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.
$3,480Sale Price|20% Off
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
Flemish 17th century Gothic carved oak table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Flemish 17th century carved oak table circa 1690. We are pleased to offer this 17th century table which was often called a rent table. Over-sailing solid oak top which has now been...
Oak
Oxalis Cocktail Stand – Modern Gothic Handcrafted Pedestal Base Side Table
By Realm
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Drawing influence from gothic architecture and design, the Oxalis collection encapsulates the studio's concept of medieval modern design. Likening our current era to the feudal dark ...
Copper
Spanish Gilt Iron Drinks Side Table / Martini Table, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish drinks table on a tripod base, Spain, 1950s Entirely made in hand forged iron, gilt finish. It has a clean design with Gothic style acce...
Iron, Wrought Iron, Metal
Spanish Drinks Table / Side Table / Gueridon in Wrought Iron, 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Elegant Gothic style hand-hammered iron round gueridon table standing on a tripod base. Spain, 1940s. This wrought iron black painted table has twisted details at the steam and the t...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Celtic Carved Oak Occasional Table, 19th Century Gothic Antique
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Celtic Carved Oak Occasional Table A charming Carved Oak Occasional Table, it has a carved border along the top edge with a carved apron to the front and more carving to the main f...
Oak
Elm Joint Table with Undertier This is a good Elm Joint or Joined Table
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Elm Joint Table with Undertier This is a good Elm Joint or Joined Table, it is a good solid piece with a good colour and a very attractive figuring in the wood and with a lovely pa...
Elm
Gothic Carved Oak Credence Table, Celtic Design, Antique, 32\" Wide
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Gothic Carved Oak Credence Table A Charming piece known as a credence table as it has such an unusual shape with a single drawer, this and the side panels have a Celtic style carvin...
Oak
Antique Gothic Renaissance Revival Oak Figural Carved Low Cabinet Side Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Gothic Renaissance Revival Oak Figural Carved Low Cabinet Pedestal Side Table. Item features relief carved figure to door, drape carved wooden sides, inset Masonite board top...
Oak
Pair of Ornate Iron and Travertine Side Tables, Spain, circa 1920s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Lovely and heavy pair of unusual, solid iron tables with a foliate decor and twisted iron legs ending in scrolled feet. The apron runs around three si...
Iron and Marble Gueridon Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gothic style, hand forged iron gueridon table base with detached, double layered, Breccia marble top.
Marble, Iron
Small Drinks Table / Side Table / Martini Table in Wrought Iron
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish Side Table, Wrought Iron Small Spanish Gilt Iron Drinks Table Gueridon, End or Side Table. Manufactured in Spain, 1940s. This pedestal table has a wavy edged top heavily decored by the Hammer work. It stands on a tripod base with scroll ended feet and a beatiful twisting decorative detail at the central part of the stem. Terrific aged patina with rusty accents. Its eclectic design mixing Gothic and Brutalist accents marks the difference. Use it as small side table, candle stand, cocktails table, smokers table or occasional table for parties around the sofa and display it with other Martini tables in different sizes to create a set. Measures: 45 cm H x 27,7 cm W x 25 cm D Diameter of the top: 20,5 cm We have other drinks tables in this style in case that you need a pair or a set. Spanish Wrought Iron Table...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Sheraton Revival Side Table Mahogany Occasional
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing a Sheraton Revival side table in mahogany Circa 1920 The table has a circular mahogany top with a crossbanded and inlaid border, centred by a delicate marquetry starb...
Mahogany
1970s Ram's Head Iron & Leather Gueridon Side Table with Embossed Top
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Handsome ram's head tripod drinks table with grey leather embossed top.
Iron
Art Deco Rustic Wood Gueridon Side Table
Located in New York, NY
A small rustic round wood and glass side or drinks table, in the Art Deco style, circa late-20th century. This side or drinks table has all the hallmarks of Art Deco design including...
Glass, Wood
French 1940s Wrought Iron Arrow Motif Table
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Elegant French Art Deco table from the 1940s, raised on a tripod base, with original red and yellow polychrome finish. The legs end in large arrowheads. Beige/grey resin top. The wro...
Wrought Iron
1940s French Wrought Iron Martini Table with Distressed Finish
Located in London, GB
Original 1940s French Wrought Iron Martini Table Fantastic original patina with traces of old gilding in places and brown bronze colouring overall.
Wrought Iron
19th Century French Carved Oak Writing Table
Located in High Point, NC
19th century Oak side or writing table from France. The top is banded and has a beveled and hand carved decorated edge. The apron is hand carved with leaves and vine decoration on al...
Oak
Early 20th Century Jacobean Revival Bobbin Side Table in Oak
Located in BÉTERA, ES
A beautifully proportioned piece featuring bobbin/barley twist turned legs, united by a cross stretcher for elegance and stability. The round top presents a rich patina with a hand-c...
Hardwood, Oak
Small Spanish Gilt Iron Drinks Table on a Tripod Base
Located in Buchanan, NY
This lovely Spanish side or drinks table was recently crafted by skilled European artisans using traditional iron working techniques. Hand-forged from iron, it features a stem with a...
Metal, Iron
$3,875
H 32 in W 31.5 in D 19.5 in
Antique French Carved Oak Sofa Side Table Petite Desk Renaissance Gothic
Located in Shreveport, LA
19th century French Carved Oak Dolphin Library Table Petite Desk Renaissance. Direct from France, an elegant, and petite, antique French carved sofa...
Oak
$3,500
H 29.5 in Dm 14.75 in
Austrian Gothic Revival Patinated Bronze Plant Stand / Side Table by Tiffany
Located in New York, NY
Antique (19th century) tripod patinated bronze plant stand or side table in the Gothic Revival style with circular top depicting an Austrian double-headed eagle in shield in center, ...
Bronze
17th Century Oak Dutch Side Table
Located in Huntington, NY
17th century oak Dutch side table, turned.
Wood, Oak
$2,011Sale 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 Circa 1910 English Mahogany Octagonal Gothic Arched Tabourets
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of gothic mahogany tabourets or end tables circa 1910, with superbly carved arches to each panel. Believed to be of English origin. Older restoration, holds up nicely. The tops ...
Mahogany
Flemish 17th century carved oak table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Flemish 17th century carved oak table circa 1690. We are pleased to offer this 17th century table which was often called a rent table. Over-sailing solid oak top which has now been...
Oak
French 18th Century Solid Oak Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A fantastic little oak table, made in France circa 1780. The single-plank top is wonderfully patinated, aged to a dark-roasted coffee hue and touched with the memories of all who hav...
Iron
Carved Gothic Oak Clover Leaf Table with Secret Compartment
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Carved Gothic Oak Clover Leaf Table with Secret Compartment Elizabethan-Style Celtic Gothic Oak Clover Top Table, an enchanting piece Made in soli...
Oak
Irish Oak Clover Leaf Table with Undertier Celtic Gothic Oak Clover Top Table
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Irish Oak Clover Leaf Table with Undertier Celtic Gothic Oak Clover Top Table, an enchanting piece with a 3 sided shelf below Made in solid Oak in ...
Oak
Arts and Crafts Gothic Oak Side Table
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Arts and Crafts Gothic Oak Side Table An unusual piece with a carved leaf design apron, finely detailed carved lions paw feet and elegant bobbin turned legs, the table has an under ...
Oak
A Rustic Stained Pine Octagonal Neo Gothic Side Table
Located in San Francisco, CA
the octagonal top above a conforming openwork body with pierced trefoil ornamentation; the whole raised on six supporting columns all joined at the base by a lower shelf
Pine
Spanish 1940s Gilt Side Table / Drinks Table / Martini Table, Wrought Iron
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful 1940s hand-hammered gilt wrought iron occasional drinks table on a tripod base, tagged on the base Barcelona, Spain. Made from hand forged iron and gold leaf gilding the el...
Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
Antique Georgian Period X Frame Side Table
Located in London, GB
A charming and very unusual Georgian period X frame side table, which could also be used as a stool. This was made in England, we would date it from around the 1860’s period & it’s v...
Oak
Carlo Bugatti Parchment Side Table
Located in New York, NY
Stunning Carlo Bugatti parchment side table. Italy, circa 1890. Mahogany, ebonized woods, brass, pewter, parchment with birds and foliage motifs.
Brass, Pewter
Sold
H 21.86 in Dm 10.24 in
Spanish 1940s Gilt Side Table / Drinks Table / Martini Table, Wrought Iron
Located in Barcelona, ES
Beautiful hand-hammered gilt wrought iron occasional drinks table on a tripod base, Spain, 1940s Entirely made in hand forged iron. Original gold leaf gilding and beautiful patina ...
Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf, Iron
Henri II Gothic Style Carved Oak Side Table
Located in Astoria, NY
French Henri II Gothic style side or coffee table in richly carved oak, mounted on two figural leg pedestals depicting cherubs with raised arms and dolphin figures, "grey Sainte-Anne...
Marble