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
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
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
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
Pair of Antique Gothic Console Tables and Mirrors from Manchester Town Hall
Located in Southall, 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
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
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
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
$1,640Sale Price|40% Off
H 32.29 in W 18.51 in D 11.03 in
19th Century French Hand Carved and Painted Console in Louis XV Style
Located in Sofia, BG
This is a French hand carved walnut console raised on a single leg richly decorated with typical floral elements in Louis XV style. It is carefully hand painted in light beige with g...
Walnut
Large 19th century French Console
Located in Charleston, SC
Classic, large 19th century French Louis XVI style console table in carved wood, with remnants of old white paint. The elegant console with fluted carved frieze and plaster shaped ta...
Wood, Paint
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
$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
$550
H 30 in W 28.5 in D 16 in
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Console – Hand-Carved Oak with Drawer
Located in IT
This petite 19th-century French console is a fine example of Louis XVI style craftsmanship, made from stained oak with beautifully hand-carved details. The piece features a single dr...
Oak
$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
$3,051Sale Price|35% Off
H 33.86 in W 48.43 in D 22.05 in
19th Century Italian Hand Carved Hand Painted Gilt Wood Console Table
Located in Sofia, BG
Italian hand carved and lacquered wood console. Inspired by Venetian style and colours it is decorated with floral elements and gilt wood parts and is beautiful at front as much as a...
Wood
19th Century French Empire Neoclassical Marble Top Console Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Opulent 19th century French empire gilt wood console table featuring a marbleized limestone top with partial shell fossil remnants. The marble specimen is...
Marble
$2,081Sale 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
19th Century Heavily Hand Carved Inlaid Top Console / Center Table
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautiful craftsmanship mahogany Chippendale style 19th century hand carved walnut inlaid top console / center table. The table features heavily hand carved cabriole figure holing le...
Mahogany, Walnut
$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
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
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
Sold
H 33 in W 47 in D 20 in
Antique French Gothic Console Table Server Sideboard 2-Tier Walnut Winged Figure
Located in Tyler, TX
Exquisite antique French Gothic highly carved walnut console, sofa table or sideboard/server~~c. 1880s Highly carved antique French Gothic walnut console, sofa table, sideboard or server with winged figural supports ,"foo" dog or lion feet and lower half-shelf for storage or display~~gorgeous statement piece! Perfect for a foyer console table...
Walnut
Sold
H 39 in W 47 in D 18.5 in
19th Century French Henri II Carved Oak Desserte Console with Red Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1870, the antique Gothic style console stands on barley twist legs ending with bun feet, over a decorative plinth base. Th...
Marble