Medieval Furniture
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.
Style: Medieval
Color: Brown
Pair of 15th Century Iron Door Straps from France
Located in Dallas, TX
Known in French as a "penture", this pair of irons date to approximately the late 15th century. They come from a lot of door and shutter hardware that...
Category
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Iron
Semi Antique Persian Bakhtiari with Golden Panel Design Sheared Low Handmade Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous hand knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Category
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wool
Antique Fully Restored Gothic Pugin Style Brown Leather Studded Console Table
By Pugin
Located in GB
We are delighted to this absolutely stunning one of a kind Gothic Pugin style hand studded brown leather console table with single drawer
This...
Category
1840s English Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Leather, Oak
Important Gothic Pugin Style Victorian Walnut Dwarf Open Bookcase
By Pugin
Located in GB
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 Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Extra-Large Wrought Iron Chandelier, Spain, circa 1950s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Very impressive medieval-style sixteen-light wrought iron chandelier, of very large proportions, ending in stylized fleur-de-lys. Each light has a large amber-colored glass shade.
...
Category
Mid-20th Century Spanish Medieval Furniture
Yellow, Worn Wool Hand Knotted, Vintage Persian Karajeh Distressed Look Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Category
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wool
Rare Large 15th Century Renaissance English Oak Roof Angels Corbel.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Rare Large 15th Century Renaissance English Oak Roof Angels Corbel.
Truly astonishing rare roof angels, circa 1450. The large Medieval carvi...
Category
15th Century and Earlier English Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Oak
Carlo Bugatti Parchment Side Table
Located in New York, NY
Stunning Carlo Bugatti parchment side table. Italy, circa 1890. Mahogany, ebonized woods, brass, pewter, parchment with birds and foliage motifs.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Brass, Pewter
English Oak Gothic Style Dressing Table Mirror with Castellated Top
Located in London, GB
An English oak Gothic style dressing table or chest of drawers mirror with castellated top and carved seed pod details below, with dowelled construction and through pegged joints to ...
Category
1960s English Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Oak
Antique Hand-Carved Gothic Style Quasimodo / Hunchback of Notre Dame Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
Very rare, 19th century statuette of Victor Hugo's famous novel character.
If you are a collector of rare novel and/or famous movie characters then this 19th century sculpture of Quasimodo, better known as the Hunchback of Notre Dame...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wood
Telamon - Northern Italy, late 12th (Reemployed Roman marble)25000
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Telamon
Northern Italy, late 12th - early 13th century
Reemployed Roman marble
H 32 x L 18 x P 17 cm
« Sono coloro che hanno dimenticato che l’uomo é solo un bruco, destinato a dive...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Marble
1920s Gothic Amber Glass Sconces
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is a beautiful collection of Gothic amber hammered glass sconces. The glass has a brass stained glass style frame with the original patina. ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Medieval Furniture
Materials
Glass
Hand Carved Stone Vide poche Basin Jardinière Bowl Planter Vessel Sink Antiques
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Hand Carved Stone Vide poche Basin Jardinière bowl planter vessel sink Antiques . 17th C. Possibly earlier Gothic Container . A Water Trough Benitier in a ...
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Stone, Limestone
Large Victorian Oak Leather Top Partners Desk, EDWARDS & ROBERTS Library Table
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large Victorian Oak Leather Top Partners Desk, EDWARDS & ROBERTS Library Table
This is a large piece, the table stands on heavy turned and carved legs set on brass casters, it has 3 drawers set into the apron along each side, these have superbly carved fronts and the inset handles are carved with the faces of Lions
The table top has a tooled inset leather, the desk is stamped EDWARDS & ROBERTS and has been fully restored with a replaced tooled leather top
The Library table it is 60” long...
Category
1850s Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Oak
Vintage Medieval Style Lion Tapestry on Iron Rod
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage Medieval style lion tapestry with gold tone metallic thread and sewn on decorative iron rings w/iron rod
Rod dimensions: 48" x 5/8".
Category
Mid-20th Century European Medieval Furniture
Materials
Iron
16th C set of Four Evangelist Vault Keys
Located in MADRID, ES
Vault keys such as these were used where the vault ribs came together, as a finishing touch. These particular ones depict the four Evangelists. The Angel for St Matthew, the Lion for...
Category
16th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Stone
Late 19th Century Carved Wooden Lüsterweibchen Four-Light Chandelier
Located in Barntrup, DE
Unique and adorable late 19th or very early 20th-century smaller-size chandelier - Lüsterweibchen. Finely hand-carved from linden wood, a unique piece, made by a master wood carver ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Brass, Metal
Antique Lifesize Crowned Mother Mary and Child Jesus Gothic Revival Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
Hand carved wood antique statue of Mother Mary wearing a Gothic crown.
This original and all hand carved sculpture of the mother of all mothers is anothe...
Category
Early 20th Century European Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wood
French 19th Century Gothic Style Writing Table
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French 19th century Gothic style writing table.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Oak
French Medieval Hunting Tapestry, Les Editions d'Art de Rambouillet
Located in Dallas, TX
78549 Vintage Les Editions d'Art de Rambouillet French Tapestry, 04'09 x 05'01.
Emanating Medieval style with incredible detail and texutre, this handwoven vintage French tapestry is...
Category
Late 20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wool
Pair of 19th Century Italian Painted Wall Hanging Shields with Family Crests
Located in Dallas, TX
Embellish your study or library with this elegant antique pair of wall hanging plaques. Carved in Italy, circa 1880, each plaque is oval in shape with scalloped and curved edges, and...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wood
pair of 50's french folk art brutalist stools
Located in Lyon, FR
Pair of French Gothic stools from the 50s. Set of stools in solid chestnut, hand-crafted folk art. Very nice carving details on the bottom of the stools. Very nice patina of time on...
Category
1950s French Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Chestnut
Antique Gothic Oak Housekeeper Cupboard, Hall, Armoire, Scotland 1880, H985
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique Gothic Oak Housekeeper Cupboard, Hall, Armoire, Scotland 1880, H985
Scotland 1880
Sold oak
Original finish
Carved top with a pair of carved panelled doors underneath
Four pa...
Category
1880s Scottish Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Oak
18th Century Italian Carved Cassone Trunk with Inside Carved Raised Panel
Located in Miami, FL
Antique carved walnut cassone coffer on paw feet from Spain, circa 1880.
Very versatile as well: Could be used as a seating bench, or an entry piece o...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Weighted Resin Chess Set Game in Jointed Wood Box Kings, Ca 1930s
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good and complete English resin moulded "weighted" chess set game of 32 pieces, in a jointed pine box, all dating to the early/ mid 20th century, Circa 1930's.
The chess...
Category
Early 20th Century British Medieval Furniture
Materials
Resin, Pine
Minton Encaustic Neo-Medieval Old English Tile
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique neo-medieval old English encaustic tile depicting a King, possibly Henry III, attributed to Minton & Co. This tile was commissioned in 1840-42 by L. N. Cottingham for Temple Church, London and possibly removed following WWII bomb damage.
It was not until 1850 that Minton and Co. began stamping the reverse of their tiles. Though unstamped, there is a similar tile to this one in the British Museum attributed to some of Minton’s earliest works:
“Minton & Co.’s first major commission was for the restoration of the Temple Church in 1840-42… The earliest Minton tiles are two-colour inlaid tiles characterised by random stabmarks (a device which aids drying found on the reverse) together with the yellow glaze covering the inlaid white of buff areas.”
As is the nature of encaustic tiles, both the red background and yellow figure form the body of the tile, unlike other tiles where the design is painted onto clay. This may be why it has such excellent definition after more than 180 years, the figure of the King clear and vibrant against the red with minimal surface wear. A brilliant collector’s piece!
Provenance: This antique encaustic tile...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Clay
Large Carved Oak Grotesque Corbel
Located in Bradenton, FL
Large heavy 18th century or earlier carved oak corbel. The corbel depicts a large male open-eyed smiling face with broad features. Finly carved details with wonderful old patina.
Category
18th Century European Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Oak
Unique Small Size & Quality Hand Carved Tiger Oak Gothic Revival Chest, 1920
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning and practical size, multi purpose Gothic chest / box from a monastery.
This here Gothic chest is one of the smallest yet most stylish we ever had the pleasure of offering. ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century Gilt Spelter Small Bust Jesus Christ
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A small antique bust of Jesus Christ. Made of gilded spelter (zinc alloy). On a black marble plinth. No signature. Minor wear to the gilt patina.
Dimensions: 14 (h) x 6 x 6 cm
Free...
Category
1920s French Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Marble, Spelter
Pair of Antique Oak Corbels / Wall Brackets
Located in Pomona, CA
An old and interesting pair of Oak Corbels featuring nicely carved figureheads. The figureheads of bearded men are draped in a headscarf made up of O...
Category
1880s English Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Oak
Ecclesiastical Style Antique Arched Oak Door
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
This enchanting antique arched door reminds one of an ancient castle or English church. Beautifully weathered by the ages and embellished with elaborate metal strap hinges, it dates from the mid 19th century and features vertical plank construction to the front with an original handle and ledged and braced construction to the back. With its aged, timeworn look, this old arched oak door...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Oak
1960s Medieval Revival Wood Resin Pendant Light
Located in Houston, TX
Single light featuring hand carved and divoted wood shaped spears and arrows, applied red resin pendants surrounding a pierced quatrefoil metal lantern. Two available, sold individu...
Category
Mid-20th Century Medieval Furniture
Materials
Metal
Rare Monumental Italian Carved Carrara Marble Model of a Cathedral
Located in New York, NY
A Rare and Monumental Italian Carved Carrara Marble Model of a Cathedral, Rome, 19th century, circa 1840.
Possibly a representation of Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence Italy.
The Italian Renaissance is renowned for its magnificent works of art and architecture, which are admired to this day for their grandeur and intricate details. Among the most impressive examples of this era are the rare and monumental carved Carrara marble models of cathedrals...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
Gothic Canopy, France, 15th Century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Gothic canopy
France, 15th century
Alabaster, some traces of polychromy
33 x 23 x 20 cm
Provenance:
- Private collection Genève, Switzerland
...
Category
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Alabaster
1983 Oak Armchair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Homage to our favorite chairs.
20th century hand carved oak medieval Gothic style arched back dining chair.
Category
2010s Mexican Medieval Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Oak
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 Furniture
Materials
Iron
French Gothic Style Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, NL
19th - 20th century French Gothic Style fireback.
The fireback is made of wrought iron and has a brown patina. Upon request it can be made black / pew...
Category
Early 20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Materials
Iron
Early 19th Century, Gothic Brass Skeleton Clock on Wood Base with Glass Dome
Located in Middleburg, VA
Early 19th century Gothic brass skeleton clock on wood base with glass dome. Bell on peak with steeple design and halberd hammer. Painted metal fa...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Brass
Swedish Gothic Bookcase
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Swedish 19th century bookcase with two glazed doors and gothic detailing, opening to four bookshelves. Below, two further doors open to more storage. This piece has been repainted in...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wood
Honey Brown Vintage Persian Hamadan Hand Knotted Pure Wool Worn Down Clean Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous hand-knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Category
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wool
Antique English Gothic Burled Walnut Breakfront Bookcase, Circa 1880.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Gothic Burled Walnut Breakfront Bookcase, Circa 1880.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Very Rare Set of Twenty Large, 1940s Church Indoor or Outdoor Sconces (
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very rare set of twenty of large 1940 church sconces, the glass can be easily change, to a different color of glass, the price is for the pair
they c...
Category
1940s American Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Metal
Indian Carved Sandstone Frieze of Lakshmi, Central India, 10th-11th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A large and impressive Indian carved sandstone architectural frieze featuring a central image of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi flanked by two atten...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Indian Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Sandstone
Victorian Golden Oak Green Man Desk
Located in Chillerton, 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 Furniture
Materials
Oak
Antique Gothic Style English Oak Victorian Library Table Desk Dining Table
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale lovely gothic style antique Victorian English oak library table or desk that can be used as a four person dining table
A decorative and well mad...
Category
19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Oak
Medieval Style Armor Gauntlet Articulated Steel
Located in Rochester, NY
Articulated medieval style steel gauntlet. Well made, mid-20th century.
Category
Mid-20th Century Medieval Furniture
Materials
Metal, Steel
15th Century English Red Sandstone Font
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Potentially dating from as early as the 15th century medieval era, this carved red English sandstone font is between 500 and 600 years old. Though heavily weathered by the elements, ...
Category
15th Century and Earlier English Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Sandstone
Large Patinated Gothic Style Hexagonal Lantern, Rewired, Second Available
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Patinated Gothic Style Hexagonal Lantern, Rewired, Second Available
Sold Individually
USA, circa 1920s
Standing 42-Inches tall, executed in patinated metal, with Holy C...
Category
20th Century American Medieval Furniture
Materials
Metal
Bleached blanket chest trunk, France, 1940s
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
Bleached Chest blanket France, 1940s, Gothic inspiration.
Category
1940s Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Oak
Antique Battle Axe Key or Towel Rack in Brass & Mahogany
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Decorative large key or dishtowel hanger in shape of an axe. It has 6 hooks and its made from brass and lacquered mahogany. A type not restricted by cites. It was made circa 1900-192...
Category
Early 20th Century European Medieval Furniture
Materials
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Gothic Style Solid Oak Wood Cabinet
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Fantastic Gothic style cabinet made in the first decades of the 20th century. In solid oak wood. Characterized in the upper part by a majestic architectural decoration carved in wood...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Oak
19th Century Trunk in Studded Leather and Solid Wood
Located in Lyon, FR
Chest, trunk of the 17th century in a medieval style, work of art craftsmanship. Solid wood structure covered with leather completed by a precision work with the decoration on the whole trunk made with nails. Very nice detail of carving at the feet in the form of paws. Bet vintage...
Category
Mid-18th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique 17th-18th Century Wood Italian Seated Saint Figure Fragment with Beard
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Antique 17th-18th century Italian carved wood seated saint figure fragment with beard. Possibly earlier. Remains of paint or pigments.
Arms and one leg missing, old damage to nose and other areas. Mounted on vintage base...
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wood
Early 19th Century Continental Brass Skeleton Clock on Wood Base with Glass Dome
Located in Middleburg, VA
Early 19th Century Continental Brass Skeleton Clock on Wood Base with Glass Dome. Silvered chapter ring with Roman numerals. Measurements: Clock -...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Brass
Original Gothic Style 1860 Candlesticks 19th Century Emperor of House Habsburg
By Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Gothic style of Laxenburg so called after the "Laxenburg Castle", the favoured summer-residence of the Austrian Emperor of the house of Habsburg.
Material used is carved wood, gilde...
Category
Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wood
Early 19th Century, Continental Brass Skeleton Clock on Marble Base with Dome
Located in Middleburg, VA
Early 19th century Continental brass skeleton clock on marble base with glass dome. Silvered chapter ring with Roman numerals. Measurements: clock...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Pair of Massive Brass 'Trumpet' Gothic Style Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of massive brass 'Trumpet' Gothic Style lamps
England, 1900s
Each one of substantial size and grace, standing 35-inches tot he socket, 32.5-Inches high to the the top of the c...
Category
20th Century English Medieval Furniture
Materials
Brass
17th Century Italian Carved Cassone Trunk with Drawers and Inside Carved Panel
Located in Dallas, TX
Place this elegant antique coffer at the foot of a king size bed. Crafted in Italy, circa 1680, the rectangular trunk stands on bracket feet. Heavily carved on all three sides with a...
Category
Late 17th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
Medieval furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Medieval furniture 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 furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include rugs and carpets, building and garden elements, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, wool and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Medieval furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, Asia, and West Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Arval Argenti Valenza, Edward F. Caldwell & Co., and Aeterna Furniture. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $30 and tops out at $275,000 while the average work can sell for $1,886.
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