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Medieval Benches

15 Results
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

$1,008

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

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

2 Antique Gothic Revival Quartersawn Oak Carved Church Pews Deacon Bench Pair
2 Antique Gothic Revival Quartersawn Oak Carved Church Pews Deacon Bench Pair

2 Antique Gothic Revival Quartersawn Oak Carved Church Pews Deacon Bench Pair

$4,500 / set

2 Antique Gothic Revival Quartersawn Oak Carved Church Pews Deacon Bench Pair

Located in Dayton, OH

This pair of antique Victorian Gothic Revival church pews is crafted from premium quartersawn oak, showcasing a prominent, distinctive flecked grain pattern throughout the wood. Each...

Category

Late 19th Century Antique Medieval Benches

Materials

Fabric, Oak

grand banc de chapelle en chêne massif sculpté et ajouré croix et fleurs de lys
grand banc de chapelle en chêne massif sculpté et ajouré croix et fleurs de lys

grand banc de chapelle en chêne massif sculpté et ajouré croix et fleurs de lys

$1,374

grand banc de chapelle en chêne massif sculpté et ajouré croix et fleurs de lys

Located in NEUFCHÂTEL-HARDELOT, FR

Exceptionnel grand banc en chêne massif datant du début du XIXe siècle, remarquable tant par ses proportions généreuses que par la qualité de son décor. D’une longueur exceptionnelle...

Category

Early 1800s Antique Medieval Benches

Materials

Oak

Gothic bench - 16th century
Gothic bench - 16th century

Gothic bench - 16th century

$8,590

Gothic bench - 16th century

Located in Porto, PT

Gothic bench - 16th century. French; 16th century oak wood with carvings; representing vegetal motifs and two warrior monks, and traces of treated woodworms. Dimensions: 136x138x53 cm

Category

16th Century French Antique Medieval Benches

Materials

Wood

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

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

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

$3,698

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

Early 19th Century Carved Oak Box Settle The Settle has carved geometric design
Early 19th Century Carved Oak Box Settle The Settle has carved geometric design

Early 19th Century Carved Oak Box Settle The Settle has carved geometric design

$1,631

Early 19th Century Carved Oak Box Settle The Settle has carved geometric design

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

Early 19th Century Carved Oak Box Settle The Settle has carved geometric designs on the back and on the bottom with detailed Lions carved in to the arm rests, and the seat opens up ...

Category

Early 1800s Antique Medieval Benches

Materials

Oak

Oak Bench With Gothic Elements
Oak Bench With Gothic Elements

Oak Bench With Gothic Elements

$3,321

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

An antique Medieval Carved Bench Seat with storage
An antique Medieval Carved Bench Seat with storage

An antique Medieval Carved Bench Seat with storage

$2,250

An antique Medieval Carved Bench Seat with storage

Located in Pomona, CA

An Antique Medieval Carved Bench Seat with storage. Solid oak and carved with foliage, acorns and Acanthus leaves. The front of the arms featuring carved figures. The carved center p...

Category

Early 1900s British Antique Medieval Benches

Materials

Oak

C19th Country House Elm Bench
C19th Country House Elm Bench

C19th Country House Elm Bench

$7,069

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

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

$1,495

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

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$2,061Sale Price|20% Off

H 59.26 in W 61.42 in D 18.51 in

Gothic Revival Oak High Back Hall Bench, 1900s

Located in Amsterdam, NL

Magnificent and ultra rare Gothic Revival high back hall bench. Striking Dutch design from the 1900s. Solid oak frame with original hand-carved elements in the back and the sides! Un...

Category

Early 1900s Dutch Antique Medieval Benches

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Wrought Iron

19th Century Primitive American Pine Bench
19th Century Primitive American Pine Bench

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$1,885

H 17 in W 84 in D 12 in

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Located in Atlanta, GA

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Pine

Antique Black Painted Deacon's Bench
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$1,550

H 30 in W 60 in D 18 in

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Located in Freehold, NJ

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Early 20th Century American Medieval Benches

Materials

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19th c. Caned and Painted Bench
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$6,500

H 37.75 in W 62.5 in D 21.75 in

19th c. Caned and Painted Bench

Located in New Orleans, LA

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19th Century French Antique Medieval Benches

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Wood

Modern Gio Ponti Style Window Bench or Settee
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$4,352

H 18.12 in W 59.06 in D 18.9 in

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By Gio Ponti

Located in Rome, IT

Modern walnut sculpted bench or settee inspired by Gio Ponti the famous Italian Mid - Century designer . Blue velvet cushion newly upholstered . Available also a pair .

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Materials

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A 19th Century Hall Bench
A 19th Century Hall Bench

A 19th Century Hall Bench

$4,214

H 21 in W 15 in D 63.5 in

A 19th Century Hall Bench

Located in Tetbury, England

A large 19th century mahogany hall bench. The wide single plank seat raised on turned baluster form legs, bar carrying handles to both ends.  Dry surface, substantial form, complet...

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Early 19th Century Antique Medieval Benches

Materials

Mahogany

Antique 18th Century English Gothic Revival Paneled Oak Pub Bench Settle Pew
Antique 18th Century English Gothic Revival Paneled Oak Pub Bench Settle Pew

Antique 18th Century English Gothic Revival Paneled Oak Pub Bench Settle Pew

$3,750

H 41 in W 26 in D 79 in

Antique 18th Century English Gothic Revival Paneled Oak Pub Bench Settle Pew

Located in Dayton, OH

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18th Century Antique Medieval Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Oak

Rustic oak trestle bench, France, ca. 1900
Rustic oak trestle bench, France, ca. 1900

Rustic oak trestle bench, France, ca. 1900

$1,145

H 17.33 in W 34.45 in D 10.63 in

Rustic oak trestle bench, France, ca. 1900

Located in Meulebeke, BE

A solid oak trestle bench from France, dating to around 1900. This piece exemplifies the straightforward utility and enduring charm of rural French craftsmanship. Its construction fe...

Category

Early 1900s French Antique Medieval Benches

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Oak

Rustic Industrial Wrought Iron Butcher-Block Bench
Rustic Industrial Wrought Iron Butcher-Block Bench

Rustic Industrial Wrought Iron Butcher-Block Bench

$800

H 18 in W 60.5 in D 20 in

Rustic Industrial Wrought Iron Butcher-Block Bench

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Bring timeless craftsmanship and rugged character into your space with this Rustic Industrial Wrought Iron Butcher-Block Bench. Featuring a solid butcher-block wood top with rich nat...

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Late 20th Century Medieval Benches

Materials

Wrought Iron

Previously Available Items
19th Century Gothic Revival Stripped Oak & Fruitwood Deacon’s Bench
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H 35 in W 42.5 in D 22 in

19th Century Gothic Revival Stripped Oak & Fruitwood Deacon’s Bench

Located in Dallas, TX

Crafted from solid oak and fruitwood during the 19th century, this rare Gothic Revival deacon’s bench beautifully reflects the architectural language of a historic church interior. L...

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1880s French Antique Medieval Benches

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French 18th Century Long Bench
French 18th Century Long Bench

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H 56 in W 80 in D 26 in

French 18th Century Long Bench

Located in Stockbridge, GA

This superb Medieval style Bench is richly carved, it is walnut wood with a wonderful patina.

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Late 18th Century French Antique Medieval Benches

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Antique English Gothic Hall Bench Carved Oak Medieval Knights Settle c1880
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H 55.75 in W 55 in D 18 in

Antique English Gothic Hall Bench Carved Oak Medieval Knights Settle c1880

Located in Choudrant, LA

Antique English Gothic Hall Bench Carved Oak Medieval Knights Settle c1880. Direct from England, an impressive antique Gothic hall bench featuring four deeply carved medieval figure...

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1880s British Antique Medieval Benches

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Antique Spanish Gothic Wrought Iron Kneeler Prie Dieu Prayer Benches - a Pair
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Antique Spanish Gothic Wrought Iron Kneeler Prie Dieu Prayer Benches - a Pair

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H 34 in W 22.5 in D 24 in

Antique Spanish Gothic Wrought Iron Kneeler Prie Dieu Prayer Benches - a Pair

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique Spanish Gothic Renaissance Wrought Iron Kneeler "Prie Dieu" Prayer Benches Up...

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Late 19th Century Antique Medieval Benches

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Wrought Iron

19th Century French Gothic Hall Bench
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H 38 in W 44 in D 17.5 in

19th Century French Gothic Hall Bench

Located in Dallas, TX

19th Century French Gothic Hall Bench was hand-crafted from solid old-growth oak, and features a tailored classical architecture with design embellishments that are definitive of the...

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Mid-19th Century French Antique Medieval Benches

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Oak

Gothic Carved Oak Window Seat, Plank Bench This an attractive piece
Gothic Carved Oak Window Seat, Plank Bench This an attractive piece

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H 13 in W 51 in D 13 in

Gothic Carved Oak Window Seat, Plank Bench This an attractive piece

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

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19th Century Antique Medieval Benches

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Vintage Gothic Wrought Iron Curule Scrollwork Distressed Green Bench w Finials
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Vintage Gothic Wrought Iron Curule Scrollwork Distressed Green Bench w Finials

Located in Philadelphia, PA

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Wrought Iron

19th Century Antique Solid Oak Church bench in Gothic style with storage
19th Century Antique Solid Oak Church bench in Gothic style with storage

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H 41.54 in W 46.07 in D 23.63 in

19th Century Antique Solid Oak Church bench in Gothic style with storage

Located in Miami, FL

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Mid-19th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Benches

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Oak

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H 60.24 in W 74.02 in D 19.69 in

19th Century Antique Gothic Revival Church Bench Settle

Located in London, GB

A spectacular 19th Century carved Oak Gothic Church settle. The rectangular back features panels are filled with intricate carvings of tracery, arches and crosses, surmounted by a ...

Category

Mid-19th Century European Antique Medieval Benches

Materials

Wood

19 th Century Chest or Coffer Gothic Carved Oak, French
19 th Century Chest or Coffer Gothic Carved Oak, French

19 th Century Chest or Coffer Gothic Carved Oak, French

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H 27.76 in W 57.09 in D 18.31 in

19 th Century Chest or Coffer Gothic Carved Oak, French

Located in Labrit, Landes

French coffer or chest made in the late 19th century. Decorated in the neogothic style. Very decorative and full of character Good condition 145 / 47 / 71 65.5 Kg

Category

1890s French Antique Medieval Benches

Materials

Oak

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

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

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H 28 in W 28.5 in D 16 in

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

Located in Fayetteville, AR

This small scale late nineteenth century French Gothic style coffer bench is constructed of solid hand carved bleached oak. Three hand carved panels on the front are detailed with a ...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Benches

Materials

Oak

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

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H 41.5 in W 46.5 in D 16 in

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

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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