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Medieval Folk Art

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
Gothic Wood Panel, France, 1600s
Located in Meulebeke, BE
This charming iconic gothic panel has a beautifully carved geometric pattern decoration with a carved frame. The combination of the geometric architectural decoration with its beauti...
Category

16th Century French Antique Medieval Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Byzantine Silver Ring with Granulated Shield Bezel
Located in London, GB
A silver Byzantine ring, distinguished by its large, granulated shield bezel, which reflects the artistic prowess and cultural significance of the Byzantine Empire. The ring possesse...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Antique Medieval Folk Art

Materials

Silver

Medieval Silver Gilt Floral-Shaped Ring with Enamel Inserts
Located in London, GB
An exquisite silver gilt finger ring featuring a beautiful floral-shaped bezel with raised bosses and remnants of blue and green enamel. The ring is further embellished with several ...
Category

15th Century and Earlier European Antique Medieval Folk Art

Materials

Silver, Enamel

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 Folk Art

Materials

Bronze

Byzantine Pair of Electrum Earrings
Located in London, GB
A Byzantine matching pair of electrum earrings that are crafted with utmost skill and care. Each earring features a round-section hoop with a central, biconical adornment with a holl...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Antique Medieval Folk Art

Materials

Gold, Silver

Byzantine Gold Matching Pair of Earrings
Located in London, GB
A matched pair of Byzantine gold hoop earrings with a hook and eye closure. These exquisite earrings have three spherical decorative elements suspended along each loop. At the centre, a ball with beading at its edges and at both sides, symmetrical attachments adorned with circular openwork decoration. The use of gold in Byzantine jewellery...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Antique Medieval Folk Art

Materials

Gold

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 Folk Art

Materials

Wood

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 Folk Art

Materials

Gold

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 Folk Art

Materials

Gold

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 Folk Art

Materials

Gold

Set of Six Vintage Paintings with Minstrel Scenes from the Manesse Song Manuscri
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Six Vintage Paintings with Minstrel Scenes from the Manesse Song Manuscript A set of six paintings depicting minstrel scenes from the mane...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Medieval Folk Art

Materials

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 in Germany ca. 1950...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Medieval Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Wrought Iron and Gold Votive Candelabra Electrified or Table Lamp
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
Large size 57x28x22 cm This very beautiful wrought iron and gold candelabra with two side candles and another electrified central candle This is an ...
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Medieval Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Antique Medieval European Castle Gothic Forged Iron Processional on Stand
Located in Forney, TX
A spectacular early European castle altar processional / torchiere stand. circa 1730 or earlier. Born in Continental Europe in the early 18th century or earlier, some later elements, most likely Germanic, Medieval Gothic style, hand forged iron sculptural cross form mounted with primitive push-button panel opening to reveal heraldic coat of arms embossed brass plaque, with The Nelsons family banner, royal crown crest with cross, standing mythical goat and stag heraldic supporters, shield escutcheon castle, fleur-de-lis, three diamonds and eagle shield...
Category

Early 18th Century European Antique Medieval Folk Art

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

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 Folk Art

Materials

Resin, Pine

Russian Icon of Madonna and Child in Repoussé Metal, Early 20th Century
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Russian icon of Madonna and Child from the early 20th Century. The handmade icon features silvered sheet metal over wood with Repoussé work featuring etched, engraved, and hammered ...
Category

1910s Russian Vintage Medieval Folk Art

Materials

Metal, Silver

Antique 17th-18th Century Wood Italian Seated Saint Figure Fragment with Beard
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Antique 17th-18th century Italian carved wood seated saint figure fragment with beard. Possibly earlier. Remains of paint or pigments. Arms and one leg missing, old damage to nose and other areas. Mounted on vintage base...
Category

17th Century Italian Antique Medieval Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Castle Hedingham William II Medieval Style Art Pottery Jug
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual Castle Hedingham medieval style pottery jug marked for William Rufus (William II, son of William the Conqueror) and made by Edward Bingham ...
Category

19th Century English Antique Medieval Folk Art

Materials

Pottery

Karos Hand Painted Carnations and Tulips Decorative Plate Rhodes Greece
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A decorative I Karos pottery, I Caro collector polychrome hand painted and handcrafted in Rhodes, Greece ceramic wall decorative plate with an antelope, carnations and tulip polychrome design. The plate is decorated with a white, blue, aqua, green, and sienna red design and gilded with 24-karat gold. These are intricately, hand painted plates made in Rhodes, Greece by the famous I Caro pottery. Rhodes is famous for its kiln products, such as tiles and pottery, which are glazed and multicolored. It has a beautifully hand painted carnation and tulip in burgundy, light and dark blue and turquoise foliage. An Islamic ceramic plate in the Iznik style, painted in vivid colors with decoration of tulips and carnations. The back of the plate is signed and numbered, it has a string to the back for hanging. It is marked “handmade in Rhodes Greece by Ikaros Pottery...
Category

Mid-20th Century Greek Medieval Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Gothic Carved Limestone Model of a Madonna or Venus
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique limestone carving. Modeled as a Madonna. With her head slightly tilted, holding an orb in one hand, and with her other hand resting on her breast. By repute ...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Unknown Antique Medieval Folk Art

Materials

Limestone

English Medieval Stone Head Mounted onto Steel Stand
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A medieval stone carving of a female head dating form the 16th century. Reclaimed from Northern England and mounted on a modern steel stand. Additional...
Category

15th Century and Earlier English Antique Medieval Folk Art

Materials

Stone, Steel

21th Century Italian Table, Chess Board with Chess Game
Located in VALENZA, IT
Chess table and chess game in bronze and brass made with the ancient casting technique. After the casting, the finishing was chiseled and subsequently silvered and finished with 24-k...
Category

2010s Italian Medieval Folk Art

Materials

Bronze, Brass

Unique Folk Art Copper Viking Ship Table Piece with Shields and Boxes on Deck
Located in Lisse, NL
High quality Viking Folk Art. This all handcrafted, realistic and detailed Viking ship was undoubtedly designed and crafted by a Scandinavian artisan. This impressive table piece is...
Category

Early 20th Century European Medieval Folk Art

Materials

Copper, Brass, Bronze

17th Century Primitive Religious Carving Oak Panel 1631
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Primitive religious carving oak panel 1631 This rare piece comes from France, the somewhat Primitive carving shows the Madonna and Child sitting on the Devil who is depicted as a li...
Category

17th Century Antique Medieval Folk Art

Materials

Oak

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Small French 19th Century Hand Forged Iron Key-Makers Shop-Sign
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French Medieval Relief Carved Oakwood Panel Depicting the Crucified Christ
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Ancient Serpentine Celtic Cross
Located in London, GB
Ancient serpentine celtic cross We are proud to offer a rare museum quality Cornish carved Celtic cross. Hand carved from Serpentine and granite...
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Ancient Serpentine Celtic Cross
Ancient Serpentine Celtic Cross
H 17 in W 6 in L 17 in
IKaros Hand Painted Carnations and Tulips Decorative Plate Rhodes, Greece
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16th Century Angel Gargoyle Carving Corner Bracket
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Madonna Delle Roccie A Grand Tour Souvenir
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Medieval folk art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Medieval folk art 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 folk art created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, decorative objects, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Medieval folk art made in a specific country, there are Europe, Germany, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original folk art, popular names associated with this style include and Arval Argenti Valenza. 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 folk art differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $141 and tops out at $17,964 while the average work can sell for $768.

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