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.
17th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th century French andirons made of wrought iron. The style of the andirons is Gothic. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food. They have a natural brown patina. The condition is...
Wrought Iron
15th Century Gothic Oak Virgin of the Annunciation, Franco-Flemish c. 1480
Located in Basildon, GB
A rare and finely carved Franco-Flemish oak figure of the Virgin of the Annunciation, circa 1480, from the celebrated collection of Joseph Brummer — the legendary dealer who helped f...
Oak
11'10"x18'6" Gray Mughal Inspired Medallions Design Wool & Silk Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Fossil Gray, Mughal Inspired Medallions Design, Textured Wool and Silk, Hand Knotted, Oversized, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style...
Silk
8'x10'1" Denim Blue 14th Century Influence Mamluk Design Hand Knotted Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Turkish Blue, Pre Historic 14th Century Influence, Mamluk Design, Natural Dyes, Hand Knotted, Pure Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Styl...
Wool
8'x10'3" Teal 14th Century Influence Mamluk Design Hand Knotted Pure Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Teal Green, Pre Historic 14th Century Influence, Mamluk Design, Natural Dyes, Hand Knotted, Pure Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style:...
Wool
9'1"x12' Ivory 14th Century Influence Mamluk Design Hand Knotted Pure Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Alabaster White, Pre Historic 14th Century Influence, Mamluk Design, Natural Dyes, Hand Knotted, Pure Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches S...
Wool
$2,277Sale Price|25% Off
8'x10'2" Green 14th Century Influence Mamluk Design Hand Knotted Pure Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Pine Green, Mamluk Design, Pre Historic 14th Century Influence, Natural Dyes, Hand Knotted, 100% Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style:...
Wool
2'8"x26' Ivory Pre Historic Mamluk Design Hand Knotted Pure Wool XL Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Porcelain White, Mamluk Design, Pre Historic 14th Century Influence, Natural Dyes, Hand Knotted, Pure Wool, XL Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0....
Wool
10'x14' Gray with Gold Persian Influence Design Hand Knotted Wool & Silk Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Misty Gray with Gold, Tone on Tone, Persian Influence Design, Hand Knotted, Wool & Silk, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Transi...
Wool
2'7"x8'4" Green Persian Inspired with Birds Design Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Artichoke Green, Broken and Erased Persian Inspired with Birds Design, Distinct Abrash, Shaved Low, Hand Knotted, Pure Wool, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pi...
Wool
2'6"x8' White Rajasthan with Leaf Design Hand Knotted Wool and Silk Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Alabaster White, Rajasthan with All Over Leaf Design, Hand Knotted, Wool and Silk, Soft Pile, Thick and Plush, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile hei...
Wool
$2,053 / set
17th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th century French Gothic andirons made of wrought iron. These French andirons are called 'landiers' in France. This dates from the times the andirons were the main cooking equipmen...
Wrought Iron
19th Century French Carved Limestone Gothic Architectural Fragment Table Lamp
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
19th Century French architectural table lamp formed from a carved limestone Gothic fragment. The tapering element carved in relief with stylised foliate crockets/leafwork, later dr...
Limestone
2'7"x9'10" Black Wool and Silk Hand Knotted Rajasthan Leaf Design Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Hand Knotted Rajasthan Design Wool and Silk Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving craftsmanship t...
Wool
2'7"x20'7" Egret White Silk and Wool Hand Knotted Rajasthan Design XL Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Hand Knotted Rajasthan Design Wool and Silk Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving craftsmanship t...
Wool
2'7"x8' Ivory Wool and Silk Hand Knotted Rajasthan Design Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Ivory, Wool and Silk Hand Knotted, Rajasthan with All Over Leaf Design Thick and Plush, Runner Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: ...
Silk
17th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th century French Gothic fire dogs made of wrought iron. The andirons have spit hooks. The condition is good.
Wrought Iron
2'7"x9'10" Ivory Rajasthan Half Wool & Half Silk Floral Design Thick & Plush Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Ivory Rajasthan Half Wool and Half Silk Floral Design Thick and Plush Hand Knotted Runner Oriental Rug. It has been woven for months and months ...
Silk
2'2"x3'1" Taupe Directional Vase Design Silk/Wool Hand Knotted Mat Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Taupe, Directional Vase All Over Design, Silk with Textured Wool, Hand Knotted, Mat Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Transitiona...
Silk
10'x14' Gainsboro Hand Knotted Wool and Silk Zoroastrian Design Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Gray, Broken Persian Design, Hand Knotted Wool and Pure Silk, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weavi...
Silk
2'6"x8'3" Rust Red Antiqued Haji Jalili Design Hand Knotted All Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Hand Knotted Antiqued Tabriz Haji Jalili Design, All Wool Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving c...
Wool
2'5"x22'Gray Wool & Pure Silk Zoroastrian Hand Knotted XL Runner Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Gray, Broken Persian Design, Hand Knotted, Wool and Pure Silk, XL Runner Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centurie...
Silk
4'1"x6' Eerie Black Hand Knotted Herati Design 250 KPSI 100% Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Eerie Black, Hand Knotted Herati with All Over Fish Mahi Design, 250 KPSI Densely Woven, 100% Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Tr...
Wool
$2,284Sale Price|25% Off
9'x11'9" Rose Pink Jacquard Hand Loomed All Over Design Wool and Silk Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Rose Pink, Jacquard Hand Loomed All Over Design, Wool and Art Silk, Oriental Rug. It has been Loomed for months and months in the centuries-old ...
Silk
2'6"x12' Gray Wool and Silk Jacquard Hand Loomed Tabriz Design Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Gray with Touches of Blue, Wool and Plant Based Silk Jacquard Hand Loomed, Tabriz Design, Runner Oriental Rug. It has been Loomed for months and...
Silk
4'10"x6'8" Ivory Nain Flower Design 250 KPSI Pure Wool Hand Knotted Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Ivory, Nain with All Over Design, 250 KPSI Wool Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weavi...
Silk
4'2"x10'1" Ivory Nain Flower Design 250 KPSI Wool Hand Knotted Wide Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Ivory, Nain with Center Medallion Design, 250 KPSI Wool Hand Knotted, Wide Runner Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the...
Silk
5'9"x5'9" Pitch Black Hand Knotted Herati Wool 175 KPSI Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Pitch Black, Herati with All Over Fish Design, Hand Knotted, Wool 175 KPSI, Dense Weave, Oriental Square Rug. It has been Knotted for months and...
Wool
$529Sale Price|20% Off
2'7"x8'1" Fine Jacquard Wool and Plant Based Silk Hand Loomed Gray Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Fine Jacquard with Sickle Leaf Design Wool and Plant Based Silk Hand Loomed Gray Oriental Runner Rug. It has been Loomed for months and months i...
Silk
3'2"x4'10" Wool with Pure Silk Hand Knotted Gray Broken Kashan Design Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Wool with Pure Silk Hand Knotted Gray Broken Kashan Design Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving ...
Silk
4'1"x6'1" Herati Design Red Wool 250 KPSI Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Herati All Over Fish Design Red Wool Dense Weave 250 KPSI Hand Knotted Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-...
Silk
3'2"x5'4" Black Fish Medallion Design Tabriz Mahi Hand Knotted Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Black Fish Medallion Design Tabriz Mahi Hand Knotted Wool Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old Persian w...
Silk
8'5"x10'1" Flat WeaveKilim Hand Woven Oriental Avant-Garde Stripe Design Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Flat Weave Kilim Pure Wool Hand Woven Reversible Oriental Avant-Garde Stripe Design Rug. It has been Woven for months and months in the centuri...
Wool
12'5"x15' 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 Pure Wool Over Size Reversible Oriental Rug. It has been Woven for months and months ...
Wool
8'3"x10'1" Hand Woven Stripe Design Flat Weave Kilim Pure Wool Reversible Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Hand Woven Stripe Design Flat Weave Kilim Pure Wool Reversible Oriental Rug. It has been Woven for months and months in the centuries-old weavin...
Wool
8'2"x10' Hand Woven Avant-Garde Design Flat Weave Kilim Handspun Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Hand Woven Avant-Garde Design Flat Weave Kilim Handspun Wool Reversible Oriental Rug. It has been Woven for months and months in the centuries-o...
Wool
8'2"x10'1" Hand Woven Light Green Flat Weave Kilim Ethnic Design Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Hand Woven Light Green Flat Weave Kilim With Ethnic Design Pure Wool Reversible Oriental Rug. It has been Woven for months and months in the cen...
Wool
3'x10'2" Silk with Textured Wool Palmette Motif Hand Knotted Wide Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Gray Silk with Textured Wool Palmette Motif Hand Knotted Wide Runner Oriental Rug. It has been woven for months and months in the centuries-old ...
Silk
12'x15'3" Oversized Sari Silk With Textured Wool Mamluk Design Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Oversized Sari Silk With Textured Wool Mamluk Design Hand Knotted Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old Persian we...
Silk
3'1"x5'6" Rich Black Tabriz Mahi 250 KPSI Wool Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Rich Black, Tabriz Mahi with Fish Medallion Design, 250 KPSI Wool Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the c...
Wool
9'x12' Wool and Art Silk All Over Design Hand Loomed Jacquard Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Pink Wool and Art Silk All Over Design Hand Loomed Jacquard Oriental Rug. It has been woven for months and months in the centuries-old Persian w...
Silk
8'8"x8'8" Wool & Silk Broken Persian Tabriz Erased Design Hand Knotted Round Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Wool and Silk Broken Persian Tabriz Erased Design Hand Knotted Round Oriental Rug. It has been woven for months and months in the centuries-old ...
Silk
$1,590Sale Price|20% Off
2'8"x7'10" THE SUNSET ROSETTES Wool And Pure Silk Runner Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind THE SUNSET ROSETTES Wool And Pure Silk Runner Hand Knotted Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old Persian weaving c...
Silk
8'x8' Beige Hand Loomed Organic Wool Modern Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Beige Hand Loomed Organic Wool Modern Oriental Rug. It has been woven for months and months in the centuries-old Persian weaving craftsmanship t...
Wool
17th-18th Century French Gothic Firedogs, Andirons
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th-18th century French Gothic fire dogs made of wrought iron. The condition is good.
Wrought Iron
2'7"x8'1" Silk With Textured Wool Hi-Low Pile Mamluk Design Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Silk With Textured Wool Hi-Low Pile Mamluk Design Runner Rug . It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old Persian weaving cr...
Silk
17th-18th Century French Gothic Firedogs, Andirons
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th-18th century French Gothic fire dogs made of wrought iron. The condition is good.
Wrought Iron
7'8"x7'8" Brown 14th Century Mamluk Pattern Hand Knotted Pure Wool Round Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Mocha Brown, 14th Century Mamluk Dynasty Pattern with Star Medallion Design, Hand Knotted, Soft Pile, High Mountain Wool, Vegetable Dyes, Round, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool ...
Wool
$558 / set
17th Century Gothic Cup Dogs, Andirons
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
French 17th century Gothic cup dogs. The condition is good.
Iron
11'9"x14'3" Oversized Ivory Shiny Wool Super Fine Peshawar Mamluk Design Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Oversized Ivory Shiny Wool Super Fine Peshawar Mamluk Design with Denser Weave Even Pile Hand Knotted Oriental Rug. It has been woven for months...
Wool
$1,462Sale Price|25% Off
2'8"x16' White Wash Peshawar Leaf Design Hand Knotted Pure Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Bone White, Washed Out Peshawar with Geometric Leaf Design, Hand Knotted, Natural Dyes, 100% Wool, XL Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches...
Wool
2'8"x8'1" Gray Mamluk Medallions Design Wool Hand Knotted Runner Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Fine Aryana Mamluk Design, Hand Knotted, Pure Wool, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving craftsm...
Wool
4'x10'1" Silver Gray, Soft Wool, Hand Knotted Afghan Ersari Wide Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Silver Gray, Vegetable Dyes Extra Soft Wool, Hand Knotted Afghan Ersari with Elephant Feet Design, Soft and Lush Pile, Wide Runner Oriental Rug....
Wool
11'10"x11'10" Gray Transitional Silk with Textured Wool Hand Knotted Round Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Gray, Silk with Textured Wool, Hand Knotted, Transitional Persian Influence Erased Medallion Design, Oriental, Round Rug. It has been Knotted fo...
Silk
2'6"x23'10" Ivory Silk with Wool Hand Knotted Sickle Leaf Design XL Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Ivory, Silk With Textured Wool Hand Knotted, Sickle Leaf Design Soft Pile, XL Runner Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in ...
Silk
$558 / set
17th Century French Cupdogs, Andirons
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Wrought iron fire dogs with spit hooks to grill food and a cup to keep drinks or soup warm. We have a unique and specialized collection of antique and used fireplace accessories con...
Iron
Large Gothic Bull's Head Andirons, Firedogs, 18th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Large wrought iron fire dogs with spit hooks. These French andirons are called 'landiers' in France. This dates from the times the andirons were the main cooking equipment in the hou...
Iron
2'5"x4'7" Eerie Black Hand Knotted Herati Design 250 KPSI Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Eerie Black, Hand Knotted Herati with All Over Fish Mahi Design, 250 KPSI Densely Woven, Pure Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Tr...
Wool
5'1"x7'1" Ink Black Hand Spun Wool All Over Herat Design Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Ink Black Hand Spun Wool All Over Herat Fish Design Hand Knotted Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old Pe...
Silk
$2,995
French Neo-Gothic Table
Located in High Point, NC
A masterful expression of the Neo-Gothic revival, this French side table from circa 1900 captures the medieval romanticism that captivated European craftsmen at the turn of the centu...
Oak