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.
Antique European Gothic Jeweled Silver Chalice
Located in New York, NY
European Gothic silver chalice, 18th century. Bowl mounted to faceted and fluted shaft with globular knop; gilt studs, faceted jewels, and gilt rondel engraved with cross. Raised mul...
Multi-gemstone, Silver
Vintage Stoneware Skull Mugs from The Horror Bar Le Cercueil in Brussels, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Imagine serving tomato soup or cherry tea in these fuckers... Le Cercueil in Brussels is Europes oldest horror bar and was established in 1974 or 76 in the Belgian capital. This set ...
Stoneware
Medieval Themed German Bier Steins - Mugs in Glazed Stoneware, Set of 2
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A set of German beer mugs or Bier Steins decorated with jolly medieval pub scenes and micro-cosmos building sceneri to their backsides. These were not made in Japan but in Germany ci...
Stoneware
Victorian Period Continental Silver (.800) Wager/Marriage Cup
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Period, Continental Silver (.800), wager/marriage cup in the form of a Medieval marriage cup, hallmarked for Hamburg, Germany, Ca. 1892. Maker is probably Richard Koberlin....
Sterling Silver
Antique European Wrought Iron Wine Cabinet
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An antique European wrought Iron wine cabinet, possibly French or German, presenting a gothic aesthetic, and showcasing an arched form embellished with scrolling accents throughout. ...
Wrought Iron
Victorian Period Continental Silver (.800) Bell-Form Wager/Marriage Cup
Located in New York, NY
Unusual, Victorian Period, Medieval-style, Continental Silver (.800) wager/marriage cup, which also functions as a working bell (it still has its working clapper), Germany, Ca. 1895....
Gold, Sterling Silver
Medieval/15th Century-Style Continental Silver '.800' Roemer/ Rummer Goblet
Located in New York, NY
Medieval (15th Century) - style, Continental Silver (.800) Rummer/Roemer style goblet, Germany, Ca. 1920. This form of goblet was popular from the 15th-17th centuries, although the R...
Sterling Silver
German Vintage Wrought Iron Bottle Cradle Pourer, 1970s
Located in Barntrup, DE
This beautiful bottle holder/bottle pourer in Medieval style was made in Germany circa the 1970s by the company Asbach. The wrought iron stand holds a bo...
Wrought Iron
Mid Century Medieval Armor Helmet Ice Bucket Polished Pewter
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in, this unusual Mid Century Medieval Armor helmet Ice Bucket made of pewter and that has been recently polished. The hinge is in perfect condition and has brass details. Very g...
Brass, Pewter
Latama Italy Medieval Halberd styled Bar Cocktail Tool
Located in Ferndale, MI
Made in Italy by Latama . Stainless steel bar tool styled after a Medieval Halberd . Long staff with hook and ax used by Knights to de mount an opponent . Multi tool item Ice cracki...
Stainless Steel, Chrome
Art Deco Style Square Wine Cooler Solid Silver
By Puiforcat
Located in Paris, FR
This champagne bucket is in the typical spirit of the Art Deco movement, with a square shape, and two geometric handles. Each bucket is made of solid silver and it will last forever....
Silver
Antique Sterling Silver Cobbler Cocktail Shaker (1933)
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George V English sterling silver cobbler cocktail shaker; an addition to our wine and drinks related silverware collection. This exceptional antique George V English sterling silver cobbler cocktail shaker has a tapering cylindrical form. The surface of this cocktail shaker embellished with impressive engine turned decoration. This cobbler shaker retains the original hallmarked domed push fit cover and stopper, each accented with further bands of engine turned ornamentation to the cylindrical portions. The detachable push fit hallmarked sterling silver stopper allows access to the integrated pierced decorated straining grille; this hallmarked grill is incorporated to the upper portion of the aforementioned removeable cover. Such sterling silver examples are becoming increasingly difficult to locate. Condition This antique silver cocktail shaker...
Sterling Silver
Rigidex French Wine Crate or Locker
Located in Sheffield, MA
French strapped metal wine cage or safe. Pair of hinged doors with locking hasp, opens to store up to 200 bottles with individual fitted slots, original enamel. Lock hasp with metal ...
Iron
$695 / set
H 4.25 in Dm 4 in
1970s Double Old Fashioned Poison Bar Glasses Cyanide Curare Arsenic Hemlock
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful collection of rare bar glasses or whiskey glasses with four glass stirs included, reminiscent of the mortar and pestle form. Name Your Poison, Ol...
Glass
Midcentury "Hill" Wine Rack by Dean Santner
By Dean Santner
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration is this beautifully sculpted wine rack by Master Craftsman Dean Santner. Santner designs are part of the American Modern Craft movement along side Wendell Cast...
Wood
Sculptural 20th Century Wine Rack
Located in Antwerp, BE
Two small brass wine racks suitable for counter top made for six bottles. Italy, 1970s. Measures: Height 41 cm, width 27 cm, depth 21 cm. Height 31 cm, width 37 cm, depth 21 cm.
Metallic Thread
Large Tall Wrought Iron Wine Rack
By Paul McCobb, Arthur Umanoff
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice high capacity of 49 bottles skinny low profile wine rack.
Wrought Iron
Old English Sheffield Plate Regency Wine Cooler
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Old English Sheffield silver plate Regency style wine cooler / ice bucket .This exceptional Regency cooler retains the original detachable support frames, liners and push fit cover in a campana shape . It is made of silver on copper and fitted with an exceptional pair of decorative handles embellished with reeded decoration. It has a superb armorial engraving...
Silver Plate
Vintage Leather Double Flask Travel Bar Set c.1970
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Vintage leather travel bar set with two glass flasks, metal shot lid, cork screw and a chrome bar spoon. Original key and leather pouch. ...
Metal
$2,300 / set
H 10 in Dm 4 in
Set of Late 19th Century 800 Silver and Crystal Decanter with Six Cups, Germany
Located in North Miami, FL
Set of late 19th century Renaissance Revival 800 Silver and crystal/cut glass decanter with six cups, Germany By: unknown Material: metal, silver, glass, cut glass, crystal Techniqu...
Crystal, Metal, Silver
Vintage Town Crier Chrome Bell-Form Cocktail Shaker, with Clapper
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Vintage chrome and wood cocktail shaker in the form of a bell. The handle unscrews from the top of the bell allowing you to fill the shaker. The handle has a strainer built in to the...
Chrome
$76Sale Price|20% Off
H 6 in Dm 3.88 in
1970s El de Uberti Italy Chalice Wine Champagne Goblet Silver Plate
By De Uberti
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s by El de Uberti Italy Chalice Wine Champagne Goblet Silver Plate Stamp by maker 6 h x 3.88 diameter Preowned vintage condition Refer to photos for condition.
Silver Plate
$180
H 8.5 in W 5.25 in D 4 in
Character Stein of the Nuremberg Tower, City Wall Tower Lidded Beer Stein, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous beer stein, made in Germany by the famous Gerz Company. This beer stein has been made in Germany, circa 1960s. Absolutely gorgeous piece still in great condition, without ...
Pewter
$220
H 9.75 in W 3.75 in D 5.25 in
Vintage Gnome Head Lidded Glass Character Beer Stein Germany, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous glass beer stein with a gnome head and pictures of gnomes on the stein. This beer stein has been made in Germany circa 1970s or older, marked Germany. It is a 0.5 Liter st...
Pewter
$154Sale Price|40% Off
H 3.15 in W 4.93 in D 3.55 in
Nutcracker in the shape of a walnut by DMF Nagel, West- Germany 1970s
By Bmf Nagel
Located in Herentals, BE
Nutcracker in the shape of a walnut by DMF Nagel, West- Germany 1970s This 'The Supernut' silver-plated nutcracker in the shape of a walnut was produced in the 70s by BMF Nagel, also...
Metal, Silver Plate
Ruby Red Cut to Clear Cristal D' Arques Crystal Wine Glasses, Set of 8 France
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A fine set of eight, cut to clear ruby red cordial or wine glasses. Marked at the bottom "France". Each glass features a clear round base and a circular ruby red body decorated with ...
Crystal
20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Tankard
By Mario Vallè
Located in VALENZA, IT
Tankard in 925 solid silver embossed and chiseled in "ovules", typical late Italian medieval design. The shiny ovules are interspersed with knurling and subsequently burnished. The c...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 23.25 in W 14.5 in D 6 in
19th Century French Wrought Iron Four Bottle Wine Rack with Lock and Keys
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a wine cellar or wet bar with this elegant antique bottle cabinet, created in France circa 1890, the wrought iron wine storage features an arched top with scrolled accents, hinged door with chain support and lock mechanism to one side, and dual loop handles, it has a capacity for four bottles. The Gothic wine cabinet is in excellent condition with a rich verdigris patinated finish...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 16 in W 10 in D 10 in
Pair of 19th Century French Painted Barbotine Wine Pitchers with Grapes & Vines
Located in Dallas, TX
Enhance your wine cellar with this interesting pair of antique medieval terracotta wine pitchers from Bordeaux, France, circa 1860; the jugs made in clay, feature a large handle with...
Terracotta, Paint
Antique Bohemian Cut Glass Goblet, Richly Gilded
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
From our selection of one a kind special antique goblets. Perfect for your bar and cabinet display. This lovely piece is from one of the glass makers in the Czech Republic and featur...
Gold