Skip to main content

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.

to
40
302
64
367
1
Height
to
Width
to
2,914
2,209
1,579
1,372
966
826
818
814
516
493
466
314
298
243
155
140
134
124
175
109
83
1
30
13
7
4
3
1
2
1
1
246
212
112
69
52
311
156
92
85
18
368
367
367
3
2
Style: Medieval
Solid Brass French Architectural Element or Planter Jardinières
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Acquired in Paris France, an architectural element that is solid brass. The piece is very detailed and architectural. A wonderful paperweight or decorative object standing alone... also could hold office supplies...
Category

20th Century French Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass

Large Gothic Bull s Head Andirons, Firedogs, 18th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Large wrought iron fire dogs with spit hooks. These French andirons are called 'landiers' in France. This dates from the times the andirons were the main cooking equipment in the hou...
Category

18th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Very Large Heavy Iron Andirons, Fire Grate
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Very Large Heavy Iron Andirons, Fire Grate This is a very Large pair of French andirons, we have matched them with a fire grate which is much smaller than the original ones and this...
Category

19th Century Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Gothic Style Limestone Fireplace
Located in London, GB
A carved limestone fireplace in the English Gothic style. The diamond shaped frieze with shields and Tudor roses with moulded jambs. Moulded shelf above. A copy of an earlier piece. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Limestone

19th Century Cast Iron Medieval Style Fireback with Horizontal Lapping and Rings
Located in Dallas, TX
Cast in the 1800s in the Medieval style, this robust French iron fireback features thick horizontal, lapped plates that comprise the fireplace accessory. The fireback is roughly rect...
Category

19th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Metal, Iron

Antique German Lutheran Eisleben 32" x 19" Stained Glass Window
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Antique stained glass church window featuring the German town for Eisleben. Deep coloring in each glass panel. This window is a dedication to the life of Protestant Reformer Martin L...
Category

19th Century German Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stained Glass

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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Terracotta

Antique Victorian English Medieval Styled Solid Bronze Architectural Sundial
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Presumably having English origins, this antique solid bronze sundial is ornately cast with a series of Medieval figures across the top portion and standing in the facade of an arched...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Bronze

Heavy Folding Wrought Iron Fire Guard for Inglenook Fireplace
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Heavy folding wrought iron fire guard for inglenook fireplace This is a heavy folding fireguard, it would suit a traditional Inglenook fireplace or ...
Category

Early 20th Century Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Medieval Stained Glass Window Hanging Panel of a Saint
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A really interesting antique stained glass window hanging panel of a saintly figure with halo dating from the medieval period, circa 1400, set within a further stained glass diamond....
Category

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

Materials

Lead

Large Swan-Neck Wrought Fireplace Andirons Fire Dogs
Located in London, GB
A large pair of wrought-iron swan-neck andirons / fire dogs. The swan-necks are set on arch-supports with iron-rivet. A sturdy blacksmith-made pair of fire dogs suitable for burning...
Category

1890s English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

1940s Vintage Antelope Wrought Iron Fireplace Tools Style of Edouard Schenck
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Vintage Wrought Iron Fireplace Tools set with Stylized Antelope Edouard Schenck Style Crafted with elegance and functionality, ...
Category

1940s French Vintage Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Curious Pair of Andirons in Patinated Bronze and Iron, in the Gothic Style, with
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Curious pair of andirons in patinated bronze and iron, in the Gothic style, with spooky animal heads and dragons Period 19th century Measures: Height 73 cm 62 x 35cm.
Category

19th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Bronze, Iron

Rare 15th Century English Studded Door
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A rare and striking 15th century English studded door. At over 420 years old, this unique and impressive door offers a glimpse into historic England. Thick and sturdy, it features...
Category

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

Materials

Wood, Oak

Pair of Wrought Iron Andirons
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of andirons is made of wrought iron with rack. This is a French work. Circa 1900
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Pair of Wrought Iron Andirons
Pair of Wrought Iron Andirons
$2,328 Sale Price
20% Off
Edging Setts, Circular Fountain, Parterre Herb Garden Fire Pit
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Edging Setts, Circular Fountain, Parterre Herb Garden Fire Pit A real rarity, decorative Edging Setts forming a circle, there are 7 each of the curved and of the shell pieces The se...
Category

Mid-20th Century Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Concrete

NYC Architectural Element circa Turn of the Century Plaster Face
Located in Newfoundland, PA
NYC Architectural Element Circa Turn of the Century. A stunning example of the beauty of NYC Architectural design. Depicted is a Plaster Face of a person ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Plaster

Large 19th Century Andirons with Grate These are heavy hand Forged Iron Andiron
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large 19th Century Andirons with Grate These are heavy hand Forged Iron Andirons, they come with a curved log grate, the grate sits on the andirons and has a good airflow The Andiro...
Category

19th Century Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

An Early Victorian Carved Stone Fireplace In The Gothic Style
Located in London, GB
An early Victorian carved stone fireplace in the Gothic style. The arched frieze with carved spandrels featuring fruit and foliage. Heavily moul...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone

A Superb Set of Arts and Crafts Gothic Fireside Tools
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Superb Set of Arts and Crafts Gothic Fireside Tools This is a long handled set on its own pair of matching andirons, there is a shovel, tongs, and poker, the handles have a gothic...
Category

1880s Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass

Antique French Cast Iron Fire Back the Fire Back is Extremely Heavy
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Antique French cast iron fire back The Fire back is extremely heavy, it is decorated with the “Armes de France” with the Crest of the House of Bourbon...
Category

19th Century Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Gothic Baptistery in Stone-Spain
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Baptiphere Gothic period -Spain-Galicia (probably granite) The baptisphere was at the time attached to a wall Delivery in Belgium, France and abroad.    
Category

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

Materials

Granite

Antique Arched Church Window 20" x 46"
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Early 20th Century gothic style window with leaded design. Slight arch at the top of the window. This window comes from a church and has geometric designs with textured clear glass. ...
Category

Early 20th Century Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Glass

A Pair of French Gothic Iron Andirons or Fire Dogs
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Pair of French Gothic Iron Andirons or Fire Dogs This is a Heavy pair of Antique Andirons, they are made in iron, and stand on a broad front foot with a chunky gothic look The And...
Category

Early 1800s Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

A Pair of French Gothic Iron Andirons with Guardians
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Pair of French Gothic Iron Andirons with Guardians This is a Heavy pair of Antique Andirons, they are made in iron, and stand on an upward curving foot each has a female figure Th...
Category

19th Century Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Large Pair of French Brass Andirons, Fire Dogs or Chenets
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large pair of French brass andirons, fire dogs or chenets This is a Large globe shaped pair of Brass Andirons they are decorated with Gothic faces in the centre of the large scrol...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass

Large 19th Century Inglenook Andirons and Grate
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large 19th Century Inglenook Andirons and Grate These are heavy hand Forged Iron Andirons, they come with a brand new state of the art grate sutable for both coal or logs, the grate...
Category

19th Century Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Set of 9 Antique Gothic Encaustic Tiles by Minton Co
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of nine vibrant antique 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 o...
Category

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

Materials

Clay

Neo-Gothic Style Firegrate
Located in London, GB
A delicate cast iron firegrate in the neo-Gothic taste. The shaped paw feet with four leaf clover motif above. The cast iron back plate with nicely cas...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

19th Century Cast Iron Hob Grate in the Gothic Style
Located in London, GB
A 19th century cast iron hob grate in the Gothic style. The burning area with rosette pattern and cast spandrels below. Decorative wreath motif to back. English, 19th century. Width...
Category

19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

A Pair of 17th Century Oak Wall Brackets These are good pieces of carved oak
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Pair of 17th Century Oak Wall Brackets These are good pieces of carved oak, original they were a pair however one of them has been trimmed down but you cans see they they are the ...
Category

17th Century Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Oak

Victorian Gothic Style Interior Door
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A late 19th century Victorian gothic style interior door, one of two similar reclaimed from a country house in Surrey (please enquire for details). This antique internal door...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood, Pine, Paint

Very Heavy Pair of 19th Century Iron Andirons or Fire Dogs
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Very Heavy Pair of 19th Century Iron Andirons or Fire Dogs This is a Very Heavy pair of Andirons and they are made of cast iron The Andirons are 15” high, 14” long and are 8.5...
Category

19th Century Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

English Bath Stone Fireplace Mantel in the Gothic Manner
Located in London, GB
A large English Bath stone fireplace in the Gothic style, with arched opening and moulded shelf. Modern. Measures: Shelf Width: 1850 mm 72 ?" Overall ...
Category

20th Century English Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone

18th Century French Hanging Iron Fireplace Accessory
Located in Atlanta, GA
A tall French hanging iron fireplace accessory from the 18th century. This fabulous antique fireplace accessory piece from France, when hu...
Category

18th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Metal, Iron

19th Century English Finials Carved as Heraldic Lions
Located in Baambrugge, NL
The beast are portrayed sejant each with the forepaws supporting a shield. They are sitting on octagonal bases. The armorials might have been painted at some point, but no traces ...
Category

19th Century Great Britain (UK) Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Sandstone

Pair of Very Large Painted Wall Brackets
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A pair of very large painted wall brackets. The brackets are in 5” wide solid wood with old silver blue/grey paint, they are over 1ft high and has are deeply moulded. They do have...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Pine

Large English Stone Fireplace in the Gothic Manner
Located in London, GB
A large English stone fireplace in the Gothic manner. The arched frieze with carved spandrels, the jambs with moulding to inside edge. Finished with a light grey, rustic paint effect...
Category

19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone

French Gothic Wrought Iron Manor House Fire Tool Companion Set
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Gothic wrought iron manor house fire tool companion set The stand is very large and heavy, it dates from the early 19th century and comes from a Brittany Manor House Thi...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Leathermaché Putti, Architectural Decorations
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Leathermaché Putti, architectural decorations These very rare pieces are made in Leathermaché, two of them are characters in the forms of Putti or ...
Category

16th Century Great Britain (UK) Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Leather

Very Large Early 19th Century French Fire Grate Set on Iron Andirons
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Very large early 19th century French fire grate set on iron andirons This is a very large fire grate set on tall bowl Andirons, they are Blacksmith...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Monumental Large Ornate Gothic Black Iron Andirons
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Truly belong in a castle, a pair of palatial, large black iron andirons adorned with curlicues and hooks for hanging cookware.  
Category

19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Large Antique Cast Iron Fire Grate
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large late 19th century cast iron fire grate, salvaged from a farmhouse in Suffolk. This antique fire grate is ideal for a large fireplace in the main ro...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron, Metal

Small Gothic Style Wrought Iron Firegrate
Located in London, GB
A small Gothic style wrought iron firegrate. The turned feet surmounted by shaped front bars and finials. Shaped cast iron fireback behind with scrollwork behind. English, 20th centu...
Category

20th Century English Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Small Pair of Andirons in the Gothic Style
Located in London, GB
A pair of English polished wrought iron firedogs in the Gothic style. 20th century. (Back bars could be extended if required). Measures: Height: 395 mm 15 ½" Width: 230 mm 9" De...
Category

20th Century English Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Important stone mantel from the 17th century
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This monumental mantel was made of stone in the 17th century. Its moulded entablature, adorned with a crest in a Gothic inspired decor, comes in proj...
Category

17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone

Polished Steel Firegrate
Located in London, GB
An understated burnish steel fire grate. Shown in antiqued finished, but also available in clean steel finish. Reproduction. N.B. May be subject to an extended lead time. Measures...
Category

Late 20th Century English Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Steel

An Unusual English Antique Coal Box.
Located in London, GB
An unusual English antique coal box. This antique coal box/scuttle is made in steel and dates from around 1900. The coal box is very well made and is ...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone

Petite Polished Cast Iron Fire Basket
Located in London, GB
A decorative cast iron fire grate. The legs with beading, foliage, and fruit throughout, surmounted by flamed finals. Plain iron back behind. Modern. Sizes: Width at front 555 mm...
Category

Late 20th Century Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

19th Century Handwrought Iron Gothic Fireplace Andirons Firedogs
Located in Southall, GB
A large pair of 19th century handwrought iron Gothic fireplace andirons firedogs. This pair are completely wrought by hand out of very thick iron and have a dark black finish, crafte...
Category

19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

An English Stone Firepace in the Gothic Style
Located in London, GB
An English stone fireplace in the Gothic style. The moulded jambs surmounted by frieze with spandrels. Early 20th century. Shelf Width: 1408 mm 55 ⅜" Overall Height:...
Category

19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone

Brass and Steel English Register Grate
Located in London, GB
An English steel register grate. The pierced fret of Gothic style, panelled frame with steel bars surmounted by finials. N.B. May be subject to an extended lead time, please enquir...
Category

Late 20th Century English Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Steel, Brass

Antique Gothic Style Fire Grate
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An unusual late 19th century antique gothic style fire grate, reclaimed from a property in Sussex. Pairing function with form, this fire grate is a striking piece for any setting, de...
Category

19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass, Iron

Large Imposing English Antique Polished Steel Firegrate
Located in London, GB
A large and imposing 19th century English polished steel firegrate with a Gothic influence. The turned cylindrical feet surmounted by elegant ball finials with teardrop tops, large b...
Category

19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Steel

Polished Steel Firegrate in the Neo-Gothic Style
Located in London, GB
A polished steel firegrate in the neo-Gothic style. The horseshoe feet surmounted by straight shafts and acorn finials. Decorative cast iron back behind. English, circa 1900. Measu...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Steel

English Hob Grate with Greek Key to Fret
Located in London, GB
A good quality English hob grate in the Gothic taste. The shaped front area with Greek key fret below. Half polish finish. Width At Front: 770 mm 30 ⅜"...
Category

18th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

19th Century English Carved Limestone Fireplace in the Gothic Taste
Located in London, GB
A 19th century English carved limestone fireplace, with the initials 'AB' and the date 1855 carved to the centre of the frieze, jambs carved with bellflowers and ears of wheat, surmo...
Category

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

Materials

Limestone

17th Century Style Pair of Gothic Serpent Andirons
Located in London, GB
A large pair of iron 17th century style Gothic serpent andirons with rope twist, English made circa 1920-1930   Measure: Overall height 36" 91 cm ...
Category

17th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements

Materials

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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone

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.

Recently Viewed

View All