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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.

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Style: Medieval
9'3"x11'8" Currant Red Pure Wool Semi Antique Persian Heriz Hand Knotted 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

IMPORTANT TRIPTIC FLORENTINE SCHOOL (Italy) 16th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
IMPORTANT TRIPTIC FLORENTINE SCHOOL (Italy) 16th Century Oil on wood, representing the Eternal Father, Our Lady with Baby Jesus, Saint Bernadino of Siena, San León, Saint Stephen an...
Category

16th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Paint

8'1"x11' Deep Green Hand Knotted Pure Wool Vintage Tabriz Clean Oriental 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 Romanesque Capital Depicting Four Africans, Apulia, 13th Century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Large stone capital carved on each side in strong relief. The basket is covered with two crowns of vertical acanthus leaves which sprout from the astragal and fill the space between ...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Stone

2'5"x3'8" Savanna Brown Hand Knotted Vintage Northwest Persian Pure Wool 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

10'x12'9" Crimson Red Pure And Soft Wool Sheared Low Semi Antique Oriental 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

Beverley Minster Rare 14th Century Limestone Column Capital
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A rare late 13th / early 14th century limestone column capital reclaimed from Beverley Minster, Yorkshire. Dating to circa 1300, this limestone capital originates from the medieval p...
Category

15th Century and Earlier English Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Stone, Limestone

2'x3' Faded Gold Antique Mohojaran Sarouk Mat Hand Knotted All Wool Oriental 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

Early 1900s Persian Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

Vintage Danish Oak Stool with Lambskin, ca 1900s
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish Oak Stool with Lambskin, ca 1900s. Antique stool in solid oak from Denmark early 20th century. Inspired by the medieval or viking era. Probably used as a footstool or a childrens bench...
Category

Early 20th Century Danish Medieval Furniture

Materials

Lambskin, Oak

6'x8'10" Blue Gray Shiny Pure Wool Hand Knotted Vintage Persian Tabriz 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

9'4"x12'7" Blue Hand Knotted Vintage Tabriz Worn Distressed Wool Oriental 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

Vintage Beveled Glass Polished Forged Wrought Iron Coffee Table
Located in Dallas, TX
This unusual cocktail table would make an interesting addition to any living room, sitting area, office, or den. Square in shape, the table features a sturdy iron frame, accented wit...
Category

Late 20th Century American Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Antique French Romanesque 12th century Enthroned Madonna and Child
Located in Doha, QA
This extraordinary museum piece Enthroned Virgin Mary/Madonna with child on her lap comes from the Rhone region in France. The saint symbol and protec...
Category

15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Antique Carved English Oak Fireplace
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Though this antique carved English oak fireplace dates from the late 19th century, it draws inspiration from eras across the ages. It is elaborately carved throughout and handcrafted...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wood, Hardwood, Oak

Antique 19th century Jacobean Carved Oak Fireplace
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique 19th century Jacobean style carved oak fireplace. Dating to circa 1850, this English fireplace is elaborately carved and ...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wood, Oak

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 Furniture

Materials

Pine

Bobyrug’s Nice French Aubusson Style Medieval Design Jaquar Tapestry
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Behold this exquisite French tapestry, meticulously crafted as a museum-tapestry design replica. This tapestry captures the essence of a renowned masterpiece, featuring a captivating...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Gothic sculpted panel in oak from the 16th century, Belgium
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Belgium / 16th century / wooden sculpted panel / oak / Gothic / Rustic / Antique A panel in oak wood enriched with Gothic graphic carvings. Hand carved in Belgium in the 16th centur...
Category

16th Century Belgian Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Oak

16th Century Late Gothic Limestone Gargoyle
Located in Richmond, VA
A late Gothic limestone gargoyle water spout. Original iron bracket in central gutter. Stunning hairline cracking in stone due to old age. Perfect o...
Category

15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Limestone

Crimson Red Antique Persian Serapi Heriz Clean Even Wear Hand Knotted Wool 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

1910s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

Midnight Blue Vintage Persian Kerman Hand Knotted Pure Wool Square Rug 1'8"x1'8"
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

18th Century Italian Gothic Renaissance Square Chair Walnut Side Armchair
Located in Vigonza, Padua
18th century Italian Gothic Renaissance square chair in turned and hand-carved walnut. Polished to wax Measures cm: H77/40, W 52, D 46.
Category

Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Walnut

1920s Gothic Amber Glass Sconce
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is a beautiful Gothic amber hammered glass sconce. The glass has a brass stained glass style frame with the original patina. They give off a warm rich glow. One left in stock.
Category

Early 20th Century American Medieval Furniture

Materials

Glass

Rare Large 16th Century Grape or Cauldron in Solid Bronze
Located in Meer, VAN
Rare Large Grape or Cauldron in Solid Bronze, Europe, 16th Century. This is a rare and large museum quality 16th century grape or cauldron or cooking pot in solid bronze. A practi...
Category

16th Century European Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Gray Hand Loomed Fine Jacquard Wool and Plant Based Silk Round Rug 12'0" x 12'0"
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

2010s Indian Medieval Furniture

Materials

Silk

Period Gothic Oak Trunk or Chest Façade from Picardie France, circa 1550
Located in Dallas, TX
Often when centuries-old trunks did not survive the passage of time, 19th-century menuisiers (French woodworkers) would salvage the surviving wood and carve new furniture such as desks and similar trunks. The facade was typically the most ornate section of these antique trunks, making intact frontages highly valued antiques. Hand-carved from oak in Picardie, France, circa 1550, this period Gothic architectural is a beautiful example of an antique trunk facade that was not incorporated into a more recent furnishing. Picardie is a former administrative region in northern France that is home to many Gothic cathedrals. The Amiens Cathedral (mid-13th century) is the largest standing cathedral in Europe and is truly a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Our trunk frontage has five vertically oriented inset panels embellished with various forms of Gothic tracery, including high-arching niches...
Category

16th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Metal, Iron

Beige Hand Knotted Soft Shiny Wool The Sunset Rosettes Runner Rug 2'9"x15'10"
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

2010s Indian Medieval Furniture

Materials

Silk

White Sickle Leaf Hand Knotted Silk and Wool Oriental XL Runner Rug 2'7"x23'10"
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

2010s Indian Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

Ivory Sickle Leaf Wool and Silk Hand Knotted XL Runner Oriental Rug 2'6" x 27'7"
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

2010s Indian Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

18th Century Oak Wainscot Hall Chair This Handsome Chair
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
18th Century Oak Wainscot Hall Chair This Handsome Chair, has a later carving to the back rest, a magnificent patina apart from the well used solid plank seat, the sturdy crook arm...
Category

18th Century Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Oak

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 Furniture

Materials

Oak

Red Vintage Persian Hand knotted Heriz Distressed Clean Pure Wool Oriental 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

Brown Old Geometric Persian Hamadan Hand Knotted Wool Hand Knotted 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

Red Vintage Persian Heriz Organic Wool Sides and Ends Cleaned Hand Knotted 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

Chocolate Brown Worn Wool Hand Knotted Vintage Persian Bakhtiar Distressed 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

The Romance of Tristan and Iseult Joseph Bedier Heritage Press 1960 Illustrated
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The Romance of Tristan and Iseult Retold by Joseph Bédier Heritage Press, 1960 Illustrated Translated from French by Hilaire Belloc and Paul Rosenfeld, with an Introduction by Padraic Colum and Illustrations by Serge Ivanoff. A tale of chivalry and doomed, transcendent love, The Romance of Tristan and Iseult stands as one of the most resonant works of Western literature and the basis for our enduring idea of romance. The story of the Cornish knight and the Irish princess...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture

Materials

Paper

Pair of French Arts and Crafts Gothic Walnut Library Chairs
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Pair of French arts and crafts gothic walnut library chairs These beautiful chairs date from around 1880, recently upholsterd, the fabric has been especially designed and chose...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Crimson Red Vintage Persian Karajeh Pure Wool Hand Knotted Runner Oriental 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

Italian Venetian Style Silver Gilt Kissing Peacock Center Table
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Venetian style (19th Century) silver gilt and polychromed design carved center table with a top of 2 peacocks kissing supported on a pedestal base of faux tree branches with ...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

Red Vintage Persian Bakhtiari Cleaned Evenly Worn Wool Hand Knotted Rustic 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

Red Vintage Persian Heriz Sides Cleaned Soft Wool Hand Knotted Rustic Feel 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

Late 19th century Caldwell Gothic St. Michael Motif Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of late 19th century gothic style Caldwell bronze sconces with St Michael motif
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Blueish Gray Worn Down Rustic Feel Wool Hand Knotted Vintage Persian Tabriz 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

Red Hand Knotted Abrash Vintage Persian Heriz Sides and Ends Cleaned Wool 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

Ivory Antique Persian Pictorial Kashan Mint Condition Hand Knotted Pure Wool 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

1920s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

Cordovan Red Vintage Persian Moud Geometric Design Pure Wool Hand Knotted 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

Tall Forged Statement Chair Artisan Throne Minimalist Wrought Iron Brutalist
Located in London, GB
A hugely impressive, possibly unique and strikingly captivating Brutalist wrought iron hand-forged high-back statement chair in lovely vintage condition. Likely British-made in the l...
Category

Late 20th Century British Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Bronze Sprinkler Bucket - Gothic Holy Water Font 15th/16th Century
Located in Bilzen, BE
Gothic bronze bucket with cylindrical molding, also serving as a portable bronze holy water font, dating from the 15th/16th century, used for sprinkling holy water. Aged patina Dimen...
Category

15th Century and Earlier German Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Burnt Orange Vintage West Persian Wide Gallery Size Runner Wool Hand Knotted 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

1970s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

Rare Antique Medieval Gothic Corpus Christi, Large, Untouched Museum Masterpiece
Located in Doha, QA
An extraordinary and museum-worthy 14th/15th century Gothic Corpus Christi, masterfully hand-carved in wood with exceptional anatomical detail and partially polychromed in white and ...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Austrian Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wood

Large Italian Decorative Painted Curved Hanging Shield
Located in Sherborne, GB
Decorate a games room or a study with this colorful painted curved plaque. Crafted in southern Italy, circa 1950, the painted wall sculpture features a center medallion decorated wit...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Pine

15th Century French Fireplace Mantel
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A monumental 15th century sandstone Gothic fireplace mantel. Finely sculpted with a moulded beam and column supports.   
Category

15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Sandstone

Unique 16th Century Antique Fireback, Biblical Wine Feast
Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland
Beautifully decorated antique fireback or "ofenplatte". This used to be one of the sides of an antique stove made from several decorated firebacks. B...
Category

16th Century European Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Iron

Antique Gothic Revival Gold Bronze Figural Candelabra Table Lamps, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Gothic Revival Gold Bronze Figural Candelabra Table Lamps - a Pair. Item features wooden decorative candles, twin light sockets, pierced decorated frames, very nice antique p...
Category

Early 20th Century Medieval Furniture

Materials

Brass

20th Century German Enamelled Sterling Silver Armour on Wood Decorated Base
Located in VALENZA, IT
Figure realized in Sterling Silver using the lost wax process. The details are gilded and enameled. The figure is 17.5 cm high and depicts a 15th century German soldier with sword ...
Category

1990s Italian Medieval Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Red Vintage Persian Heriz Design Rustic Look Clean Abrash Wool Hand Knotted 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

Brown Antique Persian Fereghan Sarouk Clean Soft Even Wear Wool Hand Knotted 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

1890s Persian Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

Orange Overdyed Old Persian Tabriz Distressed Evenly Worn Hand Knotted Wool 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

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

Hand Knotted Pink Antique Turkish Sivas Worn and Distressed, Clean Pure Wool 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

1890s Turkish Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

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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