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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
Red Hand Knotted Vintage Heriz Medallion Design Wool Clean Rustic Look Soft Rug
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...
Category

1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

Crimson Red Distressed Look Natural Wool Hand Knotted Vintage Persian Heriz Rug
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...
Category

1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

A Heavy Black Wrought Iron Blacksmith made Fireplace Club Fender Brutalist Form
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A heavy form wrought iron club fender with tan leather padded seats. An incredible individual handmade piece, probably a commission piece or an estate made piece. The piece is made ...
Category

Early 20th Century European Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Heritage Red Vintage Persian Heriz Vivid Colors Pure Wool Hand Knotted Clean Rug
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...
Category

1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

Red Clean Pure Wool Worn Down Vintage Vintage Persian Heriz Hand Knotted Rug
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...
Category

1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

Red Hand Knotted Worn Down Vintage Wool Persian Heriz with Tribal Ambience Rug
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...
Category

1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

Red Natural Wool Vintage Persian Heriz Hand Knotted Sides and Ends Cleaned Rug
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...
Category

1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

Chili Red Vintage Persian Heriz Clean Hand Knotted Pure Wool Distressed Look Rug
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...
Category

1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

Red Vintage Persian Heriz Rustic Look Evenly Worn Wool Hand Knotted Clean Rug
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...
Category

1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

Red Wool Hand Knotted Vintage Persian Heriz Evenly Worn Clean Sides and Ends Rug
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...
Category

1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

Red Vintage Persian Heriz Pure Wool Hand Knotted Sides and Ends Cleaned Rug
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...
Category

1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

Red Professionally Cleaned Wool Evenly Worn Old Persian Heriz Hand Knotted Rug
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...
Category

1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

Red Hand Knotted Evenly Worn Wool Vintage Persian Heriz Abrash Rustic Look Rug
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...
Category

1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

Crimson Red Vintage Persian Heriz Abrash Hand Knotted Evenly Worn Pure Wool Rug
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...
Category

1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

Red Vintage Persian Heriz Geometric Medallions Vibrant Wool Hand Knotted Rug
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...
Category

1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

Red Vintage Persian Heriz Rustic Feel Abrash Hand Knotted Soft Wool Clean Rug
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...
Category

1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

Aura Orange Hand Knotted Evenly Worn Wool Vintage Persian Heriz Clean Abrash Rug
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...
Category

1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

Red Hand Knotted Wool Vintage Distressed Look Persian Heriz Tribal Ambience Rug
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...
Category

1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

Red All Wool Hand Knotted Vintage Persian Heriz Sides and Ends Secured Clean Rug
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...
Category

1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

Orange Vintage Heriz Persian Design Abrash Clean Hand Knotted Natural Wool Rug
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...
Category

1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

Red Vintage Persian Heriz Geometric Flower Design Hand Knotted Organic Wool Rug
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...
Category

1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

Red Hand Knotted Rustic Feel Pure Wool Clean Abrash Vintage Persian Heriz Rug
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...
Category

1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

Red Hand Knotted Vintage Persian Heriz Wool Sides and Ends Secured Worn Down Rug
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...
Category

1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

Red Soft Wool Hand Knotted Old Persian Heriz Abrash Sides and Ends Secured Rug
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...
Category

1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

Jacques Callot, French Book by Paulette Choné, 1992
Located in Atlanta, GA
Jacques Callot 1592 - 1635, French book by Paulette Choné, 1992. This important book was published after the Jacques Callot exhibition presented at the Lorraine Historical Museum in ...
Category

1990s French Medieval Furniture

Materials

Paper

Red Hand Knotted Abrash Vintage Persian Heriz Sides and Ends Cleaned Wool Rug
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...
Category

1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

Brown Antique Indo Kerman Vase Design Hand Knotted Pure Wool 250 KPSI Runner Rug
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...
Category

1920s Indian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

19th Century Gothic Aged Brass English Pair of Wall Sconces
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Character rich large pair of antique Gothic brass wall sconces that look like they came from a castle! Two arms in each with open cages around the sockets and handsome masculine des...
Category

19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Brass

Byzantine Matching Pair of Gold Earrings with Pearls and Glass Beads
Located in London, GB
A matched pair of Byzantine gold earrings, each with a tapering hoop, hook-and-clasp closure, and a single elongated pendant. The pendant is co...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Gold

19th Century Spanish Polished Iron Box with Pierced Engraved Geometric Motifs
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a shelf or a counter with this elegant antique decorative trunk. Crafted in Spain circa 1880, the strong box is decorated with pierced and engraved geometric motifs througho...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Iron

18th Century Spanish Carved Chestnut and Copper "Brasero" on Barley Twist Legs
Located in Dallas, TX
This unique, interesting fruit wood "Brasero" table was crafted in Spain, circa 1780. Round in shape, the antique table stands on four chestnut barley twist legs, and is dressed with...
Category

Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Brass, Copper

Vintage Chainmail Head Cover (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A vintage chainmail head cover. Hat block not included. CREATOR Unknown. DATE OF MANUFACTURE 20th c. MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Metal. CONDITION Good. Wear co...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Medieval Furniture

Materials

Metal

Frankenstein; or The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley, Later Printing, 1891
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein; or The Modern Prometheus. London: George Routledge and Sons, 1891. 12mo. Rebound in 1/.4 black leather and green marbled boards, with raised bands, gilt...
Category

1890s English Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Leather, Paper

Byzantine Gold pair of Earrings with Dangles
Located in London, GB
A stunning matched pair of Byzantine gold earrings, each comprised of a hinged and elongated hoop attached to a triangular-shaped plaque with a...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Gold

Antique French Church Hand-Carved Buffet Bookcase Cabinet, 19th Century
Located in Senonches, Centre-Val de Loire
Antique French hand-carved piece of furniture, from a French church, it was used to store bibles. The sculptural work is admirable, and takes up the Gothic ecclesiastical architectu...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Walnut, Oak

Chandelier Pendant Wrought Iron Wood Gothic Style French Design 1940s
Located in Palermo, IT
Particular Gothic style chandelier made of wrought iron and wood. Made in France in the 1940s. Note: We try to offer our customers an excellent service even in shipments all over t...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Vintage Danish Oak Stool with Lambskin, ca 1900s
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish Oak Stool with Lambskin, ca 1900s. Antique stool in solid oak from Denmark early 20th century. Inspired by the medieval or viking era. Probably used as a footstool or a childrens bench...
Category

Early 20th Century Danish Medieval Furniture

Materials

Lambskin, Oak

Rare Pair of Antique Carved Stone Lions from Italy, Circa 1600
Located in Dallas, TX
These utterly captivating, hand-carved stone lions hail from Italy and date to circa 1600, possibly even earlier. Their regal couchant (lying down) posture adds an air of majestic charm to any setting. One lion gracefully rests its forepaws on a stone ball, while the other clutches a coat of arms shield. They are carved in the same stylistic manner as many of the medieval lions...
Category

Early 17th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Stone

An antique bronze scale model of an 18th century cannon on a hardwood base c1920
Located in Central England, GB
This superb finely detailed model of an 18th century cannon is very well engineered. It has large distinctive front spoked wheels with studded tra...
Category

Early 20th Century British Medieval Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French 17th Century Gothic Period Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th century French gothic andirons - fire dogs made of wrought iron. They have spit hooks to grill meat or poultry.
Category

17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

1920s French Terracotta Bust by Saint-Clément Copy of Settignanos Laughing Boy
Located in COLMAR, FR
A lovely terracotta bust of a child made by the famous french pottery producer, Saint-Clément. Undated but most likely from the 1920/30s, the bust was part of the "Terre Cuite d'Art"...
Category

1920s French Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

13th Century Period Wood Carved Polychrome Sculpture of Corpus Christi
Located in Vero Beach, FL
13th Century Period Wood Carved Polychrome Sculpture of Corpus Christi Rare and beautiful sculpture of Corpus Christi. The artwork, probably German, is carved from hardwood. This f...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Unknown Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

A Matched Pair of Gold Earrings
Located in London, GB
A matched pair of gold earrings, each made of a wire elongated hoop culminating with a teardrop turquoise cabochon. The bottom half of the loop is decorated with three rows of gold b...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Gold

Vintage Gothic Scrolled Iron Wall Hanging Storybook Lantern Sconce Light 12"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Gothic style porch / cottage sconce light featuring srcolled iron storybook design with birdcage light. Dimensions: 6.5" x 4.75" x 12.25" (Widt...
Category

Early 20th Century Medieval Furniture

Materials

Iron

Carved Oak Gothic Wall Bracket Shelf
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Carved Oak Gothic Wall Bracket Shelf This is a Magnificent and quite Large piece of 19th Century carved oak, it is a wall bracket or shelf The bracket is a heavy piece and comes w...
Category

19th Century Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Oak

European Religious Bronze Sculpture Fragment on 19th Century Marble Pedestal
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Religious Bronze Fragment Sculpture on a 19th Century Column Marble Pedestal. These two object have been "married" later, meaning they were two separate items put together at a later...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique Gothic Oak & Brass Communion Shelf 19thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Gothic Oak and Scrolled Brass Communion Shelf 19thC Measures- 35.5''H x 24.25''W x 15.25''D
Category

19th Century Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Brass

HUGE Pair of 13-Light Handforged Wrought Iron Castle Chandeliers w. Gothic Crown
Located in Lisse, NL
Largest ever pair of Medieval Style chandeliers, over 5 feet tall. With 20th century lighting as one of our specialities we have seen and sold all kinds of light fixtures, but never...
Category

20th Century European Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron, Metal

Carved Walnut Neo-Renaissance Dining Room Furniture
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
"Carved Walnut Dining Room Furniture In Neo-Renaissance Style" Dining room furniture consisting of a large sideboard, a server and eight chairs. In carved walnut, 19th century. The t...
Category

19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Late 19th Century Wooden Door with Gothic Style Arch Detail
Located in Atlanta, GA
Late 19th Century Wooden Door with Gothic Style Arch Detail
Category

19th Century Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wood

18th Century Carved Oak Celtic Wainscot Chair This is a Handsome Chair
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
18th Century Carved Oak Celtic Wainscot Chair This Handsome Chair, has a magnificent patina, it has a solid plank seat, turned legs and carved arm re...
Category

18th Century Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Oak

Very Large Hand Forged Iron Candle Sconces
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Pair of impressively large hand forged sconces of iron and tole having 3 arms each for candles. Could be electrified.
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Iron

Antique Oscar Bach Figural Bronze Gothic Renaissance Wall Mirror With Fountain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Oscar Bach Figural Bronze Gothic Renaissance Wall Mirror With Fountain. Item features a unique cast bronze figural fountain face to center of mir...
Category

19th Century Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Single Wrought Iron Medieval Style Wall Sconce
Located in Dallas, TX
Resembling a Medieval-style castle torch, this single wrought iron wall sconce blends functionality with a unique aesthetic appeal. An expansive saucer bobeche encompassed within a b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Medieval Furniture

Materials

Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron

Alabaster high relief, Spain 14th century
Located in PARIS, FR
Alabaster plate in high relief illustrating a forgeron working on a metal object (a helmet?). A young woman is in front of him holding in her left hand an ovoid vase or reliquary tha...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Spanish Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Alabaster

Large French Marble Table Carved Winged Griffins to Base
Located in Buxton, GB
This Absolutely Fantastic Large Table was Sourced from Cannes in the south of France The Table was original purchased from an exhibition on Paris around 1980 Marble Top with protec...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture

Materials

Marble

Fine Quality Retired Swarovski Crystal Faceted Jet Hematite Skull Figurine
Located in Tustin, CA
Beautifully and expertly hand made in Austria, finest quality Swarovski Crystal Jet Hematite faceted crystal skull with ruthenium finish metal accents on the face and base. Skull fea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Medieval Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Set of Three Vintage Paintings with People in Rococo Costumes
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Three Vintage Paintings with People in Rococo Costumes A set of three paintings depicting two noble ladies and a noble man in Rococo costumes. Handpainted in Germany ca. 1950...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wood

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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