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.
Antique French Gothic Server Sideboard Console Table 2-Tier Walnut Marble Top
Located in Tyler, TX
HIGHLY CARVED Antique French RENAISSANCE REVIVAL Marble Top Highly Carved Walnut Console, Sofa Table, Sideboard or Server~~c. 1890s Original "rouge" marble top, two drawers with key...
Walnut
Obsidian Seraphim – Hand-carved Modern Gothic Rococo Console w/ Bezel Set Stone
By Realm
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Drawing influence from baroque and rococo design, the Obsidian Seraphim console table takes Ezekiel’s description of the seraphim and twists it into a biomorphic sculpture that undul...
Sterling Silver, Stainless Steel
Pair of Antique Gothic Console Tables and Mirrors from Manchester Town Hall
Located in GB
A pair of antique Gothic console tables and mirrors from Manchester Town Hall, dated 1920s. This impressive and large pair have come from The Manchester Town Hall, a Victorian, Neo-Gothic municipal building in Manchester, England. The console tables and mirrors Stand at an astonishing 10.6 feet tall (127 inches) and over 4.7 feet wide (56 inches). The tables are finely hand carved, with the knees as heads of dogs and acanthus decor and follows throughout the legs with acanthus and grape vine fruits. The Gothic style is kept throughout with beautifully crafted clover leaf centres in the legs with a large clover at the top and smaller clover at the base. The feet are carved as paws covered in acanthus design for the appearance of fur. The aprons of the consult tables are carved in floral manor and flow onto a drop leaf which stretches to the floor. The tall and stunning hand carved mirrors deliver an astonishing view from afar with floral edges and Gothic pediments on either side and offer impeccable matching design. Designed by architect Alfred Waterhouse...
Glass, Wood
Gothic Carved Country Oak Hall Table The table is made in Oak
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Gothic Carved Country Oak Hall Table The table is made in Oak, it has a carved border at the top , very attractive turned and carved legs, and a mask of the green man at the centre T...
Oak
Antique Fully Restored Gothic Pugin Style Brown Leather Studded Console Table
By Pugin
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to this absolutely stunning one of a kind Gothic Pugin style hand studded brown leather console table with single drawer This...
Leather, Oak
Green Man Carved Golden Oak Hall Table The table is made in solid Oak
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Green Man Carved Golden Oak Hall Table The table is made in solid Oak, the carved gallery at the back of the table has a fearsome mask of the Green Man in the centre, the table has ...
Oak
French Charles X Birds Eye Maple Mirrored Console Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Charles X birds eye maple and ebonized trim and inlaid Gothic design console table with platform base and mirrored back with gilt floral carved edge on top.
Gold Leaf
Victorian Gothic Revival Console Table in Oak Hall Table c1870s
Located in High Peak, GB
J00 Victorian, Gothic Revival oak hall table, having serpentine black veined marble top above frieze drawer, all standing on turned and carved tapered legs. This antique hall table i...
Marble
Stunning Quality Console Table in the Art Deco Style
Located in Dublin, IE
A stunning quality walnut console table in the Art Deco style with a curvilinear, clean design and a superb patina to the wood. The moulded curved top raised over frieze with two dra...
Metal
$11,000 / item
H 30 in W 84 in D 17.5 in
Agnes Console Table made from Reclaimed Wood by Petersen Antiques
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This reclaimed pine console table has a great patina, its legs are splayed in both length and width axis and it has two large drawers that can be pulled out from either side. Becaus...
Reclaimed Wood
$3,800
H 30.5 in W 72.5 in D 22.5 in
Italian Rococo Style Carved Giltwood Rouge Marble Top Console Table-
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This console table s a mid-century reproduction of an 18th century French antique. The water gilt is exceptional the rouge marble has white veining and some larger almost black areas...
Marble
$2,020Sale Price|33% Off
H 37.8 in W 31.89 in D 16.15 in
Side Table Hall or Console Oak Table Spanish Colonial Revival, circa 1890
Located in Labrit, Landes
Spanish hall side or console table. Handsome and practical. Spanish Colonial revival, circa 1890 Twisted carved legs. Good condition. Shipping: L81 P41 H96 21 Kg.
Wrought Iron
Pair of Paul McCobb of Consoles
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb for Directional. Pair of model 8704 console tables. Square tubular brass frames with travertine top. Patina on brass consistent with age and use. Stool sold separately.
Travertine, Brass
Louis XVI Style Marble Top Console Table
Located in North York, ON
Louis XVI Style marble top console table. This 1940’s American piece is fully restored in a light bubble gum lacquer finish with ori...
Marble
Pair of English Eagle Based Console Tables, circa 1910
Located in Savannah, GA
This is a matched pair of console / hall tables made in England, circa 1910. The top of each table is a beautiful cut of blue, black and gray highly figured marble. The frame on each...
Marble
French Rococo Carved Pine Console Table with Rouge Marble Top
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a French carved pine console table with rouge marble top. It is a wall mounted piece, and the marble is in good condition. It most likely dates to the 40’s /50’s.
Marble
$3,690
H 29.93 in W 41.93 in D 16.93 in
Spanish Country Walnut Sofa Table or Console table with Carved Drawers
Located in Miami, FL
Spanish Country side table with two carved drawers. Made of antique walnut, this table is very functional and you can use like a desk, sofa table, coffee table or console. In the dr...
Iron
$4,812
H 30.12 in W 36.03 in D 17.92 in
Antique Hall Table, Scottish, Oak, Side, Reception, Gothic Revival, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique hall table. A Scottish, oak side table with Gothic revival taste, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1880. Attractive example of fine 19th century Scottish furniture...
Oak
$2,120Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.5 in W 16 in D 48 in
Travertine Stone Console Table - Solid Travertine Accent Hall Table
Located in İnegöl, TR
TRAVERTINE CONSOLE TABLE WITH C-SHAPED LEGS Type of Marble: Travertine Dimensions: 48" x 16" x 29,5" Leg Model: Travertine Customizable: Available! Production Time: 3-4 Weeks Shippi...
Travertine, Marble
Marble Style Console Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This modern style console table combines a minimal geometric profile with a swirling cream-colored surface. Please confirm item location with seller (NY/NJ).
Laminate
C19th Gothic style Rood screen/console
Located in London, GB
Late C19th painted Rood screen with Gothic detailing that would be useful as a console for a narrow space or to cover a radiator. It has been later painted over time. It has a marbl...
Pine
Antique French Church Hand-Carved Console, 19th Century
Located in Senonches, Centre-Val de Loire
This Antique French hand-carved console revealing French expertise, the sculptural work takes up the Gothic ecclesiastical architectural codes. When this piece was recovered, it was ...
Oak
Wrought Iron Console Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
A custom made wrought iron console table with a tray-like top. An ornate skirt in front and at each side is decorated with loose flower shapes in wrought iron. Two pierced plates of ...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Sold
H 37.5 in W 74 in D 16 in
19th Century French Gothic Marble Top and Iron Console Table with Fleurs-de-Lys
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1860, the antique console table stands on square legs ending with a bottom stretcher; the front features intricate scroll motifs around the perimeter and is f...
Brass, Iron
French 19th Century Henri II Style Bleached Desserte Console
Located in Austin, TX
This French 19th century Henri II bleached Desserte is made of walnut and features impressive curled columns on the sides. With a drawer and two shelves, this desserte offers both pr...
Walnut
19th Century Henri II French Console Desserte
Located in Austin, TX
This unique French console desserte is made of beautifully sculpted oak. Made in the late 1800s and perfectly restored and bleached, this console has two drawers near the top and two...
Oak
Pair of Gothic Painted Console Tables, Grey
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Gothic painted console table with an antique grey finish, in an 18th-century gothic style, the demilune half-round form with fine contrasting inlays to the top and frieze, and legs...
Wood
Gothic Painted Console Table, Grey
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Gothic painted console table with an antique grey finish, in an 18th-century gothic style, the demilune half-round form with fine contrasting inlays to the top and frieze, and legs...
Wood
Pair of Gothic Painted Console Tables, Sage
Located in Westwood, NJ
Gothic painted console tables with an antique clary sage finish, in an 18th-century gothic style, the demilune half-round form with fine contrasting inlays to the top and frieze, and...
Wood
Gothic Painted Console Table, Sage
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Gothic painted console table with an antique clary sage finish, in an 18th-century gothic style, the demilune half-round form with fine contrasting inlays to the top and frieze, an...
Wood
19th Century French Gothic Marble Top Wrought Iron Console Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1860, the antique console table stands on square legs, and features intricate forged cathedral shaped columns ending with arrows on all three sides. The recta...
Marble, Wrought Iron
Sold
H 37.5 in W 53 in D 17.5 in
Antique French Server Console Table Sideboard Walnut Boars Head Mask Sofa Table
Located in Tyler, TX
Exquisite Antique French highly carved walnut 2-tier console, sofa table or sideboard / server with boars head mask~~leaf and vine carvings~~c. 1880s Perfect for a foyer console t...
Walnut