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.
$1,434Sale Price|25% Off
2'8"x9'7" Coral Red Afghan Ersari Soft Wool Hand Knotted Runner Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Coral Red, Afghan Ersari with Ancient Animal Figurines Design Natural Dyes, Densely Woven Extra Soft Wool Hand Knotted, Runner Oriental Rug. It ...
Wool
$7,140Sale Price|25% Off
11'7"x14'6" Coral Red, Angora Ushak Soft Wool, Hand Knotted Oversized Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Coral Red, Angora Ushak with Colorful Motif, Soft and Pliable Wool, Hand Knotted, Oriental Oversized Rug. It has been Knotted for months and mon...
Wool
$1,336Sale Price|25% Off
2'7"x12'2" Gray Angora Ushak Pure Wool Hand Knotted Oriental Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Gray Angora Ushak with Bold Floral Pattern Pure Wool Hand Knotted Oriental Runner Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centurie...
Wool
$1,227Sale Price|25% Off
2'6"x11'6" Extra Soft Wool Hand Knotted Gray Afghan Peshawar Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Extra Soft Wool Hand Knotted Gray Afghan Peshawar with Geometric Design Oriental Runner Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the ce...
Wool
$2,664Sale Price|20% Off
10'x14' Fine Jacquard Wool and Plant Based Silk Hand Loomed Gray 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 Rug. It has been Loomed for ...
Silk
$11,750Sale Price|25% Off
12'x12' Gray Erased Persian Design Wool and Silk Hand Knotted Square Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Silver Gray Erased Persian Design Wool and Pure Silk Hand Knotted Oriental Square Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centurie...
Silk
$1,633Sale Price|25% Off
2'7"x7'9" Wool and Pure Silk Hand Knotted Gray Broken Persian Design Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Wool and Pure Silk Hand Knotted Ivory Broken Persian Design Oriental Runner Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old ...
Silk
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
Iron
$1,864Sale Price|25% Off
2'6"x16'3" Runner Textured Wool and Silk Mughal Inspired Medallions Design Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind XL Runner Textured Wool and Silk Mughal Inspired Medallions Design Brown and Gray Oriental Rug. It has been woven for months and months in the c...
Wool
$2,474Sale Price|25% Off
7'10"x9'9" Blue Shiny Wool Maze Design With Berber Influence Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Blue Shiny Wool Maze Design With Berber Influence Hand Knotted Soft, Velvety Plush Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in th...
Wool
$1,335Sale Price|25% Off
6'x8'10" White Wash Peshawar Pure Velvety Wool Light Gray Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind White Wash Peshawar Pure Velvety Wool Light Gray With Soft Colors Hand Knotted Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the ce...
Wool
$3,017Sale Price|25% Off
4'1"x12'1" Grey Wool And Pure Silk Broken Persian Design Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Grey Wool And Pure Silk Broken Persian Design Hand Knotted Oriental Wide Gallery Size Runner Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in t...
Silk
$1,983Sale Price|25% Off
9'x12' Yellow and Ivory Supple Collection Modern Oceanic Square Design Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Yellow and Ivory Supple Collection Modern Oceanic Square Design Pure Wool Hand Knotted Oriental Rug. It has been woven for months and months in ...
Wool
$4,936Sale Price|25% Off
8'x10'1" Hand Knotted Grey Broken Persian Design Wool And Silk Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Hand Knotted Grey Broken Persian Design Wool And Pure Silk Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving ...
Silk
$1,518Sale Price|25% Off
2'7"x14' Green Wool & Silk Broken Persian Design Hand Knotted Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Seafoam Green Tone on Tone Wool and Silk Broken Persian Design Hand Knotted Runner Oriental Rug. It has been woven for months and months in the ...
Silk
$1,436Sale Price|25% Off
5'8"x9'10" Silver & Black Washed Baluch Pure Wool Hand Knotted Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Silver and Charcoal Black Washed Baluch Pure Wool Hand Knotted Oriental Rug. It has been woven for months and months in the centuries-old Persia...
Wool
$3,016Sale Price|25% Off
10'x14'1" Pink Wool and Art Silk Transitional Design Hand Loomed Jacquard Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Pink Wool and Art Silk Transitional Design Hand Loomed Jacquard Oriental Rug. It has been woven for months and months in the centuries-old Persi...
Silk
$1,758Sale Price|25% Off
2'9"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
$3,916Sale Price|25% Off
8'x8' Round Broken Persian Design Wool and Pure Silk Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Round Broken Persian Design Wool and Pure Silk Hand Knotted Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old Persian weaving ...
Silk
$4,715Sale Price|25% Off
8'1"x10' Black Lush and Plush Hand Knotted Sickle Leaf Design Wool and Silk Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Phantom Black, Lush and Plush, Hand Knotted, Sickle Leaf Design, Soft Pile, Wool and Silk, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Tran...
Wool
$2,681Sale Price|25% Off
2'7"x20'2" White Sickle Leaf Design Silk with Wool Hand Knotted XL Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Silk With Textured Wool Hand Knotted, Sickle Leaf Design, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving c...
Wool
$2,488Sale Price|25% Off
5'10"x9'1" White Hand Knotted Nain Floral Design 250 KPSI Wool and Silk Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Natural White, Hand Knotted, Nain All Over Floral Design, 250 KPSI, Wool and Silk, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Traditional ...
Silk
$4,484Sale Price|25% Off
2'9"x20' Beige Hand Knotted The Sunset Rosettes Wool and Pure Silk XL Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Biscoti Beige, Hand Knotted, Soft Colors, The Sunset Rosettes, Wool and Pure Silk, XL Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: T...
Silk
$3,432Sale Price|25% Off
2'9"x18' Beige Hand Knotted Wool and Pure Silk The Sunset Rosettes Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Egg Nog Beige, Hand Knotted, Soft to Touch, Wool and Pure Silk, The Sunset Rosettes with Vibrant Colors, Runner Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0....
Silk
$2,716Sale Price|25% Off
2'6"x15'8" Gray Wool and Silk Erased Persian Design Runner Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Hand Knotted Broken Persian Design, Wool And Silk, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving craftsma...
Wool
$4,195Sale Price|25% Off
8'1"x10'1" Gray Willow Cypress Tree Design Silk with Wool Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Beige, Silk With Textured Wool Hand Knotted, Willow And Cypress Tree Design, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the cent...
Silk
$15,570Sale Price|25% Off
18'6"x24'2" White Wash Peshawar Hand Knotted 17th Century Polonaise Design Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Hand Knotted, Pure Wool Washed Out Peshawar Polonaise Design Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weavin...
Wool
$3,570Sale Price|25% Off
8'10"x12' Ash Gray Arabesque Motif Tone on Tone Hand Knotted Silk Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Ash Gray, Arabesque Motif, Pure silk Tone on Tone Hand Knotted Oriental Rug Primary materials: Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Traditional Primary color: Ivory Second...
Silk
$4,770Sale Price|25% Off
9'1"x12'1" Maya Blue THE PEACOCK Colorful Sari Silk Hand Knotted Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Maya Blue, THE PEACOCK, Colorful, Sari Silk, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Sari Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Transitional Primary color: Blu...
Wool
$2,970Sale Price|25% Off
9'x11'7" Gray Silk with Textured Wool Mamluk Design Hand Knotted Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Cadet Gray, Silk with Textured Wool, Mamluk Design, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Transitional Primary color: Gr...
Silk
$3,097Sale Price|25% Off
2'4"x24'7" Green 200 KPSI 14th Century Mamluk Dynasty Pattern Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Crocodile Green, 200 KPSI, Vegetable Dyes, Hand Knotted, 14th Century Mamluk Dynasty Pattern, Pure Wool, XL Runner Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 I...
Wool
$4,828Sale Price|25% Off
10'x10' White Hand Knotted Undyed Mamluk Dynasty Pattern Shiny Wool Square 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
$4,440Sale Price|25% Off
8'8"x12'1" Blue Erased Medallion Design Silk with Wool Hand Knotted Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Alice Blue, Broken and Erased Medallion Design, Silk with Textured Wool, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Transiti...
Silk
$2,779Sale Price|25% Off
2'8"x20'8" Gray Hand Knotted Leaf Pattern Wool and Silk Runner Oriental 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
$3,160Sale Price|25% Off
8'x8' Red Wool and Silk Hand Knotted Rajasthan Design Leaf Pattern Round 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
$2,604Sale Price|25% Off
8'x10' Gray Washed Out Khotan Inspired Pomegranate Design Wool Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Khotan Pomegranate Design, Hand Knotted, Pure Wool, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving craftsm...
Wool
$7,378Sale Price|25% Off
11'9"x16' Gray Wool Hand Knotted Aryana 14th Century Mamluk Dynasty Pattern Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Hand Knotted Aryana Collection with 14th Century Mamluk Dynesty Design, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries...
Wool
$2,598Sale Price|25% Off
2'6"x20'5" Brown and Gray Wool and Silk Mughal Inspired Design XL Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Brown and Gray Textured Wool and Silk Mughal Inspired Medallions Design XL Runner Oriental Rug. It has been woven for months and months in the c...
Wool
$2,730Sale Price|25% Off
4'3"x10' Taupe Flower Vase All Over Design Silk & Wool Hand Knotted Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Taupe, Directional Vase All Over Design, Silk With Textured Wool, Hand Knotted, Wide Runner Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Tran...
Wool
$7,590Sale Price|25% Off
9'x12'2" Ice Gray and Coral Hand Knotted Wool and Silk Erased Persian Design Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Wool and Silk, Broken Persian Design, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving craftsm...
Silk
$3,958Sale Price|25% Off
8'3"x10' Gray Hand Knotted Persian Influence Medallion Design Silk with Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Transitional Persian Influence Erased Medallion Design, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-o...
Silk
$6,622Sale Price|25% Off
10'x14' Turquoise/Brown Hand Spun Ghazni Wool Caucasian Gul Motifs Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Colorful, Hand Knotted Gul Motifs with a Distinct Abras, Hand Spun Ghazni Wool, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the ...
Wool
$2,520Sale Price|25% Off
8'x10' Gray Pure Silk with Wool Hand Knotted Broken Kashan Design Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Light Gray, Pure Silk with Wool Hand Knotted, Broken Kashan Design, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Transitional Primary color:...
Wool
$3,199Sale Price|25% Off
2'8"x20' Gray Wool & Pure Silk Hand Knotted Broken Persian Design XL Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Gray, Wool And Pure Silk Hand Knotted, Broken Persian Design, XL Runner Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Transitional Primary co...
Silk
$10,573Sale Price|25% Off
11'9"x15' Gray Broken Persian Design Hand Knotted Wool & Pure Silk 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, Oversized Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries...
Silk
$3,681Sale Price|25% Off
2'7"x23'9" Gray Hand Knotted Broken Persian Design Wool and Pure Silk Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Gray, Hand Knotted, Broken Persian Design, Wool and Pure Silk, XL Runner Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centurie...
Silk
$3,304Sale Price|25% Off
6'x9' Grey Broken Persian Design Wool And Pure Silk Hand Knotted Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Grey Broken Persian Design Wool And Pure Silk Hand Knotted Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old Persian weaving c...
Silk
$3,595Sale Price|25% Off
7'10"x10' THE LOST BRANCHES Silk with Textured Wool Hand Knotted Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind THE LOST BRANCHES, Silk with Textured Wool Hand Knotted Oriental Rug. It has been woven for months and months in the centuries-old Persian weavi...
Silk
Gothic Carved Oak Fire Screen This sturdy Screen has a carved oak panel
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Gothic Carved Oak Fire Screen This sturdy Screen has a carved oak panel set in an Oak frame The screen is in good attractive condition with a nice patina The screen is 30” high an...
Oak
Gothic Carved Oak Floor Standing Standard Lamp A skilfully turned and carved p
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Gothic Carved Oak Floor Standing Standard Lamp A skilfully turned and carved piece of Oak, the lamp stands on a square 3 tiered base and is carved the complete length of the column...
Oak
Wooden Carving of a Gothic Lady with Elegant Headwear, Dutch, 17th century
Located in Hamburg, DE
Wooden Carving of a Gothic Lady with Elegant Headwear and Necklace, Dutch, 17th Century This exquisite wooden carving, depicting a Gothic lady adorned with an elegant headpiece and ...
Wood
Medieval Style Stained Glass Window of St Michael
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A reclaimed religious stained glass window of St Michael weighing a soul, after a medieval era stained glass window in Eaton Bishop Church, Herefordshire. This English church origina...
Lead
Gray Hand Loomed Fine Jacquard Wool and Plant Based Silk Round Rug 12'0" x 12'0"
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Silk
Golden Brown Silk with Textured Wool Hand Knotted Oriental Rug 8'0" x 9'10"
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Silk
Gray Cypress Tree Design Silk with Textured Wool Hand Knotted Rug 12' x 17'9"
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Silk
Yellow Sari Silk with Textured Wool Mamluk Design XL Runner Rug 3'2" x 17'5"
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Silk
THE LOST BRANCHES Silk with Textured Wool Hand Knotted Oriental Rug 9'0" x 12'1"
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Silk
Beige THE SUNSET ROSETTES Soft Colors Wool & Silk Hand Knotted Rug 8'0" x 8'1"
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Silk
Midnight Blue 250 KPSI Nain All Wool Hand Knotted Square Oriental Rug 8'2"x8'2"
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Silk
Ivory Silk & Wool Hand Knotted Sickle Leaf Design Round Oriental Rug 9'9" x 9'9"
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Silk