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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
Pretty Vintage French screen printed Tapestry by hand. « Sheep shearing »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French screen printed tapestry by hand featuring the exquisite design of the renowned medieval museum tapestry,I « La tonte des Moutons» ( S...
Wool, 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
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
Bobyrug’s Pretty Mid Century French Aubusson Tapestry medieval design
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Very pretty mid century french Aubusson tapestry with beautiful design from the painter Georges Deveche ( 1903-1974), showing a scene of a museum medieval tapestry with beautiful col...
Wool
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
Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry
By J. Laurent
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 “Charade” This tapestry, a repli...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
French Mediaval antique Tapestry 19th century - L135xH270 cm - N° 1589
Located in Paris, FR
No. 1589 - Medieval Tapestry 19th century - L135xH270 cm
Wool
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
French Tapestry, Genuine Jacquard in Medieval Style - H160xW142 cm - No. 1440
By Aubusson Manufacture, Royal Manufacture of Aubusson
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
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
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
Nice French Aubusson Style Medieval Design jacquard Tapestry
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Behold this exquisite French tapestry, meticulously crafted as a museum-tapestry design replica. This tapestry captures the essence of a renowned masterpiece, featuring a captivating...
Wool, Cotton
Bobyrug’s Nice French Aubusson Style Medieval Design Jaquar Tapestry
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Behold this exquisite French tapestry, meticulously crafted as a museum-tapestry design replica. This tapestry captures the essence of a renowned masterpiece, featuring a captivating...
Wool, Cotton
Pretty Vintage French screen printed medieval design Tapestry «unicorn hunt»
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French Aubusson style tapestry made with wool and cotton , by screen printing method by hand, featuring the exquisite design of the renowned medieval museum tapestry, « The Unicorn is Assailed. From the Unicorn Hunt Tapestries...
Wool, Cotton
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
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
16th Century English Tapestry
Located in LYON, FR
Very rare 16th Century English tapestry. Hand made my candle light over 300 years ago. Recently professionally cleaned and in good condition. Sources in Lyon France Any questions p...
Wool
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
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
Bobyrug’s Wonderful Vintage French Hand Printed Tapestry Vendanges Design
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French hand-printed, numbered tapestry featuring the exquisite design of the renowned medieval museum tapestry, "Les Vendanges" (grape harve...
Cotton
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
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
French Jacquard-Manufactured Tapestry "The Charter of Burgundy, 1469" - N° 1636
Located in Paris, FR
Tapestry "The Charter of Burgundy 1469" – Jacquard Manufactory, La Filandière Paris - No. 1636 Period: 20th century Style: High Renaissance/Louis XIII Condition: Excellent condition...
Wool
$2,860
Armour Tapestry
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
This Antique Medieval Armour Tapestry (5' x 6'7") is a striking example of European weaving, depicting a knight in full armor with exceptional detail and rich, vibrant colors. The in...
Wool, Silk
French Medieval tapestry, Aubusson 19th - Training dog to hunt bear - N° 1624
Located in Paris, FR
No. 1624 – Medieval tapestry from the Aubusson Manufacture, 19th century – Training of the dog to hunt the bear – 165 W × 150 H Artist / Manufacturer: Aubusson Manufacture Period: 1...
Wool, Silk
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 ...
Fabric, Cotton
Medieval tapestry from the Aubusson Manufacture, 19th century - N 1622
Located in Paris, FR
No. 1622 – Medieval tapestry from the Aubusson Manufacture, 19th century – 173 W × 203 H cm Artist / Manufacturer: Aubusson Manufacture Period: 19th century Style: Medieval Conditio...
Wool, Silk
Bobyrug’s Wonderful Vintage French Hand Printed Tapestry Vendanges 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...
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 left half (the pressing side) of the renowned medieval museum tapestry, "...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
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
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
Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry « The Miracle»
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French screen-printed by hand tapestry featuring the exquisite design of The Miracle of the Honeybee The Miracle of the Honeybee, 16th cen...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
Pretty Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry “medieval life”
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French screen printed tapestry by hand featuring the exquisite design of the renowned medieval museum tapestry, “falcon hunting” or (Medieva...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
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...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
Pretty Vintage French hand printed 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...
Cotton, Wool
Pretty medieval Aubusson Style Jacquard Tapestry «Hunting stop or peasant snack
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 Halte de chasse ou c...
Wool, Cotton
Bobyrug’s Beautiful vintage French embroidered tapestry, Bayeux museum design
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the charm of our exquisite vintage French tapestry embroidery featuring a section from the Bayeux tapestry. Entirely hand embroidered with wool on a cotton foundation with t...
Wool, Cotton
Pretty Vintage wide French screen printed Tapestry by hand. «
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French screen printed tapestry by hand featuring the exquisite design of the renowned medieval museum tapestry, “falcon hunting” or (Medieva...
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 ...
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 ...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
Pretty Vintage French screen printed Tapestry by hand. « hunting meeting »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French screen printed tapestry by hand featuring the exquisite design of the renowned medieval tapestry, "Rendez vous de chasse » ( hunting...
Wool, Cotton
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
Bobyrug’s Wonderful Vintage French hand printed 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...
Cotton
19th Century Aubusson Tapestry
Located in LYON, FR
Beautifully vivid, 1860-1870 Hand-woven Aubusson French Tapestry. Bought in St Ouen Paris. Warm fresh earthy tones, with amazing detail all in excellent condition. This piece has ha...
Wool