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.
18th Century English Rustic Gothic Style Oak Console ~ Sofa Table
Located in Dallas, TX
An 18th century English console table hand carved from solid oak, with a rich, time-softened patina and wonderful depth of surface. The narrow form gives the piece an elegant presenc...
Oak
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 Gothic Revival Oscar Bach Style Figural Bronze & Onyx Gold Console Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique Gothic Revival Oscar Bach Style Figural Bronze & Onyx Gold Painted Small ...
Onyx, Wrought Iron
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
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 Gothic Revival Oscar Bach Style Figural Bronze & Onyx Console Side Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique Gothic Revival Oscar Bach Style Figural Bronze & Onyx Paw Foot Demilune Conso...
Onyx, Bronze
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 Style Green Painted Faux-Marble Top Console Table
Located in Astoria, NY
Gothic Style Green Painted Console Table, with faux marble painted wood top above gilt quatrefoil and arch decoration on column form legs on gilt ball form feet. 35.5" H x 72" W x 1...
Wood, Paint
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
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
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
$2,450Sale Price|30% Off
H 32.5 in W 42.5 in D 12.5 in
Oscar Bach Italian Neoclassical Bronze Wrought Iron Marble Console Table 43"
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid century Oscar Bach bronze, wrought iron and marble console table featuring neoclassical styling with a reticulated / pierced and scrolled foliate grapevine design. The black mar...
Marble, Bronze, Wrought Iron
Antique Burr Walnut Console / Side Table
Located in London, GB
A lovely antique burr walnut console / side table in the Queen Anne style. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1930’s. It is of very nice quality, this has a beautifu...
Walnut
Regency Style Antiqued Console Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
An English Regency style mahogany and reclaimed oak veneered console table restored with pollard oak, the rectangular three quarter gallery top with six turned finials atop each turn...
Wood
Rustic Country Italian Carved Wood Wall Console Side Table
Located in Carimate, Como
Rustic Tuscany country Italian console side table. Standing on four typically shaped wooden legs with carved classic decors. This console has an extremely light and open aesthetics p...
Wood
$5,404
H 32.49 in W 36.23 in D 18.12 in
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
Antique Spanish Double Sided Console Table
Located in London, GB
An antique console, with double sided simple decoration to the legs. Iron stretchers. Spain, c1900s, likely earlier. Good condition, wear commensurate with age. Internal Ref: 24/...
Oak
Antique Regency Style Console Table
Located in London, GB
A beautiful and elegant antique Regency style console table. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1950’s. The quality is lovely, this is a very useful and petite size....
Wood
$2,718 / item
H 31.496 in W 22.835 in D 10.433 in
Pair of Hand Carved Rococo Style Giltwood Consoles Made by La Maison London
Located in London, Park Royal
Pair of Rococo style consoles: elegantly sculpted by master craftsmen and finished with an antique gilded patina using traditional methods and materials. We have a selection of mar...
Wood
18th Century English William & Mary Oyster Console Table.
Located in Allerum, SE
18th century William & Mary oyster console table. The rectangular console table features a top entirely surfaced in oyster-cut veneer. The frieze houses a single, full-width drawer f...
Wood
Gothic Revival Oak Side Table
Located in Woodbury, CT
Gothic Revival carved oak table with rectangular shaped top featuring gadroon edge. Single fitted drawer. Table stands on barley twist turned legs with barley twist center stretch...
Oak
Unusual Antique Victorian Side/Console Table
Located in Suffolk, GB
Unusual antique Victorian side table having an unusual solid walnut shaped top above an end frieze drawer standing on four elegant turned ...
Walnut
18th Century Spanish Console Table
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
An elegant 18th Century Spanish console table. Of walnut construction with two drawers to the frieze raised on rounded legs on bun feet, retaining its original hand forged iron pulls.
Walnut
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
Sold
H 37.5 in W 54.5 in D 21.5 in
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
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
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