Medieval Wall Decorations
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
19th Century Aubusson Tapestry
Located in LYON, FR
Beautifully vivid, 1860-1870 Hand-woven Aubusson French Tapestry. Bought in St Ouen Paris.
Warm fresh earthy tones, with amazing detail all in excellent condition.
This piece has ha...
Category
1860s French Antique Medieval Wall Decorations
Materials
Wool
Original Antique Illuminated Print of St Patrick. C.1880
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful print of St Patrick
Illuminated Chromolithograph
Published circa 1880
Unframed.
Free shipping
The measurement is the paper size
Category
1880s English Antique Medieval Wall Decorations
Materials
Paper
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 Wall Decorations
Materials
Wool, Cotton
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 Wall Decorations
Materials
Wool, Cotton, Linen
Original Antique Illuminated Print of St Francis of Sales. C.1880
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful print of St Francis of Sales
Illuminated Chromolithograph
Published circa 1880
Unframed.
Free shipping
The measurement is the paper size
Category
1880s English Antique Medieval Wall Decorations
Materials
Paper
Original Antique Illuminated Print of St Bernard of Clairvaux. C.1880
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful print of St Bernard of Clairvaux
Illuminated Chromolithograph
Published circa 1880
Unframed.
Foxing to the margin
Free shipping
The measurement is the paper size
Category
1880s English Antique Medieval Wall Decorations
Materials
Paper
Original Antique Illuminated Print of St George. C.1880
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful print of St George
Illuminated Chromolithograph
Published circa 1880
Unframed.
Free shipping
The measurement is the paper size
Category
1880s English Antique Medieval Wall Decorations
Materials
Paper
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 Wall Decorations
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 Wall Decorations
Materials
Wool, Cotton, Linen
Set of Three Vintage Paintings with People in Rococo Costumes
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Three Vintage Paintings with People in Rococo Costumes
A set of three paintings depicting two noble ladies and a noble man in Rococo costumes. Handpainted with enamel paint o...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Medieval Wall Decorations
Materials
Wood
Set of Three Spanish Church Alms Boxes Wall Decoration, 18th Century
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of three carved wood hand painted donation / offering ALM Boxes, Spain, 18th century.
Polychromed wooden Church Collection offering donation money boxes as wall decorations.
Beautiful wall decoration comprised of three wall hanging collection / doation money boxes. Originally used to collect donations at Christian churches/chapels.
Each one has a different design. All three create a colorful set displayed together.
Rare find.
Provenance: Private collection.
On sale as a set.
Measures:
Religious woman: 45 cm H x 26 cm W x 21 cm D
Saints Box: 33 cm H x 37 cm W x 14 cm D
Blue Box:46 cm H x 31,5 cm W x 14 cm D
Poor box...
Category
18th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Wall Decorations
Materials
Wood, Pine
The Neophyte
, Large Signed Etching by Gustave Doré, 19th Century Antique Print
By Gustave Doré
Located in Bristol, GB
Antique print entitled ‘the neophyte (first experience of the monastery)’ by Gustave Dore, 1832 -1883
A captivating, somewhat creepy and darkly humorous take on someone’s first day r...
Category
19th Century European Antique Medieval Wall Decorations
Materials
Paper, Glass
17th century Gothic hand sculpted oak panel from Belgium
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Belgium / 17th century / wooden sculpted panel / oak / Gothic / Rustic / Antique
A panel in oak wood enriched with Gothic carvings. Hand carved in Belgium in the 17th century. This ...
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Medieval Wall Decorations
Materials
Oak
Vintage Winslow Health Hygiene Series Medical Scientific Insect Wall Chart Print
Located in Oakville, CT
Vintage, Winslow Health and Hygiene scientific insect series medical wall print, chart. "Edited by C.E.A Winslow Dr. P.H. Copy Right 1929. For explanation see manual. Published by De...
Category
20th Century American Medieval Wall Decorations
Materials
Metal
The Duchy Of Luxembourg - Jacques Surhon De Mons - 1551 - édouard Kutter Edition
Located in BARSAC, FR
Engraving representing the map of the Duchy of Luxembourg in 1551, after Jacques Surhon de Mons 20th century edition from Edouard Kutter editions in Luxembourg
In its luxurious o...
Category
Mid-20th Century Luxembourgish Medieval Wall Decorations
Materials
Paper
Early 1900s Marked Art Deco Period Bronze Relief Wall Plaque Depicting the Pieta
Located in Lisse, NL
Heavy and finest quality, religious bronze wall plaque.
This intense, bronze wall plaque depicts the Virgin Mary grieving over the body of Jesus Christ after the crucifixion. The h...
Category
Early 20th Century European Medieval Wall Decorations
Materials
Bronze
Rarest Arts
Crafts Crafted Picture Frame with Litho, Christ Carrying His Cross
Located in Lisse, NL
Exceptionally hand-crafted picture frame with station of the cross lithograph by Eugene Jouy 'Editeur'.
This handcrafted antique frame is in a style that we have never seen before a...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Medieval Wall Decorations
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper, Oak, Ash
French Tapestry, Genuine Jacquard in Medieval Style - H 131 x W 190 cm - N 1439
Located in Paris, FR
Located a stone's throw from the Eiffel Tower in Paris, we are a French family business
specializing in the purchase, sale, expertise, cleaning, restoration and conservation of
tapes...
Category
19th Century French Antique Medieval Wall Decorations
Materials
Wool
Impressive and Large Bronze Wall Plaque of a Suffering Christ by Sylvain Norga
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare and sizeable Art Deco religious plaque.
Stunning sculpture / plaque by one of the greats when it comes to religious art. This sizeable, heavy and detailed plaque depicts Jesus...
Category
Early 20th Century Belgian Medieval Wall Decorations
Materials
Bronze
Wood Wall Hanging of Maesta Madonna and Christ Child after Cimabue, Italy
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A fabulous pentagon wood wall hanging of the Madonna and child from Italy. This piece is created from wood, and has an applied print of Maesta, (Madonna enthroned with the Christ child by Cimabue) The edges feature a gold embossed design. The back includes metal hanging hardware.
Cimabue, also known as Cenni di Pepo...
Category
20th Century Italian Medieval Wall Decorations
Materials
Wood, Paper
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 Wall Decorations
Materials
Cotton
19th C. Italian Capriccio Ruins of Church with a Cemetery
Gravediggers
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th C. Italian Capriccio Ruins of Church with a Cemetery & Gravediggers
Apparently Unsigned
Oil On Canvas: 13.5-inches high x 16- inches wide
Framed : 18-inches high x 22 - inches w...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Medieval Wall Decorations
Materials
Canvas, Giltwood
Original Antique Illuminated Print of St Isodore of Seville. C.1880
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful print of St Isodore of Seville
Illuminated Chromolithograph
Published circa 1880
Unframed.
Free shipping
The measurement is the paper size
Category
1880s English Antique Medieval Wall Decorations
Materials
Paper
Antique Gothic Oak
Brass Communion Shelf 19thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Gothic Oak and Scrolled Brass Communion Shelf 19thC
Measures- 35.5''H x 24.25''W x 15.25''D
This antique Gothic-style communion shelf from the 19th century is crafted from oa...
Category
19th Century Antique Medieval Wall Decorations
Materials
Brass
$960 Sale Price
20% Off
A Very Large and Unusual 19th Century KPM Porcelain Plaque by Carl Meinhelt
Located in New York, NY
A Very Large and Unusual 19th Century KPM Porcelain Plaque by Carl Meinhelt. This plaque was produced by the Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM) in Berlin and is signed by the art...
Category
19th Century German Antique Medieval Wall Decorations
Materials
Porcelain
Wall Hanging Arts and Crafts Copper Breast Plate Shield with Cross Swords
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Wall hanging Arts and Crafts copper breast plate shield with cross swords
A Large Decorative wall piece the copper is hand beaten and has a Cross with Crown over
The swords are ...
Category
1920s Vintage Medieval Wall Decorations
Materials
Copper
English Gothic Style Holy Water Bronze Faucet Oak Wall Plaques
Located in Queens, NY
2 English Gothic Revival style (19th Century) bronze faucets mounted on oak wall plaque. (PRICED EACH).
Category
19th Century Antique Medieval Wall Decorations
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Weathered Terracotta Architectural Shield Plaque
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An early 19th century weathered terracotta architectural plaque in the shape of a shield. This is one of seven similar shield-shaped terracotta plaques we are selling, usable alone ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Medieval Wall Decorations
Materials
Stone
Oil on Canvas Portrait of a Medieval Man Signed Costello
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Oil painting of a medieval man with drop earing, signed on lower corner Costello. Original caved wood Frame. Circa 1950's. Framed 17.5 tall, 15.5 wide...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Medieval Wall Decorations
Materials
Canvas, Hardwood
Antique Belgian Architectural Element Mounted Crest
Located in North Miami, FL
This is a wonderful antique architectural element mounted to custom iron wall bracket for best display and viewing. THIS ITEM IS LOCATED AND WILL SHIP FROM OUR EAST HAMPTON, NY SHOW...
Category
Late 19th Century Belgian Antique Medieval Wall Decorations
Materials
Concrete, Iron
19th Century German Hand Painted Porcelain Portrait Plate in Pewter Frame
Located in Dallas, TX
Add distinguished character to a study or library with this finely executed antique wall plate. Crafted in Germany circa 1880, the large round porce...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Medieval Wall Decorations
Materials
Pewter
Pair of Early 20th Century French Oval Hand Painted Ceramic Wall Platters
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring the architectural highlights of France into your home with this pair of colorful, antique decorative earthenware wall platters. Crafted in high relief, circa 1920, the decorati...
Category
Early 20th Century French Medieval Wall Decorations
Materials
Ceramic, Earthenware
Set of 5 Antique Ecclesiastical Carved Panels
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of 5 antique Ecclesiastical style carved panels. These tracery panels of Pugin style make for decorative wall art or, once glazed, elaborate windows in a period property or mod...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Wall Decorations
Materials
Wood, Pine
French Plaster Head
Located in Stamford, CT
Fanciful French plaster head with pocket.
Category
1940s French Vintage Medieval Wall Decorations
Materials
Plaster
$1,500
Medieval wall decorations for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Medieval wall decorations 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 wall decorations created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations, more furniture and collectibles, rugs and carpets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Medieval wall decorations made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original wall decorations, popular names associated with this style include Alain Cornic, Denoyer-Geppert, Europa Antiques, and Jindra Bernatova. 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 wall decorations differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $30 and tops out at $23,097 while the average work can sell for $2,142.
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