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.
$1,942Sale Price|20% Off
3'1"x11'5" Yellow Peshawar with Bijar Garus Design Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Golden Yellow, Peshawar with Bijar Garus Design, Aryana Collection, Hand Knotted, Vegetable Dyes, High Mountain Wool, Densely Woven, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Late...
Wool
$2,009Sale Price|20% Off
3'x11'6" Red Peshawar with Bijar Garus Design Hand Knotted Pure Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Coral Red, Peshawar with Bijar Garus Design, Aryana Collection, Hand Knotted, Vegetable Dyes, High Mountain Wool, Densely Woven, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: N...
Wool
$1,459Sale Price|20% Off
2'8"x10' Blue Northwest Zoroastrian with Gul Motif Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Imperial Blue, Northwest Zoroastrian with Serrated Gul Motif, Aryana Collection, Vegetable Dyes, Soft Pile, High Mountain Wool, Hand Knotted, Densely Woven, Runner, Oriental Rug Prim...
Wool
$1,183Sale Price|20% Off
4'1"x6' Stone Gray Peshawar with Bijar Garus Design Hand Knotted Pure Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Stone Gray, Hand Knotted, Peshawar with Bijar Garus Design, Aryana Collection, Vegetable Dyes, High Mountain Wool, Densely Woven, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile ...
Wool
$7,196Sale Price|20% Off
9'x12' Beige Erased and Broken Mahi Herat Design Hand Knotted Pure Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Beige, Mahi Herat Design, Erased and Broken Pattern, Vegetable Dyes, Pure Wool, Distinct Abrash, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inche...
Wool
$519Sale Price|20% Off
2'9"x4' Chocolate Brown Wool Hand Knotted Afghan Sultani Hand Knotted Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Chocolate Brown, Soft and Vibrant Wool, Hand Knotted, Afghan Sultani All Over Floral Pattern, Natural Dyes, Sample, Mat, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: ...
Wool
$665Sale Price|20% Off
3'3"x4'9" Gray Hand Knotted Afghan Sultani Ancient Bird Figurines Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Misty Gray, Hand Knotted, Afghan Sultani with Ancient Bird Figurines, Soft and Vibrant Wool, Natural Dyes, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches St...
Wool
$525Sale Price|20% Off
2'8"x4'2" Gray Hand Knotted Afghan Sultani All Over Floral Pattern Wool Mat Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Stone Gray, Hand Knotted Afghan Sultani All Over Floral Pattern, Soft and Vibrant Wool, Natural Dyes Sample, Mat, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 In...
Wool
$2,447Sale Price|20% Off
2'7"x17'2" Orange Aryana Grade Bijar Garus Design Wool Hand Knotted Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Rust Orange, Aryana Grade, Bijar Garus Design, High Mountain Wool, Hand Knotted, Vegetable Dyes, Soft Pile, Densely Woven, XL Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No P...
Wool
$1,176Sale Price|20% Off
2'8"x8' Sonic Gray Peshawar with Karajeh Design Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Sonic Gray, Aryana Collection, Peshawar with Karajeh Design, Vegetable Dyes, High Mountain Wool, Hand Knotted, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0....
Wool
$3,268Sale Price|20% Off
3'x19'9" Yale Blue Aryana Grade Bijar Garus Design Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Yale Blue, Vegetable Dyes, Aryana Grade, Bijar Garus Design, High Mountain Wool, Hand Knotted, Soft Pile, Densely Woven, XL Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pil...
Wool
$2,988Sale Price|20% Off
2'6"x21'8" Blue Northwest Persian All Over Design Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Yale Blue, Aryana Grade, Northwest Persian with All Over Design, Vegetable Dyes, High Mountain Wool, Hand Knotted, Densely Woven, XL Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Late...
Wool
$2,652Sale Price|20% Off
6'4"x8'8" Blue Aryana Collection Sickle Leaf Design Hand Knotted Pure Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Imperial Blue, Aryana Collection, Sickle Leaf Design, Vegetable Dyes, Pure Wool, Hand Knotted, Soft Pile, Densely Woven, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: ...
Wool
$1,973Sale Price|20% Off
5'x8'2" Red Aryana Grade Sickle Leaf Design Hand Knotted Wool Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Prismatic Red, Aryana Grade, Sickle Leaf Design, Vegetable Dyes, Pure Wool, Hand Knotted, Soft Pile, Densely Woven, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 ...
Wool
$2,560Sale Price|20% Off
6'x8'10" Ivory Bijar Garus Design Aryana Collection Hand Knotted Pure Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Chiffon White, Bijar Garus Design, Aryana Grade, Vegetable Dyes, High Mountain Wool, Hand Knotted, Densely Woven, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 In...
Wool
$3,793Sale Price|20% Off
8'x10' Yale Blue Northwest Persian with All Over Design Hand Knotted Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Yale Blue, Aryana Grade, Northwest Persian with All Over Design, Vegetable Dyes, High Mountain Wool, Hand Knotted, Densely Woven, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile ...
Wool
George VI Sterling Silver Chalice, Howard Jesse Brown, London 1946
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1946 by Howard Jesse Brown, this handsome antique George VI sterling silver chalice has a plain conical form. The bowl surmounts an impressive hexagonal stem ...
Sterling Silver
Early 16th Gothic century carved oak relief panel, France
Located in Meulebeke, BE
A finely carved oak relief panel from early 16th‑century France, showcasing the restrained elegance of late Gothic design. The vertical composition features elongated fluted forms te...
Oak
$6,180Sale Price|20% Off
10'x13'9" Gray Peshawar with Bijar Garus Design Hand Knotted Wool Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Nevada Gray, Peshawar with Bijar Garus Design, Hand Knotted, High Mountain Wool, Densely Woven, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Tradit...
Wool
$1,722Sale Price|20% Off
6'x6' Yellow Peshawar with Bijar Garus Design Hand Knotted Wool Round Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Golden Yellow, Peshawar with Bijar Garus Design, Hand Knotted, High Mountain Wool, Densely Woven, Round, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Styl...
Wool
$8,625Sale Price|20% Off
12'x15'4" Stone Gray Peshawar with Bijar Garus Design Hand Knotted Wool XL Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Stone Gray, Peshawar with Bijar Garus Design, Hand Knotted, Natural Dyes, Densely Woven, 100% Wool, Oversized, XL, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 I...
Wool
$941Sale Price|20% Off
3'x6'3" Blue Afghan Ersari with Hutchlu Design Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Yale Blue, Hand Knotted, Afghan Ersari with Hutchlu Design, Reimagined, Vegetable Dyes, Denser Weave, Soft Wool, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: ...
Wool
$867Sale Price|20% Off
2'8"x6'4" Blue Afghan Ersari with Hutchlu Design Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Yale Blue, Hand Knotted, Afghan Ersari with Hutchlu Design, Reimagined, Vegetable Dyes, Denser Weave, Soft Wool, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: ...
Wool
$872Sale Price|20% Off
2'10"x6' Blue Afghan Ersari with Hutchlu Design Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Yale Blue, Hand Knotted, Afghan Ersari with Hutchlu Design, Reimagined, Vegetable Dyes, Denser Weave, Soft Wool, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: ...
Wool
$1,094Sale Price|20% Off
2'7"x8'3" Ivory Afghan Ersari Elephant Feet Design Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Pearl White, Afghan Ersari with Elephant Feet Design, Hand Knotted, Natural Dyes, Denser Weave, Pure Wool, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 I...
Wool
$723Sale Price|20% Off
2'5"x6'1" Ivory Hand Knotted Afghan Ersari Elephant Feet Design Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Pearl White, Hand Knotted, Afghan Ersari with Elephant Feet Design, Natural Dyes, Denser Weave, Pure Wool, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 I...
Wool
$2,428Sale Price|20% Off
6'x8'9" Ivory Afghan Ersari with Elephant Feet Design Hand Knotted Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Pearl White, Afghan Ersari with Elephant Feet Design, Hand Knotted, Natural Dyes, Denser Weave, Pure Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches St...
Wool
$1,497Sale Price|20% Off
2'6"x11'8" Ivory Hand Knotted Afghan Ersari Elephant Feet Design Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Pearl White, Hand Knotted, Afghan Ersari with Elephant Feet Design, Natural Dyes, Denser Weave, Pure Wool, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 I...
Wool
$628Sale Price|20% Off
3'x4'8" Gray Afghan Ersari with Elephant Feet Design Hand Knotted Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Fossil Gray, Afghan Ersari with Elephant Feet Design, Hand Knotted, Vegetable Dyes, Pure Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Traditi...
Wool
$704Sale Price|20% Off
3'1"x5'1" Gray Afghan Ersari with Elephant Feet Design Hand Knotted Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Charcoal Gray, Afghan Ersari with Elephant Feet Design, Hand Knotted, Natural Dyes, Denser Weave, Pure Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches ...
Wool
$847Sale Price|20% Off
2'9"x6' Gray Afghan Ersari Elephant Feet Design Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Misty Gray, Hand Knotted, Afghan Ersari with Elephant Feet Design, Natural Dyes, Denser Weave, Pure Wool, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 In...
Wool
$1,072Sale Price|20% Off
2'8"x7'10" Ivory Afghan Ersari Elephant Feet Design Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Pearl White, Afghan Ersari with Elephant Feet Design, Hand Knotted, Natural Dyes, Denser Weave, Pure Wool, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 I...
Wool
$688Sale Price|20% Off
3'2"x4'10" Gray Afghan Ersari Caucasian Design Revival Hand Knotted Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Pastel Gray, Afghan Ersari with Turkish Knot, Caucasian Design Revival, Hand Knotted, Soft Wool, Vegetable Dyes, Densely Woven, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile h...
Wool
$1,709Sale Price|20% Off
2'10"x11'9" Blue Afghan Ersari with Hutchlu Design Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Yale Blue, Afghan Ersari with Hutchlu Design, Reimagined, Hand Knotted, Vegetable Dyes, Denser Weave, Soft Wool, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: ...
Wool
$1,117Sale Price|20% Off
2'8"x8'2" Blue Afghan Ersari Elephant Feet Design Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Yale Blue, Afghan Ersari with Elephant Feet Design, Hand Knotted, Vegetable Dyes, Denser Weave, Pure Wool, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 I...
Wool
$1,026Sale Price|20% Off
2'8"x7'6" Oyster Gray Elephant Feet Design Hand Knotted Wool Runner Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Oyster Gray, Afghan Ersari with Elephant Feet Design, Hand Knotted, Natural Dyes, Denser Weave, Pure Wool, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 I...
Wool
$3,626Sale Price|20% Off
8'x10'1" Blue Afghan Ersari with Elephant Feet Design Hand Knotted All Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Yale Blue, Hand Knotted, Afghan Ersari with Elephant Feet Design, Vegetable Dyes, Denser Weave, Pure Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches St...
Wool
$1,547Sale Price|20% Off
2'7"x11'8" Gray Afghan Ersari with Hutchlu Design Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Stone Gray, Afghan Ersari with Hutchlu Design, Reimagined, Vegetable Dyes, Hand Knotted, Denser Weave, Soft Wool, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height:...
Wool
$633Sale Price|20% Off
3'x4'10" Gray Afghan Ersari with Elephant Feet Design Hand Knotted Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Charcoal Gray, Hand Knotted, Afghan Ersari with Elephant Feet Design, Denser Weave, Vegetable Dyes, Pure Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inche...
Wool
$1,095Sale Price|20% Off
2'8"x8' Ivory Afghan Ersari Elephant Feet Design Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Pearl White, Afghan Ersari with Elephant Feet Design, Hand Knotted, Natural Dyes, Denser Weave, Pure Wool, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 I...
Wool
$802Sale Price|20% Off
2'6"x6'3" Blue Afghan Ersari Elephant Feet Design Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Yale Blue, Afghan Ersari with Elephant Feet Design, Hand Knotted, Natural Dyes, Denser Weave, Pure Wool, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inc...
Wool
$1,529Sale Price|20% Off
2'6"x12' Blue Hand Knotted Afghan Ersari Elephant Feet Design Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Yale Blue, Afghan Ersari with Elephant Feet Design, Hand Knotted, Natural Dyes, Denser Weave, Pure Wool, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inc...
Wool
$1,547Sale Price|20% Off
2'7"x11'8" Ivory Afghan Ersari Elephant Feet Design Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Pearl White, Afghan Ersari with Elephant Feet Design, Hand Knotted, Natural Dyes, Denser Weave, Pure Wool, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 I...
Wool
$2,172Sale Price|20% Off
8'1"x10' Purple Saturated Colors and Design Hand Knotted Wool & Silk Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Purple, Saturated Colors and Design, Tone on Tone, Hand Knotted, Wool & Silk, Abrash, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Transitio...
Wool
$1,888Sale Price|20% Off
3'10"x5'4" Pompeain Red Hand Knotted Antique Bergama Prayer RugWool Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Antique Turkish Bergama Prayer rug, Hand Knotted, Pure Wool, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weavin...
Wool
English Arts & Crafts Mahogany Inkwell with Brass Trim, Gothic Style
Located in Queens, NY
English Arts & Crafts (Gothic Revival-style) mahogany and brass trimmed double inkwell with glass jewels and drawer.
Brass
Large Candelabra H257cm, Gothic Style, Early 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Rare Gothic-style candelabra, in bronze and painted sheet metal with a green and gold patina The arms of light are distributed over the upper part but also in the center of the sh...
Metal, Bronze
Beautiful and RareAlms Plate German Nuremberg, 16th Century D: 32cm
Located in Madrid, ES
Alms Plate German Nuremberg, 16th century Made of yellow metal, embossed and engraved decoration with figures and vegetal motifs. Signs of use. Diameter: 32 cm Good condition
Metal
An English Pine Fireplace mantel in the Gothic Manner
Located in London, GB
A pine fireplace in the Gothic manner, with a broad moulded shelf above a simple frieze and arched opening. The spandrels are carved with small foliate details, with panelled jambs s...
Pine
Louis Conrad Rosenberg Etching Doorway at La Chapelle 1926
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Rare 1926 pencil-signed drypoint etching by Louis Conrad Rosenberg. Features the ornate Gothic "Doorway of the Church at La Chapelle." Excellent architectural detail.
Paper
3rd Century Indian Red Sandstone Elephant Carving
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING a STUNNING piece of Indian Antiquity namely, a 3rd Century Red Sandstone Elephant carving. From Central India. The piece was purchased by a ...
Sandstone
16th Century oak carved Gothic Panel, France
Located in Meulebeke, BE
16th century / Belgium / Letter Panel / Oak / Gothic A finely carved Gothic oak panel from 16th-century France. This architectural fragment features graceful vertical fluting framed...
Oak
Pair of 16th or 17th Century Italian Forged Iron Tripod Pricket Candlesticks
Located in Dallas, TX
During the Medieval period, most pricket-style candlesticks utilized tripod bases, as the wide stance provided more stability on uneven stone or dirt floors. That same tripod form ca...
Metal, Iron
Large pair of french Late 19 th Century candelabra
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare pair of large late 19 th century French candelabra, the patina is so much nicer in person, I believe they came from a church
Brass
Religious Figurative Painting of the Holy Child with Weathered Finish
Located in Austin, TX
A beautifully expressive religious painting depicting the Holy Child, distinguished by its delicate figurative detailing and richly weathered surface. The devotional subject and trad...
Paint
French Early 18th Century Trunk
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This magnificent trunk is rich on carvings and Iron, it has as well its original iron bar to lock it. Just beautiful!
Iron
$47,863
Saint Florian
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
SAINT FLORIAN ORIGIN: SOUTH GERMANY, SWABIA PERIOD: END OF THE 15th CENTURY Height : 100,5 cm Width : 34 cm Depth : 17 cm Polychromed lime wood Good state of conservation Sin...
Wood
1940s Vintage Antelope Wrought Iron Fireplace Tools Style of Edouard Schenck
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Vintage Wrought Iron Fireplace Tools set with Stylized Antelope Edouard Schenck Style Crafted with elegance and functionality, ...
Wrought Iron
Jacob De Ghein Soldiers With Medieval Arms Set of Four Etchings from 1607
Located in Milano, MI
Jacob de Gheyn Portraits Of Armigers 1607 set of four Flemish etchings depicting soldiers in military uniform with medieval weapons pike, halberd and spear; they represent an importa...
Paper
$1,777Sale Price|36% Off
Pair of Wrought Iron Landiers. French. 18th century
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice and rare pair of landiers is made of wrought iron. This is a very old and fine work. The iron is twisted on top and there is a "cremaillere" as we say in French. This ...
Wrought Iron