Medieval Furniture
MEDIEVAL STYLE
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.
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Style: Medieval
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
16th-17th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, NL
Impressive 16th-17th century French Gothic andirons made of cast iron. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food and cups to keep drinks warm. The andirons are therefore also called...
Category
Early 17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Iron
Large Gothic Hamstone Antique Fireplace
Located in London, GB
A large, antique English Gothic hamstone fireplace. The arched, moulded jambs with crests to centre and carved key stone. The frieze with stop-fluted arches and central blocking with...
Category
17th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Stone
Antique French Andirons or Firedogs, 18th Century
Located in Amerongen, NL
18th century, French Gothic style fire dogs made of wrought iron. The andirons have spit hooks. They are in a good condition.
Category
18th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs, 17th Century
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th century French andirons made of wrought iron. The style of the andirons is Gothic. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food. They are in a good condition.
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Mortar and Pilar End 15th Century Gothic Period
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Iron mortar with its original pestle end 15th beginning 16th century Gothic period, France
Beautiful original object with a beautiful patina and in good condition
Category
16th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Iron
15th C Gothic Tabernacle 4 ft.+ Rare Architectural Religious Art, Museum Quality
Located in Vero Beach, FL
15th century period Gothic Tabernacle, extremely rare (Medieval) architectural religious art, museum quality ecclesiastical altar piece.
This is an ...
Category
15th Century and Earlier German Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Antique French Andirons or Firedogs, 18th Century
Located in Amerongen, NL
18th century, French Gothic style fire dogs made of wrought iron. The andirons have spit hooks. They are in a good condition.
Category
18th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
17th Century Furniture Important Supposedly from Northern Italy, Antique Art.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
17th century furniture important supposedly from northern Italy, great decoration, carved walnut on all faces. Measures: H 2m53, W 1.76m, W 69cm.
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs, 17th Century
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th century French andirons made of wrought iron. The style of the andirons is Gothic. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food. They are in a good condition.
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Carved Sandstone Jain Family Group, 6th-7th Century, Uttar Pradesh, India
Located in Austin, TX
A fine and rare Indian carved sandstone stele of a Jain family group, Sarnath style, early Indian Medieval period, 6th-7th century, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Carved from a single block of buff sandstone, the stele features a Jain family group comprised of a father, mother, and two children. The family group is portrayed upon a lotus pedestal under a tall palm tree. The mother and father both seated in a relaxed pose known as lalitasana, or royal ease pose, a jovial expression on their faces. The mother holds the daughter in her lap. The younger son scampers mischievously up the trunk of the palm tree, his head turned to look back at his parents.
Above the family, nestled in a niche amongst the palm fronds, an image of a Jain Tirthankara...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Indian Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Sandstone
French 16th and 19th Century Gothic Freestanding Oak Cabinet
Located in Troy, NY
Unique and rare cabinet with an open base, finished all around, so it could be freestanding in the room, the front panels intricately carved with gothic tracery work, the side and ba...
Category
16th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Oak
English 19th century Gothic Style Oak Food or Aumbry Cabinet
Located in Troy, NY
Decorative English Oak "Food" or Aumbry Cabinet inspired by 16th Century examples, but of 19th Century manufacture.
(See Victor Chinnery, Oak Furniture, the British Tradition)
Open c...
Category
16th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Oak
Antique French Gothic Style Andirons or Firedogs, 18th Century
Located in Amerongen, NL
18th century, French Gothic style fire dogs made of wrought iron. The andirons have spit hooks. The condition is good.
Category
18th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
French Gothic 'Pillars and Pediment' Fireback / Backsplash, 16th Century
Located in Amerongen, NL
16th century French Gothic fireback with two pillars of Hercules and a pediment.
The pillar refers to the club of Hercules, his favorite weapon. It symbolizes power. Since antiquity...
Category
16th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Iron
English Early 18th Century Forged Iron Candelabra
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A spectacular hand-forged iron candelabra, made in England circa 1700. The fixture will hold seven candles, arranged in a triangular fashion. Sourced from an English church, the anti...
Category
Early 18th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Iron
A Stucco Torso of the Buddha, Gandhara, 4th-5th Century
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING a STUNNING piece of Indian Antiquity from circa the 4th-5th Century, namely, A Stucco Torso of the Buddha, Gandhara.
Ancient Gandhara is located in the rugged foothills of the Himalayas in what is today northwest Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan, was for centuries a thriving center of trade along the Silk Road linking China, South Asia, and the Mediterranean.
The piece was purchased by a Private Collector at Sotheby’s, or more probably, Christies of New York Auction pre-2000. The paper label on the wooden base is “7281/465” for Sale Number 7281, Lot No. 465.
Sotheby’s and Christies operate a twice yearly auction of Southeast Asian Art & Antiquities in New York in the months of March and September.
The Sale Number is more like a ‘Christies;’ Sale Number but we cannot locate any records for this sale online as it was pre-2004.
The sculpture is a Gandharan stucco headless bust...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Afghan Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Stucco
18th Century Antique Indian Medieval Tapestry after the Battle of Karnal in 1739
Located in Dallas, TX
74417 18th Century Antique Indian Medieval Wall Tapestry after the Battle of Karnal in 1739. This beautiful antique Indian painted tapestry is done on a canvas. It features a hunting battle scene with kings, kingsmen and royalty with multiple types of animals ranging from horses, elephants, lions, birds, peacocks and leopards. This tapestry is possibly in relation to The Battle of Karnal in 1739. The Muhammed Shah fought with Nader Shah...
Category
18th Century British Indian Ocean Territory Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Fabric
Pair of Wrought Iron Andirons, French, 18th Century
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
Pair of Wrought Iron Andirons, French, 18th Century.
Category
1780s French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Antique French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs, 17th Century
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th century French andirons made of wrought iron. The style of the andirons is Gothic. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food. They are in a good condition.
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Antique Greek Orthodox carved wood and silver cross
Located in London, GB
Antique Greek Orthodox carved wood and silver cross
Greek, 18th Century
Height 18.5cm, width 8.5cm, depth 6.5cm
This superb piece is a Greek Orthodox cross...
Category
18th Century Greek Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Coral, Silver
French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs, 17th-18th Century
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th-18th century French andirons made of cast iron. The style of the andirons is Gothic. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food and a cup to keep drinks warm. They are in a good...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Iron
French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs, 17th Century
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th century French andirons made of wrought iron. The style of the andirons is Gothic. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food. They are in a good condition.
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
17th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th century French Gothic andirons. They have spit hooks to grill food. The andirons have a natural brown patina, upon request it ...
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Architectural Stone Fireplace
Located in London, GB
An architectural French stone fireplace. The panelled frieze with shaped, panelled jambs below. A rustic stone with nice, aged patina. French, late 18th-early 19th century.
Shelf W...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Stone
French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs, 17th Century
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th century French andirons made of wrought iron. The style of the andirons is Gothic. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food. They are in a good condition.
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
16th Century French Oak Polychrome Statue of Saint Maudez
Located in San Francisco, CA
16th century French oak polychrome statue of Saint Maudez. A Breton saint from the 5th-6th century who founded a monastery off the coast of Brittany. Saint Maudez was said to have ba...
Category
16th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Gesso, Oak
Italy 14th Century Medieval Black Wrought Cast Iron Tripode Pedestal
Located in Brescia, IT
This piece of antique Italian wrought cast iron pedestal is made with an high level of quality in consideration of the age of the realization. From a...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Beautiful 17th Century French Fireplace Trammel or Hanger
Located in Amerongen, NL
Beautiful 17th century French fireplace trammel made of wrought iron.
The trammel was used for cooking to regulate the distance between the pots and the fire. The height is the l...
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Leathermaché Putti, Architectural Decorations
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Leathermaché Putti, architectural decorations
These very rare pieces are made in Leathermaché, two of them are characters in the forms of Putti or ...
Category
16th Century Great Britain (UK) Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Leather
French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs, 17th-18th Century
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th-18th century French andirons made of wrought iron. The style of the andirons is Gothic. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food. They are in a good condition.
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
17th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th century French Gothic fire dogs made of wrought iron. The andirons have spit hooks. The condition is good.
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
16th Century German Gothic Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, NL
16th century German gothic fireback with a religious theme. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black patina.
This product weighs more tha...
Category
16th Century German Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Iron
French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs, 17th-18th Century
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th-18th century French andirons made of cast iron. The style of the andirons is Gothic. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food and a cup to keep drinks warm. They are in a good...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Iron
English Stone Fireplace in the Gothic Style
Located in London, GB
A 19th century English stone fireplace in the Gothic style. The jambs and frieze with recessed panels and end blocking featuring shield crest,...
Category
15th Century and Earlier English Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Stone
3rd Century Red Sandstone Elephant
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING a STUNNING piece of Indian Antiquity from circa the 3rd Century, namely, a 3rd Century Red Sandstone Elephant .
From Central India.
The piec...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Indian Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Sandstone
Large 16th Century German Gothic Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, NL
Large 16th century German gothic fireback with a religious theme. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black patina.
This product weighs mo...
Category
16th Century German Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Iron
Very Rare Swiss or German Late Gothic early 16th century "Flachschnitz" Bench
Located in Troy, NY
Unique, decorative, charming bench, front and back panels with intricate and whimsical “flachschnitz” decoration, plain sides,
lift top seat to reveal storage space.
A very rare exa...
Category
16th Century Swiss Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Pine
Rare Late Medieval 16th Century German Wrought Iron Oak Chest or Stollentruhe
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very impressive Westphalian Gothic chest or ‚Stollentruhe’, Westphalia, Germany, circa 1500-1550. Wrought iron mounted oak, partially carved. The monumental rectangular standing chest with full-height stiles, extensively mounted with wrought ironwork straps terminating in quatrefoil finials which ’wrap’ around the chest edges. These are fixed with convex head nails. The ironwork with some remains of an originally red painted surface. In addition, running along the edges of the lid at the front and sides is a plain iron band, close-nailed. The feet of the two front legs are finely carved on the front face, in low relief with a rectangular arched ’panel’ depicting on the left a lion, on the right a dragon holding each a coat of arms.
Regarding the age of circa 500 years, this coffer is in exceptionally good condition, with only smaller restorations.
Comparative literature
• Baumeier, Stefan, Beschlagene Kisten; Die ältesten Truhen Westfalens, Essen, 2012.
• Falke, Otto von, Deutsche Möbel...
Category
16th Century German Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Iron
Late Gothic Swiss early 17th century Rustic walnut Table
Located in Troy, NY
Very charming alpine table of late Gothic design, the one plank top supported by sides ending in shoe feet with simple decoration, one drawer above a conn...
Category
Early 1600s Swiss Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Walnut
17th Century Style Pair of Gothic Serpent Andirons
Located in London, GB
A large pair of iron 17th century style Gothic serpent andirons with rope twist,
English made circa 1920-1930
Measure: Overall height 36" 91 cm
...
Category
17th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Iron
Small Gothic Style Fireplace in Purbeck Stone
Located in London, GB
A small English Gothic style fireplace in grey Purbeck stone. The moulded legs surmounted by arched frieze, English, 20th century.
Shelf Width: 1220 mm 48 in
Overall Height: 1...
Category
15th Century and Earlier English Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Stone
17th-18th Century Large Gothic Style Firedogs or Andirons
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th-18th century, French Gothic style fire dogs made of wrought iron. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food. These French andirons are called 'landiers' in France.
The condit...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Pair of Forged Wrought Iron Andirons, Gothic Style, French, 18th Century
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of forged andirons were made in France in 18th century, in the gothic style. They have a very nice color of time. The decoration on the bottom with the star is very fine an...
Category
18th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
17th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th century French Gothic andirons made of wrought iron. The andirons are in a good condition and are fit for use in the fireplace.
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
17th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th century French Gothic Andirons made of cast iron. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food and cups to keep drinks warm. This type of andi...
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Iron
15th-16th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, NL
15th-16th century French Gothic andirons made of cast iron. The andirons have very special spit hooks, as can be seen in the pictures.
This product has to be shipped as freight due ...
Category
16th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Iron
16th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, NL
16th century French Gothic andirons made of cast iron. With faces on the spit hooks to discourage evil powers.
This product has to be shipped as freight due to its size and/or (volu...
Category
16th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Iron
17th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, NL
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...
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
17th Century Primitive Religious Carving Oak Panel 1631
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Primitive religious carving oak panel 1631
This rare piece comes from France, the somewhat Primitive carving shows the Madonna and Child sitting on the Devil who is depicted as a li...
Category
17th Century Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Oak
16th Century Large Gothic Andirons, Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, NL
Impressive gothic fire dogs with spit hooks with faces. These French andirons are called 'landiers' in France. This dates from the times the andirons were the main cooking equipment ...
Category
16th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Iron
Antique Gothic Saint Peter Fireback / Backsplash, 16th - 17th Century
Located in Amerongen, NL
Saint Peter with the key to the gate of heaven. German Gothic period fireback. Made of cast iron. It has a black / pewter patina. The condition is good, no...
Category
17th Century German Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Iron
18th Spanish Century Glazed Alhambra Majolica Amphora Vase
Located in Miami, FL
Spanish Mid 19th Century Glazed Alhambra Majolica Amphora Vase
Valencian medieval jug reflexes with heraldic shield.
Category
18th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
17th Century Dutch Fireplace Grate or Fireplace Basket
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th century Dutch fire grate made of wrought iron. Gothic period. The grate is in a good condition.
Category
17th Century Dutch Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
17th-18th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th-18th century French andirons made of wrought iron. The style of the andirons is gothic. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food. Wedding pair whereby both parties donate one ...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Spanish late Gothic 16th century and later oak coffer / chest
Located in Troy, NY
Lift top chest with typical carved Gothic tracery work adorning the front panel, of rather small proportion, beautiful color and extraordinary condition...
Category
16th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Oak
17th-18th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th-18th 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. Upon reques...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
17th-18th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th-18th 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. Upon reques...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
17th-18th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th-18th 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. Upon reques...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Medieval furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Medieval furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include rugs and carpets, building and garden elements, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, wool and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Medieval furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, Asia, and West Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Arval Argenti Valenza, Edward F. Caldwell & Co., and Aeterna Furniture. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $30 and tops out at $275,000 while the average work can sell for $1,886.
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