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.
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
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...
Oak
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
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!
Brass
$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...
Oak
$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
$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
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...
Steel
19th Century Gothic Joint Stool, Golden Oak, Solid Construction, 1850
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th century golden oak joint stool This a good oak Joined stool a good solid stool, it has a good natural color and a lovely patina, it makes a gr...
Oak
A rare pair of large-scale 18th century George II architectural corner chairs
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A rare and impressive pair of large-scale 18th century George II architectural form mahogany corner chairs. Each chair with a horseshoe-shaped top rail incorporating outscroll arms,...
Mahogany
$5,807Sale Price|55% Off
Antique medieval armchair sculptural walnut with floral carvings, 17th century
Located in Zevenaar, NL
This unique late medieval chair dates from the Romanesque period and was made in England. The chair is made of walnut wood, in which beautiful floral patterns are carved. It looks l...
Walnut
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
An Oak Joint Coffin Stool, Occasional Table, Sewing Box
Located in Godshill, 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...
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
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
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
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
Antique Gothic Style Carved Oak Chest Coffer, 24\" Wide, 1900
Located in Godshill, 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...
Oak
PAIR OF ANTIQUE GOTHIC A.W.N PUGIN SIDE CHAIRS CHIPPENDALE CLUSTER COLUMN LEGs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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 frames Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international, if you would like an accurate quote, please send me your postcode and I’ll provide you with the exact price. A truly sublime pair of very rare, Gothic Steeple...
Leather, Hardwood
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
$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
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
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