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.
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
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
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
$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
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
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. Adorned with exquisite hues of b...
Cotton, Linen
$3,808Sale Price|20% Off
11'7"x16'7" Rose Pink Vintage European Influence Hand Knotted Wool Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Rose Pink, Vintage European Influence with Wreath Design, Hand Knotted, 100% Wool, XL, Oversized, Fine Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style:...
Wool
$1,511Sale Price|20% Off
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
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
$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
2'10"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
$2,429Sale Price|20% Off
8'x10'2" Green 14th Century Influence Mamluk Design Hand Knotted Pure Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Pine Green, Mamluk Design, Pre Historic 14th Century Influence, Natural Dyes, Hand Knotted, 100% Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style:...
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
2'9"x19'4" Orange Northwest Zoroastrian Design Hand Knotted Pure Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Coral Orange, Northwest Zoroastrian All Over Design, Aryana Grade, Vegetable Dyes, Soft Pile, High Mountain Wool, Hand Knotted, Densely Woven, XL Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materia...
Wool
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
Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry « departure to hunt »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French silk screen-printed by hand tapestry featuring the exquisite design of «Departure for falcon hunting on horseback” This tapestry, a ...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
5'10"x9'1" Blue Peshawar with Bijar Garus Design Hand Knotted Wool Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Marlin Blue, Peshawar with Bijar Garus Design, Hand Knotted, High Mountain Wool, Aryana Grade, Soft Pile, Vegetable Dyes, Densely Woven, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: N...
Wool
Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry « departure to hunt »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French silk screen-printed by hand tapestry featuring the exquisite design of «Departure for falcon hunting on horseback” This tapestry, a ...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
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
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
3'3"x6'2" Brown Afghan Andkhoy with Geometric Motif Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Amber Brown, Afghan Andkhoy with All Over Geometric Motif, Hand Knotted, Soft and Velvety Wool, Wide Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches ...
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
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
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 screen printed Tapestry by hand. « hunting meeting »
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 tapestry, "Rendez vous de chasse » ( hunting...
Wool, Cotton
2'1"x4'9" Red Afghan Andkhoy with Geometric Motif Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Crimson Red, Afghan Andkhoy with Geometric Motif, Soft and Velvety Wool, Hand Knotted, Short & Narrow Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches...
Wool
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
2'7"x11'7" Mustard Yellow Hand Knotted Afghan Sultani Pure Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Mustard Yellow, Hand Knotted Afghan Sultani All Over Floral Pattern, Soft and Vibrant Wool, Natural Dyes, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 In...
Wool
$594Sale Price|20% Off
3'x9'8" Brown Vintage Zoroastrian Amadan Hand Knotted Wool Runner Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Coffee Brown, Vintage Zoroastrian Amadan with Bird Figurines, Hand Knotted, Worn Down and Distressed, 100% Wool, Zero Pile, Sides and Ends Professionally Secured, Runner, Oriental Ru...
Wool
Nice French Aubusson Style silk screen 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
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
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
$534Sale Price|20% 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
2'8"x14'3" Blue Bijar Garus Design High Mountain Wool Hand Knotted Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Carolina Blue, Bijar Garus Design, High Mountain Wool, Aryana Grade, Hand Knotted, Soft Pile, Vegetable Dyes, Densely Woven, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pi...
Wool
$480Sale Price|20% Off
2'4"x9' Scarlet Red Vintage Zoroastrian Hand Knotted Pure Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Scarlet Red, Vintage Zoroastrian Karjihooz with Geometric Medallions, Sheared Low, Zero Pile, Evenly Worn, Sides and Ends Professionally Secured, Clean, Hand Knotted, Pure Wool, Narr...
Wool
$3,482Sale Price|20% Off
8'3"x10' Navy Blue, Fine Peshawar Pure Wool Hand Knotted Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Navy Blue, Fine Peshawar with Ziegler Mahal Design, Natural Dyes Dense Weave, Pure Wool Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for mont...
Wool
2'8"x16' Blue Bijar Garus Design High Mountain Wool Hand Knotted Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Carolina Blue, Vegetable Dyes, Bijar Garus Design, High Mountain Wool, Aryana Grade, Hand Knotted, Soft Pile, Densely Woven, XL Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No...
Wool
$718Sale Price|20% Off
2'6"x6'5" Pink Hand Knotted Vertical Ombre Design Natural Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Pink Hand Knotted Vertical Ombre Design Natural Wool Runner Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving craftsma...
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
$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
2'9"x9'7" Red Afghan Andkhoy with Geometric Motif Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Crimson Red, Afghan Andkhoy with Geometric Motif, Soft and Velvety Wool, Hand Knotted, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Traditi...
Wool
3'x5'2" Ivory Nain with Flower Design 250 KPSI Hand Knotted Wool and Silk Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Pearl White, Nain with All Over Flower Design, Wool and Silk, 250 KPSI, Hand Knotted, Soft Pile, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style...
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
$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
$543Sale Price|20% Off
3'x8'10" Red Vintage Northwest Zoroastrian Hand Knotted Pure Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Desire Red, Vintage Northwest Zoroastrian, Geometric Design, Sheared Low, Zero Pile, Sides and Ends Professionally Secured, Hand Knotted, 100% Wool, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary mate...
Wool
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
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
$4,260Sale Price|20% Off
8'7"x12' Intel Blue Bidjar Garus Design Hand Knotted Wool Aryana Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Fine Aryana Bidjar Garus Design, Hand Knotted, Pure Wool, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving c...
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
10'x14' Orange Bijar Garus Design High Mountain Wool Hand Knotted Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Burnt Orange, Bijar Garus Design, High Mountain Wool, Hand Knotted, Vegetable Dyes, Aryana Collection, Soft Pile, Densely Woven, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile ...
Wool
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
Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry « Maximilian's Hunt »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French hand-printed tapestry featuring the exquisite design of « The month of July or The sign of the lion or The report, from the tapestry ...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
$1,462Sale Price|20% Off
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 Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry « Suzanne and the old men »
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 « Suzanne and the old men » The ...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
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
$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
2'8"x6'1" Gray Peshawar Caucasian Akstafa Design Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Spanish Gray, Afghan Peshawar with Caucasian Akstafa Design, Aryana Collection, Hand Knotted, High Mountain Wool, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height:...
Wool
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
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