dyes, Densely Woven, Hand Knotted, Soft and Velvety Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: ...
Wool
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
$697Sale Price|20% Off
2'7"x6' Green Peshawar Birds of Paradise Design Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Pickle Green, Afghan Peshawar with Birds of Paradise Design, Vegetable Dyes, Hand Knotted, Soft Wool, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches...
Wool
Nice French Aubusson Style screen printed by hand tapestry «winged stags»
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Immerse yourself in the allure of this mid-20th-century French tapestry, showcasing a design inspired by a 15th-century woven masterpiece titled "Cerfs Ailés" (winged stags) at Rouen...
Cotton, Linen
$2,646Sale Price|25% Off
2'10"x17'7" Red Northwest Zoroastrian Design Hand Knotted Pure Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Crimson Red, Northwest Zoroastrian All Over Design, Aryana Grade, Hand Knotted, Vegetable Dyes, Soft Pile, High Mountain Wool, Densely Woven, XL Runner, Oriental Rug Primary material...
Wool
$1,504Sale Price|20% Off
4'3"x6'4" Brown Antique Zoroastrian Saroogh Full Pile Soft Wool Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Caramel Brown, Antique Zoroastrian Saroogh, Excellent Condition, Full Pile and Soft, Hand Knotted, 100% Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches...
Wool
$4,223Sale Price|20% Off
12'2"x15'2" Orange Pure Wool Hand Knotted Vintage Tabriz Oversized Oriental 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
Beautiful antique fine 18th century french needlepoint tapestry
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Elegant 18th-century French petit point tapestry, beautifully hand-stitched with fine detail and rich colors. This charming piece depicts a lively pastoral scene with figures in peri...
Wool, Cotton, Silk
$2,881Sale Price|20% 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
5'9"x5'9" Gray Hand Knotted Peshawar Birds of Paradise Design All Wool Round Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Medium Gray, Hand Knotted, Afghan Peshawar with Birds of Paradise Design, Soft Wool, Natural Dyes, Round, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Sty...
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
$2,812Sale Price|25% Off
Beige Antique Zoroastrian Karman 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
$14,100Sale Price|20% Off
Red Antique Zoroastrian Karjihooz Heris Pure Wool Hand Knotted Clean XL 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
Zabihi Collection Animal Motif Meshed Early 20th Century Rug
Located in New York, NY
A stunning 1900s Meshed Conversational Animal Motif Statement Rug Details rug no. j5036 size 10' 1" x 13' 5" (307 x 409 cm) rug type Meshed,Pictorial
Wool
Pretty medieval Aubusson design handWoven Polish Tapestry
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Beautiful vintage Polish handwoven tapestry by wool on cotton foundation dating from the mid 20th century, This Polish tapestry clearly draws inspiration from the late medieval Fren...
Wool, Cotton
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
$2,800Sale 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
$1,276Sale Price|20% Off
Blue Hand Knotted Overdyed Old Zoroastrian Tebraz 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
$206Sale Price|20% Off
3'x4'10" Pictorial Afghan Baluch with Cars and Buildings Wool Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Pictorial Afghan Baluch with Cars and Buildings Natural Wool Hand Knotted Oriental Rug. It has been woven for months and months in the centuries...
Wool
$2,662Sale Price|25% Off
2'10"x18'2" Red Northwest Persian All Over Design Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Coral Red, Northwest Zoroastrian All Over Design, Aryana Grade, Vegetable Dyes, Soft Pile, High Mountain Wool, Hand Knotted, Densely Woven, XL Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials:...
Wool
Moldovan Rose Kilim • Handwoven Floral Flatweave Rug • Wall Art • Vintage, 1960s
Located in Burlingame, CA
✔ This rug feels like a romantic midnight garden, grounding a space with moody elegance, painterly florals, and soulful vintage character. Handwoven in Eastern Europe in the 1960s, ...
Wool, Cotton
$2,442Sale Price|25% Off
8'6"x11'4" Red Afghan Andkhoy with Geometric Motif Hand Knotted Pure Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Crimson Red, Afghan Andkhoy with All Over Geometric Motif, Hand Knotted, Soft and Velvety Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Tradit...
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
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
$570Sale Price|25% Off
3'4"x10'9" Red Semi Antique Zoroastrian Heris Hand Knotted Pure Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Savvy Red, Semi Antique Zoroastrian Heris, Geometric Medallion Design, Clean, Full and Soft Even Pile, 100% Wool, Hand Knotted, Oriental, Wide Runner Rug Primary materials: Wool Late...
Wool
$2,172Sale Price|25% Off
2'8"x15'9" Red Northwest Persian All Over Design Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Rust Red, Northwest Persian All Over Design, Aryana Grade, Vegetable Dyes, Soft Pile, High Mountain Wool, Hand Knotted, Densely Woven, XL Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool...
Wool
Nice French Aubusson Style screen printed by hand tapestry
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Immerse yourself in the allure of this mid-20th-century French tapestry, showcasing a design inspired by a 16th century masterpiece museum tapestry. Nice 20th-century tapestry repro...
Cotton, Linen
$879Sale Price|25% Off
3'x5'10" Gray Peshawar with Bijar Garus Design Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Spanish Gray, Peshawar with Bijar Garus Design, Hand Knotted, High Mountain Wool, Aryana Grade, Soft Pile, Vegetable Dyes, Densely Woven, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool...
Wool
$480Sale Price|20% Off
2'5"x9'5" Light Red Vintage Northwest Zoroastrian Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Desire Red, Vintage Northwest Zoroastrian, Geometric Design with Ancient Bird Figurines, Sheared Low, Zero Pile, Sides and Ends Professionally Secured, Hand Knotted, 100% Wool, Runne...
Wool
Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry Vendanges museum Design
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French hand-printed tapestry featuring the exquisite design of the renowned medieval museum tapestry, "Les Vendanges" (grape harvest) from t...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
Nice French Aubusson Style hand printed tapestry « enchanted park »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Immerse yourself in the allure of this mid-20th-century French tapestry, showcasing a design inspired by a 15th-century woven masterpiece titled "The Enchanted Park." Adorned with ex...
Wool, Cotton
$345Sale Price|25% Off
2'3"x6'4" Orange New Zoroastrian Hand Knotted Pure Wool Runner Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Carrot Orange, New Zoroastrian Hussainabad with Repetitive Fish Mahi Design, Hand Knotted, Full Pile, Soft and Shiny Wool, Narrow Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: ...
Wool
$457Sale Price|25% Off
2'7"x3'10" Rust Red Pure Wool Afghan Sultani Hand Knotted Sample Mat Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Rust Red, Denser Weave, Soft Wool, Vegetable Dyes, Afghan Sultani with All Over Floral Pattern, Hand Knotted, Sample, Mat, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height:...
Wool
$1,598Sale Price|25% Off
8'4"x10'1" Ivory Moroccan Weave with Geometric Design Hand Knotted Pure Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Cream White, Tone on Tone, Moroccan Weave with Geometric Design, Pure Wool, Hand Knotted, Textured Pile, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Styl...
Wool
$377Sale Price|20% Off
3'9"x6'1" Ivory Wool Hand Knotted Faded Out Worn Down Vintage Zoroastrian Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Vintage Zoroastrian Tebraz, Hand Knotted, Pure Wool, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving crafts...
Wool
$1,893Sale Price|25% Off
2'7"x14'2" Stone Gray Bijar Garus Design Hand Knotted Wool Runner Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Stone Gray, Bijar Garus Design, High Mountain Wool, Aryana Grade, Hand Knotted, Soft Pile, Vegetable Dyes, Densely Woven, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile ...
Wool
$1,832Sale Price|25% Off
2'6"x14' Gray Bijar Garus Design Aryana Grade Hand Knotted Pure Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Spanish Gray, Bijar Garus Design, Aryana Grade, Vegetable Dyes, High Mountain Wool, Hand Knotted, Soft Pile, Densely Woven, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pil...
Wool
$5,597Sale Price|25% Off
Red Antique Zoroastrian Heris Worn Wool Hand Knotted Oriental Rug 8'3"x11'9"
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
$1,380Sale Price|25% Off
2'8"x9'9" Misty Gray Bijar Garus Design Wool Hand Knotted Runner Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Misty Gray, Bijar Garus Design, High Mountain Wool, Aryana Grade, Hand Knotted, Soft Pile, Vegetable Dyes, Densely Woven, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile ...
Wool
$11,088Sale Price|25% Off
12'x15'1" Green Persian Inspired with Birds Design Hand Knotted Pure Wool XL Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Sage Green, Broken and Erased Persian Inspired with Birds Design, Distinct Abrash, Shaved Low, Hand Knotted, Pure Wool, XL, Oversized, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No ...
Wool
$24,000Sale Price|20% Off
Red Antique Zoroastrian Serapi Heris Wool Hand Knotted Even Wear Rug 11'3"x15'3"
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
$2,620Sale Price|25% Off
2'8"x19' Coral Red Northwest Zoroastrian Design Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Coral Red, Northwest Zoroastrian All Over Design, Aryana Grade, Hand Knotted, Vegetable Dyes, Soft Pile, High Mountain Wool, Densely Woven, XL Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials:...
Wool
Pretty Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry “medieval life”
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, “falcon hunting” or (Medieva...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
$2,701Sale Price|25% Off
2'8"x19'7" Red Northwest Persian All Over Design Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Lychee Red, Northwest Persian All Over Design, Aryana Grade, Vegetable Dyes, Soft Pile, High Mountain Wool, Hand Knotted, Densely Woven, XL Runner, Oriental Rug
Primary ma...
Wool
$300Sale Price|25% Off
2'1"x3'1" Golden Yellow Pinecone Design Hand Knotted Pure Wool Mat Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Golden Yellow, Pinecone Design, Hand Knotted, Pure Wool, Shaved Low, Densely Woven, Mat, Sample, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Trans...
Wool
$1,632Sale Price|20% Off
9'x11'6" Red Southwest Geometric Design Hand Woven Flat Weave Wool Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Crimson Red, Flat Weave, American Indian Southwest Geometric Design, Hand Woven, 100% Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Traditiona...
Wool
$1,248Sale Price|20% Off
2'9"x23'6" Blush Red Vintage Zoroastrian Full Pile Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Blush Red, Vintage Zoroastrian with All Over Design, Distinct Abrash, Full Pile, Great Condition, Hand Knotted, Organic Wool, Extra Long Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool ...
Wool
$552Sale Price|20% Off
2'x3' Gray Zero Pile 200 KPSI Tree of Life Design Hand Knotted Wool Mat Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Spanish Gray, Zero Pile, 200 KPSI, Meditation Tree of Life Design, Tone on Tone, Densely Woven, Hand Knotted, 100% Wool, Sample, Mat, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No P...
Wool
$2,528Sale Price|20% Off
4'10"x9'6" Chocolate Brown Antique Kurdish Hand Knotted Wool Runner Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Chocolate Brown, Antique Kurdish with Geometric Medallion, Good Condition, Soft and Shiny Wool, Vegetable Dyes, Hand Knotted, Wide Runner, Fine Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool L...
Wool
$552Sale Price|20% Off
2'x3' Gray 200 KPSI Meditation Tree of Life Design Hand Knotted Wool Mat Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Spanish Gray, 200 KPSI, Meditation Tree of Life Design, Tone on Tone, Zero Pile, Hand Knotted, 100% Wool, Densely Woven, Sample, Mat, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No P...
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
$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
$2,528Sale Price|20% Off
Midnight Blue Antique North West Zoroastrian Hand Knotted Clean Pure 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
$781Sale Price|25% Off
2'8"x5'8" Marlin Blue Bijar Garus Design Hand Knotted Soft Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Marlin Blue, Bijar Garus Design, Hand Knotted, High Mountain Wool, Aryana Grade, Soft Pile, Vegetable Dyes, Densely Woven, Short Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: N...
Wool
$772Sale Price|25% Off
4'9"x6'5" Red Afghan Khamyab with Bokara Design Hand Knotted Wool Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Scarlet Red, Afghan Khamyab with Khoja Roshni Bokara Small Repetitive Design, Hand Knotted, Soft and Velvety Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 I...
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