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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
Arts & Crafts Gothic Cast Iron Spiral Scrollwork Fireplace Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Arts & Crafts Gothic Cast Iron Spiral Scrollwork Fireplace Andirons - a Pair. Item features swing out arm/pot holders, ornate scrolling frame, spiral form body, cast iron constructio...
Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Iron

17th Century Oak Wainscot Hall Chair
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
17th Century Oak Wainscot hall chair This Handsome Chair, has a magnificent patina, the solid plank seat has a little carving to the front border, the back is carved with a large ...
Category

17th Century Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Oak

19th Century Cross
Located in Madrid, ES
19th century cross Nice xix century cross in olive wood. Measures: 23 x 12 cm. In good condition.
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Large wall lamp with sword, 1950's
Located in Meulebeke, BE
A large wall lamp with a metal sword in wrought iron is a unique and original choice for a home. This lamp has a beautiful design that creates a medieval atmosphere. The sword is ma...
Category

1950s French Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Italian Table Lamp Converted from the Carriage antique Spot Light
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique Italian table lamp used in the 1900 s like the carriage spot light working on the petroleum .Lamp have the Murano glass behind the b...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze

15th Century Corpus Christi Wood Sculpture
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare late 15th century or early 16th century Gothic Corpus Christi wood sculpture. Probably North German or South Sweden. This large Christ sculpture...
Category

15th Century and Earlier German Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wood

16th Century English Tapestry
Located in LYON, FR
Very rare 16th Century English tapestry. Hand made my candle light over 300 years ago. Recently professionally cleaned and in good condition. Sources in Lyon France Any questions p...
Category

16th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

18th Century Spanish Carved Chestnut and Copper "Brasero" on Barley Twist Legs
Located in Dallas, TX
This unique, interesting fruit wood "Brasero" table was crafted in Spain, circa 1780. Round in shape, the antique table stands on four chestnut barley twist legs, and is dressed with...
Category

Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Brass, Copper

19th Century French Caved Oak Corner Cabinet Vitrine with Period Gothic Panels
Located in Dallas, TX
The tracery panels on this oak corner cabinet vitrine were hand-carved during the Gothic period. A very talented French ebeniste incorporated the repurposed carvings into this two-bo...
Category

1870s French Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood, Oak

Antique Handforged Medieval Iron Luster from a German Castle
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Handforged Medieval Iron Luster from a German Castle A very large medieval luster from a castle in South Germany. Made of handforged iron around...
Category

Early 20th Century German Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Circa Late 17th Century Carved Oak Lectern in Original Condition
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A rare and intricately carved Oak Lectern in original condition. In a very dark black-brown stain. The separately made top with a slant front opening to compartments and with a carve...
Category

Late 17th Century Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Oak

Large European Mediaeval Oak Carving of Christ in the Tomb
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large European Mediaeval Oak Carving of Christ in the Tomb The sculpture is partially polychrome and depicts “The Pamoison de la Vierge” also known as the “Swooning Virgin” this sc...
Category

16th Century Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Oak

Antique Medieval Style Wrought Iron Fire Basket
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique medieval style round wrought iron freestanding fire basket with supporting firedogs. At over 130 years old, this fire grate has certainly stood the test of time. With a...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron

Rare Pair of Medieval Sand Cast Iron Andirons
Located in Greenwich, CT
A pair of rare and ancient weathered sand-cast iron figural andirons with finials in the shape of almond eyed faces with tight widows'-peak headcoverings coming to a point in the mid...
Category

15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Iron

15th Century Stone Sculpture, Bust of a Wooman
Located in BARSAC, FR
Sculpture In limestone from the 15th century representing a wooman probably a saint. The face is round and serene, the hair long and the fore...
Category

15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Stone

Gothic Hand Carved Stone Surround Architectural Element Wall Mount Fountain Idea
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Gothic Hand Carved Stone Surround Architectural Element Wall Mount Fountain Idea . A Beautiful and Rare Gothic 15th Century Carved Stone Window Sur...
Category

15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Stone

Baltic NeoClassic Mahogany 18th Century Breakfront
Located in Queens, NY
"Continental (Probably Baltic-18th Century) Neo-classic mahogany breakfront cabinet with a lower section having 4 door under 4 drawers, all having an oval shaped inlaid pattern and an upper section with 4 Gothic style lattice glass door under a centered pediment Good; Wear consistent with age and use. Glass pane...
Category

18th Century Unknown Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Mid Century Wrought Iron Medievalist Candelabra
Located in Fort Collins, CO
Extraordinary sculptural bent iron Italian candelabra, sourced from Italy. This candelabra has a distinct visual weight, and the size and marked medieval silhouette commands attentio...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Medieval Furniture

Materials

Iron

9'6"x12' Hand Woven Brown And Blue Mountain Design Flat Weave Kilim Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Hand Woven Brown And Blue Mountain Design Flat Weave Kilim Handspun Wool Reversible Oriental Rug. It has been Woven for months and months in the...
Category

2010s Afghan Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

Antique 19th Century Cast Iron Gothic Manner Fire Basket Grate
Located in Edinburgh, GB
A petite French antique early 19th century cast iron fire basket in the Gothic manner, a shaped back with original steel heat plate, linked circles to the front instead of fire bars....
Category

1840s French Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Iron

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 Furniture

Materials

Oak

Italian antique carved wood and yellow fabric floor lamps or torch holders, 1500
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian antique carved wood and yellow fabric floor lamps or torch holders, 1500. Pair of floor lamps or torch holders with dark patina wooden structure, finely carved, and yellow fa...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Bronze Skeleton Praying Hands Sculpture - Titled Eternal Hope - Signed Park '92
By Amanda & Björn Sjöling, Blackman Cruz
Located in St. Louis, MO
Cast bronze life size gothic skeleton / bone praying hands sculpture, titled on base Eternal Hope and signed Park '92. In the style of Blackman Cruz Workshop.
Category

1990s American Medieval Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Persian Tabriz Gallery Rug with Hunting Scene and Medieval Style
Located in Dallas, TX
76352, vintage Persian Tabriz gallery rug with hunting scene and traditional medival style 11'03 x 16'01. This hand-knotted wool vintage Persian Tabriz gallery rug features an incons...
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

Framed Late 15th Century Illuminated Book of Hours Manuscript
Located in Houston, TX
Framed late 15th century illuminated Book of Hours manuscript circa 1500, France. Gouache, ink gold wash and gold burnishing on vellum. Framed within large decorative matt. In very g...
Category

16th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

THE LOST BRANCHES Silk with Textured Wool Hand Knotted Oriental Rug 9'0" x 12'1"
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

Gray Cypress Tree Design Silk with Wool Hand Knotted Oriental Rug 11'9" x 11'9"
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

Seagrass

Cloud Gray THE CANE Oversized Pure Silk with Wool Hand Knotted Rug 11'9"x14'10"
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

Gothic Revival Style 19th Century Burgundy Arm Chair
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian Gothic Revival style carved burgundy painted & gold trim small (throne) arm chair with carved center medallion and finials on back.  
Category

20th Century Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wood

Celtic Gothic Oak Clover Leaf Table Elizabethan-Style Celtic Gothic Oak
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Celtic Gothic Oak Clover Leaf Table Elizabethan-Style Celtic Gothic Oak Clover Top Table, an enchanting piece Made in solid Oak in sound attractive...
Category

19th Century Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Oak

Beautiful 1920s Gothic Wood Lantern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful Gothic lantern, the patina of the wood is beautiful, the height of the light is with out the chain.        
Category

1920s American Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Metal

Antique French Wrought Iron Candelabra with Gothic Floral Motifs
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This striking antique wrought iron candelabra beautifully captures the elegance and meticulous craftsmanship of early 20th-century Fren...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Pair Of Monumental Antique Polychrome Corbels With Foliate Designs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of monumental architectural antique polychrome corbels with fruit and foliate designs. The back with boards covering the previous mounting. Dimensions: 14" W x 16" D x 56" H Con...
Category

19th Century Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wood

1920's Oscar Bach Gothic style Brown Patinated Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1900 Oscar Bach bronze double light sconces, brown patinated finish
Category

1910s American Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Austin & Seeley Gothic Style Armillary Sundial
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A striking focal point for any garden, this impressive sundial pairs a mid 19th century gothic style stone pedestal by Austin and Seeley (unsigned) circa 1840, with a 20th century steel armillary sphere. Coupling composition stone intricacy with a contemporary armillary, this garden sundial offers a beautiful blend of antique and modern, perfect for instilling a courtyard or patio with history and interest. This gothic style pedestal appears in appears in Austin & Seeley’s catalogue dated 1841 (pictured). Here it is described as a ‘Rich Gothic Font, designed from Henry VII’s Chapel’ of Westminster Abbey, London. The drawing also appears in an advertisement from The Civil Engineers and Architects Journal 1839 (pictured), suggesting that this stone pedestal could date from even earlier. Austin and Seeley works were rarely stamped with makers marks. Austin & Seeley In 1828, Felix Austin established his own independent stone works...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Stone, Composition, Metal, Steel

German Armorial Oval Stained Glass Window Hanging
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A 19th century antique German armorial oval stained glass window hanging. This small oval stained glass panel depicts a family crest, the coat of arms consisting of a black shield m...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Lead

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

Chamberlain & Co Fleur de Lys Encaustic Tile
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique French medieval style encaustic tile by Chamberlain and Co of Worcester. This 6-inch glazed tile is a striking decorative interior piece or a welcome addition to an encau...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Clay

Carved Oak Open Bookcase. The bookcase is good quality
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Carved Oak Open Bookcase. The bookcase is good quality, with attractive carving on the front The bookcase is in good original condition and the shelves are adjustable This excellen...
Category

19th Century Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Oak

19th Century Arts and Crafts Brass Planter
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th Century Arts and Crafts brass planter This is a good quality brass piece, it is hand beaten, the brass has a very dark patina, it almost ...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century Original Painted Gothic Mirror
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Wonderful early 19th century English original painted Gothic mirror. 1830. Code: 8667 Dimensions: W: 31.5" (80 cm) H: 98" (248.9 cm) D: 5" (12.7 cm)
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Pine

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

Circle of Pietro Cavallini - St. Bartholomew - 14th century Fresco
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Circle of Pietro Cavallini (Rome, 1250–1330)
 St. Bartholomew
 Fresco transferred onto canvas Umbria, 14th century
66.5 x 40 cm Provenance: Collection of Raymond Van Marle (The Hagu...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Plaster

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

Mortar and pestle. Bronze. 15th century.
Located in Madrid, ES
Mortar and pestle. Bronze. 15th century. Bronze mortar and pestle with a circular base and a spouted mouth decorated with a band beneath the rim. The base, facing outward, features...
Category

15th Century and Earlier European Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique Painted Iron Floor Torchere from France, Early 1900s
Located in Dallas, TX
This five light, antique French cast iron torchere has been painted deep green with gold colored bands around the motifs. The motifs are trefoils, ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Medieval Furniture

Materials

Iron

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

Gothic Canopy, France, 15th Century
Gothic Canopy, France, 15th Century
$23,965 Sale Price
20% Off
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

19th Century French Marble Base Bronze Sculpture "Escholier" Signed E. Picault
Located in Dallas, TX
This beautiful antique bronze figure, was created in France, circa 1880. The realistic sculpture, titled on the front: "Escholier, 14eme Siecle", (meaning middle French, 14th century...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Carved Green Man Golden Oak Coffer, Hall Seat
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Carved Golden Oak Coffer, Hall Seat This is a lovely old piece and a very useful Hall Bench, it has storage under the seat, the coffer has a carved front showing the face of the gr...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Oak

Rare Gothic Castle Limestone Chimney Mantle Chateau Fireplace Hand Carved Stone
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rare Gothic Castle Limestone Chimney Mantle Chateau Fireplace Hand Carved Stone . A real museum / Chateau Manor mantel fireplace piece. Perfect for a R...
Category

15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Stone, Limestone

Pair of Forged Wrought Iron Andirons, Gothic Style, French, 18th Century
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of forged andirons were made in France in 18th century, in the gothic style. They have a very nice color of time. The decoration on the bottom with the star is very fine an...
Category

18th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Antique Gothic Style Elm Trunk
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Continental gothic style elm trunk, early 19th century. With a hinged single board rectangular top, the front of the trunk with 6 carved gothic style figures and an old iron lock. Th...
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Iron

18th Century Small French Oak Coffer, Strong Box
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
18th Century Small French Oak Coffer, Strong Box
Category

18th Century Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Oak

17th c. Square Gothic Fire Grate
Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland
Wrought iron Gothic fire grate, gorgeous patina.
Category

18th Century and Earlier Dutch Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Iron

St. Marks Gothic Wall Lantern
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
This wrought iron Gothic Lantern was made for a private chapel in France. We also made matching pendants that are availalble. The Bronze finish and Honey opal...
Category

Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

An Impressive 18th Century Painted Parchment Armorial
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
An Impressive 18th Century Painted Parchment Armorial Height: 260cm Width: 185cm Provenance: Private Melbourne collection.
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Parchment Paper

Large Gothic Lion’s Mask Iron Door Knocker This is a superb door knocker
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large Gothic Lion’s Mask Iron Door Knocker This is a superb door knocker, the handsome Lion’s Head is at the centre and the heavy outer ring lifts and lands on the striking plate...
Category

Mid-20th Century Medieval Furniture

Materials

Iron

2'4"x27'1" Rich Black Hand Knotted Soft Wool Runner Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Rich Black Hand Knotted Soft Wool 175 KPSI Tabriz Mahi with Fish Medallion Design XL Runner Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and mon...
Category

2010s Indian 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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