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.
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
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
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) 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
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
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
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
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
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
Mid-Century Woven Wicker Wrought Iron Wine Bottle Holder Pourer
Located in Jensen Beach, FL
Show you pay attention to every detail with this fine, mid-century bottle holder.
Metal
$470
H 8.67 in W 7.88 in D 3.94 in
Auböck White Wine Bottle Holder, Midcentury, Brass and Leather, 1950s, Austria
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Minimalistic Auböck white or rosé wine bottle holder in solid brass with leather handle, made by Werkstätten Carl Auböck in 1950s. This pourer was designe...
Brass
Mercury Glass Thermos Bottle
Located in Sheffield, MA
Unusual vintage mercury thermos with wicker outer layer. OFFERING FREE SHIPPING TO CONTINENTAL US. PLEASE JUST ASK FOR A SHIPPING QUOTE.
Mercury Glass, Wicker
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
$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
$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
$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
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
$188Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.68 in Dm 5.52 in
German Stein - Beer Mug - Tankard - Pot - Ceramic - Germany
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Charming German beer stein from the mid-20th century. Ceramic stein decorated with floral designs, houses, and two German figures, a man and a woman, in the Bavarian style. Blue and ...
Ceramic
$340
H 8.25 in W 4 in D 5.13 in
Antique Character Stein of the Nuremberg Tower, by Theodor Wieseler Germany
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Antique tower-shaped beer stein by Theodor Wieseler, it served as a prototype for one of the towers of Nuremberg Castle; German, late 19th century, with blue-violet salt glaze and a ...
Pewter
$1,095 / set
H 13.5 in Dm 8.24 in
Glo-Hill 6 Piece Bar Tool Set with Carousel Stand in Cherry Bakelite and Chrome
By Glo Hill
Located in Nantucket, MA
Six-piece bar tool set with revolving stand by Glo-Hill in red/black mottled faux tortoise Bakelite and chrome. A hexagonal Bakelite plate with cut-outs for the six tools is supporte...
Chrome
Hermes Equestrian Wine Bottle Topper, 1960s France
By Hermès
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful vintage Hermès equestrian bottle topper. Large horse head atop a rounded pedestal. Hermès Paris stamped on outer rim. Stunning accent piec...
Metal
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
Ornate 19th Century Medieval Style Bejeweled Goblet/Chalice
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Beautiful ornate 19th century jeweled chalice embedded in brass wire on colored glass. A very unique drinking vessel.
Brass
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