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.
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century American Medieval Furniture
Iron, Wrought Iron
Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Iron
16th Century Antique Medieval Furniture
Sandstone
1950s French Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Medieval Furniture
Leather
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century British Medieval Furniture
Resin, Pine
1950s European Vintage Medieval Furniture
Oak
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
19th Century British Antique Medieval Furniture
Canvas
1940s Italian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Stone, Iron
Early 1800s Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
Early 20th Century Unknown Medieval Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Iron
17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood, Oak
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Brass
Early 1800s Antique Medieval Furniture
Iron
Late 19th Century American Antique Medieval Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Unknown Medieval Furniture
Brass
20th Century Spanish Medieval Furniture
Iron, Wrought Iron, Metal
Mid-20th Century Philippine Medieval Furniture
Iron
17th Century German Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Wrought Iron
Early 1900s Italian Antique Medieval Furniture
Velvet, Wood
1920s French Vintage Medieval Furniture
Marble, Spelter
1910s American Vintage Medieval Furniture
Bronze
1890s French Antique Medieval Furniture
Wrought Iron
1950s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
1950s French Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wrought Iron
16th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Stone
Late 20th Century Unknown Medieval Furniture
Iron
Early 1900s Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century Medieval Furniture
Oak
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Cotton
Early 1900s Antique Medieval Furniture
Iron
Early 1900s Persian Antique Medieval Furniture
Wool
17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Wrought Iron
17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Stone, Limestone
1980s Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wrought Iron
Late 20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Wool
18th Century European Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Wrought Iron
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood
Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Clay
Mid-20th Century Medieval Furniture
Tapestry
1970s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
1970s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
2010s American Medieval Furniture
Plaster
17th Century German Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
20th Century Italian Medieval Furniture
Alabaster
Early 1900s Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
17th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture
Bronze