Medieval Furniture
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.
16th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Elm, Oak
15th Century and Earlier Central Asian Antique Medieval Furniture
Bronze
1920s Italian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Blown Glass
19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood
17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Stone, Limestone
20th Century Italian Medieval Furniture
Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Metal
16th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood, Ash
Mid-19th Century German Antique Medieval Furniture
Lead
Mid-19th Century Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Stone, Composition, Metal, Steel
Late 20th Century American Medieval Furniture
Marble, Iron
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Medieval Furniture
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Medieval Furniture
Iron
18th Century European Antique Medieval Furniture
Mirror, Walnut
1890s English Antique Medieval Furniture
Sterling Silver
Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood, Pine
20th Century English Medieval Furniture
Elm, Yew
1910s American Vintage Medieval Furniture
Bronze, Enamel
1840s English Antique Medieval Furniture
Sterling Silver
2010s Indian Medieval Furniture
Wool
Late 20th Century American Medieval Furniture
Metal
Late 18th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood, Fruitwood, Oak, Pine
19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
1880s English Antique Medieval Furniture
Paper
2010s Indian Medieval Furniture
Wool
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Furniture
Limestone
18th Century Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
1880s English Antique Medieval Furniture
Paper
19th Century American Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood
1850s American Antique Medieval Furniture
Pine
1950s European Vintage Medieval Furniture
Oak
20th Century European Medieval Furniture
Leather, Oak
1880s English Antique Medieval Furniture
Paper
2010s Indian Medieval Furniture
Silk
18th Century European Antique Medieval Furniture
Wrought Iron
16th Century Indian Antique Medieval Furniture
Bronze
1920s French Vintage Medieval Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Wool, Cotton
16th Century Belgian Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
Late 20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Leather, Satin, Paper
15th Century and Earlier English Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Medieval Furniture
Limestone
15th Century and Earlier English Antique Medieval Furniture
Clay
Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood, Oak
19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Iron
Early 1800s English Antique Medieval Furniture
Leather, Hardwood
1920s Vintage Medieval Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century Spanish Medieval Furniture
Leather
2010s Persian Medieval Furniture
Wool
1970s American Vintage Medieval Furniture
Ceramic
2010s Afghan Medieval Furniture
Wool
20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Iron, Wrought Iron
2010s Indian Medieval Furniture
Wool
Late 20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Brass
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture
Metal
19th Century Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
1930s Vintage Medieval Furniture
Iron





