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.
Mid-18th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Limestone, Iron
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Medieval Furniture
Spelter
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
20th Century Medieval Furniture
Resin
16th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Gold Leaf
19th Century European Antique Medieval Furniture
Paper, Glass
17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century European Medieval Furniture
Plaster
18th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood, Pine
2010s Italian Medieval Furniture
Marble, Sterling Silver
1880s English Antique Medieval Furniture
Paper
1880s English Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
1980s French Vintage Medieval Furniture
Fabric, Cotton
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
20th Century Spanish Medieval Furniture
Iron, Wrought Iron, Metal
2010s Indian Medieval Furniture
Silk
Early 20th Century European Medieval Furniture
Stone
2010s Indian Medieval Furniture
Wool
2010s Afghan Medieval Furniture
Wool
20th Century American Medieval Furniture
Brass
2010s Italian Medieval Furniture
Bronze, Brass
Early 20th Century English Medieval Furniture
Oak
19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood, Giltwood
Late 20th Century North American Medieval Furniture
Wrought Iron
1980s American Vintage Medieval Furniture
Iron
16th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Chestnut, Oak
1890s English Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Wool
1910s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
2010s Afghan Medieval Furniture
Wool
2010s Indian Medieval Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Italian Medieval Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Canvas, Wood, Giltwood, Paint
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Furniture
Stone
1880s English Antique Medieval Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century Medieval Furniture
Linen, Wood, Paper
1870s English Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
1880s English Antique Medieval Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century Belgian Medieval Furniture
Brass, Bronze
Mid-20th Century European Medieval Furniture
Iron
1950s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
20th Century English Medieval Furniture
Iron
15th Century and Earlier German Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood
1980s Italian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Sterling Silver
1880s English Antique Medieval Furniture
Paper
1920s Armenian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
2010s Indian Medieval Furniture
Silk
2010s Indian Medieval Furniture
Silk
18th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Furniture
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture
Bronze, Iron
15th Century and Earlier German Antique Medieval Furniture
Wrought Iron
20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Bronze
1890s German Antique Medieval Furniture
Iron
16th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Stone
Late 20th Century English Medieval Furniture
Wood
1960s Italian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Iron
1880s English Antique Medieval Furniture
Paper
1880s English Antique Medieval Furniture
Paper
Late 20th Century Italian Medieval Furniture
Oak
15th Century and Earlier German Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood
1940s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
1910s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
1910s Indian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
17th Century Belgian Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
2010s Indian Medieval Furniture
Silk
15th Century and Earlier German Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century American Medieval Furniture
Oak
18th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Hungarian Medieval Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century Medieval Furniture
Metal, Steel
Late 20th Century Spanish Medieval Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Spanish Medieval Furniture
Gold Leaf, Wrought Iron, Iron