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.
Witch's Chair – Handmade Carved Dark Wood Gothic Side Chair w/ Leather Seat
By Realm
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Considering what furniture design might look like in other realities, the Witch's Chair was conceived as a relic plucked from a portal or a monstrosity mutated from a potion. Existin...
Copper, Steel
Set of Eight European Handmade Solid Oak Chairs, 1970s
Located in Beerse, VAN
This set of eight handmade solid oak chairs embodies the honest craftsmanship of the 1970s. Designed and built by their original owner, a graphic designer with a background in art e...
Rush, Oak
SIX ORIGINAL VICTORIAN CIRCA 1880 STEEPLE BACK GOTHiC ARCH OAK DINING CHAIRS 6
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of six original Gothic revival English oak Victorian dining chairs circa 1880 Please note...
Oak
Maderas De Santa Barbara Gothic Revival Jungle Room Dining Chairs - Set of 4
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Maderas De Santa Barbara Gothic Revival Jungle Room Dining Chairs - Set of 4. Item features tall backs, original red upholstery, solid wood construction, distressed finish, very nice...
Fabric, Wood
Set of 6 Belgian Dining Chairs with Rush Seats and High Arched Backs, 1960s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A stately and architectural set of six Belgian oak dining chairs from the 1960s, crafted from stripped wood with angular frames and high backs. The tall, panel-style backrests featur...
Rush, Wood
Set of Six Gothic Polished Cast Nickel and Upholstered Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Comprising two armchairs and four side chairs, the fronts are upholstered in Turban moiré in Coffee and the reverse in Nuance ombré linen in Coral, both from Jim Thompson’s new Flair...
Nickel
Set of 6 19th Century Country House Oak Dining Chairs
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Set of 6 19th Century Country House Oak Dining Chairs This is a very handsome set of High Back Country Oak Chairs, one of which is the carver chair These handsome Oak frames have ...
Oak
Ducale BZ, minimal brass Chair Made in Italy by 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...
Steel, Brass
$1,500 / set
H 38 in W 17 in D 16.5 in
Mid-century Italian Modern Ladder Back Dining Chairs, Rush Seats, Set of 4
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-century Italian Modern Ladder Back Dining Chairs, Rush Seats, Set of 4 Offered for sale is s set of 4 vintage Mid-century Italian Modern ladder-back dining chairs with woven rush seats. The chairs are very graceful with slightly flaring tops. They retain the original "Made in Italy" paper labels and they look as though they've hardly ever been used. They can be used as side chairs if 2 coordinated chairs are added to the set or they will make lovely breakfast room chairs...
Rush
$5,400 / set
H 37.8 in W 18.12 in D 21.66 in
Brutalist Solid Oak Dining Chairs Set of Eight, Belgium, 1970s Design
Located in Almelo, NL
Set of 8 Brutalist Solid Oak Dining Chairs, Belgium, 1970s Beautiful and substantial set of twelve Brutalist dining chairs handcrafted in solid oak, Belgium, 1970s. These chairs fea...
Oak
Set of 6 Brutalist Chairs, Solid Oak, Spain, 1970s
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Very typical and exclusive Brutalist design chairs. Bought from the 1st owner who bought it in an exclusive home furnishings store in the Neth...
Oak
$1,172 / set
H 31.11 in W 18.12 in D 17.72 in
1970s Antonin Suman Set of 4 Oak Dining Chairs, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly upholstered in light pink fabric - Carefully refurbished - Sturdy and stable - heigh of seat 47 cm
Fabric, Oak
Six Painted Oak and Rush Dining Chairs, circa 1940s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Set of six unusual oak dining chairs, with a geometric patterned design carved on the wood, and a criss-cross motif on the backs, flanked on either side by rush detailing. The front ...
Rush, Oak
$1,795 / set
H 31 in W 19 in D 19 in
Set of Six Mid-Century Modern Walnut and Brass Fittings Upholstered Dining Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
Set of Six Mid-Century Modern Walnut and Upholstered Seat Dining Chairs. One captain and five side chairs. Sky Blue Upholstery. Measures 19 " in width, 19 " in depth and 31" in heig...
Brass
$4,545 / set
H 40.16 in W 21.26 in D 22.05 in
Set of 6 Danish Henning Kjærnulf Chairs of Solid Oak with New Sheepskin, 1970s
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Here is a set of 6 Danish vintage chairs in great country style. They are designed by Henning Kjærnulf and manufactured by the Danish company EG Furniture. The chairs are made of so...
Sheepskin, Oak
$3,230 / set
H 44.1 in W 16.15 in D 16.93 in
Set of 4 Solid Oak Brutalist Chairs by De Puyt, Belgium, 1970s
Located in Echt, NL
Very impressive sculptural chairs in very good condition. These chairs were made in the 1970s in Belgium by De Puyt. They are made of solid oak wood and con...
Wood, Oak
$4,545 / set
H 32.29 in W 20.08 in D 19.69 in
1970s Set of 6 Danish Henning Kjærnulf Razor Blade Chairs of Solid Oak
By Henning Kjærnulf, Nyrup Møbelfabrik
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Here is a set of 6 Danish vintage razor blade chairs in great country style. They are designed by Henning Kjærnulf and manufactured by the Danish company Nyrup Møbelfabrik/ EG Furni...
Oak, Fabric
$11,079 / set
H 50.6 in W 23.82 in D 27.56 in
Eight Carved Jacobean Throne Dining Chairs Hand Painted & Embossed Leather Seats
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare suite of mid Victorian throne dining chairs based on early Jacobean designs with hand painted lea...
Leather, Oak
$2,511 / item
H 35.44 in W 21.26 in D 27.96 in
Klismos Walnut Wood Leather Seats Saber Legs Dining Chairs, Customizable
Located in IT
Klismos customizable chairs with saber legs, natural wood shiny finishing and leather seats with buttons. Available in other colors and upholstery. Walnut wood chairs with deep an...
Leather, Cotton, Nutwood, Walnut
Set Of Six Upholstered Ion Dining Chairs By Gideon Kramer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This set of six, mid-century modern, side dining "Ion" chairs designed by the visonary American designer, artist, and inventor, Gideon Kramer features chrome-plated steel 4 prong bas...
Chrome
20th Century Set of 12 Gothic Oak Dining Chairs, Sweden
Located in Round Top, TX
Set of twelve oak dining chairs crafted in the Gothic style, featuring carved leaves, finials, and turned legs. The dark stained finish and old upholstery reflect age and use. Restor...
Oak
Set of Six 19th C. Gothic-Style Leather Dining Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 19th C. Italian Gothic-style dining chairs featuring intricate wooden carvings and dark leather upholstery, The frames are made of walnut with elaborate openwork tracery in t...
Leather, Walnut
Sold
H 38 in W 17 in D 21 in
5 Antique French Henry II Style Embossed Leather & Oak Gothic Dining Side Chairs
Located in Dayton, OH
An antique set of 5 French Henry II style dining side chairs, circa 1880s. Features an oak frame with embossed leather seat and back with pierced lower arcade accented by ornate spi...
Leather, Oak
Set of 6 19th Century Country dining Chairs This is a charming set of
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Set of 6 19th Century Country dining Chairs This is a charming set of Oak dining chairs there are 4 single and 2 Carver chairs The chairs are in good sturdy condition and have a wo...
Oak
Sold
H 32 in W 20.5 in D 22 in
4 Vintage Romweber Viking Carved Oak Leather Dining Poker Game Pub Chairs
Located in Dayton, OH
"Four vintage Romweber Viking Oak collection side dining chairs. Made of quartersawn oak featuring black leather with carved floral accents and nailhead trim. Romweber's roots go ...
Leather, Oak
Mid-19th Century Set of 8 Chippendale Gothic Dining Chairs
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid-19th century set of 8 dining chairs in the resurging Chippendale Gothic taste of the time. 2 arms & 6 sides. Fine mahogany. Exceptionally well carved backsplats & crest rails wit...
Mahogany
French 19th Century Set of 5 Gothic Style Chairs
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This set of remarkable Gothic style chairs are made of solid oak that has acquired a warm patina over the last two centuries. Made in France circa 1...
Oak
Sold
H 47.64 in W 17.33 in D 19.89 in
Set of Six Large Hand Carved Medieval Gothic Style Arched Back Dining Chairs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this lovely suite of six, hand carved Medieval Gothic style dining chairs with arched backs A truly stunning and well made set, in truth I’ve not seen an...
Pine
Set of 6 Gothic Revival Style Dining Room Chairs
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Set of 6 gothic revival ebonized dining room chairs, late 20th century.
Upholstery, Wood
Set of 8 Arts & Crafts Gothic Rosewood Dining Chairs
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Set of 8 Arts & Crafts Gothic rosewood dining chairs This is a good set of Heavy Rosewood dining chairs, they are in the gothic style with high shield shaped back and carved cabri...
Rosewood
Sold
H 53.55 in W 16.15 in D 22.45 in
Set of Four Gothic Celtic Style Large Pitch Pine Dining Chairs with High Backs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this decorative set of four high back Gothic Celtic style dining chairs A good looking and well made set of notty pine chairs. The are very decorative a...
Pine
19th Century Gothic Revival French Victorian Chairs, Set of Six
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent set of six Victorian era Gothic oak dining chairs from the 19th century. Hand-crafted in France, having a high steeple shaped back with open arched splat, carved floral medallion, topped by squared pyramid finials, with an inset padded leather seat, rising on block front legs, saber back legs. Stunning and extremely rare, the exceptionally executed French antique side chairs...
Leather, Oak