Medieval Furniture
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.
2010s Afghan Medieval Furniture
Wool
18th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood, Pine
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Furniture
Limestone
Early 20th Century Danish Medieval Furniture
Lambskin, Oak
Early 20th Century European Medieval Furniture
Wood, Mirror
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Medieval Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Wool, Silk
Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Stone
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Medieval Furniture
Bronze
Late 18th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Stone
17th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Furniture
Bronze
15th Century and Earlier English Antique Medieval Furniture
Stone, Limestone
2010s Indian Medieval Furniture
Silk
2010s Indian Medieval Furniture
Wool
2010s Afghan Medieval Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century Italian Medieval Furniture
Giltwood, Mirror
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture
Marble
18th Century German Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
1980s German Vintage Medieval Furniture
Metal
2010s Afghan Medieval Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Wood, Glass
2010s Indian Medieval Furniture
Wool
2010s Indian Medieval Furniture
Wool
2010s Indian Medieval Furniture
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Medieval Furniture
Limestone, Iron
Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Clay
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
1930s Turkmen Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
18th Century European Antique Medieval Furniture
Mirror, Walnut
2010s Indian Medieval Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century Spanish Medieval Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Cotton
17th Century European Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood
2010s Afghan Medieval Furniture
Wool
1960s French Vintage Medieval Furniture
Ceramic, Pottery
21st Century and Contemporary French Medieval Furniture
Plaster
1890s French Antique Medieval Furniture
Earthenware, Pottery
Early 20th Century Medieval Furniture
Bronze
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood, Walnut
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Spanish Medieval Furniture
2010s Indian Medieval Furniture
Silk
Early 1900s Persian Antique Medieval Furniture
Wool
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
1960s Italian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Travertine, Marble, Brass, Bronze
Early 19th Century European Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak, Paint
19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
20th Century Spanish Medieval Furniture
Walnut, Wood
2010s American Medieval Furniture
Wrought Iron
15th Century and Earlier Spanish Antique Medieval Furniture
Bronze
17th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Brass
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood
1920s French Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wrought Iron
17th Century Belgian Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
19th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Furniture
Plaster
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
2010s Indian Medieval Furniture
Wool
16th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Medieval Furniture
Iron
17th Century Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
Early 1900s Persian Antique Medieval Furniture
Wool
19th Century American Antique Medieval Furniture
Bronze
16th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Metallic Thread
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
Mid-19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Wrought Iron