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.
Antique Medieval Style Shield Coat of Arms, Madrid Spain
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Impressive early 20th Century antique Medieval style decorative shield Made in Spain. This shield features a version of the Coat Of Arms from Madrid, Spain. Specificaaly one used dur...
Metal
Beautiful antique fine 18th century french needlepoint tapestry
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Elegant 18th-century French petit point tapestry, beautifully hand-stitched with fine detail and rich colors. This charming piece depicts a lively pastoral scene with figures in peri...
Wool, Cotton, Silk
Pretty medieval Aubusson design handWoven Polish Tapestry
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Beautiful vintage Polish handwoven tapestry by wool on cotton foundation dating from the mid 20th century, This Polish tapestry clearly draws inspiration from the late medieval Fren...
Wool, Cotton
Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry Vendanges museum Design
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French hand-printed tapestry featuring the exquisite design of the renowned medieval museum tapestry, "Les Vendanges" (grape harvest) from t...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
French 16th Century Antique Aubusson Tapestry
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This 16th century Aubusson (French) tapestry is remarkably still vibrant and in wonderful antique condition. Its original border is completely intact and designed with florals, folia...
Tapestry
Pretty Vintage French aubusson médiéval style jacquard Tapestry "Vendanges"
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French jacquard tapestry featuring the exquisite design of the renowned medieval museum tapestry, "Les Vendanges" (grape harvest) from the C...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
French Vintage Tapestry The Royal Hunt by Marc Waymel, 1984
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Tapestry The Royal Hunt by Marc Waymel, created exclusively for Le Médaillier Franklin, France, ca. 1984. A colorful and beautiful vintage tapestry,...
Fabric, Cotton
Original Antique Illuminated Print of St Anthony of Padua. C.1880
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful print of St Anthony of Padua Illuminated Chromolithograph Published circa 1880 Unframed. Foxing to the margin Free shipping The me...
Paper
Vintage Iron Heraldic Wall Plaques, Medieval Style, Spain, 1930s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Striking pair of vintage heraldic wall plaques, each featuring a blackened shield adorned with a bold, red relief crest—one with a rampant lion and the other with a double-headed eag...
Iron
Stunning & Large, The Golden Virgin Mary & Child Jesus Sculpture by Albert Roze
Located in Lisse, NL
Meaningful and a monumental masterpiece: “La Vierge d'Albert” piece of the golden Virgin) by ), cast by Barbedienne, 1916. Step into the poetic depths of history with this extraordi...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
French Tapestry, Genuine Jacquard in Medieval Style - H 131 x W 190 cm - N 1439
By Royal Manufacture of Aubusson, Aubusson Manufacture
Located in Paris, FR
Located a stone's throw from the Eiffel Tower in Paris, we are a French family business specializing in the purchase, sale, expertise, cleaning, restoration and conservation of tapes...
Wool
Nice Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry « Suzanne and the old men »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French screen-printed by hand tapestry featuring the exquisite design of a medieval museum tapestry titled « Suzanne and the old men » The ...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
Nice French Aubusson Style screen printed by hand tapestry «winged stags»
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Immerse yourself in the allure of this mid-20th-century French tapestry, showcasing a design inspired by a 15th-century woven masterpiece titled "Cerfs Ailés" (winged stags) at Rouen...
Cotton, Linen
$7,199Sale Price|20% Off
Antique French Aubusson Verdure Tapestry
Located in Dallas, TX
77764, antique French Verdure tapestry. This hand-woven antique French Aubusson verdure tapestry depicts a landscape scene of the French countryside. ...
Wool
Bobyrug’s Vintage France Aubusson Style Jaquar Tapestry, Flemish « Mille Fleur »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Introducing a stunning midcentury French Flanders tapestry from the renowned Halluin manufacturing This exquisite piece features a captivating design inspired by 16th-century museum tapestries, showcasing vibrant colors. Woven with precision by the mechanical Jacquard manufacturing technique, it elegantly combines wool and cotton. The upper section of this Flemish "Mille fleurs" masterpiece depicts villages, fortresses, and a windmill in a naive landscape, reminiscent of heraldic tapestries...
Wool, Cotton
$3,920Sale Price|20% Off
18th Century Antique Indian Medieval Tapestry after the Battle of Karnal in 1739
Located in Dallas, TX
74417 18th Century Antique Indian Medieval Wall Tapestry after the Battle of Karnal in 1739. This beautiful antique Indian painted tapestry is done on a canvas. It features a hunting battle scene with kings, kingsmen and royalty with multiple types of animals ranging from horses, elephants, lions, birds, peacocks and leopards. This tapestry is possibly in relation to The Battle of Karnal in 1739. The Muhammed Shah fought with Nader Shah...
Fabric
Fence Door Pediment / Wall Decoration in Wrought Iron, Spain 1930s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Antique spanish door fence pediment / crest in iron, hand forged, Spain, Early 20th century. This eye-catching wall fence was entirely made by hand in forged iron. A master work of t...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Nice French Aubusson Style screen printed by hand tapestry
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Immerse yourself in the allure of this mid-20th-century French tapestry, showcasing a design inspired by a 16th century masterpiece museum tapestry. Nice 20th-century tapestry repro...
Cotton, Linen
Large (46 Inch) Mid-Century Medieval Heraldic Knight Coat of Arms Wall Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Large (46 by 25 by 4 inch) mid-century (1980s to 1970s) heraldic wall sculpture in the Anglo-Saxon medieval style depicting a knight's breastplate, battle axe, sword and arrow quiver...
Composition
Set of 17th Century English Keys Framed
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of 17th Century English Keys Framed and ready to display. This wonderful collection of ten ancient keys were hand forged in England in the 17th/18th century. Of unknown origi...
Metal
Bobyrug’s Vintage French Hand Printed Medieval Design Tapestry « Noble Amazon
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover a reproduction of the exquisite "Noble Amazone" French medieval museum tapestry, a true masterpiece of design. This captivating artwork showcases a noble lady elegantly seat...
Cotton
Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French screen-printed by hand tapestry featuring the exquisite design of a medieval museum tapestry This tapestry, a replica of the origin...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
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
Original Antique Illuminated Print of St Henry 11. C.1880
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful print of St Henry II Illuminated Chromolithograph Published circa 1880 Unframed. Foxing to the margin Free shipping The measurement is the paper size
Paper
Original Antique Illuminated Print of St John Chrysostom. C.1880
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful print of St John Chrystostom Illuminated Chromolithograph Published circa 1880 Unframed. Free shipping The measurement is the paper size
Paper
St Joseph Late Medieval Orphrey Panel, Circa 1480, Embroidery Textile
Located in Doha, QA
An extraordinarily rare and important late medieval English orphrey panel, dating to circa 1480, executed in sumptuous sacred embroidery and remarkably preserved in untouched conditi...
Metallic Thread
An antique framed wood carving, 19th century
Located in View Park, CA
A stunning and unique fine artwork that features an antique wood carving - seemingly depicting a medieval knight on horseback - set against a silken silver matting and centered in an...
Linen, Wood
Original Antique Illuminated Print of St Elizabeth of Hungary. C.1880
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful print of St Elizabeth of Hungary Illuminated Chromolithograph Published circa 1880 Unframed. Free shipping The measurement is the paper size
Paper
Antique Renaissance Style Italian Fresco Of The Virgin & Child After The Master
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An Antique Renaissance style Italian fresco of the Virgin & child after the Master of the Gold Brocade. An iconic image of mother and child painted in oil onto a thick terracotta pa...
Terracotta
Set of 16th and 18th Century French Carved Panels on Custom Wall Mounts
Located in Chicago, IL
This exquisite set of two carved walnut architectural panels from France showcases the evolution of artistic styles from the 16th to the 18th century. The 18th-century panel, adorned...
Walnut
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
The Lovers’ Draught: Antique English Medieval Needlepoint Masterpiece of Romance
Located in Dallas, TX
78092 Rare Antique English Needlepoint Tapestry 02'04 x 03'05. Woven in the quiet hush of late-Victorian England yet echoing the soul of the Middle Ages, this extraordinary handwoven...
Wool
Handcarved 15th Century Gothic Oak Decorative Panel
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A handcarved 15th century gothic oak decorative panel affixed with hanging hook to the reverse, ready for hanging on a wall in your interior. Orig...
Oak
Georgian Porphyry Marble Roundel Of Dionysus
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A Georgian porphyry marble roundel of Dionysus. Also known as Bacchus, this ornate side profile is set into a roundel of highly prized porphyry marble inside a Carrara border. Dion...
Carrara Marble
French Mediaval antique Tapestry 19th century - L135xH270 cm - N° 1589
Located in Paris, FR
This magnificent tapestry has undergone a thorough cleaning, hand-lined with 100% linen fabric, and meticulous inspection by our experts in our workshop. It is now ready to adorn you...
Wool
French Hand-Printed Tapestry in Medieval style - H 114 x L 97 cm - N° 1438
Located in Paris, FR
Located a stone's throw from the Eiffel Tower in Paris, we are a French family business specializing in the purchase, sale, expertise, cleaning, restoration and conservation of tapes...
Wool
Wonderful palace size Aubusson style jacquard Tapestry "Arming and departure"
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century Flanders jacquard tapestry featuring the exquisite design of the Arming and departure.tapestry. This tapestry was designed by Edward Burne-...
Wool, Cotton, Acrylic
Bobyrug’s Nice Vintage Aubusson Style Jaquar Tapestry with Medieval Museum Desig
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of French heritage with this exquisite midcentury tapestry featuring the captivating "Dame à l'orgue" (The Lady at the Organ) design from the Angers museum. Adm...
Cotton, Wool
Pretty Vintage Aubusson Style médiéval design Jacquard Tapestry « the harvest »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
very beautiful Aubusson style tapestry, with a design of a medieval tapestry That Tapestry has been created in about 1530 by B. Van Orley, creator of "Chasses de Maximilien" (acces...
Wool
Original Antique Illuminated Print of St Patrick. C.1880
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful print of St Patrick Illuminated Chromolithograph Published circa 1880 Unframed. Free shipping The measurement is the paper size
Paper
Bobyrug’s Nice Vintage Hand Painted French Tapestry with Medieval Museum Design
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the allure of the 15th-century masterpiece in your home with this exquisite midcentury French tapestry. featuring the design of a medieval tapestry “Charles of Orleans and M...
Cotton
$8,848Sale Price|20% Off
Late 19th Century French Aubusson Verdure Tapestry with Louis XVI Revival Style
Located in Dallas, TX
79208 Late 19th Century Antique French Aubusson Tapestry, 06'00 x 08'10. A sanctuary of woven splendor and poetic artistry, this handwoven wool and silk French Aubusson tapestry from...
Wool, Silk
Reclaimed Fragments of Religious Artworks After Matteo di Pacino
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Reclaimed Fragments of Religious Artworks After Matteo di Pacino. A pair of reclaimed fragments of religious artworks after Matteo di Pacino, originally part of a triptych. Painted ...
Wood, Paint
Nice French Aubusson Style hand printed tapestry « enchanted park »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Immerse yourself in the allure of this mid-20th-century French tapestry, showcasing a design inspired by a 15th-century woven masterpiece titled "The Enchanted Park." Adorned with ex...
Wool, Cotton
$4,399Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage French Medieval Tapestry, the Promenade Tapestry
Located in Dallas, TX
77769, vintage French Medieval tapestry, the Promenade tapestry. Drawing inspiration from a combination of Pieter van Aeist and French Medieval sty...
Wool
Original Antique Illuminated Print of St Ferdinand. C.1880
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful print of St Ferdinand Illuminated Chromolithograph Published circa 1880 Unframed. Free shipping The measurement is the paper size
Paper
Victorian Carved Oak Wall Hanging Display Cabinet, Gothic Style, 1860
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Victorian carved oak wall hanging display cabinet This is a very large piece, it has 2 individual cupboards in the one piece. The c...
Oak
Original Antique Illuminated Print of St Dominic. C.1880
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful print of St Dominic Illuminated Chromolithograph Published circa 1880 Unframed. Free shipping The measurement is the paper size
Paper
Original Antique Illuminated Print of St Bruno of Cologne. C.1880
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful print of St Bruno of Cologne Illuminated Chromolithograph Published circa 1880 Unframed. Free shipping The measurement is the paper size
Paper
Fairies tapestry, after an old 18th century tapestry, by Robert Four, Aubusson
Located in Lyon, FR
"Fairies verdure" tapestry, replica of an ancient tapestry from the 18th century, printed to the heart of the wool by silkscreen process, on old style fabric, by the Robert Four Manu...
Fabric
Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry « Maximilian's Hunt »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French hand-printed tapestry featuring the exquisite design of « The month of July or The sign of the lion or The report, from the tapestry ...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry “fountain concert”
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French screen-printed by hand tapestry featuring the exquisite design of a medieval museum tapestry titled “fountain concert “ This tapestr...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
19th Century French Armorial Coat Of Arms
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A 19th century French armorial coat of arms dated to circa 1850. Hand carved onto oak boards, this polychrome and gilt panel incorporates various heraldic elements. Typically refer...
Oak
Original Antique Illuminated Print of St Vincent De Paul. C.1880
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful print of St Vincent De Paul Illuminated Chromolithograph Published circa 1880 Unframed. Free shipping The measurement is the paper s...
Paper
Impressive and Large Bronze Wall Plaque of a Suffering Christ by Sylvain Norga
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare and sizeable Art Deco religious plaque. Stunning sculpture / plaque by one of the greats when it comes to religious art. This sizeable, heavy and detailed plaque depicts Jesus...
Bronze
Nice Vintage Kalamkar Ispahan
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Beautiful midcentury hand painted kalamkar with a nice design of Safavid period and beautiful colors, hand painted on cotton foundation.
Cotton
Pretty Vintage Aubusson Style médiéval design Jacquard Tapestry
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
very beautiful French Aubusson style tapestry, with a design of a medieval tapestries. This tapestry has been made in the renowned “La Filandière” manufacturing Beautiful colours w...
Wool, Cotton
'The Neophyte', Large Signed Etching by Gustave Doré, 19th Century Antique Print
By Gustave Doré
Located in Bristol, GB
Antique print entitled ‘the neophyte (first experience of the monastery)’ by Gustave Dore, 1832 -1883 A captivating, somewhat creepy and darkly humorous take on someone’s first day r...
Paper, Glass
Set of Four 16th Century Hand Carved Oak Panels With Animals
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of four 16th century hand carved Oak Panels With Animals. This series of panels are dated to the mid 16th century. Crafted from English oak, each panel is carved in high relie...
Oak
Set of 6 Antique Handcarved Limewood Foliage Corbels
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of 6 handcarved early 19th century limewood corbels or foliage brackets with an old white/cream paint finish, originating from Millearne House in Perthshire, Scotland (now demo...
Giltwood, Wood
Nice French Aubusson Style screen printed by hand tapestry
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Immerse yourself in the allure of this mid-20th-century French tapestry, showcasing a design inspired by a 16th century masterpiece museum tapestry. Adorned with exquisite hues of b...
Cotton, Linen