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.
English Gothic Pedestal Column Garden Stone Table
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing a wonderful Gothic garden pedestal stand Great piece for displaying decorative pieces like urns or busts outside Can of course also be used inside in a hall or room C...
Other
Antique Italian & Sculpture Stone Pedestals from Roman Church Altar - Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Italian Marble & Sculpted Stone Pedestals from Roman Church Altar - Pair These exquisite deep red marble columns were imported from Italy and salvaged from an old Catholic ...
Stone, Marble
Italy 14th Century Medieval Black Wrought Cast Iron Tripode Pedestal
Located in Brescia, IT
This piece of antique Italian wrought cast iron pedestal is made with an high level of quality in consideration of the age of the realization. From a...
Wrought Iron
Antique French Neoclassical Alabaster Pedestal
Located in London, GB
Antique French neoclassical alabaster pedestal French, Late 19th Century Height 112cm, width 35cm, depth 35cm This elegant and fine pu...
Alabaster
White Pedestal Cube End Table
Located in New York, NY
A white gloss laminate veneered pedestal or cube end table, '70s Modern/Postmodern design period, circa late-20th century, 1970s or later. A great piec...
Laminate
Tall Corinthian Column Wood Pedestal Stand
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Bring a touch of classical architecture into your home with this impressive Corinthian Column Pedestal. This classic column style stand features wood on all sides. Certainly makes a ...
Wood
Postmodern Tessellated Stone Pedestal
Located in Houston, TX
1980s Tesselated stone pedestal.
Travertine
Solid Stone Side Table / Pedestal from Java, Indonesia
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A incredibly heavy and solid rounded stone side table / pedestal. This lovely sculptural object was crafted from a solid stone sourced from a river bed in East Java. A raw and organi...
Stone
$3,495
H 29 in W 18 in D 20 in
Italian Travertine Marble Dining Table Bases Side Tables Display Pedestals
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering one of our recent palm beach estate fine furniture acquisitions of a Set of 2 vintage polished italian travertine marble dining table bases...
Travertine, Marble
$990 / item
H 19.7 in W 8 in D 8 in
PEDESTAL TRAVERTINE, 8" x 19.7H" Custom stone block pedestal, Block Plinth Table
Located in St Petersburg, US
‘Manarola ’ This listing is for Natural Stone Travertine Block Pedestal in 8” x 19.7” H (20 cm x 50 cm H) There are 3 sizes. Pick 1 or choose set of 3 to make a set. It is a museum ...
Stone, Travertine
Solid Stone Side Table / Pedestal from Java, Indonesia
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A incredibly heavy and solid rounded stone side table / pedestal. This lovely sculptural object was crafted from a solid stone sourced from a river bed in East Java. A raw and organi...
Stone
$13,503Sale Price|20% Off
H 48.04 in W 14.57 in D 10.24 in
Stunning Pair of Italian Neoclassical Inlaid Marble Bases or Pedestals
Located in Rome, IT
This elegant tapered pair of pedestals are raised by rectangular mottled edge white Carrara marble bases. The tapered column with cut corners have a central Tuscany "alabastro lista...
Marble
Solid Iron Wood Pedestal with Stunning Wood Texture
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
An incredibly heavy and solid Iron Wood Pedestal sourced from Kalimantan, Indonesia. This lovely sculptural object was crafted from a solid block of wo...
Wood
$9,895Sale Price / set|46% Off
H 68.75 in W 55.25 in D 26.5 in
Pair of Tall French 19th Century Gothic Revival Style Carved Oak Church Pedestal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large pair of tall French 19th century Gothic Revival style carved oak and parcel-gilt Church pedestal stands. The slender body stands, each centred ...
Gold Leaf
Solid Iron Wood Pedestal with Stunning Wood Texture
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
An incredibly heavy and solid iron wood pedestal sourced from Kalimantan, Indonesia. This lovely sculptural object was crafted from a solid block of wo...
Wood
19th Century Swedish Neo-Gothic tripod table
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century Swedish Neo-Gothic tripod table
Wood
Adam & Eve pedestal in massive oak, religious art from France
Located in Lyon, FR
Massive oak wood pedestal, depicting Adam & Eve, has been part of a bigger religious ensemble. Unknown origin. Old religious art item.
Oak
Sold
H 44.75 in W 11.75 in D 11.75 in
Late 19th Century French Gothic Style Hand Carved Oak Pedestal, Sculpture Stand
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This late 19th century French Gothic style column, pedestal, or plant stand is constructed of solid oak. Hand carved panels on all four sides feature Classic Gothic arches and pinwhe...
Oak
Early 20th Century Gothic Syle Wrought Iron Pedestal
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Rare and fine quality Italian gothic style pedestal. The pedestal presents a refined work in wrought iron. At the base small dragons. Really delicious tab...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 30.71 in W 14.97 in D 14.97 in
19th Century Gothic Syle Carved Walnut Gueridon Table or Pedestal Table
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Rare and fine quality Italian gothic style gueridon table or pedestal table. The table presents a refined hand carving work in walnut wood ebonized. The pedestal is carved in the sha...
Walnut
Sold
H 21.5 in W 13.25 in D 13 in
Antique French Carved Oak Gothic Plant Stand Square Display Bronze Pedestal
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French carved oak gothic plant stand square display bronze pedestal. ~Direct from France~ ~Lovely antique French carved oak plant stand ...
Oak
Antique Red Figural Dragon Pedestal Claw Foot Accent Table Plant Stand Griffin
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique red painted figural winged animal table. Features a Griffin (Gryphon, Griffon), eagle or dragon figure carved out of wood and painted red over gold. A two-tier design with or...
Hardwood, Paint
19th Century Gothic Carved Oak Pedestal Lectern Stand Station
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique quality 19th century Gothic carved oak pedestal lectern stand table station. Would make an impressive restaurant reception station. This ite...
Oak
Sold
H 21.75 in W 18.25 in L 21.75 in
Pair of Antique Oakwood Gothic Pedestal Plant Stand Side End Tables with Handles
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of antique oakwood Gothic pedestal plant stand side end tables with handles Listing includes inset handles to tops that pull up for use and then rest flush, carved interior fin...
Oak
19th Century French Gothic End Table
Located in Buchanan, NY
Ebonized carved wood pedestal or end table with claw feet and round top.
Wood
Pair of Gothic Revival Painted Pedestals
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Pair of gothic revival painted pine pedestals, circa 1910.
Pine, Paint
Large Antique, 18th Century Handcrafted and Painted Oak Column Display Pedestal
Located in Lisse, NL
Solid oak, heavy sculpture stand. This early and rare column-pedestal is another one of our wonderful, recent finds. It is as stabile as the day it was made, the original hand-paint...
Oak, Paint