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.
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
$3,500Sale Price|30% Off
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...
Oak
Wrought Iron Chair with Bordeaux Velvet Seat - Medieval Style
By Mice di rugiano domenico e c. s.n.c.
Located in Cantù, IT
Affascinante sedia artigianale in ferro battuto con seduta e schienale imbottiti in velluto color bordeaux. Le linee sinuose della struttura metallica e le sfere decorative alle estr...
Wrought Iron
18th Century Carved Oak Celtic Wainscot Chair This is a Handsome Chair
Located in Godshill, 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...
Oak
$686 / item
8 chaises néogothiques en chêne circa 1950
Located in Mouscron, WHT
8 chaises néogothiques en chêne circa 1950 le prix est pour 1.
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
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
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 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
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
19th Century Eastern European Gothic Wrought Iron Chair
Located in Phoenix, 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
$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
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
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
SIX FINE RESTORED BROWN LEATHER GOTHIC REVIVAL STEEPLE BACK KiTCHEN BAR STOOLS 6
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of six stunning fully restored hand dyed Whisky Brown leather, Gothic Revival Steeple back...
Leather, Oak
19th Century Victorian Carved Oak Foot Stool with Leather Upholstery
Located in Godshill, 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...
Oak
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
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
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
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
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