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.
8'x10' Brown Moroccan Weave with Geometric Design Hand Knotted Pure Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Umber Brown, Moroccan Weave with Geometric Design, Tone on Tone, Abrash, Hand Knotted, Soft Wool, Textured Pile, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inc...
Wool
11'10"x15'3" Gray White Wash Peshawar All Over Leaf Design Hand Knotted Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Misty Gray, White Wash Peshawar with All Over Leaf Design, Natural Dyes, 100% Wool, Hand Knotted, Oversized, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches ...
Wool
5'5"x8'6" White Moroccan Weave Geometric Design Hand Knotted Wool Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Daisy White, Moroccan Weave with Colorful Tribal and Geometric Design, Tone on Tone, Hand Knotted, Soft Wool, Textured Pile, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile heig...
Wool
10'x13'8" White Washed Out Peshawar All Over Pattern Hand Knotted 100% Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Cotton White, Washed Out Peshawar with All Over Pattern, Natural Dyes, 100% Wool, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Transi...
Wool
9'8"x14'7" Stone Gray Moroccan Weave Textured Design Hand Knotted Pure Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Stone Gray, Moroccan Weave with Textured and Variegated Design, Hand Knotted, 100% Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Traditional P...
Wool
2'9"x9'10" Gray Bijar Garus Design Aryana Grade Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Castle Gray, Bijar Garus Design, Aryana Grade, Vegetable Dyes, Soft Pile, High Mountain Wool, Hand Knotted, Densely Woven, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile...
Wool
8'10"x11'10" White Antiqued Persian Ziegler Mahal Design Hand Knotted Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Chiffon White, Antiqued Persian with Ziegler Mahal Design, Distressed, Zero Pile, Shaved Low, Oxidized, Pure Wool, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile ...
Wool
2'6"x10' Vulcan Blue Nain with Flower Design Hand Knotted Wool and Silk Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Vulcan Blue, Nain with Center Flower Medallion Design, Hand Knotted, Wool and Silk, 250 KPSI, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches ...
Silk
2'8"x8'3" Beau Blue, 250 KPSI, Wool and Silk Hand Knotted, Nain Desgn Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Beau Blue, 250 KPSI, Wool and Silk, Hand Knotted, Nain with Large Center Medallion, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Tra...
Silk
2'4"x4'9" Burnt Peanut Red Nain 250 KPSI Wool Hand Knotted Runner Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Nain Flower Design, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving craftsmanship techniques ...
Wool
12'x12' Dove White, Hand Knotted, 250 KPSI, 100% Wool, Nain Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Nain, Hand Knotted, Pure Wool, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving craftsmanship techniques by ...
Wool
2'8"x18'5" Blue, Nain Design, Pure Wool, Hand Knotted 350 KPSI XL Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Midnight Blue, Nain with Center Medallion Flower Design, Pure Wool, Hand Knotted, 250 KPSI, XL Runner Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: ...
Wool
12'x15'3" Floral White Hand Knotted Half Wool and Half Silk Rajasthan Design Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Floral 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
6'1"x9'3" Alloy Gray Hand Knotted Mamluk Dynasty 200 KPSI 100% Wool Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind 14th Century Mamluk Dynasty Pattern, Hand Knotted, 200 KPSI, Pure Wool, and Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centu...
Wool
5'9"x9'7" Vermilion Red, Hand Knotted, Mamluk Design, 200 KPSI Natural Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Vermilion Red, Hand Knotted, 14th Century Mamluk Dynasty Pattern, 200 KPSI, Natural Dyes, Pure Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: T...
Wool
5'x7' White, Hand Knotted, Natural Wool, Mamluk Design, Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Powder White, Vegetable Dyes, Hand Knotted, Natural Wool, 14th Century Mamluk Dynasty Pattern, 200 KPSI, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile h eight: 0.25 Inches Styl...
Wool
12'x12' Decorators White Hand Knotted Wool Round Mamluk Dynasty Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Mamluk Dynasty, Undyed Pure Wool, Tone on Tone, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weavi...
Wool
2'7"x12' Honeydew White Luxurious Wool Hand Knotted Mamluk Dynasty Pattern Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Honeydew White, Luxurious Wool, Hand Knotted, Mamluk Dynasty, Tone on Tone Design, Undyed, Runner Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Tran...
Wool
12'1"x18' Chiffon White Mamluk Dynasty Tone on Tone Design Undyed Pure Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Chiffon White, Mamluk Dynasty, Tone on Tone Design, Undyed Pure Wool, Hand Knotted, Oversized Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Transiti...
Wool
3'3"x6'3" Spicy Orange Antique Persian Mazlagan Full Pile Hand Knotted Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Spicy Orange, Antique Persian Mazlagan, Full Pile, Clean, Excellent Condition, Sides and Ends Professionally Secured, 100% Wool, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool La...
Wool
9'2"x12' Gray 200 KPSI Meditation Tree of Life Design All Wool Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Spanish Gray, 200 KPSI, Meditation Tree of Life Design, Tone on Tone, Zero Pile, 100% Wool, Densely Woven, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: ...
Wool
2'7"x6'2" Black Rajasthan with Leaf Design Hand Knotted Wool and Silk Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Caviar Black, Rajasthan with All Over Leaf Design, Hand Knotted, Soft Pile, Wool and Silk, Thick and Plush, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height...
Silk
2'7"x8'1" Brown Rajasthan with Leaf Design Hand Knotted Wool and Silk Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Ecru Brown, Rajasthan with All Over Leaf Design, Hand Knotted, Wool and Silk, Densely Woven, Thick and Plush, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile heig...
Silk
8'x10' Ecru Brown Wool and Silk Botanical Design Hand Knotted Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Ecru Brown, Half Wool and Half Silk, Borderless Botanical Design, Densely Woven, Soft Pile, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inc...
Silk
2'6"x10' Oyster Black Rajasthan Design Wool Silk Hand Knotted 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
2'8"x17'1" Amsterdam Blue Rajasthan Leaf Hand Knotted Wool & Silk 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
2'8"x14'1" Burgundy Red, Rajasthan, Wool and Silk, Hand Knotted, Runner, Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Burgundy Red, Rajasthan, Thick and Plush, Wool and Silk, Hand Knotted, Oriental, Runner Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the ce...
Silk
3'x18' Midnight Blue Wool 250 KPSI Nain XL Runner Hand Knotted Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Navy Blue Wool 250 KPSI Nain XL Runner Hand Knotted Oriental Rug. It has been woven for months and months in the centuries-old Persian weaving c...
Silk
6'3"x6'3" Ivory, 250 KPSI, Pure Wool Hand Knotted, Herati Design Round Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Ivory, 250 KPSI Densely Woven, Pure Wool Hand Knotted, Herati with All Over Fish Mahi Design, Round Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Tr...
Wool
4'x12' Midnight Blue Pure Wool Hand Knotted Nain 250 KPSI Wide Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Midnight Blue, Wool Hand Knotted, Nain with Medallion and Flower Design 250 KPSI, Wide Runner Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and m...
Silk
4'1"x12' Ivory Nain 250 KPSI Wool Hand Knotted Wide Runner Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Ivory Nain with Medallion and Flower Design 250 KPSI Wool Hand Knotted Oriental Wide Runner Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in th...
Silk
2'4"x6'5" Blush Red Vintage Northwest Persian 100% Wool Hand Knotted Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Blush Red, Vintage Northwest Persian with Geometric Pattern, 100% Wool, Hand Knotted, Cropped Thin, Even Wear, Sides and Ends Professionally Secured, Good Condition, Runner, Oriental...
Wool
2'9"x12'4" Jet Black Herati Hand Knotted 250 KPSI Wool Runner Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Jet Black Herati All Over Fish Design Dense Weave Hand Knotted 250 KPSI Wool Oriental Runner Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in t...
Silk
5'9"x5'9" All Over Flower Design Square Wool 250 KPSI Nain Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind All Over Floral Design Ivory Square Wool 250 KPSI Nain Hand Knotted Fine Oriental Rug. It has been woven for months and months in the centuries-...
Wool
5'8"x8'10" Gray Moroccan Berber Influence Geometric Pattern Hand Made Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Nevada Gray, Moroccan Berber Influence with Geometric Pattern, High Mountain Wool, Denser Weave, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inche...
Wool
8'1"x10'8" Blue with Gray Moroccan Weave Geometric Pattern Hand Knotted Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Shades of Blue with Gray, Moroccan Weave with Geometric Pattern, Hand Knotted, Soft Wool, Tone on Tone, Textured Pile, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0....
Wool
4'x11'9" Gray Geometric Design Berber Influence Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Medium Gray, Intricate Geometric Design, Berber Influence, Denser Weave, High Mountain Wool, Hand Knotted, Wide Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0...
Wool
7'9"x7'9" Gray Peshawar with Ziegler Mahal Design Hand Knotted Wool Round Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Cloud Gray, Washed Out Peshawar with Ziegler Mahal Design, Hand Knotted, High Mountain Wool, Densely Woven, Round, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 I...
Wool
11'8"x15'6" Brown Afghan Peshawar Anatolian Village Design Hand Knotted Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Walnut Brown, Afghan Peshawar with Anatolian Village Inspired Design, High Mountain Wool, Hand Knotted, Oversized, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: Non Pile height: 0.25 ...
Wool
5'10"x8'8" White 14th Century Mamluk Dynasty Pattern Hand Knotted Pure Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Pearl White, 14th Century Mamluk Dynasty Pattern with Star Medallion Design, Hand Knotted, Vibrant and Soft Wool, Natural Dyes, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile h...
Wool
9'8"x13'8" White Wash Peshawar Leaf Design Hand Knotted Pure Wool Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Whisper White, Washed Out Peshawar with All Over Leaf Design, Hand Knotted, Vegetable Dyes, 100% Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style...
Wool
$1,669Sale Price|25% Off
2'7"x18'9" White Hand Knotted Washed Out Peshawar Leaf Design Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Chiffon White, Hand Knotted, Washed Out Peshawar with Geometric Leaf Design, Natural Dyes, 100% Wool, XL Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 In...
Wool
2'8"x15' White Hand Knotted Stone Washed Peshawar Pure Wool Runner Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Cascading White, Hand Knotted, Stone Washed Peshawar with All Over Pattern, Natural Dyes, Pure Wool, XL Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inch...
Wool
9'10"x13'6" White Washed Out Peshawar All Over Leaf Design Wool Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Pearl White, Washed Out Peshawar with All Over Leaf Design, 100% Wool, Hand Knotted, Veggie Dyes, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Tran...
Wool
9'9"x9'9" Gray Peshawar Birds of Paradise Design Hand Knotted All Wool Round Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Spanish Gray, Afghan Peshawar with Birds of Paradise Design, Hand Knotted, Soft and Velvety Wool, Veggie Dyes, Round, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0....
Wool
2'7"x23'7" Gray Peshawar Birds of Paradise Design Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Anchor Gray, Afghan Peshawar with Birds of Paradise Design, Hand Knotted, Vegetable Dyes, Soft and Velvety Wool, XL Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile heigh...
Wool
8'x8' Gray Hand Knotted Fine Kashkuli Animal Figurines Soft Wool Square Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Spanish Gray, Hand Knotted, Fine Kashkuli Gabbeh with Small Animal Figurines, Soft Wool, Vegetable Dyes, Square, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inc...
Wool
9'1"x12'3" Gray Ziegler Mahal Flowers Design Tone on Tone Hand Knotted Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Fossil Gray, Ziegler Mahal Large Flowers Design, Tone on Tone, Zero Pile, 100% Wool, Hand Knotted, Dense Weave, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inch...
Wool
3'x19'5" Golden Yellow Rajasthan with Leaf Design Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Golden Yellow, Rajasthan with All Over Leaf Design, Hand Knotted, Densely Woven, 100% Wool, Thick and Plush, XL Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0...
Wool
6'x9'2" Red Wool and Silk Rajasthan with Leaf Design Hand Knotted Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Ruby Red, Thick and Plush, Rajasthan with All Over Leaf Design, Hand Knotted, Wool and Silk, Soft Pile, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inche...
Wool
5'10"x8'10" Onyx Black Botanical Design Wool and Silk Hand Knotted Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Onyx Black, Borderless Botanical Design, Half Wool and Half Silk, Densely Woven, Soft Pile, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inc...
Wool
8'8"x11'10" Onyx Black Soft Pile Sickle Leaf Design Hand Knotted Wool & Silk Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Onyx Black, Soft Pile, Sickle Leaf Design, Lush and Plush, Hand Knotted, Wool and Silk, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Transit...
Wool
2'5"x26' White Silk & Textured Wool Hand Knotted Sickle Leaf Design Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Chiffon White, Silk with Textured Wool, Hand Knotted, Sickle Leaf Design, Borderless, XL Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style...
Wool
2'7'x15'9" Rice White Hand Knotted Sickle Leaf Design Wool and Silk Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Rice White, Hand Knotted, Sickle Leaf Design, Soft Pile, Silk with Textured Wool, XL Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Tr...
Wool
2'6"x11'10" Beaver Brown THE SUNSET ROSETTES Hand Knotted Wool & Silk Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Desert Sand Brown, THE SUNSET ROSETTES with Soft Colors, Hand Knotted, Wool and Pure Silk, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Pure Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inche...
Silk
12'x14'10" Blue Antiqued Persian Ziegler Mahal Design Pure Wool Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Stone Blue, Antiqued Persian Ziegler Mahal Design, Distressed, Zero Pile, Shaved Low, 100% Wool, Hand Knotted, Oversized, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height:...
Wool
5'x8' Beau Blue Wool and Silk Nain with Flower Design Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Beau Blue, Wool and Silk, Nain with All Over Flower Design, 250 KPSI, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Traditional...
Silk
2'8"x12'2" White Nain with Floral Design Wool and Silk Hand Knotted Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Pearl White, Nain with All Over Floral Design, Wool and Silk, Hand Knotted, 250 KPSI, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: T...
Silk
2'7"x16' Polo Blue Nain with Floral Design Wool and Silk Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Polo Blue, Nain with All Over Floral Design, Wool and Silk, Soft Pile, 250 KPSI, Hand Knotted, XL Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inc...
Silk
5'10"x9'2" Ivory Nain with Flower Medallion Design 250 KPSI Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Pearl White, 250 KPSI, Hand Knotted, Nain with Flower Medallion Design, Wool and Silk, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Traditio...
Silk