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.
19th Century French Caved Oak Corner Cabinet Vitrine with Period Gothic Panels
Located in Dallas, TX
The tracery panels on this oak corner cabinet vitrine were hand-carved during the Gothic period. A very talented French ebeniste incorporated the repurposed carvings into this two-bo...
Glass, Wood, Oak
19th-C. French Corner Cabinet
Located in Ballard, CA
A single door painted French corner cabinet in the Louis XVI style. Made out of pine wood painted with light gray/blue and cream accents. Feature...
Iron
19th Century Swedish Corner Cabinet Circa 1820
Located in Atlanta, GA
This early 19th-century Swedish corner cupboard from Ångermanland is a remarkable example of provincial Scandinavian craftsmanship. Scraped back to reveal its original greyish-green ...
Pine, Paint
Early 19th Century Decorated Swedish Corner Cabinet
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rare corner cabinet from northern Sweden made during the first years of the 19th century, 1810 to 1820. The cabinet is pine and made in two parts. It has the original decoration paint with the authentic patina of time. The paint is unusually intricate and varied with both floral motifs and marbling. That points to it being an expensive cabinet...
Pine
19th Century Chinoiserie Corner Cabinet
Located in Charlottesville, VA
This 19th-century Chinoiserie corner cabinet features a rich red lacquer finish with delicate gilt-painted scenes. The upper section has curved shelving, while the lower compartment ...
Wood, Paint
Late-19th Century Carved Oak Bow Front Hunt Corner Cabinet
Located in Evergreen, CO
Magnificently carved in the late-19th century from solid oak and finished with a rich, dark stain, this handsome corner cabinet showcases bow front construction in both its open shel...
Oak
19th Century Victorian Oak Corner Cabinet Cupboard
Located in Germantown, MD
A 19th Century Victorian Oak Corner Cabinet with Glass front door. Functional key present. Measures 30" in width, 17" in depth and 52" in height. Sides depth is 21.5".
Oak
19th Century Spanish Baroque Corner Sideboard Storage Cabinet
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning cabinet you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what is, unequivocally, the best of the best, it b...
Wood
19th Century Swedish Corner Cabinet Circa 1830
Located in Atlanta, GA
This striking 19th-century Swedish corner cabinet, circa 1830, hails from the region of Dalarna, renowned for its rich tradition of Scandinavian craftsmanship. Designed to fit neatly...
Pine
19th Century Chinoiserie lacquer corner cabinet.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very imposing 19th Century Black lacquer Chinoiserie corner cabinet. Having classical hand painted scenes of warriors on horse...
Lacquer
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Bowfront Painted Corner Cabinet
Located in Round Top, TX
19th century Swedish Gustavian corner cabinet crafted in pine. The cabinet features bowfront doors with fluted carving and decorative diamond accents across all four doors. While old...
Metal
$3,975
H 79.14 in W 32.68 in D 14.97 in
20th Century Spanish Country Corner Pine Vitrine with Glass Paneled Door
Located in Miami, FL
A Spanish Colonial vitrine cabinet from the 20th century in pine with scalloped base and reeded sides and door. Original lock with key. Original paneled glass. The upper section cont...
Lead
19th Century Oak Hanging Corner Cupboard
Located in Delft, NL
A 19th century oak hanging corner cupboard A 19th century oak hanging corner cupboard with round doors and 3 shelves with copper fittings The measurements are: 101 cm high and...
Oak
Sold
H 36.25 in W 23.25 in D 14 in
Late 18th Century Corner Cupboard with Painted Medieval Scene & Black Background
Located in Miami, FL
Late 18th or beginning of 19th century black wood corner cupboard decorated with an original medieval scene on the doors. The main lock is lacking. Slight scratches and cosmetic wear...
Fruitwood
Sold
H 84.65 in W 34.65 in D 18.12 in
Pair of Tall, Mid-20th Century Corner Cabinets, Gothic Taste, English, Oak
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a pair of tall, mid-20th century corner cabinets in the Gothic taste. Crafted in Engish oak. Rich, dark wax polished finish to the English oak Presented in very good orde...
Sold
H 50.4 in W 28.75 in D 20.08 in
Midcentury Carved Oak Corner Cupboard, Cabinet with Gothic Overtones
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a midcentury, carved oak cupboard with gothic overtones. Attractive honey tones in the lustrous waxed finish Country kitchen feel with Gothic overtones Grain interest to top with rear gallery and shaped finial Fall front decorated with well executed carved kitchen scene Softly curved relief at hinge points and handle Voluminous space within for storage or mini desk...
Early Gothic Oak Corner Cupboard
Located in Redding, CT
Early Gothic oak corner cupboard top with fabulous original robin's egg blue paint interior. We believe this paint to be the original as it came out of a ...
Oak
19th Century French Gothic Corner Shelf
Located in Dallas, TX
Carved in the early 19th century from solid European white oak in the timeless Gothic manner, this intriguing three-tiered French wall shelf was desi...