Medieval Seating
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
Rare Unique English Oak Gothic Victorian Settee Settle Bench Circa 1890
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superb and very unique form of Gothic bench from England. The bench features a dark oak finish with minor signs of age and use such as finish losses and minor wear. The ben...
Category
1890s English Antique Medieval Seating
Materials
Oak
FINE SUITE OF FOUR VINTAGE GOTHIC WINDSOR STEEPLE BACK BURR YEW & ELM ARMCHAIRs
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of four Burr Yew & Elm circa 1940's Gothic Steeple back Windsor armchairs
Please note th...
Category
1940s English Vintage Medieval Seating
Materials
Elm, Yew
19th Century English Victorian Hall Bench in Oak, Bobbin Turned Legs
Located in Odense, DK
This is a lovely piece of carved furniture, the back of the seat is crisply carved with the traditional Wheel of Life pattern, it is made from solid oak with a carved edge and a carv...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Seating
Materials
Oak
Pair Antique Georgian Carved Oak Country Medieval Side Chairs King's Head 1760
Located in Portland, OR
A rare and unusual pair of antique country Georgian carved oak side chairs, circa 1760.
The chairs are from the reign of king George III and they are carved in the Medieval Revival s...
Category
1760s English Antique Medieval Seating
Materials
Oak
Arts and Crafts Oak Joint Stool, Occasional Table with Drawer
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Arts and Crafts Oak Joint Stool, Occasional Table with Drawer
This a good Golden Oak Joint or Joined Stool with a carved frieze which is a drawer for storage
This is a good solid s...
Category
1880s Antique Medieval Seating
Materials
Oak
Swedish Antique Wooden "Monk" Chair, Early 1900s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Antique Swedish solid tripod chair called a "Monk Chair" from the late 1800s-early 1900s. Lacquered wood in Swedish national romantic style with hand-carved patterns and decorative l...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Medieval Seating
Materials
Wood, Cotton
PAIR OF ANTIQUE GOTHIC A.W.N PUGIN SIDE CHAIRS CHIPPENDALE CLUSTER COLUMN LEGs
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exquisite, highly collectable pair of Gothic Revival A.W.N Pugin side chairs with ornately carved frame...
Category
Early 1800s English Antique Medieval Seating
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
Oak Victorian or Gothic Revival Ecclesiastical His & Hers Throne Chairs a Pair
Located in Topeka, KS
Incredible Late19th Century to Early 20th Century Victorian or Gothic Revival Ecclesiastical His & Hers Throne Chairs comprised of oak frames with black and gold details, red hopsack...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Medieval Seating
Materials
Fabric, Oak, Paint
SundayMorning, Stainless Steel LoungeChair Made in Italy edizioni Enrico Girotti
Located in Verona, IT
Sunday Morning, stainless steel seating, distinguished by a contoured design to encapsulate the prevailing empty space in its forms. Designed by Enrico Girotti produced by Edizioni E...
Category
2010s Italian Medieval Seating
Materials
Stainless Steel
Set of 6 19th Century Country House Oak Dining Chairs
Located in Chillerton, 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 ...
Category
1890s Antique Medieval Seating
Materials
Oak
EXQUISITE PAIR OF HAND CARVED HARDWOOD LiBRARY ARMCHAIRS LION GRIFFON WING ARMS
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this super decorative pair of large hand carved Mahogany and leather library armchairs with ornately carved ...
Category
20th Century English Medieval Seating
Materials
Hardwood
Ducale GT Aureo, Venetian modern Chair Made in Italy by edizioni Enrico Girotti
Located in Verona, IT
Sn the Ducale Collection, Enrico Girotti pays homage to the city of Venice, reflecting on the significance of some distinctive elements of Venetian Gothic, applying and reinterpretin...
Category
2010s Italian Medieval Seating
Materials
Steel
Gothic Renaissance Revival Painted Hall Altar Console Table Chair Set - 4 Pc Set
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Gothic Renaissance Revival Painted Hall Altar Console Table and Pair of Chairs Set - 4 Pc Set. Item features a single dovetailed drawer to console t...
Category
Early 20th Century Medieval Seating
Materials
Mirror, Oak
Chair 1930s
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Chair 1930s.
Well preserved in great firm condition.
Rare find.
Material: Leather, Oak Hardwood
Category
1930s Slovenian Vintage Medieval Seating
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
Pair Antique Heavily Carved Walnut Cherub North Wind Faces Arm Chairs New Uphols
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair Antique Heavily Carved Walnut Cherub North Wind Faces Arm Chairs New Upholstery MINT!
Category
20th Century American Medieval Seating
Materials
Brass
Large French Gothic Library Throne Chairs
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large French Gothic Library Throne Chairs
This beautiful pair of wide carved chairs each have a different carved face in the back rail, acanthus leaf carved arm rests and a sturdy ...
Category
1870s Antique Medieval Seating
Materials
Walnut
Pair of English Coalbrookdale Attributed Iron Gothic Revival Garden Benches
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stunning pair of white English Coalbrookdale foundry attributed cast iron garden benches. Made in the dramatic gothic revival taste featuring a gothic tracery backrest centered by qu...
Category
20th Century English Medieval Seating
Materials
Iron
Antique English Yorkshire Wainscot Oak Highback Corner Arm Chair Throne 47"
Located in Dayton, OH
Exceedingly Rare English Yorkshire Wainscot High back corner armchair, circa 17th century. Made of oak with an impressive hand carved back that features a whimsical figure along the...
Category
17th Century Antique Medieval Seating
Materials
Oak
Vintage Danish Oak Stool with Lambskin, ca 1900s
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish Oak Stool with Lambskin, ca 1900s.
Antique stool in solid oak from Denmark early 20th century. Inspired by the medieval or viking era. Probably used as a footstool or a childrens bench...
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Medieval Seating
Materials
Lambskin, Oak
18th Century Carved Oak Celtic Wainscot Chair This is a Handsome Chair
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
18th Century Carved Oak Celtic Wainscot Chair
This Handsome Chair, has a magnificent patina, it has a solid plank seat, turned legs and carved arm re...
Category
18th Century Antique Medieval Seating
Materials
Oak
Antique Oak Chair, Gothic Heavily Carved Hall & Desk Chair, Scotland 1880, H1063
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique Oak Chair, Gothic Heavily Carved Barley Twist Oak Hall Chair, Desk Chair, Antique Furniture, Scotland 1880, H1063
+ Scotland 1880
+ Soli...
Category
1880s Scottish Antique Medieval Seating
Materials
Oak
pair of 50's french folk art brutalist stools
Located in Lyon, FR
Pair of French Gothic stools from the 50s. Set of stools in solid chestnut, hand-crafted folk art. Very nice carving details on the bottom of the stools. Very nice patina of time on...
Category
1950s French Vintage Medieval Seating
Materials
Chestnut
Carved Throne Armchair in Gothic Style, France, 20th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique; Throne; Gothic Style; Medieval; 19th century; 20th century; France; Brutalist; Eclectic Design;
Carved throne armchair in leather and dark wood from 20th century France. D...
Category
Early 20th Century French Medieval Seating
Materials
Metal
Neo-Gothic oak bench with storage space
Located in STRAČOV, CZ
A solid oak bench richly decorated with hand-carved Gothic style. There is storage space inside the bench. There is an organ pattern on the sides and the frontal coffered panels are ...
Category
1950s European Vintage Medieval Seating
Materials
Oak
Set of four chairs in Venetian Gothic style in orange corduroy fabric
Located in Milano, IT
Step into the enchanting world of Venetian Gothic elegance with this exquisite Set of 4 Chairs, handcrafted circa 1920, each a masterpiece in wood. As you run your fingers along the ...
Category
Early 1900s Italian Antique Medieval Seating
Materials
Velvet, Wood
Arts and Crafts Chesterfield Buttoned Leather Oak Foot Stool
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Arts and Crafts Chesterfield Buttoned Leather Oak Foot Stool
A Lovely piece, this Victorian stool is made in Oak, it stands on short Turned legs and has gothic style carving around ...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Medieval Seating
Materials
Oak
1983 Oak Armchair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Homage to our favorite chairs.
20th century hand carved oak medieval Gothic style arched back dining chair.
Category
2010s Mexican Medieval Seating
Materials
Hardwood, Oak
Unusual Train / Bus Terminal Cast Iron and Wood bench ....Garden bench
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual Train / Bus Terminal Cast Iron and Wood bench ....Wonderful design and proportion.. Several layers of old paint,, Would be a fabulous garden bench, Arm height 24"..Hand deliv...
Category
Early 20th Century American Medieval Seating
Materials
Iron
Set of 4 Restored Vintage Witco Conquistador Tiki Chairs in Original Red Fur
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Set of four restored Witco Conquistador tiki throne chairs in original red fur. This set of four chairs was originally part of a dining set. We have the matching dining table, sold separate. Let us know if you are interested in the table. These chairs are absolutely wild in the best kind of way. The original red fur fabric has a thick pile. This bright red upholstery adds drama to the high-back, iron cladded, hand-carved throne. As if all that isn’t enough.. the arms are carved like gorilla paws. Each throne chair is crowned with two hand-carved conquistador heads donning their iconic helmets. These highly collectible and hard-to-find thrown chairs were born of the jet-set era. The 1960s was the golden age of air travel and Americans were absolutely fascinated with “Exotica.” Ephemera from exotic tropical lands around South Asia were all the rage and gave birth to an explosion of tiki motifs in popular American culture.
We have other Witco items available including conquistador chairs in new leopard upholstery, Witco end table, and Witco cat...
Category
1960s American Vintage Medieval Seating
Materials
Metal
Late 19th Century French Renaissance Style Hand Carved Walnut Dagobert Chair
Located in Fayetteville, AR
Of a rare smaller scale, this late nineteenth century French Dagobert chair was originally used by a young lady for needlework. The Dagobert chair is so...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Seating
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Magnificent Oak Gothic Style Choir Stalls
Located in Nantwich, GB
This magnificent pair of 19th century oak choir stalls, dated 1870, were part of the furnishings in the private chapel on the Sandeman Estate in Lancaster...
Category
1870s British Antique Medieval Seating
Materials
Oak
1983 Dining Chair, Homage to 20th Century, Hand Carved Oak Medieval Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Homage to 20th century, solid oak, hand carved, medieval arched back dining chair.
Category
2010s Mexican Medieval Seating
Materials
Oak
Arthur Umanoff Swivel Bar Stools-A Set of 4
Located in Cumberland, RI
Arthur Umanoff Swivel bar stools-A set of 4
In stock and ready to ship
Bar height stools with Vinyl Seating
Perfect for indo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Medieval Seating
Materials
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
Antique French Gothic Oak Chaise Longue, Circa 1870
Located in Dallas, TX
In the 18th and 19th centuries, it was not uncommon for skilled craftsmen to repurpose older wood carvings into their own furniture creations. A French menuisier utilized this techni...
Category
1870s French Antique Medieval Seating
Materials
Textile, Oak
19th Century Neo-Gothic French Hand Carved Oak Hall Bench
Located in Baambrugge, NL
A very attractive 19th century neo-gothic french hall bench made of oak with hand carved decorations. Beautifully carved with gothic details as pointed arches, columns and linnenfold...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Seating
Materials
Oak
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 Seating
Materials
Oak
17th Century Oak Wainscot Hall Chair
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
17th Century Oak Wainscot hall chair
This Handsome Chair, has a magnificent patina, the solid plank seat has a little carving to the front border, the back is carved with a large ...
Category
17th Century Antique Medieval Seating
Materials
Oak
Carved Oak Foot Stool Upholstered in Leather
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Carved oak foot stool upholstered in leather.
A lovely piece, this Victorian stool is made in carved oak, it stands on short carved hairy paw feet an...
Category
19th Century Antique Medieval Seating
Materials
Oak
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 Seating
Materials
Oak
Carved Oak Hall Seat, with 2 Stick Stands
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Carved oak hall seat, with 2 stick stands
This is a carved oak hall stand, in the form of a small settle which has a roomy stick stand on each side a...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Medieval Seating
Materials
Oak
An Oak Joint Coffin Stool, Occasional Table, Sewing Box
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
An Oak Joint coffin stool, occasional table, sewing box
This a good Oak Joint or Joined Stool which has the added advantage of an opening top with a st...
Category
Early 20th Century Medieval Seating
Materials
Oak
Vintage Gothic Hand Carved Side Chairs - a Pair
Located in west palm beach, FL
A fantastic pair of vintage Boho side chairs. Hand carved cherubs with beautiful gold leaf detail. Frosted blue velvet seats with a contrasting metallic back. Acquired from a Palm Be...
Category
Late 20th Century North American Medieval Seating
Materials
Metal, Gold Leaf
Antique Pair of Gothic Pitch Pine Throne Side Hall Bedroom Chairs
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique quality pair of Gothic pitch pine throne, side, hall, or bedroom chairs C1900.
Solid and heavy, with no loose joints and no woodworm.
Overall maximum dimensions:
59c...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Medieval Seating
Materials
Pine
Gothic Style Carved Wood Chair with Mythological Figures
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Carved mythological wood armchair.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Seating
Materials
Wood
Pair of Fully Restored Antique Club Armchairs with Gothic Carved Panels Must See
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning fully restored pair of antique hand dyed Cigar brown leather club armchairs with Gothic carved panels.
An exceptionally good looki...
Category
Early 1900s English Antique Medieval Seating
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
FOUR FULLY RESTORED ANTIQUE CLUB ARMCHAIRS WiTH GOTHIC CARVED PANELS MUST SEE
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale four stunning fully restored antique hand dyed Cigar brown leather club armchairs with Gothic carved panels ...
Category
Early 1900s English Antique Medieval Seating
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
Arts and Crafts Gothic X Frame Carved Oak Chair
Located in Chillerton, 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 Seating
Materials
Oak
Mid Century Gothic Style French Chaise Sofa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A mid century French attributed sofa. Angular gothic silhouette. Iron base frame. Cream vinyl upholstery with brass brad detail. Previous owner added bolts with caps to adjust feet h...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Seating
Materials
Brass, Iron
Pair of French Arts and Crafts Gothic Walnut Library Chairs
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A Pair of French arts and crafts gothic walnut library chairs
These beautiful chairs date from around 1880, recently upholsterd, the fabric has been especially designed and chose...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Medieval Seating
Materials
Walnut
Superb Quality 19th Century Carved Gothic Style Armchair
Located in Martlesham, GB
A superb quality 19th century carved Gothic style armchair, recently upholstered in a grey fabric, the arched padded back with decorative carved frame with a figure head at the top, ...
Category
1840s British Antique Medieval Seating
Materials
Hardwood
Pair of Carved Swedish Monk Chairs in Solid Oak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pair of chairs, solid oak, Sweden, 1950s
Sculptural pair of nordic monk chairs in stained, solid oak. Not only do these chairs have a very interesting, beautiful frame, moreover, th...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Medieval Seating
Materials
Oak
Interesting Iron Workers Gothic Sexy Dungeon Iron Throne Armchair Part Suite
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this rather interesting metal workers sexy Gothic dungeon throne armchair
Well, where to begin, what an interestin...
Category
20th Century English Medieval Seating
Materials
Iron
Pair of English Gothic Style Carved Rectangular Mahogany Benches
Located in New York, NY
Pair of English Gothic-Style (19/20th Century) carved mahogany benches with a four-four point clover design on the sides and tops and a stretcher base. (PRICED AS PAIR).
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Medieval Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of 18th Century George II Gothic Yew and Elm Windsor Armchairs, circa 1760
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
The Windsor chair at its most elaborate and fine, the Gothic Windsor of yew wood and elm, circa 1760. England. It is, without doubt, the most sophisticated and elegant of all Windsor chairs and can be described as quintessentially English country furniture...
Category
18th Century English Antique Medieval Seating
Materials
Elm, Yew
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 Seating
Materials
Wool, Upholstery, Wood
Small Carved Oak Chest or Shoe Box Coffer
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Small carved oak chest or shoe box coffer
The chest has 2 carved panels to the front and and decorative nailed and scalloped corners, inside is clean and it has blacksmith made hinges
This small oak...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Medieval Seating
Materials
Oak
X4 Amazing Vintage Gothic Steeple Back Dining Chairs Lovely Pugin Style Carving
By Pugin
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of four steeple back oak dining chairs in the Pugin manor
A truly sublime suite of ornately carved dining chairs, they look pure quality from all angles. Clearly base on the gothic originals...
Category
20th Century English Medieval Seating
Materials
Oak
Handcrafted and Hand Carved Gothic Revival Hall Bench or Stool Made of Solid Oak
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautifully designed and highly practical Gothic style bench.
This unique, Gothic Revival bench is another one of our recent great finds. It has so...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Medieval Seating
Materials
Oak
Medieval seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Medieval seating for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage seating created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, building and garden elements, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, oak and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Medieval seating 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 seating, popular names associated with this style include Aeterna Furniture, Arthur Umanoff, Daystrom Furniture, 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 seating differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $506 and tops out at $66,312 while the average work can sell for $2,292.
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