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 Model of Ulm Cathedral
By Michael Molz
Located in Atlanta, GA
Stunning and rare scale model of the Ulm Cathedral, completed in 1925 by Michael Molz of Los Angeles. It is in remarkably good condition and features sta...
Category
Early 20th Century North American Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wood
16th Century German Gothic Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, NL
16th century German gothic fireback with a religious theme. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black patina.
This product weighs more tha...
Category
16th Century German Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Iron
Antique Persian Tabriz Full Pile Hand Knotted Oriental Rug, 7'2" x 9'10"
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
Early 1900s Persian Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wool
Beautiful 1920s Gothic Wood Lantern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful Gothic lantern, the patina of the wood is beautiful, the height of the light is with out the chain.
Category
1920s American Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair of Architectural Element Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of architectural element lamps, black finish.
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Medieval Furniture
Materials
Cement
Antique Stone surround Architectural Element wall fountain back Sculpture LA CA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Circa 1400's A beautiful and rare Gothic 15th century carved stone window surround architectural element. We had this item priced at our cost for a...
Category
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Stone
XL Runner Antique Persian Serab Mint Cond Pure Wool Rug, 3'1" x 14'3"
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
Early 1900s Persian Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wool
Antique Caucasian Dagestan Vegetable Dyes Wide Runner Rug, 4'0" x 9'10"
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 make Rugs. This is truly a one-of-kind piece.
Exact Rug Size in Feet and Inches: 4'0" x 9'10"
Main Rug Color: Yellow
Rug Border Color: Ivory
Other Colors of the Rug: Pink, Denim Blue, Red, Chocolate Brown, Black, Forest Green...
Category
Early 1900s Russian Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wool
Gothic Wrought Iron Andirons with Forged Scrolled Feet and Brass Finials, 1920s
Located in New York, NY
AFP0603
A pair of antique wrought iron andirons with twisted shafts and scrolled feet, terminating in turned aged brass finials. Circa 1920.
Dimensions:
Overall: 30-1/2" H. x 11-1/2...
Category
1920s Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
17th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th century French Gothic Andirons made of cast iron. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food and cups to keep drinks warm. This type of andi...
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Iron
Large 16th Century German Gothic Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, NL
Large 16th century German gothic fireback with a religious theme. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black patina.
This product weighs mo...
Category
16th Century German Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Iron
Pair of Nine-Light Crystal and Bronze Domed Chandelier Depicting Gargoyle
Located in North Bergen, NJ
Pair of Gothic nine-light crystal and bronze domed chandelier depicting gargoyle motif. Having one large centre glass bowl surrounded by six smaller glass bowls...
Category
Late 20th Century Medieval Furniture
17th-18th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th-18th century French andirons made of wrought iron. The style of the andirons is gothic. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food. They have a natural brown patina. Upon reques...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Antique Gothic Saint Peter Fireback / Backsplash, 16th - 17th Century
Located in Amerongen, NL
Saint Peter with the key to the gate of heaven. German Gothic period fireback. Made of cast iron. It has a black / pewter patina. The condition is good, no...
Category
17th Century German Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Iron
19th Century Viennese Miniature Covered Silver and Enamel Cornucopia
Located in New York, NY
A very fine antique jeweled, silver Viennese enamel covered Cornucopia. Each panel is beautifully enameled with cupids, Angeles and Maidens with neoclassical mythological subjects, f...
Category
1850s Austrian Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Enamel
17th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th century French andirons made of wrought iron. The style of the andirons is Gothic. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food. They have a natural brown patina. The condition is...
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
French Gothic Style Inlaid Marble Mantel Clock Dial Signed H. Azur à Paris
Located in New York, NY
French Gothic style inlaid marble mantel clock.
Dial signed H. Azur à Paris. Height 21 inches, width 14 1/4 inches.
Category
19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Marble
Rare Late Medieval 16th Century German Wrought Iron Oak Chest or Stollentruhe
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very impressive Westphalian Gothic chest or ‚Stollentruhe’, Westphalia, Germany, circa 1500-1550. Wrought iron mounted oak, partially carved. The monumental rectangular standing chest with full-height stiles, extensively mounted with wrought ironwork straps terminating in quatrefoil finials which ’wrap’ around the chest edges. These are fixed with convex head nails. The ironwork with some remains of an originally red painted surface. In addition, running along the edges of the lid at the front and sides is a plain iron band, close-nailed. The feet of the two front legs are finely carved on the front face, in low relief with a rectangular arched ’panel’ depicting on the left a lion, on the right a dragon holding each a coat of arms.
Regarding the age of circa 500 years, this coffer is in exceptionally good condition, with only smaller restorations.
Comparative literature
• Baumeier, Stefan, Beschlagene Kisten; Die ältesten Truhen Westfalens, Essen, 2012.
• Falke, Otto von, Deutsche Möbel...
Category
16th Century German Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Iron
Pair of Antique Carved Stone Sinks (Stoups or Benitiers) from France, Circa 1830
Located in Dallas, TX
These antique French Gothic style white limestone (Pierre Calcaire) pieces are old holy water vessels (stoups or 'benitiers' in French) are from a small chapel in the Drome departmen...
Category
19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Stone
Three Piece Alabaster Clock Garniture in the Form of a Neo-Gothic Cathedral
Located in London, GB
This exquisite three-piece alabaster clock garniture consists of a central clock with two flanking vases. The central clock is designed to resemble the shape of a neo-Gothic cathedra...
Category
19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Alabaster, Ormolu
17th-18th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th-18th century French andirons made of wrought iron. The style of the andirons is gothic. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food. They have a natural brown patina. Upon reques...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
16th Century Large Gothic Andirons, Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, NL
Impressive gothic fire dogs with spit hooks with faces. These French andirons are called 'landiers' in France. This dates from the times the andirons were the main cooking equipment ...
Category
16th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Iron
Dutch Gothic Oak and Giltwood Steeple
Located in New York, NY
Dutch Gothic style (19th Century) oak and gilt filigree carved 4 section steeple (Provenance: a Dutch church 108 Utrechtsestraat St., Amsterdam).
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Oak
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...
Category
18th Century British Indian Ocean Territory Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Fabric
Pair of Lime Painted Gothic Lanterns
Located in Washington, DC
A pair of very unusual pine lime painted wooden Gothic lanterns.
Glass to either side and the bottom.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Iron
17th-18th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th-18th century French andirons made of wrought iron. The style of the andirons is gothic. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food. Wedding pair whereby both parties donate one ...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Gothic Form Steel Wall Lights
Located in New York, NY
Gothic form steel wall lights, 17 available.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Medieval Furniture
Materials
Steel
Pair of Medieval Style Jeweled Lamps, France, circa 1930s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Fabulous and whimsical pair of lamps with three lights each. They are made of beechwood, painted gold, with geometric patterning, and are decorated with coloured cut-glass cabochons....
Category
Early 20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Materials
Glass, Beech
An English Stone Fireplace in the Gothic Manner
Located in London, GB
An English stone fireplace in the Gothic manner. The moulded legs surmounted by arched frieze with carved spandrels. Moulded shelf above, English, circa 1900.
Shelf Width: 1680 mm ...
Category
19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Stone
Pair of Wrought Iron Andirons with Double Bars, French, 19th Century
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of Gothic wrought Iron andirons has iron shells used as a bar holders. They are French, 19th century.
Category
1880s French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Turkish Oushak Rug Repurposed from Antique Wool Kilim
Located in Dallas, TX
52508, Turkish Oushak rug with Modern style 11'11 x 15'00. This hand knotted wool contemporary Turkish Oushak rug features a large-scale four-point medallion with finials at either end. The all-over geometric pattern is composed of Harshang-style motifs, blooming palmettes, organic shapes dancing on an abrashed field. It is enclosed with a variation of the Herati and palmette border flanked subsidiary guard borders. This new contemporary Turkish Oushak rug was made from the wool of an antique Kilim. The process starts from unraveling the wool from a 100-year-old antique Kilim rug and ends with a new transformation into an Oushak rug. Perfect for a living room, bedroom, dining room, front room, library, studio, study, loft, and lounge, or it would make an excellent choice for a state room, great room, private Chambers, drawing room, or music room. Well-suited for a wide range of interior styles: Traditional, Old World, English, Regency, Eclectic, Modern, Contemporary, Venetian, Spanish Renaissance, Cottage, Bungalow, Farmhouse, Manor House, Neoclassical, Regency, Arts & Crafts, Craftsman, Tudor, Jacobean, Gothic, Medieval, Colonial Revival, Art Deco, and Mid-Century Modern. Rendered in variegated shades of sage, moss, fern, olive, dark green, red, ruby red, crimson, beige, sand, tan, buff, ecru, taupe, coral, peach, eggplant, charcoal, coffee, brown, saffron, teal, and cerulean with colorful striations. Complementary Sherwin Williams Colors and Hues: Garden Sage, Verde Marron, Red Bay, Sawgrass Basket, Weathered Shingle, Raging Sea, Hinoki, Believable Buff, Fenland, Foxy, Sturdy Brown, Heartthrob, Ravishing Coral, Thunderous, Netsuke, Roycroft Brass, Ruskin Room Green, Roycroft Copper...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wool
French Gothic Oak Coffer Chest
Located in New York, NY
French Gothic-style (19/20th Century) oak coffer chest on stand with tracery carved panels and a domed lid with iron strap work
Category
19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Iron
Italian Gothic Brass Glass Travertine Marble Drinks, Side or End Tables, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A very special and stunning pair of Italian brass or bronze, glass, and travertine marble end or side tables with detailed Italian Gothic architecture bronze/brass frame, circa mid-2...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Travertine, Marble, Brass, Bronze
17th-18th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th-18th century French andirons made of wrought iron. The style of the andirons is gothic. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food. They have a natural brown patina. Upon reques...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Beautiful 17th-18th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th-18th century French andirons made of wrought iron. The style of the andirons is Gothic. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food. They have a natural brown patina. Upon reques...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Painted Napoleon III Cast Iron Chandelier
Located in Washington, DC
Painted Napoleon III Cast Iron Chandelier from Northern France probably around Lille.
Category
19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Iron
Vintage Persian Tabriz Gallery Rug with Hunting Scene and Medieval Style
Located in Dallas, TX
76352, vintage Persian Tabriz gallery rug with hunting scene and traditional medival style 11'03 x 16'01. This hand-knotted wool vintage Persian Tabriz gallery rug features an incons...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wool
Antique 19th Century Cast Iron Gothic Manner Fire Basket Grate
Located in Edinburgh, GB
A petite French antique early 19th century cast iron fire basket in the Gothic manner, a shaped back with original steel heat plate, linked circles to the front instead of fire bars....
Category
1840s French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Iron
Electroplated Silver Bottle Coasters Antique Circa 1940
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A very good pair of antique electroplated silver bottle coasters; part of our wine and drinks related collection.
These antique electroplated sil...
Category
1940s English Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique Hand-Carved Wood Figural Bard Musician Medieval Gothic Tavern Side Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique European hand-carved Medieval Musician Tavern Chair. Item features remarkable solid carved wood figural frame, shaped seat, unique construction, and beautiful aged patina, ci...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Marble Top Cast Resin Figural Mythical Pedestal Stands with Bearded Face
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of marble top cast resin figural mythical pedestal stands with bearded faces. Item features round marble tops, cast resin, stately forms with bearded faces, distressed finish, g...
Category
Late 20th Century Medieval Furniture
Materials
Marble
Italy 14th Century Medieval Black Wrought Cast Iron Tripode Pedestal
Located in Brescia, IT
This piece of antique Italian wrought cast iron pedestal is made with an high level of quality in consideration of the age of the realization. From a...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Vintage Turkish Oushak Area Rug with Luxe Medieval Style, Wide Hallway Runner
Located in Dallas, TX
72689 vintage Turkish Oushak area rug with Luxe Medieval style, wide hallway runner. Immersed in Anatolian history, rich detail and dramatic colors, this hand-knotted wool vintage Ou...
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wool
17th Century Furniture Important Supposedly from Northern Italy, Antique Art.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
17th century furniture important supposedly from northern Italy, great decoration, carved walnut on all faces. Measures: H 2m53, W 1.76m, W 69cm.
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of important wrought iron landiers. French work in the Gothic Style. C 1900
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This tall pair of gothic style wrought iron andirons are also called landiers because of the shape of the top parts that where used to have water or soup boiling on receipt near the ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Vintage Persian Tabriz Gallery Rug with Hunting Scene and Medieval Style
Located in Dallas, TX
76286, vintage Persian Tabriz gallery rug with hunting scene and medieval style. This hand-knotted wool vintage Persian Tabriz rug features an eight-point cusped central medallion ou...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wool
Early 20th Century Gothic Wrought Iron Floor Lamp in the Style of Samuel Yellin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Early 20th century, Gothic, craftsman-made, wrought iron floor lamp with decoratively scored stem, tripod base and foliate top with three-bulb fitter in the style of Samuel Yellin. T...
Category
1920s American Vintage Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Rustic English Fireplace in the Gothic Manner
Located in London, GB
A large stone fireplace in the Gothic style. The moulded jambs with plain frieze above and heavy moulded shelf. Rustic travertine stone. English,...
Category
19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Stone
English Fireplace in the Gothic Style
Located in London, GB
An English stone fireplace in the Gothic manner. The moulded jambs surmounted by arched frieze, circa 1900.
Measure:
Shelf Width: 1395 mm 54 7/8 in
Overall Height: 1125 mm ...
Category
19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Stone
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 Furniture
Materials
Oak
Large 17th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, NL
Large 17th century French Gothic andirons made of wrought iron. The tops of the andirons consist of bull heads, which is characteri...
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
17th-18th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th-18th century French andirons made of wrought iron. The style of the andirons is gothic. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food. They have a natural brown patina. The conditi...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
17th Century Dutch Fireplace Grate or Fireplace Basket
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th century Dutch fire grate made of wrought iron. Gothic period. The grate is in a good condition.
Category
17th Century Dutch Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Architectural Stone Fireplace
Located in London, GB
An architectural French stone fireplace. The panelled frieze with shaped, panelled jambs below. A rustic stone with nice, aged patina. French, late 18th-early 19th century.
Shelf W...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Stone
Large French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th century French Gothic fire dogs made of cast iron. This type of andirons are also called cup dogs. The condition is good.
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Iron
17th-18th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th-18th century French Gothic fire dogs made of wrought iron. The andirons have spit hooks. The condition is good.
Category
18th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
17th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th century French Gothic andirons made of wrought iron. These French andirons are called 'landiers' in France. This dates from the times the andirons were the main cooking equipmen...
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
19th Century French Gothic Style Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, NL
19th century French Gothic style andirons. The tops of the andirons consist of bull heads which is characteristic for this type of andirons. In France these andirons are called 'land...
Category
19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
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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