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.
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
Blandford Fletcher (1858 – 1936) “Beauchamp of Holt & His Lady” Oil on Canvas
By Blandford Fletcher
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Blandford Fletcher (1858 – 1936) “Beauchamp of Holt & His Lady” Oil on Canvas. Presented in a guilt frame, this gothic scene is captured in the North Aisle of Worcestershire Cathedr...
Canvas, Wood, Paint
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
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
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
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
$127,479Sale 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
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
Saint Peter, Oil on Cradled Panel, Circle of Andrea Mantegna (1431 - 1506)
Located in Ottawa, CA
Painted in the circle of important and influential Italian renaissance artist Andrea Mantegna (1431 - 1506) in the last quarter of the 15th century, this painting of Saint Peter hold...
Walnut, Paint
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
Oil on board portrait of a 16th style gentleman. Very stately. In The Manner.
Located in Buchanan, MI
Oil on board portrait of a 16th style gentleman in the manner of Hans Holbein. Very stately.
Giltwood
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
Oil Portrait Young Man on Canvas by Artist Iwan Tusz
Located in Toledo, OH
Oil on canvas of a young man by Ukrainian artist Iwan Tusz 1869-1941. Has had a small repair. Frame has some damage. Image size measures 15.57" W x 22.25" H, Overall Dimensions: 2" d...
Canvas
$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
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
$4,789 / set
H 7.68 in W 6.5 in D 1.78 in
JAMES NORTHCOTE 1480-1517 PAiNTINGS PRINCESS BRIDGET & MARRIAGE OF SHREWSBURY
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of 16th to 17th century, miniature oil paintings which are after the originals by James Northcote (1480-1517) t...
Giltwood
$14,850
H 48.5 in W 38.25 in D 2.75 in
August Stephan Sedlacek (Austrian, 1868-1936) Oil on Canvas Violin Presentation
By Stephan Auguste Sedlacek
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Attributed to August Stephan Sedlacek (Austrian/German, 1868-1936) "The Violin Presentation" Oil on Canvas depicting an interior 18th century scene of...
Gesso, Canvas, Wood
$116,304
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
18th Century Italian Chinoiserie Scene Painted Panel
Located in Dallas, TX
Lovely 18th century Italian painted panel featuring chinoiserie images. Vibrant colors of blue, pink, green and gold. Such an interesting piece ...
Wood
$2,950
H 16.93 in W 11.42 in D 0.4 in
Antique Oil Painting of Virgin Mary, Colonial Style, 18th-19th Century
Located in Marbella, ES
Antique devotional painting depicting the Virgin Mary standing with her hands clasped in prayer. The figure is surrounded by a radiant halo of golden rays and small stars, while a da...
Canvas, Wood
18th Century Oil on Canvas Italian School
By Carlo Maratta
Located in Marseille, FR
Painting with probably biblical Italian school characters End of the 17th beginning of the 18th century unsigned carrying a Carlo Maratta cartouche of in...
Canvas
$3,900Sale Price|40% Off
H 37 in W 32 in D 2.25 in
18th century Portrait of Lady Oil on Canvas in Giltwood Frame
Located in Savannah, GA
English oil on canvas portrait dating from the late 1700s painted in the manor of Joshua Reynolds. We believe the giltwood frame could be the original as it is right for the period. ...
Canvas, Wood
$7,672
H 11.03 in W 9.85 in D 1.19 in
Icon representing Saint George fighting the dragon in the 16th century style.
Located in PARIS, FR
Tempera and gold background on panel. 28.2 x 24.7 cm. Cracks and reinforcements. 18th century Crete School. Greece Here is the iconographic image of the boy being rescued by St...
Wood
William Skilling "Bust of a Lady" Oil on Canvas Painting 3' Ft
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A moody oil on canvas portrait "Bust of a Lady", by American artist William Skilling (1862-1964), depicting a classical female bust within a dark arched niche reserve. Executed in a ...
Canvas, Paint
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