Medieval Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
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
Small Antique Bleached Side Cabinet With Gothic Arch Door Panels. C.1820
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Fabulous small Georgian tropical hardwood side cabinet
Elegant gothic arch door panels with amazing figure in the grain
Recently bleached
I particularly like the simplicity of thi...
Category
1820s English Antique Medieval Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Wood
French Charles X Birds Eye Maple Mirrored Console Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Charles X birds eye maple and ebonized trim and inlaid Gothic design console table with platform base and mirrored back with gilt floral carved edge on top.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Medieval Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Gold Leaf
French 16th and 19th Century Gothic Freestanding Oak Cabinet
Located in Troy, NY
Unique and rare cabinet with an open base, finished all around, so it could be freestanding in the room, the front panels intricately carved with gothic tracery work, the side and ba...
Category
16th Century French Antique Medieval Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Oak
English 19th century Gothic Style Oak Food or Aumbry Cabinet
Located in Troy, NY
Decorative English Oak "Food" or Aumbry Cabinet inspired by 16th Century examples, but of 19th Century manufacture.
(See Victor Chinnery, Oak Furniture, the British Tradition...
Category
16th Century English Antique Medieval Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Oak
18th Century Carved Dresser with Geometric Carvings
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
18th Century Carved Dresser with Geometric Carvings
This is a superb piece of Period Furniture, the top back is carved with geometric panels with plate grooves in the shelves
The ...
Category
18th Century Antique Medieval Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Walnut
Antique French Carved Ornate Walnut Figural Server Buffet Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique French Carved Ornate Walnut Figural Server Buffet Cabinet
Stunning Antique Imported from France Hand Carved Ornate Walnut Chateau Marble...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Marble
French Gothic Pine Reading Stand, Greeting Station, Greeter
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Gothic Pine Reading Stand, Greeting Station, Greeter
An Original French Reading stand, this Gothic piece would make a great Front of House Oak Greeter
The Stand has 8 arched ...
Category
1880s Antique Medieval Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Pine
Victorian Golden Oak Green Man Desk
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Victorian Golden Oak Green Man desk
The Desk stands on chunky barley twist turned legs with a long stretcher.
The Desk has one drawer in the centre ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Medieval Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Oak
18th Century Carved Oak Dresser with Kings This is a handsome piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
18th Century Carved Oak Dresser with Kings
This is a handsome piece with a wonderful patina, the carving is of very fine quality, the very top section is even older it dates from t...
Category
18th Century Antique Medieval Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Oak
Unique Victorian Reformed Gothic Specimen Cabinet in Oak
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
Sn4656 Exceptional quality Reformed Gothic oak collectors cabinet, having outswpet cornice with above a pair of glazed doors fitted with original working lock and a key, enclosing 22...
Category
1860s English Antique Medieval Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Oak
$7,389 Sale Price
20% Off
Victorian Carved Oak Wall Hanging Display Cabinet
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Victorian carved oak wall hanging display cabinet
This is a very large piece, it has 2 individual cupboards in the one piece.
The c...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Medieval Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Oak
Antique French Gothic Figural Carved Walnut Chateau Buffet Sideboard Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique French Gothic Figural Carved Walnut Chateau Buffet Sideboard Cabinet
A Beautiful Antique Carved Walnut high quality commission French Chateau Cabinet...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Brass
French 19th Century Gothic Long Cabinet "deux-corps"
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Outstanding piece, Vey tall with a beautiful movement of the wood at the back top. So did deferent and powerful.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Walnut
Important Gothic Pugin Style Victorian Walnut Dwarf Open Bookcase
By Pugin
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very well made Gothic Pugin style very large dwarf open bookcase
A very good looking and well made piece, the sh...
Category
19th Century English Antique Medieval Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Walnut
$2,673 Sale Price
30% Off
Amazing Chest, Italy, late 16th century
Located in Madrid, ES
Amazing Chest, Italy, late 16th century
93 x 214 x 74 cm
Rectangular shaped chest, in walnut wood. Four bracket feet, with four corners with sculpted leaves. Table top with owl's bea...
Category
16th Century Italian Antique Medieval Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Wood
Vintage 5-Tier Carved Walnut Etagere Shelf/Bookcase
Located in Wilmington, DE
Vintage 5-Tier Carved Walnut Etagere Shelf/Bookcase
Offered is a beautiful vintage Etegere shelf. This piece is made of Walnut, features five shelves/tiers ...
Category
1930s American Vintage Medieval Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
Danish Gothic Chest, Decorated Floral and Church style
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
A small yet striking Gothic-inspired oak chest with iron hinges, featuring exquisite floral relief carvings on the front and sides. Influenced by Danish folk art and church aesthetic...
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Medieval Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Oak
1940s Gothic Style Yellow Velvet Carved Arch Armoire Cabinet
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Transport yourself back to the sleek and sophisticated 1940s with this exquisite carved wood and yellow velvet armoire. The ultra rare cabinet exudes an air of luxury and refinement....
Category
1940s French Vintage Medieval Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Iron
A Rare And Extraordinary English Oak Spice Chest C. 1700
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A very early Oak Spice Chest with fine English form, handsome decorative panel doors and 24 drawers, four of which are hidden behind a central interior doo...
Category
18th Century English Antique Medieval Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Iron
Large 17th Century Figural Carved Griffin Gothic Coffer or Blanket Chest
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Large Gothic coffer / bench, believed to date back to the 1600s. Item features ornate, hand-carved, detailing on the front panel, a very thick and solid ...
Category
17th Century European Antique Medieval Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Wood
Antique English Jacobean Style Stained Oak Wall Cupboard
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A noteworthy and very well crafted 19th Century two-door storage cupboard with traditional English Gothic style carved doors, fine graining and brass door pulls, key escutcheons (wit...
Category
19th Century English Antique Medieval Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Metal
Large Gothic chest strongbox
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A verry rare and quite large Gothic chest in untouched condition. Strongbox like these where made for the safekeeping of money, important documents and pr...
Category
16th Century Italian Antique Medieval Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Iron
Fine Quality 19th Century Carved Oak Glazed Bookcase
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Fine Quality 19th century carved oak glazed bookcase.
This is a very attractive piece, it has 2 glazed doors which have a deeply carved border matching the top and base carving an...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Medieval Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Oak
Antique Gothic Renaissance Revival Oak Wood Figural Carved Low Cabinet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Gothic Renaissance revival oak wood figural carved low cabinet. Item features relief carved figure to door, drape carved wooden sides, inset masonite board top (not original)...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Medieval Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Oak
Gothic Influence Credenza - 16th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb and rare 16th century credenza from the southwest of France with a Gothic influence
The credenza opens with two doors. Very beautiful ironwork with superb Gothic irons fitting...
Category
16th Century French Antique Medieval Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Chestnut
Large Carved Oak Mule Chest, Green Man Marriage Chest
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large Carved Oak Mule Chest, Green Man Marriage Chest
This is a profusely carved Marriage chest, the coffer has many detailed carved panels. On the front we have 2 family crests on ...
Category
18th Century Antique Medieval Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Oak
Gothic antique brown oak wardrobe by Marsh, Jones & Cribb
Located in Castle Douglas, GB
Victorian gothic Aesthetic Movement brown oak wardrobe by Marsh, Jones & Cribb
Well figured brown oak veneers with burr of good colour, elaborate stop chamfers and handles in the Aes...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Oak
A Heavy French Panelled Oak Coffer
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Heavy French Panelled Oak Coffer
The chest has 2 moulded panels on the front and 1 more on each side with a carrying handle
This is a very heavy piece it is made from solid Oak
The top of the box has a planked and moulded edge and it has a large lidded candle box inside
This good rustic piece has been waxed and is in good sound condition for its age, it has blacksmith made hinges and handles
The Coffer measures 56’’ wide...
Category
Early 1800s Antique Medieval Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Oak
19th Century Two-Piece Gothic Style Oak Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
A handsome 19th Century two-piece gothic style oak cabinet. Beautifully carved and finished grapevines along the top and arms of the piece. A warm smiling face carving above the top ...
Category
19th Century Antique Medieval Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Oak
Large 17th Century Inlaid Panelled Oak Coffer
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A large 17th century inlaid panelled oak coffer.
This is a lovely old piece, with a superb patina, the chest has three deep moulded panels on the front...
Category
17th Century Antique Medieval Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Early 16th century German Gothic Cabinet / Sideboard
Located in Troy, NY
Very attractive, rare and large Gothic cabinet / sideboard with three drawers over two doors, constructed in three parts.
beautiful Gothic tracery work,...
Category
16th Century German Antique Medieval Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Wood
Price Upon Request
Medieval case pieces and storage cabinets for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Medieval case pieces and storage cabinets 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 case pieces and storage cabinets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, more furniture and collectibles, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, oak and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Medieval case pieces and storage cabinets made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original case pieces and storage cabinets, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Daystrom Furniture, Ferruccio Laviani, and Fratelli Boffi. 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 case pieces and storage cabinets differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $831 and tops out at $62,641 while the average work can sell for $5,548.
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