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
27
309
64
374
1
Height
to
Width
to
2,930
2,168
1,639
1,383
978
829
817
813
526
507
466
319
302
247
211
155
139
121
174
119
81
1
30
11
7
3
2
1
3
1
1
243
209
113
69
54
324
155
103
97
18
375
374
374
4
2
Style: Medieval
17th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
17th Century French Gothic Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th century French Gothic andirons. They have spit hooks to grill food. The andirons have a natural brown patina, upon request it ...
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
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. The conditi...
Category
Early 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 Gothic andirons made of wrought iron.
The condition is good.
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
17th-18th Century Large French Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
17th-18th century French Gothic fire dogs made of wrought iron. These French andirons are called 'landiers' in France. This dates from the times the andirons were the main cooking eq...
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 Gothic fire dogs made of wrought iron. The condition is good.
Category
17th Century French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
15th Century Stone Sculpture, Bust of a Wooman
Located in BARSAC, FR
Sculpture In limestone from the 15th century representing a wooman probably a saint.
The face is round and serene, the hair long and the fore...
Category
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone
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
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
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
Dramatic English Antique Iron Winged Dragon Andirons
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Dramatic pair of English antique hand forged iron winged dragon andirons having impressive details and claw feet. Circa 1930’s
Category
1930s English Vintage Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Pair Of Monumental Antique Polychrome Corbels With Foliate Designs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of monumental architectural antique polychrome corbels with fruit and foliate designs. The back with boards covering the previous mounting.
Dimensions: 14" W x 16" D x 56" H
Con...
Category
19th Century Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
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
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
Antique Gothic Arts
Crafts Renaissance Cast Metal Fireplace Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Gothic Arts & Crafts Renaissance Cast Metal Fireplace Andirons - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 18" H x10" W x 19" D.
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Metal
Bronze Woman Sculpture Door Stop Bookend
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful sculptural figure of a lady, intricate in detail and wearing women's medieval attire and hat.
A good weight at 18 lbs - use as a heavy duty bookend, decor or door sto...
Category
Early 20th Century French Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze
Reclaimed Encaustic Tiles by W. Godwin of Lugwardine
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
These reclaimed encaustic tiles by W. Godwin of Lugwardine are presented as a set of twenty-five in a repeating foliate design.
Dating from the mid 19th century, these reclaimed en...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Clay, 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
Capital decorated with foliage - France, 13th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Capital decorated with foliage and grapes
France, 13th century
Limestone
33 x 39 x 35 cm
This 13th-century French capital, carved in a pale limestone, has a broad, slightly flaring...
Category
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone
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
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
Gothic Style Free Standing Fire Basket with Decorative Back and Ash Pan
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Gothic Style Free Standing Fire Basket with Decorative Back and Ash Pan
This is a useful and decorative piece, it has an arched fire back decorated with a fighting scene, the body o...
Category
1920s Vintage Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Medieval Architectural Fragment Cornice, Corbel
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A fragment of a sandstone corbel with flat upper face, moulded transverse ledge and two protruding lobes with reserved trefoil detailing. The lower edge has fine dentiled carving and...
Category
15th Century and Earlier British Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Sandstone
20th Century Marble Castle Chimneypiece Fireplace
Located in London, GB
20th Century Marble Castle Chimneypiece Fireplace.
Hand Carved In Brown Tiger Like Marble. With Hand Carved Centre Hound Motif Emblem. And Prominent Turrets To The Top Of Each Firepl...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Marble
Victorian Gothic Carved Oak Green Man Coal or Log Box
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Victorian Gothic carved oak green man coal or log box
This is an unusual design, the Purdonium is carved in the Gothic Oak Style, with a geometric panel on the top and the handle on the fall front is carved with the face of the Green Man with a huge shell...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Oak
French Gothic Wrought Iron Manor House Fire Surround
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Gothic Wrought Iron Manor House Fire Surround
The stand is very large and heavy, it dates from the early 19th century and comes from a Brittany Manor House
This is a very u...
Category
19th Century Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
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
$2,332 Sale Price
20% Off
Mid-Century French Gothic Wrought Iron Fireplace Tool Set with Fleur-de-Lys
Located in Dallas, TX
Place this unique antique fireplace tool set next to your mantel. Hand forged in southwest France circa 1950 in Gothic style, the "Serviteur" sits on four folded legs ending with small feet over a twisted stem. The set includes four tools including a shovel, tongs, brush and poker. The free standing...
Category
Mid-20th Century French 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
$1,508 / set
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
Set of 4 Minton Tiles Attributed to Edward Hammond
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of four 19th Century Mintons tile attributed to the artist Edward Hammond.
Modelled in relief, each 8-inch tile is decorated with a different musician in medieval dress picked...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Clay
Set of 9 Antique Gothic Encaustic Tiles by Minton
Co
By Minton
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
An Understated Burnish 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 ...
Category
Late 20th Century English Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Steel
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
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
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
$7,827 / item
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
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
$3,084
Early 19th Century Limestone Mantel Chimneypiece in the Gothic Manner
Located in London, GB
A 19th century English limestone fireplace in the Gothic manner. The jambs and end blocks with Quinto acuto arches, the frieze with accompanying arch motif throughout with shelf abov...
Category
Early 19th Century British Antique Medieval Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Limestone
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
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
Mid-19th Century Neo-Gothic Cast Iron Fire Grate
Located in London, GB
A 19th century English polished cast iron fire grate in the Gothic style. The shaped feet surmounted by fleur-de-lys finials, the large burning area with cast iron back behind dated ...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Antique 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
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.
More Ways To Browse
Antique Cast Iron Lions Head
Bronze Water Fountains
Brownstone Furniture
Cast Iron Lady
Cast Iron Swan
Cherub Fish
Chinese Rose Garden Seat
Deck Cannon
Fountain Surrounds
Garden Etagere
Greek Oil Jar
Iron Deer
Modern Iron Gate
Spanish Carved Panel
Stone Rams
Victorian French Doors
Vintage Fireplace Poker
Wm H Jackson