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Medieval Chairs

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
French Gothic Style Carved Oak Chayère Throne Chair, 19th Century
French Gothic Style Carved Oak Chayère Throne Chair, 19th Century

French Gothic Style Carved Oak Chayère Throne Chair, 19th Century

$3,800

French Gothic Style Carved Oak Chayère Throne Chair, 19th Century

Located in Dallas, TX

More information coming soon… A French chayère throne chair, hand-carved in the late 1800s, using older Gothic-style panels. Multiple panels of Gothic tracery and linenfold were in...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Chairs

Materials

Wood, Oak

Pair of 19th Century Italian Romanesque Style Oak Chairs
Pair of 19th Century Italian Romanesque Style Oak Chairs

Pair of 19th Century Italian Romanesque Style Oak Chairs

$8,500 / set

Pair of 19th Century Italian Romanesque Style Oak Chairs

Located in Troy, NY

Pair of 19th Century Italian Romanesque Style Oak Chairs of impressive, and massive size, after a 12th century model from the cathedral in Agnano, Italy.

Category

19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Chairs

Materials

Oak

Quelaag's Chair – Handcrafted Carved and Upholstered Contemporary Gothic Chair
Quelaag's Chair – Handcrafted Carved and Upholstered Contemporary Gothic Chair

Quelaag's Chair – Handcrafted Carved and Upholstered Contemporary Gothic Chair

$7,500

Quelaag's Chair – Handcrafted Carved and Upholstered Contemporary Gothic Chair

By Realm

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Part of an ongoing series of Witch’s Chairs, the voluptuous forms and plush upholstery of this chair polymerize mutated forms with a sense of gorgeous monstrosity. The fusion of rabb...

Category

2010s American Medieval Chairs

Materials

Brass

Pair of Gothic Revival Inlaid & Fine Cut Velvet Side Chairs, English, c. 1870
Pair of Gothic Revival Inlaid & Fine Cut Velvet Side Chairs, English, c. 1870

Pair of Gothic Revival Inlaid & Fine Cut Velvet Side Chairs, English, c. 1870

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Pair of Gothic Revival Inlaid & Fine Cut Velvet Side Chairs, English, c. 1870

By Bruce James Talbert, Charles Bevan

Located in Atlanta, GA

A richly detailed pair of English Gothic Revival walnut side chairs, dating to around 1870, distinguished by their intricately carved tracery backs, architectural arcade motifs, and ...

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Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Ebony, Walnut

Gothic Revival English Solid Oak Singular Hand Carved Occasional Chair
Gothic Revival English Solid Oak Singular Hand Carved Occasional Chair

Gothic Revival English Solid Oak Singular Hand Carved Occasional Chair

$1,160Sale Price|20% Off

Gothic Revival English Solid Oak Singular Hand Carved Occasional Chair

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

Solid Oak hand carved English Gothic Revival chair in excellent original condition. Sturdy and well proportioned. Skilfully carved with dowel and peg work joi...

Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Chairs

Materials

Oak

Antique Medieval Gothic Hand Carved Wood Figural Musician Bard Tavern Side Chair
Antique Medieval Gothic Hand Carved Wood Figural Musician Bard Tavern Side Chair

Antique Medieval Gothic Hand Carved Wood Figural Musician Bard Tavern Side Chair

$950

Antique Medieval Gothic Hand Carved Wood Figural Musician Bard Tavern Side Chair

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Antique European Medieval Gothic Hand Carved Wood Figural Musician Bard Tavern Side Chair. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurements: 39.5" H x 19" W x 22" D x 17" Seat Height.

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Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Medieval Chairs

Materials

Wood

Gothic style linenfold Caquetoire Armchair
Gothic style linenfold Caquetoire Armchair

Gothic style linenfold Caquetoire Armchair

$1,750

Gothic style linenfold Caquetoire Armchair

Located in Troy, NY

Gothic style Linenfold Caquetoire Armchair. The linear design, understated decoration of the linen-fold back panel and comfortable proportion give this chair a timeless look.

Category

19th Century English Antique Medieval Chairs

Materials

Oak

Gothic X Frame Carved Oak Chair, Arts and Crafts Style, Antique, 1880
Gothic X Frame Carved Oak Chair, Arts and Crafts Style, Antique, 1880

Gothic X Frame Carved Oak Chair, Arts and Crafts Style, Antique, 1880

$658Sale Price|20% Off

Gothic X Frame Carved Oak Chair, Arts and Crafts Style, Antique, 1880

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

Arts and Crafts Gothic X Frame Carved Oak chair The chair has a very detailed carved and gilded frame with Lions faces on each side of the back. The chair is set on an X Frame wh...

Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Medieval Chairs

Materials

Oak

Ducale BZ, minimal brass Chair Made in Italy by Enrico Girotti
Ducale BZ, minimal brass Chair Made in Italy by Enrico Girotti

Ducale BZ, minimal brass Chair Made in Italy by Enrico Girotti

$2,540 / item

Ducale BZ, minimal brass Chair Made in Italy by Enrico Girotti

By LapiegaWD, Enrico Girotti

Located in Verona, IT

A captivating reinterpretation of Venetian Gothic, the Ducale BZ Chair by Enrico Girotti infuses contemporary form with medieval grace. The sculptural metal frame, crafted from solid...

Category

2010s Italian Medieval Chairs

Materials

Steel, Brass

Mid 19th Century French Gotchic and Needlepoint Chair
Mid 19th Century French Gotchic and Needlepoint Chair

Mid 19th Century French Gotchic and Needlepoint Chair

$1,695

Mid 19th Century French Gotchic and Needlepoint Chair

Located in New York, NY

A richly detailed Gothic Revival armchair from mid-19th century France, featuring a hand-carved oak frame and original needlepoint upholstery. This stately piece embodies the grandeu...

Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Medieval Chairs

Materials

Wool, Oak

Early Gothic Medieval Cathedral Solid Oak Misericord Bench Chair
Early Gothic Medieval Cathedral Solid Oak Misericord Bench Chair

Early Gothic Medieval Cathedral Solid Oak Misericord Bench Chair

$2,700Sale Price|28% Off

Early Gothic Medieval Cathedral Solid Oak Misericord Bench Chair

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Gothic Medieval cathedral oak Misericord bench, circa 15th-17th Centuries. This beautiful small bench or chair stall was often found in Medieval Cat...

Category

17th Century European Antique Medieval Chairs

Materials

Wood

8 Neogothic Chairs in Oak circa 1950
8 Neogothic Chairs in Oak circa 1950

8 Neogothic Chairs in Oak circa 1950

$711 / item

8 Neogothic Chairs in Oak circa 1950

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

8 neogothic chairs in oak circa 1950 the price is for 1.

Category

1950s European Vintage Medieval Chairs

Materials

Oak

19th Century Eastern European Gothic Wrought Iron Chair
19th Century Eastern European Gothic Wrought Iron Chair

19th Century Eastern European Gothic Wrought Iron Chair

$5,700

19th Century Eastern European Gothic Wrought Iron Chair

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

Circa 1880 Eastern European Gothic Wrought Iron Chair. Red Velvet upholstery and nicely patina on iron work. Heavy but handsome! please message us for more details. See detailed pic...

Category

19th Century British Antique Medieval Chairs

Materials

Wrought Iron

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Medieval chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Medieval chairs 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 chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, oak and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Medieval chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, England, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,927 and tops out at $66,312 while the average work can sell for $3,000.

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