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Medieval Wall Decorations

MEDIEVAL STYLE

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.

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Style: Medieval
Set of 5 Antique Ecclesiastical Carved Panels
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of 5 antique Ecclesiastical style carved panels. These tracery panels of Pugin style make for decorative wall art or, once glazed, elaborate windows in a period property or mod...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood, Pine

French Tapestry The Lady with an Organ by Tapisseries du Lion, circa 1970s
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Tapestry The Lady with an Organ by Tapisseries du Lion, circa 1970s A colorful and beautiful vintage tapestry, wall hanging by Tapisseries du Lion, from circa the 1970s. The ...
Category

1970s French Vintage Medieval Wall Decorations

Materials

Fabric, Cotton

S. MICHELSON - Miniature Engraving - Signed - Unframed - Canada - 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
S. MICHELSON - Vintage gothic style fine art miniature hand colored engraving - featuring opposing snails - signed lower right - unframed - Canada (likely) - 20th/21st century. Good...
Category

Late 20th Century Canadian Medieval Wall Decorations

Materials

Paint, Paper

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Linen

19th Century Pair of Wooden Wall Chandeliers
Located in Esbeek, NL
Wall chandeliers in Gothic style.  
Category

19th Century French Antique Medieval Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood

Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry « departure to hunt »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French screen-printed by hand tapestry featuring the exquisite design of «Departure for falcon hunting on horseback” This tapestry, a repli...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Linen

Antique Decorative Wall Panel Carved with Mythical Scene
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An intricately carved 19th century antique wooden wall panel depicting a mythical or biblical scene. It details what appears to be three mythological beings, possibly witches or sorc...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Medieval Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood, Boxwood

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 ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Linen

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Spanish Church Alms Box / Wall Decoration with Carved Nun Detail, 18th Century
Located in Barcelona, ES
Carved wood hand painted donation / offering ALM BOX, Spain, 18th century. Polychromed carved wood church collection offering donation money box as wall decoration. This alms box is made of pine wood painted in terracotta hues. A nun carved ornamentation decorates the top. Wall hanging collection / donation money box. Originally used to collect donations at Christian churches/chapels. Interesting to be used as key box or key cabinet or as wall decoration Rare find. Provenance: Private collection. No key avaliable. Overall Measures: 45 cm H x 26 cm W x 21 cm D Poor box...
Category

18th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood, Pine

Early 1900s Marked Art Deco Period Bronze Relief Wall Plaque Depicting the Pieta
Located in Lisse, NL
Heavy and finest quality, religious bronze wall plaque. This intense, bronze wall plaque depicts the Virgin Mary grieving over the body of Jesus Christ after the crucifixion. The h...
Category

Early 20th Century European Medieval Wall Decorations

Materials

Bronze

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool

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 left half (the pressing side) of the renowned medieval museum tapestry, "...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Linen

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 ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Linen

Austrian Wien Cobalt Hand Painted Plaque Entitled The Winter
Located in Boston, MA
This is a beautifully painted cobalt Austrian porcelain plaque entitled "Der Winter" (The Winter) on the back. The painting on this plaque is of two beautiful women who are scantily clad in white flowing dresses during the winter. On the top of the hill is another beautiful lady in a deep winter...
Category

1910s Austrian Vintage Medieval Wall Decorations

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Early 20th Century French Oval Hand Painted Ceramic Wall Platters
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring the architectural highlights of France into your home with this pair of colorful, antique decorative earthenware wall platters. Crafted in high relief, circa 1920, the decorati...
Category

Early 20th Century French Medieval Wall Decorations

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Wall Decorations

Materials

Cotton

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Medieval Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood

French Plaster Head
Located in Stamford, CT
Fanciful French plaster head with pocket.
Category

1940s French Vintage Medieval Wall Decorations

Materials

Plaster

Wall Hanging Arts and Crafts Copper Breast Plate Shield with Cross Swords
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Wall hanging Arts and Crafts copper breast plate shield with cross swords A Large Decorative wall piece the copper is hand beaten and has a Cross with Crown over The swords are ...
Category

1920s Vintage Medieval Wall Decorations

Materials

Copper

Wood Wall Hanging of Maesta Madonna and Christ Child after Cimabue, Italy
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A fabulous pentagon wood wall hanging of the Madonna and child from Italy. This piece is created from wood, and has an applied print of Maesta, (Madonna enthroned with the Christ child by Cimabue) The edges feature a gold embossed design. The back includes metal hanging hardware. Cimabue, also known as Cenni di Pepo...
Category

20th Century Italian Medieval Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood, Paper

Vintage Winslow Health Hygiene Series Medical Scientific Insect Wall Chart Print
Located in Oakville, CT
Vintage, Winslow Health and Hygiene scientific insect series medical wall print, chart. "Edited by C.E.A Winslow Dr. P.H. Copy Right 1929. For explanation see manual. Published by De...
Category

20th Century American Medieval Wall Decorations

Materials

Metal

E. La Fontaine Painted Porcelain Charger
Located in Astoria, NY
E. La Fontaine (French, XIX) Hand-Painted Porcelain Charger, late 19th century, depicting a medieval archer and a maiden on a castle rampart, signed "E. La Fontaine", ebonized molded...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Wall Decorations

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Gothic Oak & Brass Communion Shelf 19thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Gothic Oak and Scrolled Brass Communion Shelf 19thC Measures- 35.5''H x 24.25''W x 15.25''D
Category

19th Century Antique Medieval Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Vintage Large Wall Art Form Lion Knights Sword Sculpture Medieval Style
Located in Saddle River, NJ
Vintage Medieval Lion Knight Sword Sculpture Crafted in a resin style, this piece depicts a fierce lion knight wielding a sword, capturing the essence...
Category

1960s American Vintage Medieval Wall Decorations

Materials

Resin

19th Century German Painted Porcelain Platter in Repoussé Pewter Frame
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a man's office with this large, hand painted porcelain plate; crafted in Germany, circa 1880 and round in shape, the painted ceramic platter depicts the portrait of a man dressed in ornate period clothing. The antique wall plate...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Medieval Wall Decorations

Materials

Pewter

Exceptional Vintage Viking Head
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Add a touch of history and whimsy to your home with this charming vintage wall-mountable Viking head! Made from casted plaster, this striking piece features a rosy-cheeked, red-heade...
Category

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Medieval Wall Decorations

Materials

Plaster

Antique Belgian Architectural Element Mounted Crest
Located in North Miami, FL
This is a wonderful antique architectural element mounted to custom iron wall bracket for best display and viewing. THIS ITEM IS LOCATED AND WILL SHIP FROM OUR EAST HAMPTON, NY SHOW...
Category

Late 19th Century Belgian Antique Medieval Wall Decorations

Materials

Concrete, Iron

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...
Category

19th Century British Antique Medieval Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas

19th Century French Carved Painted Wall Hanging Shield with Family Crest
Located in Dallas, TX
Embellish your study or library with this elegant, antique coat of arms. Carved in France, circa 1870, the traditional, hand painted crest features a central shield decorated with lions, swords and foliage. The top of the shield has a helmet from a suit of Armor in a traditional gray paint palette. The medieval plaque...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood

Pair of 19th Century Italian Painted Wall Hanging Shields with Family Crests
Located in Dallas, TX
Embellish your study or library with this elegant antique pair of wall hanging plaques. Carved in Italy, circa 1880, each plaque is oval in shape with scalloped and curved edges, and...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood

Medieval wall decorations for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Medieval wall decorations for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage wall decorations created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations, more furniture and collectibles, rugs and carpets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Medieval wall decorations made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original wall decorations, popular names associated with this style include Alain Cornic, Denoyer-Geppert, Europa Antiques, and Jindra Bernatova. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for wall decorations differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $30 and tops out at $23,097 while the average work can sell for $2,142.

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