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.
Mid-17th Century Belgian Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
15th Century and Earlier German Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Cotton, Linen
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Medieval Furniture
Fabric, Velvet, Trimming
Early 1800s English Antique Medieval Furniture
Leather, Hardwood
19th Century Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
15th Century and Earlier Antique Medieval Furniture
Metal, Iron
19th Century Antique Medieval Furniture
Iron
Late 18th Century American Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Iron
19th Century Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Wool, Cotton
19th Century Belgian Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
15th Century and Earlier English Antique Medieval Furniture
Alabaster
Early 20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Metal, Tin
Early 20th Century Medieval Furniture
Iron, Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Cotton
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Medieval Furniture
Fabric, Oak, Paint
19th Century Antique Medieval Furniture
Iron
17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century Dutch Medieval Furniture
Plaster
16th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Cotton, Wool
19th Century British Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
Mid-20th Century Dutch Medieval Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Medieval Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Medieval Furniture
Iron
19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
1840s English Antique Medieval Furniture
Silver Plate
19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Walnut
2010s Italian Medieval Furniture
Stainless Steel
1960s French Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Stone, Limestone
Early 20th Century English Medieval Furniture
Wood, Oak
Early 20th Century European Medieval Furniture
Stone
17th Century Italian Antique Medieval Furniture
Bronze
19th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Furniture
Wrought Iron
1890s Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
1850s Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Iron
19th Century Antique Medieval Furniture
Oak
1970s French Vintage Medieval Furniture
Iron, Wrought Iron
Mid-19th Century Antique Medieval Furniture
Walnut
15th Century and Earlier Spanish Antique Medieval Furniture
Other
Early 1900s English Antique Medieval Furniture
Paper
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Cotton
1910s American Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wrought Iron
19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Brass, Iron
1890s Antique Medieval Furniture
Mirror, Oak
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Wool
20th Century English Medieval Furniture
Hardwood
2010s Italian Medieval Furniture
Steel
17th Century French Antique Medieval Furniture
Stone, Limestone
16th Century Belgian Antique Medieval Furniture
Walnut
1890s American Antique Medieval Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Wool, Cotton
1960s European Vintage Medieval Furniture
Granite
Mid-19th Century English Antique Medieval Furniture
Lead