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.
Oil on board portrait of a 16th style gentleman. Very stately.
Located in Buchanan, MI
Oil on board portrait of a 16th style gentleman in the manner of Hans Holbein. Very stately.
Giltwood
$1,750Sale Price|50% Off
An Impressive 18th Century Painted Parchment Armorial
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
An Impressive 18th Century Painted Parchment Armorial Height: 260cm Width: 185cm Provenance: Private Melbourne collection.
Parchment Paper
Large Triptych Painted Panel Of The Virgin Mary, 18th Century Italian
Located in Charmes, FR
painting on wood in the style of the Italian primitive, prayer choir, arched panel closing with two shutters, in a frame inscribed "ave maria", wear and small loss of paint, comes fr...
Wood
$126,871Sale Price|20% Off
Circle of Pietro Cavallini - St. Bartholomew - 14th century Fresco
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Circle of Pietro Cavallini (Rome, 1250–1330) St. Bartholomew Fresco transferred onto canvas Umbria, 14th century 66.5 x 40 cm Provenance: Collection of Raymond Van Marle (The Hagu...
Canvas, Plaster
IMPORTANT TRIPTIC FLORENTINE SCHOOL (Italy) 16th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
IMPORTANT TRIPTIC FLORENTINE SCHOOL (Italy) 16th Century Oil on wood, representing the Eternal Father, Our Lady with Baby Jesus, Saint Bernadino of Siena, San León, Saint Stephen an...
Paint
St. Jerome Religious Painting, circa 19th Century
Located in London, GB
Late 19th century painting of St. Jerome with halo and skull. A well painted canvas in original gilt frame generally in good condition. Some losses to the frame and small nic...
Canvas
Antique Painting Descent of the Holy Spirit Upon the Apostles
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Introducing this wonderful antique wall painting on wood with gold leaf accents. This icon depicts the Pentecost, also known as the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. The ...
Gold Leaf
A Very Large and Unusual 19th Century KPM Porcelain Plaque by Carl Meinhelt
By Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM)
Located in New York, NY
A Very Large and Unusual 19th Century KPM Porcelain Plaque by Carl Meinhelt. This plaque was produced by the Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM) in Berlin and is signed by the art...
Porcelain
C19th Italian Religious Painted Porcelain Niche Shrine
Located in London, GB
C19th Italian religious painted porcelain niche. Beautiful late C19th hand-painted Madonna and Child on porcelain plate set in a Gothic wooden frame featuring intricate carvings and...
Porcelain, Wood
Set of Three Vintage Paintings with People in Rococo Costumes
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Three Vintage Paintings with People in Rococo Costumes A set of three paintings depicting two noble ladies and a noble man in Rococo costumes. Handpainted with enamel paint o...
Wood
Oil on Canvas Portrait of a Medieval Man Signed Costello
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Oil painting of a medieval man with drop earing, signed on lower corner Costello. Original caved wood Frame. Circa 1950's. Framed 17.5 tall, 15.5 wide...
Canvas, Hardwood
Mid-19th Century Religious Still Life Oil on canvas.
Located in TEYJAT, FR
Mid-19th Century Religious Still Life Oil on canvas. This evocative still life, dating from the mid-19th century, captures a serene and contemplative arrangement of religious and sy...
Canvas, Paint
$3,920
H 18.25 in W 42 in D 1.5 in
An 18th Century Italian Hand-Painted Plaque, Decorative Wall Ornament
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian hand-painted wall plaque from the 18th century. This wall decoration from Italy has a half-octagon shape with longer flat section being at bottom-side of plaque. It has been hand-painted in a motif of horns, arrows, angels, and volutes. Primary coloring is gold and green with a black frame. There is a lovely old patina; a nice reflection of its age. This 18th century Italian wall plaque...
Wood
Antique Swedish Oil Portrait of Gentleman
Located in Atlanta, GA
Handsome oil portrait of gentleman signed by unknown artist L. Frida (abbreviated).
Paint
18th Century Portrait
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine 18th century portrait of a lady, unsigned, circa 1750, Sweden. (reframed, oil on canvas) According to old frame painted by Johan Horner (...
Canvas
$115,273
H 100.5 in W 151.25 in D 5 in
18th Century Painted Six Panelled Screen Depicting an European Landscape
Located in London, GB
A six panelled screen of the late Baroque period Oil on canvas, depicting a panoramic view of a Capriccio north European landscape, perhaps Schlesweig-Holstein, with distant views of the sea, the ruined castles, peasants, and a lady of quality mounted, within a running arched canopy...
Canvas, Paint
$4,200
H 10.5 in W 9.25 in D 1.25 in
18th/19th Century Russian Icon of St. John the Theologian in Silence
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A traditional Russian icon of St John; the Theologian in Silence, where he appears to be holding the Gospel. The scene's title derives from the saint's hand gesture in which his fing...
Wood
$5,521
H 55.52 in W 37.01 in D 1.19 in
18th Century Oil on Canvas Italian Religious Painting Marriage of the Virgin
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Antique 18th-century Italian painting. Oil on canvas depicting a sacred art subject, the Marriage of the Virgin with Saints and Angels, with good pictorial quality. The painting unfo...
Canvas
Painting; E C. (?) Bellincioni, (Italian School, 19th Century)
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Painting; E C. (?) Bellincioni, (Italian School, 19th Century) Five Classical Maidens in a Garden, signed EC Bellincioni, l.r., oil on canvas 26 by 37 in., overall in a gilt plaster...
Canvas
$2,878Sale Price|30% Off
H 8.08 in W 2.76 in D 0.32 in
Bolognese School of the 16th Century - Mummy of Saint Catherine of Bologna
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Bolognese School of the 16th Century Mummy of Saint Catherine of Bologna Oil on Panel 20,5 x 7 x 0,8 cm This rare painting depicts Saint Catherine of Bologna as a mummy, housed in a ...
Wood, Giltwood
Early 17th Century Oil on Canvas Portrait of a Gentleman
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A compelling early 17th Century three-quarter profile portrait of a bearded gentleman. Probably Dutch/Flemish School. His face emerging from a deep, near-black ground and lit from t...
Canvas, Paint
17th Century Italian School Biblical Scene
Located in Marseille, FR
17th century oil on canvas representation of the "Feeding of the 4,000" of Italian school.
Canvas
$2,500
H 37 in W 32.35 in D 2 in
19th Century Antique Portrait of Virginia Gentleman, Oil on Canvas, Framed
Located in San Francisco, CA
Antique oil on canvas portrait of an unknown 19th Century Virginian Gentleman, beautifully framed to retain its sense of time and place. Rich brush strok...
Canvas, Wood
Sold
H 28.35 in W 24.41 in D 2.37 in
Icon Painting of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Oil On Canvas, 19th century
Located in NICE, FR
Painting Icon Representing Notre Dame du Perpétuel Secours, Oil on Canvas, 19th Century Very beautiful representation of Our Lady of Perpetual Help after the Byzantine icon preserved in Rome dating from the 14th century and particularly rich in symbols. The letters are the first and last letters of the names of the characters represented: - To the right of the head of the Child Jesus: IC-KC = Iesous Christos - On either side of the head of the Holy Virgin: MP-OY = Mater Theou (Mother of God) - Above the angel on the left: OAM = Arkangelos Mikael - Above the angel on the right: OAG = Arkangelos Gabriel The two archangels are represented each carrying the instruments of the passion: on the left, Saint Michael carries the lance and the reed at the end of which an executioner fixed a sponge soaked in vinegar and on the right, Saint Gabriel holding the cross and 4 nails instruments of the Passion of Christ. The Blessed Virgin and the child Jesus are richly crowned and haloed; the Virgin is dressed in a red garment, the colour of royal purple, and a blue mantle that covers her head. The star on the top recalls the virginity of Mary. The child Jesus is represented as Christ the King...
Canvas
Vintage Gothic Abstract Painting on Canvas
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage Gothic Painting on Canvas of Skeleton figures having a conversation. Acquired from a New York Estate.
Canvas, Paint
Magnificent Pair of 19th Century Giltwood Handpainted Icons
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Two gilt framed Gothic Angels framed and painted in the style of Fra Angelico - hand-carved in Italy . Features spiral columns and foliate spires - oil painted angels are superbly pr...
Giltwood
Important 16th Century Italian School "Christ" Oil on Table
Located in Madrid, ES
Important 16th century Italian School. "Christ" Oil on the table. Measures: width 34 - height 42cm. Good conditions. A study of the present table has not yet been done for this reas...
Paint
14th CENTURY LATE MEDIEVAL GILDED WOODEN TUSCAN PLAQUE
Located in Firenze, FI
This splendid wooden plaque with a golden Tuscan background and dating back to the Late Middle Ages is attributed to a Sienese master active around the 14th century. Painted on an engraved gold background, the plaque depicts the crucifixion of Christ, with the representation of the cross on the mount and on the sides, the Virgin Mary wrapped in a black cloak and Saint John in a red tunic. The painting technique used in the plaque is detailed and refined, highlighting the talent and mastery of the Sienese artist. It is believed that this object was part of a triptych or a small portable travel altar...
Wood
Beautiful Flemish School "Virgin and Martur", 16th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Flemish School "Virgin and Martur" 16th century Oil on table. Inscribed on the frame 'Sancta Yolenta Ora Pro Nobis - Bidt voor de ziele va s Yolete de Beuf die Sterft...' 58x46.5cm G...
Paint
Sold
H 14.57 in W 9.06 in D 1.97 in
Early 18th Century Greek Provincial Icon of the Raising of Lazarus
Located in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
An early 18th century Greek Provincial icon of The Raising of Lazarus Within a later wooden frame, 38.2cm high x 23.3cm wide. Christ followed ...
Paint
Portrait of a Young Woman, Central Italy End 16th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Portrait of a Young Woman - Central Italy end 16th century, Oil painting on canvas. 48.5x30.5cm; not framed. Small losses of color in the margin Good condition for the age.
Paint
Hispanic-Flemish School 16th Century "Mercy"
Located in Madrid, ES
Hispanic-Flemish School 16th century "Mercy" Oil on table. Framed. Attributed or Follower of Quinten Massys (1466 - 1530). Measurements: 20 x 20 cm. good condition.
Paint
Important 16th Century Italian School "Christ" Oil on Table
Located in Madrid, ES
Important 16th century Italian School. "Christ" Oil on the table. Measures: width 34 - height 42cm. Good conditions. A study of the present table has not yet been done for thi...
Paint
French 19th Century Tapestry-Style Painting on Canvas
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A large 19th century French oil-on-canvas hunting scene painting in the manner of a 'verdure' tapestry.
Canvas
Sold
H 61.03 in W 0.79 in D 47.25 in
Italian Tapestry Parade Banner Austrian Symbol Painted Fabric Golden Thread
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful Italian fabric tapestry in bordeaux velvet background with hand painted coat of arms representing a single-headed eagle with a star with golden thread classic decors on the...
Fabric