Medieval Furniture
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.
Early 19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Walnut
16th Century European Antique Medieval Furniture
Stone
1950s European Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century Medieval Furniture
Iron
17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Stone
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
1950s French Vintage Medieval Furniture
Iron
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture
Alabaster
19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture
Giltwood
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
15th Century and Earlier English Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
Early 1900s English Antique Medieval Furniture
Paper
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Medieval Furniture
Wrought Iron
Early 17th Century German Antique Medieval Furniture
Iron
17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Stone, Limestone
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Metal, Wrought Iron
1930s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Brass
19th Century American Antique Medieval Furniture
Silver
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Cotton
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
17th Century Belgian Antique Medieval Furniture
Silk, Velvet
19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Zinc
19th Century American Antique Medieval Furniture
Steel, Lead
1860s English Antique Medieval Furniture
Pine
17th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture
Bronze
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture
Steel
1920s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Iron, Brass
19th Century Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
1890s English Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
Late 20th Century Medieval Furniture
Metal
16th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century Finnish Medieval Furniture
Metal
19th Century Antique Medieval Furniture
Paper
19th Century Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
16th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Lead
Early 20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Oak
1930s American Vintage Medieval Furniture
Gesso, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Cotton
19th Century Unknown Antique Medieval Furniture
Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century Russian Medieval Furniture
Wool
1960s Italian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Iron
1970s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
1940s English Vintage Medieval Furniture
Elm, Yew
16th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood
20th Century British Medieval Furniture
Oak
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Wrought Iron
Late 19th Century European Antique Medieval Furniture
Bronze, Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Medieval Furniture
Metal, Brass, Bronze
20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Oak, Elm
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
1930s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool