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.
$2,100 / set
Pair of Emperor Throne Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This pair of throne chairs is fully embellished with carved wood, and tufted faux leather. As seen in the Hunger Game's movie, as President Snow's throne, now you can preside over yo...
Wood
Three-legged Antique Oak Hall Chair with Lion and Shield
Located in OOSTERHOUT, NL
Antique three-legged oak chair from circa 1910, featuring a coat of arms traceable to the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia). Upholstered in faux leather and in excellent condition. A par...
Oak
18th Century Gothic Oak Wainscot Chair, Hall Chair, Carved Backrest
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
18th Century Oak Wainscot Chair, Hall Chair This Handsome Chair, has carving to the back rest, a magnificent patina apart from the well used solid plank seat, the sturdy crook arms...
Oak
Gothic Revival Velvet Arm Chair
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian Gothic Revival oak high back arm chair with rust velvet upholstered seat and back panel.
Oak, Velvet
A Pair of Important Scottish Armorial Hall Chairs Late 18th/Early 19th Century
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
Pair of Important Scottish Armorial Hall Chairs Late 18th or Early 19th Century, Scotland Constructed in quarter sawn oak, each of generous proportion with solid backs boldly carved...
Oak
17th Century Gothic Oak Wainscot Hall Chair with Carved Design
Located in Godshill, 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 ...
Oak
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
Arts and Crafts Oak Joint Stool, Occasional Table with Drawer
Located in Godshill, 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...
Oak
FOUR FINE FULLY RESTORED GOTHIC WINDSOR STEEPLE BACK BURR YEW & ELM ARMCHAIRs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very fine suite of four fully restored Burr Yew & Elm Vintage Gothic style Steeple back Windsor armchairs Please note the d...
Elm, Yew
EXQUISITE PAIR OF HAND CARVED HARDWOOD LiBRARY ARMCHAIRS LION GRIFFON WING ARMS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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 ...
Hardwood
$719 / 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.
Oak
$3,850 / set
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...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
Pair of French Arts and Crafts Gothic Walnut Library Chairs
Located in Godshill, 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...
Walnut
$3,357 / set
Medieval Style Hall Chairs, France, 19th Century
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Imposing pair of medieval / Gothic style armchairs, in carved oak, with leather seats and backs. Ornate brass trim.
Leather, Oak
Carved Oak Hall Seat with Stick Stands, Gothic Style, Mid-19th Century
Located in Godshill, 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...
Oak
Pair of Excellent Quality Gothic Carved Oak Carver Chairs A good pair of chairs
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Pair of Excellent Quality Gothic Carved Oak Carver Chairs A good pair of chairs very stout and sturdy, in the Gothic style with carved mask decoration and wide stats to the back, t...
Oak
French Gothic Armchairs, Walnut, Carved Faces, Silk Upholstery, 1870
Located in Godshill, 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 ...
Walnut
Arts and Crafts Chesterfield Buttoned Leather Oak Foot Stool
Located in Godshill, 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 ...
Oak
FOUR FINE RESTORED BROWN LEATHER GOTHIC REVIVAL STEEPLE BACK KITCHEN BAR STOOLs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of four stunning fully restored hand dyed Whisky Brown leather, Gothic Revival Steeple bac...
Leather, Oak
TEN FINE RESTORED BROWN LEATHER GOTHIC REVIVAL STEEPLE BACK KITCHEN BAR STOOLs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of ten stunning fully restored hand dyed Whisky Brown leather, Gothic Revival Steeple back...
Leather, Oak
$600 / set
Pair of Feudal Style Side Chairs
Located in Westfield, MA
Step into a realm of historical opulence with this exquisite pair of Feudal Side Chairs, each piece a testament to the intricate artistry and grandeur of its era. These chairs are no...
Walnut
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...
Wrought Iron