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.
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
19th Century French Cast Iron Heraldic Wall Hanging Shield Plaque
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1870, this antique heraldic wall shield is cast in solid iron and modeled in high relief with a sporting coat of arms. The arched plaque is centered by a meda...
Iron
16th Antique Carved Marble Mortar
Located in Marbella, ES
A unique piece of great historical and aesthetic value, this antique Gothic mortar has been hand-carved from a single block of light marble. Its robust shape and sculpted side fins e...
Marble
Gothic Gilded Brass 5 Branch Chandelier This is a rare piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Gothic Gilded Brass 5 Branch Chandelier This is a rare piece, it has been converted to electricity from a Gas Ceiling Light it is an excellent qual...
Brass
Large Swan-Neck Wrought Fireplace Andirons Fire Dogs
Located in London, GB
A large pair of wrought-iron swan-neck andirons / fire dogs. The swan-necks are set on arch-supports with iron-rivet. A sturdy blacksmith-made pair of fire dogs suitable for burning...
Iron
Antique French Gothic Revival Figural Bronze Candlestick Table Lamp by Leandri
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Gothic French Renaissance Figural Bronze Tall Candlestick Table Lamp by "Leandri". Item features the original French foundry mark, stunning cast bronze figures of winged grif...
Bronze
1700s Green Scene Pictoral Antique French Tapestry 10'9"x13'8" Wool Carpet Rug
Located in New York, NY
Late 17th Century French Tapestry ( 10'9" x 13'8" - 327 x 416 cm ) Material: Wool warp,18 warps per inch; wool and silk pattern wefts, Z-2; woven sideways. This extremely attractive...
Wool
Solid Brass French Architectural Element or Planter Jardinières
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Acquired in Paris France, an architectural element that is solid brass. The piece is very detailed and architectural. A wonderful paperweight or decorative object standing alone... also could hold office supplies...
Brass
20th Century Marble Castle Chimneypiece Fireplace
Located in London, GB
20th Century Marble Castle Chimneypiece Fireplace. Hand Carved In Brown Tiger Like Marble. With Hand Carved Centre Hound Motif Emblem. And Prominent Turrets To The Top Of Each Firepl...
Marble
6'x9' Olympus White Modern Peshawar Hand Knotted 100% Wool Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Modern Peshawar Single Color With Plain Design, Hand Knotted, Pure Wool, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centurie...
Wool
8'x9'9" Arsenic Gray Natural Dyes Peshawar All Over Mahal Design Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Hand Knotted All Over Mahal Design, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving craftsmanship technique...
Wool
8'10"x12'3" Lazy Gray Hand Knotted Geometric Moroccan Weave Wool Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Moroccan Weave, Hand Knotted, Pure Wool, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving craftsmanship tech...
Wool
3'10"x5'9" Gray Aryana with Ziegler Mahal All Over Design Hand Knotted Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Afghan Angora Oushak, Hand Knotted, Pure Wool, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving craftsmanshi...
Wool
3'8"x15' Gray, White Wash Peshawar, Wool, Hand Knotted, XL Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Silver Gray, White Wash Peshawar, Organic Wool, Hand Knotted, Vegetables Dyes, XL Runner Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Transitional ...
Wool
2'8"x12' Smoke White, Washed Out Peshawar, Hand Knotted, Wool, Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Washed Out Peshawar, Hand Knotted, Pure Wool, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving craftsmanship...
Wool
4'1"x5'7" Ice Gray Aryana Collection Mahal Design Hand Knotted Wool Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Hand Knotted Aryana with Ziegler Mahal All Over Colorful Design, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old we...
Wool
3'x8' Gray with Gold Persian Medallion Wool and Silk Runner Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Nevada Gray with Gold, Persian Medallion Design, Wool and Pure Silk, Wide Runner, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style:...
Silk
6'x6' Cloud Gray, Wool and Silk, Grass Design, Hand Knotted, Round Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Cloud Gray, Wool and Silk, Grass Design, Hand Knotted, Round Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Transitional Primary color: Grey S...
Silk
12'x18'2" Ivory Hand Knotted Half Wool and Half Silk Rajasthan Leaf Design Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Seashell White, Hand Knotted, Half Wool and Half Silk, Rajasthan All Over Leaf Design, Oversized Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style...
Silk
$7,800Sale Price|25% Off
12'x15'5" Fossil Gray Erased Persian Design Silk Textured Wool Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Fossil Gray, Broken and Erased Persian Design, Silk with Textured Wool, Hand Knotted, Oversized Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches St...
Wool
5'1"x7'1" Red, Rajasthan Design, Half Wool and Half Silk Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Burgundy Red, Rajasthan Design, Half Wool and Half Silk, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Traditional Primary colo...
Wool
2'6"x11'8" Ivory, Hand Knotted, Tone on Tone, Pure Silk with Wool, Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Ivory, Hand Knotted, Tone on Tone, Pure Silk with Textured Wool, Runner Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Transitional Primary co...
Silk
2'6"x9'10" Gray, Erased Tulip Design Silk with Wool Hand Knotted Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Battleship Gray, Broken and Erased Tulip Design, Silk with Textured Wool, Hand Knotted, Runner Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: ...
Wool
2'6"x10'1" White, Hand Knotted, Tone on Tone Design, Silk with Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Stone White, Hand Knotted, Tone on Tone Design, Pure Silk with Textured Wool, Runner Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Transition...
Silk
2'6"x10' Gray, Silk with Wool, Hand Knotted Erased and Broken Design Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Cadet Gray, Silk with Textured Wool, Hand Knotted, Erased and Broken Design, Runner Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Transitiona...
Wool
2'9"x7'10" Gray, Persian Design, Pure Silk with Wool Hand Knotted Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Battleship Gray, Broken Persian Erased Medallion Design, Pure Silk with Textured Wool, Hand Knotted, Runner Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 I...
Silk
8'8"x12'1" White Persian Design with Floral Motifs Hand Knotted Wool & Silk Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Chiffon White, Persian Design with Repetitive Floral Motifs, Light Tone on Tone, Wool and Plant Based Silk, Thick and Plush, 200 KPSI, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: W...
Silk
7'1"x7'1" White Hand Knotted Modern Plain Design Lori Buft Pure Wool Square Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Linen White, Hand Knotted, Modern, Plain Design, Lori Buft Gabbeh, Thick and Plush, Pure Wool, Square, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style:...
Wool
2'6"x9'10" White Modern Lori Buft Animal Figurines Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Chiffon White, Modern, Lori Buft Gabbeh with Small Animal Figurines, Hills Design, Thick and Plush, 100% Wool, Hand Knotted, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pi...
Wool
4'1"x6' Medium Gray Hand Knotted Modern Design Undyed Natural Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Medium Gray, Hand Knotted, Modern Design, Hand Spun Undyed Natural Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Contemporary Primary color: G...
Wool
2'5"x10' Ivory Nain Hand Knotted 250 KPSI Wool and Silk Runner Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Spring White, Nain with Center Medallion, Hand Knotted, 250 KPSI, Wool and Silk, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Tradit...
Wool
2'8"x17'8" White Nain Flower Design 250 KPSI Hand Knotted Wool & Silk Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Daisy White, Nain with Center Flower Design, 250 KPSI, Hand Knotted, Soft Pile, Wool and Silk, XL Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inc...
Wool
10'x10' Brown Wool and Silk Hand Knotted Sickle Leaf Design Round Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Sickle Leaf Design, Silk With Textured Wool Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving c...
Wool
12'1"x12'1" Gray, Modern Design, Undyed Natural Wool, Hand Knotted Square Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Platinum Gray, Modern Design, Hand Spun, Undyed Natural Wool, Cut and Loop Pile, Hand Knotted, Square, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style:...
Wool
2'6"x24' Beige, The Sunset Rosettes, Wool and Pure Silk Hand Knotted Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Biscoti Beige, The Sunset Rosettes, Soft Colors, Wool and Pure Silk, Hand Knotted, XL Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: T...
Silk
2'7"x26' Beige, The Sunset Rosettes, Wool and Silk, Hand Knotted Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Biscoti Beige, The Sunset Rosettes, Wool and Pure Silk, Hand Knotted, Soft Colors, XL Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: T...
Silk
2'6"x11'10" White, 100% Wool, Hand Knotted, Modern, Lori Buft Gabbeh Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Dutch White, 100% Wool, Hand Knotted, Modern, Plain Design, Lori Buft Gabbeh, Thick and Plush, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style:...
Wool
2'5"x8'2" Champagne White Pure Wool Lori Buft Gabbeh Hand Knotted Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Champagne White, Lori Buft Gabbeh Plain Design, Luxurious Wool, Soft to The Touch Hand Knotted, Runner Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style...
Wool
12'x18' Rustic Gray, Hand Knotted Broken Persian Design, Wool And Silk Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Rustic Gray, Hand Knotted Broken Persian Design, Wool And Silk, Oversized Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Transitional Primary ...
Wool
5'x7' Hague Blue Nain Hand Knotted Flower Design Organic Wool Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Hague Blue With Cornsilk Corners, Nain Hand Knotted Center Large Medallion Flower Design, Organic Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style...
Wool
5'10"x9' Azure Blue Hand Knotted Shiny Wool Turkish Knot Striped Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Turkish Knot, Hand Knotted, Shiny Wool, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving craftsmanship techn...
Wool
3'2"X6'1" Tuscan Beige With Carmine Red Border Luxurious Wool Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Afghan Heriz Design, Hand Knotted, Pure Wool, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving craftsmanship...
Wool
4'9"x7'1" White, Mamluk Design, 100% Wool, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Porcelain White, 14th Century Mamluk Dynasty Pattern, 200 KPSI, Natural Dyes, 100% Wool, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style:...
Wool
4'x5'10" Ivory, Organic Wool, Hand Knotted, Afghan Stone Washed Peshawar, Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
White Dove, Organic Wool, Hand Knotted, Afghan Stone Washed Peshawar, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Tran...
Wool
8'x10' Ivory Wool and Plant Based Silk Modern Design Hand Loomed Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Wool and Plant Based Silk, Modern Textured and Variegated Line Design, Hand Loomed, Oriental Rug. Primary materials: Wool and Plant based Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Sty...
Wool
8'2"x9'10" Black and Ivory Modern Striae Design Undyed Wool Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Black and Ivory, Modern Striae Design, Thick and Plush, Organic Undyed Wool, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Casual Prim...
Wool
2'8"x8' Almond Brown Hand Knotted Modern Grass Design Wool and Silk Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Almond Brown, Hand Knotted, Modern Grass Design, Denser Weave, Wool and Silk, Lush and Plush, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches ...
Wool
$1,632Sale Price|20% Off
6'x9'2" Blue, Geological Design, Wool and Pure Silk, Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Blue, Geological Design, Wool and Pure Silk, Soft to The Touch, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Transitional Prim...
Silk
6'1"x9'4" Vanilla White, Hand Knotted, Tone on Tone, Pure Silk with Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Vanilla White, Hand Knotted, Tone on Tone, Pure Silk with Textured Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Transitional Primary c...
Silk
5'1"x7' Blue Hand Knotted Broken Persian Design Wool and Pure Silk Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Air Force Blue, Hand Knotted, Broken and Erased Persian Medallion Design, Wool and Pure Silk, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: T...
Silk
5'2"x7'1" Stone Gray, Broken Tulip Design, Silk with Wool, Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Stone Gray, Broken Tulip Design, Silk with Textured Wool, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Transitional Primary c...
Wool
5'x7'1" Mirage Grey, THE CANE, Pure Silk With Oxidized Wool Hand-Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind THE CANE Pure Silk With Textured Wool Hand-Knotted Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old Persian weaving craftsman...
Silk
9'x12' Black Overdyed Afghan Peshawar, Hand Knotted Pure Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Black Overdyed Afghan Peshawar with All Over Design, Hand Knotted Pure Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Transitional Primary colo...
Wool
10'x14'1" Azure Blue Textured Wool Hand Knotted Overdyed Contemporary Design Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Azure Blue, Textured Wool Hand Knotted, Overdyed Contemporary Stipes Design, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the cent...
Wool
2'x3' Light Gray, Modern Design Silk with Textured Wool Hand Knotted Mat Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Light Gray, Modern Design Silk with Textured Wool, High and Low Hand Knotted, Mat Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the...
Silk
2'5"x10'8" Gray Fine Jacquard Hand Loomed Modern Runner Wool and Art Silk Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Gray Fine Jacquard Hand Loomed Modern Runner Wool and Art Silk Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Art Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Transitional Primary color: ...
Wool
2'8"x9'10" Midnight Blue Wool Hand Knotted Nain Flower Design Fine Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Midnight Blue, Wool 250 KPSI Hand Knotted, Nain All Over Floral Design, Fine Runner Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Traditional Primar...
Silk
2'7"x8'1" Ivory Pure Silk with Wool Hand Knotted Squares Design Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Ivory, Pure Silk with Textured Wool Hand Knotted, Modern with Squares Design, Runner Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in ...
Silk
4'x6' Ivory, Modern Design, Hand Knotted Plant Based Silk with Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Ivory, Modern Design, Hand Knotted Tone on Tone Plant Based Silk with Textured Wool, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in ...
Silk
2'5"x26'3" Revere Pewter Gray Undyed Wool Hand Knotted Grass XL Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Undyed Pure Wool, Tone on Tone, Modern Grass Design, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old ...
Wool