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Medieval Western European Rugs

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
Late 19th Century French Aubusson Verdure Tapestry with Louis XVI Revival Style
Located in Dallas, TX
79208 Late 19th Century Antique French Aubusson Tapestry, 06'00 x 08'10. A sanctuary of woven splendor and poetic artistry, this handwoven wool and silk French Aubusson tapestry from...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool, Silk

Pretty Vintage Aubusson Style médiéval design Jacquard Tapestry « the harvest »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
very beautiful Aubusson style tapestry, with a design of a medieval tapestry That Tapestry has been created in about 1530 by B. Van Orley, creator of "Chasses de Maximilien" (acces...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage French Medieval Tapestry, the Promenade Tapestry
Located in Dallas, TX
77769, vintage French Medieval tapestry, the Promenade tapestry. Drawing inspiration from a combination of Pieter van Aeist and French Medieval sty...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry “fountain concert”
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French screen-printed by hand tapestry featuring the exquisite design of a medieval museum tapestry titled “fountain concert “ This tapestr...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Linen

Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French screen-printed by hand tapestry featuring the exquisite design of a medieval museum tapestry This tapestry, a replica of the origin...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Linen

Pretty Vintage Aubusson Style médiéval design Jacquard Tapestry
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
very beautiful French Aubusson style tapestry, with a design of a medieval tapestries. This tapestry has been made in the renowned “La Filandière” manufacturing Beautiful colours w...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton

The Lovers’ Draught: Antique English Medieval Needlepoint Masterpiece of Romance
Located in Dallas, TX
78092 Rare Antique English Needlepoint Tapestry 02'04 x 03'05. Woven in the quiet hush of late-Victorian England yet echoing the soul of the Middle Ages, this extraordinary handwoven...
Category

Early 20th Century English Medieval Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French screen-printed by hand tapestry featuring the exquisite design of a medieval museum tapestry titled “Charade” This tapestry, a repli...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Linen

Nice French Aubusson Style hand printed tapestry « enchanted park »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Immerse yourself in the allure of this mid-20th-century French tapestry, showcasing a design inspired by a 15th-century woven masterpiece titled "The Enchanted Park." Adorned with ex...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Pretty Vintage French screen printed Tapestry by hand.  « Sheep shearing »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French screen printed tapestry by hand featuring the exquisite design of the renowned medieval museum tapestry,I « La tonte des Moutons» ( S...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Bobyrug’s Pretty Mid Century French Aubusson Tapestry medieval design
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Very pretty mid century french Aubusson tapestry with beautiful design from the painter Georges Deveche ( 1903-1974), showing a scene of a museum medieval tapestry with beautiful col...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry « Maximilian s Hunt »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French hand-printed tapestry featuring the exquisite design of « The month of July or The sign of the lion or The report, from the tapestry ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Linen

Late 17th Century French Tapestry ( 10 9" x 13 8" - 327 x 416 cm )
Located in New York, NY
Late 17th Century French Tapestry ( 10'9" x 13'8" - 327 x 416 cm ) Material: Wool warp,18 warps per inch; wool and silk pattern wefts, Z-2; woven sideways. This extremely attractive...
Category

Early 1700s French Antique Medieval Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

Nice Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry « Suzanne and the old men »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French screen-printed by hand tapestry featuring the exquisite design of a medieval museum tapestry titled « Suzanne and the old men » The ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Linen

Antique French Aubusson Verdure Tapestry
Located in Dallas, TX
77764, antique French Verdure tapestry. This hand-woven antique French Aubusson verdure tapestry depicts a landscape scene of the French countryside. ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Medieval Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry Vendanges museum Design
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French hand-printed tapestry featuring the exquisite design of the left half (the pressing side) of the renowned medieval museum tapestry, "...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Linen

Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry « departure to hunt »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French screen-printed by hand tapestry featuring the exquisite design of «Departure for falcon hunting on horseback” This tapestry, a repli...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Linen

Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry « The Miracle»
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French screen-printed by hand tapestry featuring the exquisite design of The Miracle of the Honeybee The Miracle of the Honeybee, 16th cen...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Linen

Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry « Maximilian s Hunt »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French hand-printed tapestry featuring the exquisite design of « The month of July or The sign of the lion or The report, from the tapestry ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Linen

Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry Vendanges museum Design
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French hand-printed tapestry featuring the exquisite design of the renowned medieval museum tapestry, "Les Vendanges" (grape harvest) from t...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Linen

Bobyrug’s Beautiful vintage French embroidered tapestry, Bayeux museum design
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the charm of our exquisite vintage French tapestry embroidery featuring a section from the Bayeux tapestry. Entirely hand embroidered with wool on a cotton foundation with t...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Pretty Vintage wide French screen printed Tapestry by hand.  «
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French screen printed tapestry by hand featuring the exquisite design of the renowned medieval museum tapestry, “falcon hunting” or (Medieva...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Linen

Pretty Vintage French hand printed Tapestry, Vendanges museum Design
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French hand-printed tapestry featuring the exquisite design of the renowned medieval museum tapestry, "Les Vendanges" (grape harvest) from t...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Western European Rugs

Materials

Cotton, Wool

Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry « Maximilian s Hunt »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French hand-printed tapestry featuring the exquisite design of « The month of July or The sign of the lion or The report, from the tapestry ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Linen

Pretty Vintage French screen printed Tapestry by hand.  « hunting meeting »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French screen printed tapestry by hand featuring the exquisite design of the renowned medieval tapestry, "Rendez vous de chasse » ( hunting...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Pretty Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry “medieval life”
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French screen printed tapestry by hand featuring the exquisite design of the renowned medieval museum tapestry, “falcon hunting” or (Medieva...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Linen

Pretty medieval Aubusson Style Jacquard Tapestry «Hunting stop or peasant snack
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
very beautiful French Aubusson style tapestry, with a design of a medieval tapestries. This tapestry has been made in the renowned “La Filandière” manufacturing Halte de chasse ou c...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Zabihi Collection Antique Ivory Turkish Scatter Size Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century scatter size turkish Rug. Ivory, red, brown and camel Measures: 3'3'' x 4'9''.  
Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Medieval Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

Bobyrug’s Wonderful Vintage French hand printed Tapestry Vendanges museum Design
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French hand-printed tapestry featuring the exquisite design of the renowned medieval museum tapestry, "Les Vendanges" (grape harvest) from t...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Medieval Western European Rugs

Materials

Cotton

Antique Turkish Rug in Ivory and Gray
Located in New York, NY
An unusual Turkish rug woven in Izmir, located in western Turkey. Nice, crisp colors and durable full pile with abrash near one end of the field. Charming indeed. Measures: 4'4'' ...
Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Medieval Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

Medieval western european rugs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Medieval western european rugs for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage western european rugs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include rugs and carpets, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, wool and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Medieval western european rugs made in a specific country, there are Europe, England, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for western european rugs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,500 and tops out at $7,199 while the average work can sell for $4,610.

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