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Medieval Bookcases

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
English Gothic Style Bleached Oak Bookcase
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Very good quality late 19th C bleached oak Gothic style bookcase with linen fold cared doors. Made by Maple and Co. 1890 Reference: 8316 Dimensions 73 inches (185 cms) Wide 25 inc...
Category

19th Century British Antique Medieval Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Antique English Gothic Burled Walnut Breakfront Bookcase, Circa 1880.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Gothic Burled Walnut Breakfront Bookcase, Circa 1880.
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

A Pair of French Carved Gothic Oak Bookcases
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A Pair of French Carved Gothic Oak Bookcases The upper section of the Bookcases have a glazed door enclosing 2 adjustable book shelves, these have...
Category

19th Century Antique Medieval Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Large Bleached Oak French Gothic Bookcase Display Cabinet, circa 1840-60
Located in Round Top, TX
This large bleached oak bookcase has intricate details such as the gothic trim that accents the crown and panel doors in addition to the dramatic turned co...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Medieval Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Important Gothic Pugin Style Victorian Walnut Dwarf Open Bookcase
By Pugin
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very well made Gothic Pugin style very large dwarf open bookcase A very good looking and well made piece, the sh...
Category

19th Century English Antique Medieval Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

Swedish Gothic Bookcase
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Swedish 19th century bookcase with two glazed doors and gothic detailing, opening to four bookshelves. Below, two further doors open to more storage. This piece has been repainted in...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Medieval Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Fine Quality 19th Century Carved Oak Glazed Bookcase
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Fine Quality 19th century carved oak glazed bookcase. This is a very attractive piece, it has 2 glazed doors which have a deeply carved border matching the top and base carving an...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Medieval Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Reformed Gothic Hanging Bookcase, in the style of E W Godwin
Located in London, GB
A reformed Gothic hanging bookcase, in the style of E W Godwin with a turned gallery and shelf, the door inset with a Minton 8 inch tile 'Rob Roy in Glasgow To...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Medieval Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Related Items
Gothic oak breakfront bookcase
Located in Cheltenham, GB
Hutton-Clarke Antiques is delighted to present a remarkable Gothic Oak Breakfront Bookcase, originating from around 1870. This bookcase is a testament to superb craftsmanship and des...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Gothic oak breakfront bookcase
Gothic oak breakfront bookcase
H 92.92 in W 74.41 in D 20.08 in
Antique French Carved Oak Vitrine Cabinet Bookcase Barley Twist Renaissance
Located in Miami, FL
Antique French carved oak vitrine cabinet bookcase barley twist renaissance from France. A gorgeous antique French bookcase cabinet, unusually...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Bookcases

Materials

Bronze

Large 19thC English Breakfront Glazed Mahogany Collectors Cabinet / Bookcase
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa 1870 Large 19thC English breakfront glazed mahogany collectors cabinet / bookcase We can also customise existing pieces to suit your scheme/r...
Category

19th Century Antique Medieval Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of French Glazed Bookcases
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Wonderful pair of early 19th C French glazed bookcases. 1830. Reference: 8022 Dimensions 61 inches (155 cms) Wide 25 inches (64 cms) Deep 98 inches (249 cms) High
Category

19th Century French Antique Medieval Bookcases

Materials

Pine

Pair of French Glazed Bookcases
Pair of French Glazed Bookcases
H 98 in W 61 in D 25 in
19th Century English George III Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautifully crafted in the George III style large mahogany wood English breakfront cabinet / bookcase with four doors in the upper part. The...
Category

1820s English Antique Medieval Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Large English Ebonised Glazed Pine Breakfront Bookcase
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa Mid-20thC Large English Ebonised glazed pine breakfront bookcase cabinet We can also customise existing pieces to suit your scheme/requirement...
Category

Mid-20th Century Medieval Bookcases

Materials

Pine

Campaign Style Bookcase
Located in Westwood, NJ
A pair of Campaign office bookcases, each with four pigeonholes, eight shelf sections and one drawer with brass fittings. The original Victorian. Di...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Medieval Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Campaign Style Bookcase
Campaign Style Bookcase
H 82 in W 24 in D 12 in
Antique Edwardian Open Bookcase
Located in London, GB
A superb antique Edwardian open breakfront bookcase. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1900-1910 period. It is of extremely fine ...
Category

Early 20th Century English Medieval Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Antique Edwardian Open Bookcase
Antique Edwardian Open Bookcase
H 49 in W 67 in D 15 in
Imposing William IV Mahogany Open Bookcase
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
0586 Superb William IV open bookcase in mahogany, having figured mahogany top with moulded edge above shallow frieze and three shelves, all flanked by carved pilasters with outstandi...
Category

19th Century English Antique Medieval Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Imposing William IV Mahogany Open Bookcase
Imposing William IV Mahogany Open Bookcase
H 60.5 in W 72.5 in D 16.5 in
Edwardian Mahogany and Inlaid Open Bookcase
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
0591 Edwardian mahogany bookcase, having figured mahogany top with satinwood crossbanded and moulded edge above crossbanded frieze and two ...
Category

Early 20th Century English Medieval Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Large English Pine Glazed Breakfront Bookcase
Located in Staffordshire, GB
Circa 1940 Large English Pine Glazed Breakfront Bookcase with replaced keys/locks Measures: W219 x D50 x H215 cm Base W216 x D50 x H81 cm Top W219 x D43 x H134 cm.  
Category

1940s English Vintage Medieval Bookcases

Materials

Pine

Large English Pine Glazed Breakfront Bookcase
Large English Pine Glazed Breakfront Bookcase
H 84.65 in W 86.23 in D 19.69 in
Antique French Carved Oak Gothic Revival Library Bookcase Bibliotheque 1880
Located in Portland, OR
A very good carved French oak gothic library bookcase/bibliotheque, circa 1880. This very handsome oak bookcase does break down into many parts for ease of movement and is easily dis...
Category

1880s French Antique Medieval Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Previously Available Items
Breakfront Bookcase Gothic Chippendale Mahogany
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Wonderful breakfront bookcase in mahogany in the Chippendale style Great look with the gilt sections of the astragal glazing - in the Gothic style - gilded Top section comes apart fr...
Category

1970s Vintage Medieval Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Oversized Antique Gothic Flame Mahogany Bookcase, 19th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
A large antique Gothic bookcase offers flame mahogany construction with three glass doors having arched glass frames opening to shelved interio...
Category

19th Century American Antique Medieval Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Victorian Green Man Gothic Open Bookcase
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Victorian green man Gothic open bookcase. The bookcase is the very finest of quality, the carving is very crisp, the bookcase has 2 shelves, the...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Medieval Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Large Walnut Open Bookcase, Carved with Lion Caryatid and Ancient Gods
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large walnut open bookcase, carved with lion Caryatid and ancient gods This is a large piece with superb quality carvings. At the bottom, the bookcase is supported at each side by...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Medieval Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

Late 19th C English Black Two Door Bookcase with Gothic Brass Glazing Bars
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1890s tall English bookcase with gothic style brass glazing bars on front doors. Each side has five adjustable shelves. Functional lock with key on door. Exterior is painted in...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Victorian Green Man Gothic Open Bookcase
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Victorian green man gothic open bookcase. The bookcase is the very finest of quality, the carving is very crisp, the bookcase has 2 shelves, the...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Medieval Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Antique Scottish Flamed Walnut Column Chest Of Drawers, Scotland 1860, B2256
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique Scottish flamed Walnut column chest of drawers, Scotland 1860, B2256 Scotland, 1860 Solid Walnut and veneer Original Finish Shaped top with flame...
Category

1860s Scottish Antique Medieval Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

Antique Victorian Gothic Carved Oak Library Open Bookcase, Scotland 1880, B2208
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique Victorian gothic carved oak library open bookcase, Scotland, 1880 Scotland, 1880 Solid oak Original finish Has a carved and moulded edge to the top Carved urn frieze u...
Category

1880s Scottish Antique Medieval Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Pair of French Carved Gothic Oak Bookcases
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A pair of French carved Gothic oak bookcases The upper section of the Bookcases have a glazed door enclosing 2 adjustable book shelves, these ha...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Medieval Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Antique Gothic Figural Oak 3-Door Leaded Glass Bookcase with Griffins circa 1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Gothic figural bookcase offers oak construction with three leaded glass doors opening to shelved interior and having flanking carved griffi...
Category

19th Century English Antique Medieval Bookcases

Materials

Lead

19th Century French Carved Oak Gothic Vestry Sacristy Altar Wine Cabinet Bar
Located in Shreveport, LA
~ Direct from France ~ Lovely antique French oak vestment/sacristy cabinet ~ Superb designs, look at the gorgeous dimensional carvings on the upper door front…a priest with his Bible in his hand (or depiction of Moses with scroll and staff) ~ And more…look at the figural full body priest carvings...
Category

1890s French Antique Medieval Bookcases

Materials

Oak

18th Century Walnut Bookcase
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
18th century solid walnut gothic style bookcase, stunning example of French craftsmanship. From a Lyon Doctors Hôtel Particulier. Three doors gla...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Medieval Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Wood, Walnut

18th Century Walnut Bookcase
18th Century Walnut Bookcase
H 119.3 in W 111.42 in D 20.48 in

Medieval bookcases for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Medieval bookcases for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage bookcases created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, oak and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Medieval bookcases made in a specific country, there are Europe, United Kingdom, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 bookcases differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,304 and tops out at $17,500 while the average work can sell for $5,097.

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