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.
Spanish Gueridon Drinks Occasional Low Side Table in Wrought Iron
Located in Barcelona, ES
Elegant wrought iron low round coffee table or occasional table drinks table. Spain, 1940s This drink table stands up on four scrolled legs supported on iron balls . The top is heavi...
Wrought Iron, Iron
Spanish Gueridon Drinks Occasional Low Side Table in Gilt Wrought Iron, 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Gilt Iron Spanish Martini Table / Coffee Table Spain, 1940s Elegant wrought gilt iron low round coffee table or occasional drinks table. This eye-catching drinks table stands up on ...
Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
Gothic Revival Oak Cabinet Table with Iron Accents, Medieval Style
Located in Wheat Ridge, CO
A striking medieval-style cabinet table, evocative of Gothic Revival design, combining rustic character with architectural presence. Crafted from solid oak, the piece features a paneled front door framed in iron banding and fitted with a hand-forged latch, lending an authentic, fortress-like appeal. Decorative iron chain accents on each side enhance its period-inspired aesthetic while reinforcing its robust construction. The cabinet form opens via a "drawbridge" door to reveal convenient interior storage, making it as functional as it is visually compelling. It rests on a stepped plinth base, adding weight and grounding to the overall silhouette. The warm, time-worn patina of the wood contrasts beautifully with the darkened iron hardware, emphasizing its old-world charm. Perfect as an end table, nightstand, or accent piece, this unique work brings a sense of history and craftsmanship to any interior—ideal for Tudor...
Metal
Gothic Style Oak Parquetry Patchwork Table on Cast Iron Base
Located in Astoria, NY
Gothic Style Oak Parquetry Patchwork Table, on pointed arch cast iron base. 28" H x 47" W x 23.5" D. Provenance: From a New York City Collection.
Cast Iron
Neo-Gothic Reverse Quatrefoil Figured Walnut End Table W/Cabinet
By Gordons Inc.
Located in Chicago, IL
Neo-gothic style end table in figured walnut with incised carved door and side panels. Beveled plinth base with a carved and beveled parquetry top. The door and curved side panel ope...
Charming Cast Cement Side Table with Putti Base
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A marvelous garden or patio end table made of cast concrete having seated Putti as the base in a charming position with one knee bent and holding the pillow shaped top on his head an...
Cement
$1,500 / item
H 20 in W 13 in D 13 in
'Diagramme' Wrought Iron and Travertine Drink Table by Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The 'Diagramme' wrought iron and travertine drink table by Design Frères. Chic blackened wrought iron frame contrasting with cream travertine t...
Travertine, Wrought Iron
Pair of St. Charles Occasional Tables by Volk
By VOLK 3
Located in Brooklyn, NY
As shown: (Listing is for a pair). Bleached ash with inlaid marble - sold individually or as a pair. Copper plated steel leg Waterborne finish. Dimensions: 15.5” H x 20” W x 20”. Cus...
Marble
Oak Parquetry Round Side Table, Dark Oak
Located in Westwood, NJ
A dark oak parquetry round side table with tapered oak legs. This beautiful round two-tier side table has an arranged radial design on its oak parquetry top and shelf. Shown in dusk...
Wood
$1,195 / item
H 11.82 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Handcrafted low modern table by SUM Furniture in English Oak
Located in London, GB
Handcrafted from the finest English quarter-sawn oak. These modernist low tables are acutely eye-catching but practical pieces of furniture. Bespoke handmade by master craftsmen in E...
Oak
A pair of Rene Prou Wrought iron side table
By René Prou
Located in London, GB
A rare pair of Rene Prou Wrought iron side table
Wrought Iron
$1,485 / set
H 26 in Dm 15 in
Pair French Mid-Century-Style Iron and Steel Gueridons or Drinks Tables -26"h
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a striking French minimalist neoclassical-inspired pair of wrought iron and steel gueridons or drinks tables. These petits gueridons were inspired by a pair of mid-century French iron drinks...
Wrought Iron
$4,504 / item
H 17.72 in Dm 20.48 in
Contemporary Nicole Occasional Table in Black Lacquered Walnut and Brass
By Stuart Scott
Located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire
Turned by hand and using both solid and veneered timber, the Nicole Occasional Table has a simple but graphically striking silhouette punctuate...
Brass
$3,100 / item
H 23 in W 14.75 in D 16.75 in
Oak Wood Side Table with Shaped Top on Pedestal Base and Legs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Morgan side table has a hexagon shaped top shown covered in horsehair. All hand carved oakwood with shaped pedestal base and legs. Available as is for price as shown. Can be made...
Oak
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
French Deco Wrought Iron Side Table Gueirdon Mirrored Top France, 1930, 1940s
Located in New York, NY
French deco wrought iron side table gueirdon mirrored top France, 1930, 1940s. Beautiful deco tripod side table with lovely star like tripod legs. Iron in very nice condition with s...
Iron
Sold
H 29 in W 15.5 in D 27 in
Antique American Victorian Gothic Style Carved Walnut Parlor Side Table 27"
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 19th century Victorian parlor side table. Features a rectangular form with bobbin-turned supports around a central shelf with a Gothic-cut apron. The table has four trophy-sha...
Walnut
Sold
H 24.02 in W 18.12 in D 13.98 in
Stunning Antique Hardwood Gothic Pugin Style Serpentine Fronted Side End Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely antique Gothic Pugin style side end table in mahogany A good looking well made and decorative side table...
Hardwood
Sold
H 25.5 in Dm 15.5 in
Early 20th Century French Polished Twisted Wrought Iron Martini Pedestal Table
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant, antique Gothic pedestal table was crafted in Southern France, circa 1920. The intricate martini table features a forged central pedestal stem embellished with a spun knob over turned decor, with three curved legs ending with flat feet. The serving table is topped with a flat round surface with a small lip...
Iron
Gothic Style Round Side or Occasional Table, Circa 1880
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late 19th century Gothic style round occasional side table. Beautiful rich wood with ornately carved decorated sides, the curved legs hold this table in many settings or rooms of yo...
Oak
Sold
H 23.63 in W 13 in D 12.6 in
Unmatching Pair of Spanish Drinks Tables or Side Tables in Gilt Iron, 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Gothic style hand forged gilt iron Guéridon or pedestal tables standing on tripod bases, Spain, 1930s-1940s. These Martini table stand up on three-footed bases. Both handcrafted in ...
Metal, Gold Leaf, Iron
Sold
H 34 in W 28 in D 16.25 in
Antique French Carved Walnut Gothic End Sofa Table Cabinet Renaissance Marble
Located in Choudrant, LA
Antique French carved walnut Gothic end sofa table cabinet Renaissance marble ~Direct from France~ ~Lovely and versatile antique French gothic cabinet...
Marble
Gilt Iron Drinks Table or End Table with Twisted Edged Top
Located in Barcelona, ES
Gothic style hand-hammered gilt iron guéridon or pedestal table with twisted edged top standing on a tripod base, Spain, 1930s. This Martini table stands on a three-footed baseand i...
Gold Leaf, Wrought Iron, Iron
Gothic Style Oval Side Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Gothic-inspired six-leg oval side table with drawers, burl wood inlays, with a stretcher base. Dimensions: 26" W x 18" D x 28" H.
Wood
Early 20th Century French Forged and Polished Iron Martini Pedestal Table
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant, antique Gothic pedestal table was crafted in Southern France, circa 1920. The intricate martini table stands on three forged legs embellished with acanthus leaves, over...
Iron
Spanish Gueridon Drinks Occassional Low Side Table in Gilt Wrought Iron
Located in Barcelona, ES
Elegant wrought gilt iron low round coffee table or occassional table drinks table. Spain, 1920s This drink table stands up on four scrolled legs supported on iron balls . The top i...
Gold Leaf, Wrought Iron, Iron
Early 20th Century French Forged and Polished Iron Martini Pedestal Table
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant, antique Gothic pedestal table was crafted in Southern France, circa 1920. The intricate martini table stands on three forged curved legs ending with scrolled feet, over...
Iron
Early 20th Century French Forged and Polished Iron Martini Pedestal Table
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant, antique Gothic pedestal table was crafted in Southern France, circa 1920. The intricate martini table stands on three forged legs ending with flat feet, over a central ...
Iron