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Medieval Furniture

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
Antique French 19th Century Vampire Slaying Kit.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French 19th Century Vampire Slaying Kit.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Metal

Romanesque capital with sirens - France 13th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Rare romanesque capital with sirens France, XIII century Limestone 25 x 28 x 22 cm This finely carved Romanesque capital, executed in high relief from limestone, features four hyb...
Category

15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Stone

19th Century Spanish Polished Iron Box with Pierced Engraved Geometric Motifs
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a shelf or a counter with this elegant antique decorative trunk. Crafted in Spain circa 1880, the strong box is decorated with pierced and engraved geometric motifs througho...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Iron

Massive Byzantine Bronze Reliquary Cross Pendant
Located in London, GB
A cast-bronze Byzantine reliquary cross pendant with two cruciform plaques that open for relic or document storage, depicting the crucified Christ on both faces. Relics, the physical...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Byzantine Matching Pair of Gold Earrings with Pearls and Glass Beads
Located in London, GB
A matched pair of Byzantine gold earrings, each with a tapering hoop, hook-and-clasp closure, and a single elongated pendant. The pendant is co...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Gold

Antique bronze Inkwell tittle ALL DAVIL, signed
Located in Milano, IT
Introducing the exquisite Antique Bronze Inkwell - a mesmerizing piece that blends artistry and functionality flawlessly. Crafted with utmost precision, this inkwell showcases intricately carved devils...
Category

1920s Italian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

HUGE Pair of 13-Light Handforged Wrought Iron Castle Chandeliers w. Gothic Crown
Located in Lisse, NL
Largest ever pair of Medieval Style chandeliers, over 5 feet tall. With 20th century lighting as one of our specialities we have seen and sold all kinds of light fixtures, but never...
Category

20th Century European Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron, Metal

Vintage Chainmail Head Cover (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A vintage chainmail head cover. Hat block not included. CREATOR Unknown. DATE OF MANUFACTURE 20th c. MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Metal. CONDITION Good. Wear co...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Medieval Furniture

Materials

Metal

Byzantine Gold pair of Earrings with Dangles
Located in London, GB
A stunning matched pair of Byzantine gold earrings, each comprised of a hinged and elongated hoop attached to a triangular-shaped plaque with a...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Gold

Frankenstein; or The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley, Later Printing, 1891
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein; or The Modern Prometheus. London: George Routledge and Sons, 1891. 12mo. Rebound in 1/.4 black leather and green marble...
Category

1890s English Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Leather, Paper

Rare Pair of Antique Carved Stone Lions from Italy, Circa 1600
Located in Dallas, TX
These utterly captivating, hand-carved stone lions hail from Italy and date to circa 1600, possibly even earlier. Their regal couchant (lying down) posture adds an air of majestic charm to any setting. One lion gracefully rests its forepaws on a stone ball, while the other clutches a coat of arms shield. They are carved in the same stylistic manner as many of the medieval lions...
Category

Early 17th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Stone

13th Century Period Wood Carved Polychrome Sculpture of Corpus Christi
Located in Vero Beach, FL
13th Century Period Wood Carved Polychrome Sculpture of Corpus Christi Rare and beautiful sculpture of Corpus Christi. The artwork, probably German, is carved from hardwood. This f...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Unknown Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

18th Century Spanish Carved Chestnut and Copper "Brasero" on Barley Twist Legs
Located in Dallas, TX
This unique, interesting fruit wood "Brasero" table was crafted in Spain, circa 1780. Round in shape, the antique table stands on four chestnut barley twist legs, and is dressed with...
Category

Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Brass, Copper

French 17th Century Gothic Period Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th century French gothic andirons - fire dogs made of wrought iron. They have spit hooks to grill meat or poultry.
Category

17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Chandelier Pendant Wrought Iron Wood Gothic Style French Design 1940s
Located in Palermo, IT
Particular Gothic style chandelier made of wrought iron and wood. Made in France in the 1940s. Note: We try to offer our customers an excellent service even in shipments all over t...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Antique Byzantine Style Sterling Silver Amethyst Cross Pendant
Located in New York, NY
Fine antique sterling silver Byzantine style hand crafted organically shaped cross pendant with a rectangular amethyst center framed by two rows of granulation work, the arms decorat...
Category

19th Century European Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

A Matched Pair of Gold Earrings
Located in London, GB
A matched pair of gold earrings, each made of a wire elongated hoop culminating with a teardrop turquoise cabochon. The bottom half of the loop is decorated with three rows of gold b...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Gold

Carved Oak Gothic Wall Bracket Shelf
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Carved Oak Gothic Wall Bracket Shelf This is a Magnificent and quite Large piece of 19th Century carved oak, it is a wall bracket or shelf The bracket is a heavy piece and comes w...
Category

19th Century Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Oak

Pair of Antique Medieval Shields
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A pair of antique 20th century medieval shields. Made from tin, this splendid pair would make for highly decorative new wall hangings in a home, or perhaps castle. Dating back to 190...
Category

Early 20th Century French Medieval Furniture

Materials

Metal, Tin

Antique Fully Restored Gothic Pugin Style Brown Leather Studded Console Table
By Pugin
Located in GB
We are delighted to this absolutely stunning one of a kind Gothic Pugin style hand studded brown leather console table with single drawer This...
Category

1840s English Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Leather, Oak

An antique bronze scale model of an 18th century cannon on a hardwood base c1920
Located in Central England, GB
This superb finely detailed model of an 18th century cannon is very well engineered. It has large distinctive front spoked wheels with studded tra...
Category

Early 20th Century British Medieval Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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 Furniture

Materials

Brass

Early 1900 and Very Fine Quality Hand Carved Wall Crucifix / Jesus on the Cross
Located in Lisse, NL
Sizeable crucifix with a finer quality carved corpus of Christ. Looking at Christ like this and thinking about the gruesome way in which He lost His earthly life, the crucifix (in our view) is a symbol of what 'telling people the truth' can lead to. 'The truth does not have many friends' is something I once read. Looking at what is going on in the world today, in most countries that still is the case. However, we feel that we (humans), nevertheless, are still becoming more loving, civilized, empathetic and self-conscious. Mind you, this good size wall crucifix dates from the early 1900s and the cruelties that people did to one another for acting or being different than 'normal' in those days, in most cases were far worse than what we see in this day and age. Looking at Christ on the cross with this in mind, we have come along way and we are slowly, but surely evolving in the right direction. Maybe it is just some of our 'leaders' who are lacking behind. Christ on the cross should therefor also be a reminder of someone who has lived and foreseen all this and who should therefor always be a beacon of hope and light when things are not going our way, yet. What attracted us most in this work of religious art are the quality details of His anatomy and the warm patina of this finely carved corpus. The facial features of this superb corpus of Christ reveal...
Category

Early 20th Century European Medieval Furniture

Materials

Brass

Carved Walnut Neo-Renaissance Dining Room Furniture
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
"Carved Walnut Dining Room Furniture In Neo-Renaissance Style" Dining room furniture consisting of a large sideboard, a server and eight chairs. In carved walnut, 19th century. The t...
Category

19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Antique Oscar Bach Figural Bronze Gothic Renaissance Wall Mirror With Fountain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Oscar Bach Figural Bronze Gothic Renaissance Wall Mirror With Fountain. Item features a unique cast bronze figural fountain face to center of mir...
Category

19th Century Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Bronze

18th Century Carved Oak Celtic Wainscot Chair This is a Handsome Chair
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
18th Century Carved Oak Celtic Wainscot Chair This Handsome Chair, has a magnificent patina, it has a solid plank seat, turned legs and carved arm re...
Category

18th Century Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Oak

Pair of French Cast Stone Medieval Style Jardiniere Planters, Circa 1960s
Located in Dallas, TX
These pair of Medieval-style cast stone planters were crafted in the 1960s. The cream finish is delicately mottled with a patina of black, white, and green, adding to its charm and character that will age gracefully. Each jardiniere is decorated with a horizontal relief...
Category

1960s French Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Stone, Cast Stone, Cement

Late 19th Century French Gothic Style Hand Carved Walnut Cabinet or Credenza
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This late nineteenth century French Gothic style cabinet is constructed of solid walnut and features hand carved detailing of Gothic motifs on all of its forward facing panels, doors...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Alabaster high relief, Spain 14th century
Located in PARIS, FR
Alabaster plate in high relief illustrating a forgeron working on a metal object (a helmet?). A young woman is in front of him holding in her left hand an ovoid vase or reliquary tha...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Spanish Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Alabaster

An English Firescreen in The Gothic Manner
Located in London, GB
An unusual wrought iron fireguard in the Gothic style. The arched feet surmounted by heavy chainmail mesh and finials above. English, 19th century. Could be polished if required. Ad...
Category

19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

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 in Germany ca. 1950...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wood

Single Wrought Iron Medieval Style Wall Sconce
Located in Dallas, TX
Resembling a Medieval-style castle torch, this single wrought iron wall sconce blends functionality with a unique aesthetic appeal. An expansive saucer bobeche encompassed within a b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Medieval Furniture

Materials

Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron

19th Century Gothic Aged Brass English Pair of Wall Sconces
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Character rich large pair of antique Gothic brass wall sconces that look like they came from a castle! Two arms in each with open cages around the sockets and handsome masculine des...
Category

19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century French Wrought Iron Hobnail Studded Safe Dated 1838
Located in Dallas, TX
Keep your valuables and documents in this important antique hobnail safe. Manufactured by Magaud de Charf in Clermont, France, the monumental wrought iron safe is decorated with nail head motifs on all four sides and has an all-original, working mechanism. The front door is further decorated with two large hinges on the sides, and further embellished with a bronze plaque on the top which reads: "Doumaux Jeune a Clermont 1838". The inside opens to reveal an amazing lock mechanism and a large storage compartment. To open the safe, you first need to find and locate the nail which will activate and open the key latch on the right. Next, place the two large keys in each key hole one at a time and turn them in a certain order to open the safe; when opened, the inside reveals three wooden drawers over a bottom shelf which lifts up for underneath storage. (A video will be sent to the buyer if needed). The large and heavy hobnail studded safe...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Very Large Hand Forged Iron Candle Sconces
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Pair of impressively large hand forged sconces of iron and tole having 3 arms each for candles. Could be electrified.
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Iron

Set of Six Wrought Iron Wall Lights in the Gothic Style. Circa 1950
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This set of six wall lights is all made of wrought iron. This is a French heavy work. Circa 1950
Category

1950s French Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Pair of Polychrome Terra Cotta Architecturals or Wall Consoles, France, C. 1850
Located in Dallas, TX
Recently discovered in a secluded private chapel nestled within the enchanting Loire Valley in central France, this remarkable pair of mid-19th century polychrome terra cotta archite...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Pair of Magnificent Oak Gothic Style Choir Stalls
Located in Nantwich, GB
This magnificent pair of 19th century oak choir stalls, dated 1870, were part of the furnishings in the private chapel on the Sandeman Estate in Lancaster...
Category

1870s British Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Oak

Antique Victorian Oak Fireplace
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A beautifully crafted antique Victorian oak fireplace. This impressive fire surround dates from circa 1900. Its simple yet elegant design has stood the test of time, with its surface...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wood, Oak

Weighted Resin Chess Set Game in Jointed Wood Box Kings, Ca 1930s
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good and complete English resin moulded "weighted" chess set game of 32 pieces, in a jointed pine box, all dating to the early/ mid 20th century, Circa 1930's. The chess...
Category

Early 20th Century British Medieval Furniture

Materials

Resin, Pine

Large French Marble Table Carved Winged Griffins to Base
Located in Buxton, GB
This Absolutely Fantastic Large Table was Sourced from Cannes in the south of France The Table was original purchased from an exhibition on Paris around 1980 Marble Top with protec...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture

Materials

Marble

Circa 1900 Pair Of Lion Motif Andirons
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Nice pair of circa 1900's cast iron Lion motif andirons in very good original condition. They have recently been repainted.
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Iron

A Carved English Stone Fireplace
Located in London, GB
A carved stone English fireplace in the Gothic manner. The jambs with panels carved with scrolled foliage throughout surmounted by end blocking with carved cartouche and shell. The f...
Category

19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Stone

Two Vintage Framed Shield Form Heraldic Crests
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Large tanned leather shield forms with nail head trim and carved and painted applied crests with some gilt details. Each with a different crest- one with a swan and rampant lions, th...
Category

20th Century Medieval Furniture

Materials

Leather, Glass, Wood

Large Unglazed Gothic Antique Arched Door
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Standing at almost 3m tall, this huge unglazed antique gothic door dates from the early 19th century. Purportedly, it was taken from Rugby School i...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Pine

A Pair of Antique Bronze Gothic Style Candlesticks
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A great pair of bronze gothic style candles. The set dates from circa 1890. Origin: France The candlesticks are in good condition with minor signs of use. One of the candles has ...
Category

1880s French Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of 15th/16th Century Carved Oak Saints
Located in Maidstone, GB
A Pair of Late 15th or Early 16th Century Oak Saints carved in high relief and raised on polygonal bases. The female depicted standing in contrapose with low...
Category

15th Century and Earlier European Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Oak

Wrought Iron Console Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
A custom made wrought iron console table with a tray-like top. An ornate skirt in front and at each side is decorated with loose flower shapes in wrought iron. Two pierced plates of ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Medieval Furniture

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

Rare Set of Three Wrought Iron Chandelier in the Gothic Style. Circa 1950
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This is a rare set of three chandeliers. These chandeliers are made of wrought iron with 8 arms. They are in the Gothic style. Chandeliers can be sold individually. This is a French ...
Category

1950s French Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Small 15th Century Illuminated Vellum Book Page, Handwriting
Located in Buisson, FR
Fabulous handwritten and illuminated book page. Beautiful period piece with gorgeous faded colors and typical gilded Gothic initials, France, 15th ce...
Category

15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Parchment Paper

1920s French Terracotta Bust by Saint-Clément Copy of Settignanos Laughing Boy
Located in COLMAR, FR
A lovely terracotta bust of a child made by the famous french pottery producer, Saint-Clément. Undated but most likely from the 1920/30s, the bust was part of the "Terre Cuite d'Art"...
Category

1920s French Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Antique Gothic Silvered Bronze 12-Light Chandelier, Circa 1860.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique Gothic Silvered Bronze 12-Light Chandelier, Circa 1860.
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique Gothic Wrought Iron Spiral Twist 56" Fireplace Mantel Fender Surround
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Gothic Wrought Iron Spiral Twist 56" Fireplace Mantel Fender Surround. Item features twisted finials, vintage scrolling central design,...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Very Rare & Old Hand-Carved 1700s France Lime Stone Demi-Inlaid Reclaimed Table
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
This is one of two extremely rare and gorgeously hand-carved 17th century limestone tables that we recently reclaimed from a chateau in France. The highly detailed and anciently di...
Category

1730s French Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Limestone

Bronze Door Knocker with Gargoyle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
European solid Bronze Gargoyle Door knocker - the piece is very large at 11" tall and weighs 5 pounds. Gargoyles are symbolic of protection - this grotesque but wonderful sculptu...
Category

20th Century European Medieval Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Large 17th Century German Continental Oak Coffer Chest.
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Absolute beautiful 17th century continental carved oak coffer, circa 1692. Fine quality continental carved oak coffer from Germany, Free of any inscription. Beautifully carved arcad...
Category

17th Century German Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Oak

Late 19th century Caldwell Gothic St. Michael Motif Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of late 19th century gothic style Caldwell bronze sconces with St Michael motif
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Medieval Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Blue Hand Knotted Overdyed Old Persian Tabriz Worn Down Rustic Look Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Category

1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture

Materials

Wool

Medieval furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Medieval furniture 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 furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include rugs and carpets, building and garden elements, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, wool and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Medieval furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, Asia, and West Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Arval Argenti Valenza, Edward F. Caldwell & Co., and Aeterna Furniture. 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 furniture 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 $275,000 while the average work can sell for $1,886.

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