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Medieval Building and Garden Elements

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
French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs, Gothic Period, 17th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th century French andirons made of wrought iron. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food. They are in good condition.
Category

17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

A Rare English Gothic Style Highly Carved Walnut Polychromed Fire-Place C.1860
Located in Tarzana, CA
A Rare English Gothic Style Highly Carved Walnut & Polychromed Fire-Place Carved with precision by the most gifted carpenters in the 19th century. This fire place was made for the ...
Category

19th Century British Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Walnut

16th Century oak carved Gothic Panel, Belgium
Located in Meulebeke, BE
16th century / Belgium / Letter Panel / Oak / Gothic A finely carved Gothic oak panel from 16th-century France. This architectural fragment features graceful vertical fluting framed...
Category

16th Century Belgian Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Oak

Very Large Reclaimed Medieval Style Stained Glass Window
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A very large rectangular reclaimed medieval style stained glass window, one of three similar in the same design in different sizes we are selling. This stained and leaded glass pan...
Category

20th Century English Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Lead

Set of 2 medieval style architectural sculpted columns, Netherlands 1950s
Located in ECHT, NL
Set of two sculpted architectural columns. They are made from some kind of cast stone or plaster. They were probably meant as fireplace columns s...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Plaster

STUNNiNG PAIR OF GOTHIC REVIVAL EXTRA LARGE HAND CARVED WOODEN PLANTERS 72X60CM
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of very large Antique Gothic Revival style hand carved planters Please note the delivery...
Category

20th Century English Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Hardwood

English Renaissance Carved Oak Paneled Room
Located in Queens, NY
English Renaissance (Tudor-16th Century) oak carved linen fold design paneled room with a mantle, overmantle carving and a Pair of spindle design open doo...
Category

16th Century British Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Oak

Beverley Minster Rare 14th Century Limestone Pinnacle
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A rare late 13th / early 14th century limestone pinnacle reclaimed from the East End of the south retro choir roof of Beverley Minster, Yorkshire, one of two we have for sale. Dating...
Category

15th Century and Earlier English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone, Limestone

Antique French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs, 17th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th century French andirons made of wrought iron. The style of the andirons is gothic. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food. They are in a good condition.
Category

17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

17th Century French Gothic Period Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th Century French Gothic Period Firedogs or Andirons. Made of cast iron. The andirons are in good condition and are fully functional. With spit hooks to grill food and a cup to k...
Category

17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Austin Seeley Antique Armillary Sundial
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An impressive antique sundial pairing a mid 19th century gothic style stone pedestal by Austin and Seeley (unsigned) circa 1840, with a 20th century s...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone, Composition, Metal, Steel

Early 18th Century French Gothic Period Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Early 18th century French Gothic period andirons made of wrought iron. The andirons are in a good condition and are fit for use in the fireplace.
Category

Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

17th c. Square Gothic Fire Grate
Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland
Wrought iron Gothic fire grate, gorgeous patina.
Category

18th Century and Earlier Dutch Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique French Andirons or Firedogs, 18th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
18th century, French Gothic style fire dogs made of wrought iron. The andirons have spit hooks. They are in a good condition.  
Category

18th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

17th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Rare Pair of Medieval Sand Cast Iron Andirons
Located in Greenwich, CT
A pair of rare and ancient weathered sand-cast iron figural andirons with finials in the shape of almond eyed faces with tight widows'-peak headcoverings coming to a point in the mid...
Category

15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Period Gothic Oak Trunk or Chest Façade from Picardie France, circa 1550
Located in Dallas, TX
Often when centuries-old trunks did not survive the passage of time, 19th-century menuisiers (French woodworkers) would salvage the surviving wood and carve new furniture such as desks and similar trunks. The facade was typically the most ornate section of these antique trunks, making intact frontages highly valued antiques. Hand-carved from oak in Picardie, France, circa 1550, this period Gothic architectural is a beautiful example of an antique trunk facade that was not incorporated into a more recent furnishing. Picardie is a former administrative region in northern France that is home to many Gothic cathedrals. The Amiens Cathedral (mid-13th century) is the largest standing cathedral in Europe and is truly a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Our trunk frontage has five vertically oriented inset panels embellished with various forms of Gothic tracery, including high-arching niches...
Category

16th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Metal, Iron

French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs, 17th-18th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th-18th century French andirons made of cast iron. The style of the andirons is Gothic. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food and a cup to keep drinks warm. They are in a good...
Category

Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Pair of Gothic Style Fire Tools
Located in Southall, GB
A 19th century set of Gothic Style fire tools handmade with decorative weaved handles. On original gothic stand, complete with fire tongs, shovel, brush and poker.  
Category

19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Tall Antique Gothic Arched Oak Door
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A tall antique gothic arched oak door dating to circa 1900, sourced from a grade II listed building in Bristol’s old city. Once used in an established gentlemen’s club, the text 'Ge...
Category

Early 20th Century English Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood, Oak

17th-18th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Medieval 13th Century Carved Stone Gargoyle
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A medieval carved stone gargoyle from the private collection of a country house in Oxfordshire, originally purchased from Crowther of Syon Lodge in 1985. Dating from the 13th-14th c...
Category

15th Century and Earlier English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone

17th-18th Century French Gothic Firedogs, Andirons
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th-18th century French Gothic fire dogs made of wrought iron. The condition is good.
Category

Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Austin Seeley Gothic Style Armillary Sundial
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A striking focal point for any garden, this impressive sundial pairs a mid 19th century gothic style stone pedestal by Austin and Seeley (unsigned) circa 1840, with a 20th century steel armillary sphere. Coupling composition stone intricacy with a contemporary armillary, this garden sundial offers a beautiful blend of antique and modern, perfect for instilling a courtyard or patio with history and interest. This gothic style pedestal appears in appears in Austin & Seeley’s catalogue dated 1841 (pictured). Here it is described as a ‘Rich Gothic Font, designed from Henry VII’s Chapel’ of Westminster Abbey, London. The drawing also appears in an advertisement from The Civil Engineers and Architects Journal 1839 (pictured), suggesting that this stone pedestal could date from even earlier. Austin and Seeley works were rarely stamped with makers marks. Austin & Seeley In 1828, Felix Austin established his own independent stone works...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone, Composition, Metal, Steel

The Holkham Hall Stained Glass Window
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A very large and impressive antique medieval style stained glass window removed from Holkham Hall, Norfolk. This beautifully preserved piece of English history was recently discovere...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Lead

Antique French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs, 17th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th century French andirons made of wrought iron. The style of the andirons is gothic. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food. They are in a good condition.
Category

17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Large French Gothic Bull s Head Andirons or Firedogs, 17th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Large 17th century French andirons made of wrought iron. The style of the andirons is gothic. These French andirons are called 'landiers' in France. This dates from the times the and...
Category

17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Arts Crafts Gothic Cast Iron Spiral Scrollwork Fireplace Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Arts & Crafts Gothic Cast Iron Spiral Scrollwork Fireplace Andirons - a Pair. Item features swing out arm/pot holders, ornate scrolling frame, spiral form body, cast iron constructio...
Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

17th Century Magnificent French Gothic Firedogs or Andirons
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th century, French Gothic fire dogs made of wrought iron and cast iron. Rare combination of Gothic forged iron and heavy cast iron at the back. This product has to be shipped as f...
Category

17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron, Iron

16th C set of Four Evangelist Vault Keys
Located in MADRID, ES
Vault keys such as these were used where the vault ribs came together, as a finishing touch. These particular ones depict the four Evangelists. The Angel for St Matthew...
Category

16th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone

17th-18th Century Large Gothic Style Firedogs or Andirons
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th-18th century, French Gothic style fire dogs made of wrought iron. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food. These French andirons are called 'landiers' in France. The condit...
Category

Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Spanish Medieval Double Planter Jardinière, Gilt Wrought Iron
Located in Barcelona, ES
Hand Forged Double Floor Planter, Gold leaf, gilt iron, Spain, 1940s. Rare find. One of a kind double plant iron stand entirely made by hand. This planter features two basket planter...
Category

20th Century Spanish Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, Gold Leaf, Metal, Wrought Iron

Reclaimed Medieval Style Square Stained Glass Window
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A reclaimed medieval style square stained glass window, one of three similar in the same design in different sizes we are selling. This stained and leaded glass panel will make a b...
Category

20th Century English Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Lead

Antique French Andirons or Firedogs, 18th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
18th century, French Gothic style fire dogs made of wrought iron. The andirons have spit hooks. They are in a good condition.   
Category

18th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

16th Century oak carved Gothic Panel, Belgium
Located in Meulebeke, BE
16th century / Belgium / Letter Panel / Oak / Gothic A finely carved Gothic oak panel from 16th-century France. This architectural fragment features graceful vertical fluting framed...
Category

16th Century Belgian Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Oak

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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

French Carved Oak Gothic Style Overdoor, Circa 1910
Located in Dallas, TX
More information coming soon… The depth of the motifs on this Goth-style French overdoor is quite amazing. Hand-carved circa 1910, the architectural has a beige hue, with areas of ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood, Oak

Antique Carved English Oak Fireplace
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Though this antique carved English oak fireplace dates from the late 19th century, it draws inspiration from eras across the ages. It is elaborately carved throughout and handcrafted...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood, Hardwood, Oak

Rare Romanesque Capital Depicting Four Africans, Apulia, 13th Century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Large stone capital carved on each side in strong relief. The basket is covered with two crowns of vertical acanthus leaves which sprout from the astragal and fill the space between ...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone

XIII Century Italian Granite Fountain Mouth
Located in Encinitas, CA
Italian antique fountain spout carved from a solid granite block from the 13th century with a zoomorphic appearance in the shape of a fish's head.
Category

15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Granite

Large Antique Ornate Solid Brass Fireplace Fender Towel Rack c1900s Stunning
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Large Antique Ornate Solid Brass Fireplace Fender Towel Rack c1900s Stunning. Towel Rack is: 3x40x8"h
Category

20th Century American Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Large Gothic Style Hanging Cradle Fire Basket
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A very large and unusual Gothic style hanging cradle fire basket dating back to the mid-19th century. This unusual design sees a wrought and cast iron fire grate in the gothic manner...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

double capital - french, end of 13th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Double capital with hook decorations
 Grey stone
 France, 13th century
 Reduced—cut in the back in modern times H 22 x L 41 x P 20 cm 'Hook' is the name given today to these ornamen...
Category

15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone

Gothic Church Windows 23" x 23"
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Gothic style church windows with dedications. Gorgeous stained glass coloring and designs with dedication marker on each. The windows are housed in an iron frame with clear g...
Category

Early 20th Century Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stained Glass

Large Medieval carved frieze - France, 14th-15th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Gothic Limestone frieze decorated with curly foliage North of France, 14th-15th century 59,8 x 15,6x 22 cm This French Gothic limestone frieze, adorned with curling foliage, stands ...
Category

15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Limestone

Gothic Keystone - France, 14th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Gothic Keystone Limestone France, 14th century 33 x 47 x 26 cm A striking relic of Gothic architecture, this keystone captivates with the purity and power of its intersecting forms....
Category

15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Limestone

Pair of Forged Wrought Iron Andirons, French, 19th Century
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This rack and pinions andirons are made of forged wrought iron. They are French, from 19th century.
Category

1880s French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Vintage French Gothic Wrought Iron "Serviteur" Fireplace Tool Set, Five Pieces
Located in Dallas, TX
This vintage French Gothic fireplace tool set, known as a Serviteur, was crafted in wrought iron during the mid-20th century. Substantial in both scale and weight at 46 pounds, the s...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Victorian Gothic Style Pine York Stone Fireplace
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An unusual mid-19th century Victorian pine fire surround with natural York stone foot blocks and slips. Providing a complementary contrast of materials, this antique fireplace has a ...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone

Pair of Forged Wrought Iron Andirons, Gothic Style, French, 18th Century
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of forged andirons were made in France in 18th century, in the gothic style. They have a very nice color of time. The decoration on the bottom with the star is very fine an...
Category

18th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought 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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone

Antique Medieval Style Wrought Iron Fire Basket
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique medieval style round wrought iron freestanding fire basket with supporting firedogs. At over 130 years old, this fire grate has certainly stood the test of time. With a...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron

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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

15th Century French Fireplace Mantel
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A monumental 15th century sandstone Gothic fireplace mantel. Finely sculpted with a moulded beam and column supports.   
Category

15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Sandstone

Set of 9 Reclaimed Minton Co Gothic Encaustic Tiles
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of nine vibrant reclaimed gothic encaustic tiles by Minton & Co (stamped), circa 1840- 1860. Each 6-inch tile is detailed with buff and red terracotta tones to create an ornate...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Clay

Carved Limestone Balustrade, North of France, First Half of the 15th Century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Carved Limestone balustrade. In a modern metal frame. North of France, Ile de France or Normandy. End of the 14th century - first half of the 15th century. Measures: 90 x 62 x 8...
Category

15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Limestone

Pair of Tall 19th Century Chapel Doors from Belgium
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand-carved in Belgium, circa 1860, this 11 foot tall pair of doors (132.88 inches) were recently salvaged from a Belgian chapel. They can be considered of the Gothic style, which is sometimes referred to as “pointed architecture”, because of the prevalence of pointed arches in buildings. Each door is composed of six vertical planks constructed with mortise and tenon joinery. All planks have been adorned with iron pyramid protuberances, placed in a repeating pattern. The planks and iron retain their white paint, now naturally weathered over the years, perfect for those who appreciate original condition. At over 11 feet tall, these 19th century chapel doors...
Category

1860s Belgian Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique German Heraldic Stained Glass Window Hanging
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A 19th century antique German heraldic stained glass window hanging. Since the early years of the Holy Roman Empire, the black eagle has ...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Lead

Carved Oak Gothic Wall Bracket Shelf
Located in Godshill, 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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Oak

Medieval building and garden elements for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Medieval building and garden elements 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 building and garden elements created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, iron and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Medieval building and garden elements made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original building and garden elements, popular names associated with this style include Arthur Umanoff, Maitland Smith, P.&F. Corbin Company, and Yale Towne Manufacturing Co.. 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 building and garden elements differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $180 and tops out at $275,000 while the average work can sell for $1,522.