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Medieval Benches

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
1900 Little Rustic Chest or Coffer Gothic Carved Oak & Wrought Iron, French
1900 Little Rustic Chest or Coffer Gothic Carved Oak & Wrought Iron, French

1900 Little Rustic Chest or Coffer Gothic Carved Oak & Wrought Iron, French

$1,036

1900 Little Rustic Chest or Coffer Gothic Carved Oak & Wrought Iron, French

Located in Labrit, Landes

French coffer or chest made circa 1900. Decorated with carved flowers style. The design of this chest is deliberately rustic. The interior is lined with fabric. Very decorative and ...

Category

Early 20th Century French Medieval Benches

Materials

Wrought Iron

Late 19th Century French Gothic Style Hand Carved Oak Coffer Bench
Late 19th Century French Gothic Style Hand Carved Oak Coffer Bench

Late 19th Century French Gothic Style Hand Carved Oak Coffer Bench

$1,495

Late 19th Century French Gothic Style Hand Carved Oak Coffer Bench

Located in Fayetteville, AR

This late nineteenth century French Gothic style oak coffer bench features ten hand carved panels in the lower apron and seat back, each with alternating Gothic motifs. Gothic column...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Benches

Materials

Iron

Antique French 18th Century Gothic Style Oak Carved High Back Panel Settle
Antique French 18th Century Gothic Style Oak Carved High Back Panel Settle

Antique French 18th Century Gothic Style Oak Carved High Back Panel Settle

$3,526

Antique French 18th Century Gothic Style Oak Carved High Back Panel Settle

Located in Meulebeke, BE

France / 1850 / settle / oak / Gothic / Antique / Mid-century A highly decorative hand carved oak settle crafted around 1850 in France. Nicely detailed carved and open worked panell...

Category

18th Century French Antique Medieval Benches

Materials

Oak

19th Century Gothic Pine Diminutive Church Pew
19th Century Gothic Pine Diminutive Church Pew

19th Century Gothic Pine Diminutive Church Pew

$1,495

19th Century Gothic Pine Diminutive Church Pew

Located in Port Jervis, NY

Charming and withs tons of character, or patina or both. Gothic church pew with paneled sides in a smaller size, about 4.5 feet so its very manageab...

Category

1850s American Antique Medieval Benches

Materials

Pine

A 17th Century High Back Oak Box Settle The Settle has 3 carved back panels
A 17th Century High Back Oak Box Settle The Settle has 3 carved back panels

A 17th Century High Back Oak Box Settle The Settle has 3 carved back panels

$3,680

A 17th Century High Back Oak Box Settle The Settle has 3 carved back panels

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

A 17th Century High Back Oak Box Settle The Settle has 3 carved back panels and further panels at the bottom the seat opens for storage The bench is a real country piece with very ...

Category

17th Century Antique Medieval Benches

Materials

Oak

Very Rare Swiss or German Late Gothic early 16th century "Flachschnitz" Bench
Very Rare Swiss or German Late Gothic early 16th century "Flachschnitz" Bench

Very Rare Swiss or German Late Gothic early 16th century "Flachschnitz" Bench

$48,000

Very Rare Swiss or German Late Gothic early 16th century "Flachschnitz" Bench

Located in Troy, NY

Very Rare Swiss or German Late Gothic early 16th century "Flachschnitz" Bench. Unique, decorative, charming bench, front and back panels with intricate and whimsical “Flachschnitz” d...

Category

16th Century Swiss Antique Medieval Benches

Materials

Pine

19th Century French Gothic Hall Bench with Trunk
19th Century French Gothic Hall Bench with Trunk

19th Century French Gothic Hall Bench with Trunk

$5,980

19th Century French Gothic Hall Bench with Trunk

Located in Dallas, TX

19th Century French Gothic Hall Bench with Trunk is a stately example of the genre which dates back to the middle of the 12th century in France! Hand-crafted from solid oak, it feat...

Category

1870s French Antique Medieval Benches

Materials

Oak

Oak Bench With Gothic Elements
Oak Bench With Gothic Elements

Oak Bench With Gothic Elements

$3,414

Oak Bench With Gothic Elements

Located in Brussels, Brussels

a fine Gothic-style oak chest bench. Lovely unusual model. The story about this bench is this is a chest dating from the late 16th century, transformed into a bench during the 19th c...

Category

19th Century French Antique Medieval Benches

Materials

Oak

19th Century Gothic Hall Seat with Green Man Motif in Golden Oak
19th Century Gothic Hall Seat with Green Man Motif in Golden Oak

19th Century Gothic Hall Seat with Green Man Motif in Golden Oak

$1,488

19th Century Gothic Hall Seat with Green Man Motif in Golden Oak

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

Carved Golden Oak Coffer, Hall Seat This is a lovely old piece and a very useful Hall Bench, it has storage under the seat, the coffer has a carved front showing the face of the gr...

Category

Late 19th Century Antique Medieval Benches

Materials

Oak

Gothic Turned Wood Settee
Gothic Turned Wood Settee

Gothic Turned Wood Settee

$5,200Sale Price|20% Off

Gothic Turned Wood Settee

By William & Mary

Located in New York, NY

Gilded Age American settee with upholstered seat and carved mahogany frame with spindle detailing. Seat is reupholstered in a bold red wool blend fabric. Circa 1890-1910.

Category

20th Century American Medieval Benches

Materials

Wool, Upholstery, Wood

C19th Country House Elm Bench
C19th Country House Elm Bench

C19th Country House Elm Bench

$7,036

C19th Country House Elm Bench

Located in Shipston-On-Stour, GB

Substantial 19th Century ‘Country House’ elm hall bench. The arched back with angled panels and flanked with carved finials, above scroll arms with pierced carved trefoils and soli...

Category

1860s English Antique Medieval Benches

Materials

Elm

Neo Gothic Style Oak Bench, circa 1950
Neo Gothic Style Oak Bench, circa 1950

Neo Gothic Style Oak Bench, circa 1950

$1,530

Neo Gothic Style Oak Bench, circa 1950

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Neo Gothic style oak bench, circa 1950.      

Category

1950s European Vintage Medieval Benches

Materials

Oak

Very Interesting Iron Workers Gothic Sexy Dungeon Wrought Iron Bench Part of Set
Very Interesting Iron Workers Gothic Sexy Dungeon Wrought Iron Bench Part of Set

Very Interesting Iron Workers Gothic Sexy Dungeon Wrought Iron Bench Part of Set

$2,029

Very Interesting Iron Workers Gothic Sexy Dungeon Wrought Iron Bench Part of Set

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this rather interesting metal workers sexy Gothic dungeon bench Well, where to begin, what an interesting piece…. Umm… it looks like it came from ...

Category

20th Century English Medieval Benches

Materials

Iron

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Located in Dallas, TX

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H 19.75 in W 25.5 in D 13.5 in

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Medieval benches for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Medieval benches for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage benches created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, building and garden elements, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, oak and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Medieval benches made in a specific country, there are Europe, United Kingdom, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original benches, popular names associated with this style include and Gillows of Lancaster & London. 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 benches differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $595 and tops out at $54,000 while the average work can sell for $2,214.

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