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.
$1,217Sale Price|25% Off
2'8"x13' Powder White, Hand Knotted, Nain Design, 250 KPSI Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Powder White, Hand Knotted, Nain with Center Medallion Flower Design, 250 KPSI, Organic Wool, Runner Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: T...
Wool
$1,352Sale Price|25% Off
2'9"x14' Blue, Nain Design, 250 KPSI, Natural Wool Hand Knotted XL Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Beau Blue, Nain with Center Medallion Flower Design, 250 KPSI, Natural Wool, Hand Knotted, XL Runner Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: T...
Wool
$1,483Sale Price|25% Off
2'8"x15'10" Midnight Blue Nain Design 250 KPSI Wool Hand Knotted XL Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Midnight Blue, Nain with Center Medallion Flower Design, 250 KPSI, Organic Wool, Hand Knotted, XL Runner Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Styl...
Wool
$1,800Sale Price|25% Off
2'6"x20'6" White, 250 KPSI, Soft Wool, Hand Knotted, Nain Design XL Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Powder White, 250 KPSI, Extra Soft Wool, Hand Knotted, Nain with Center Medallion Flower Design, XL Runner Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches St...
Wool
$1,559Sale Price|25% Off
4'2"x9'7" Astros Navy Blue Finer Peshawar Karajeh Hand Knotted Wide Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Finer Peshawar with Karajeh Design, Extra Soft Wool Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old w...
Wool
$3,320Sale Price|25% Off
10'x13'10" Cardinals Red, Afghan Ersari Design, Hand Knotted, Natural Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Cardinals Red, Afghan Ersari with Elephant Feet Design, Hand Knotted, Natural Dyes, Natural Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Trad...
Wool
$1,885Sale Price|25% Off
2'6"x19'2" Old Wood Ivory Peshawar Faded Design Wool Hand Knotted XL Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind White Wash Peshawar, Hand Knotted, Pure Wool, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving craftsmanship...
Wool
$1,202Sale Price|25% Off
3'9"x9'7" Pastel Gray Hand Knotted White Wash Peshawar Wool Wide Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind White Washed Out Peshawar, Hand Knotted, Pure Wool, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving craftsm...
Wool
$2,370Sale Price|25% Off
6'x9' Gray, Broken Persian Erased Design, Silk with Wool Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Battleship Gray, Broken Persian Erased Design, Silk with Textured Wool, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Transitio...
Silk
$2,132Sale Price|25% Off
2'7"x21'9" Vista White Hand Knotted Unique Flower Rosettes Border XL Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Hand Knotted Shiraz Reimagined Unique Flower Rosettes Border Design, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-ol...
Wool
$1,410Sale Price|25% Off
7'9"x9'9" Parchment White, Peshawar with Mahal Design, Hand Knotted Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Parchment White, Peshawar with Large Elements Mahal Design, Hand Knotted, Pure Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Transitional Prim...
Wool
$2,370Sale Price|25% Off
9'1"x12'6" Grey Natural Colors Peshawar with Mahal Design Wool Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Cloud Grey, Natural Colors, Peshawar with Persian Mahal All Over Design, Pure Wool, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Tran...
Wool
$2,477Sale Price|25% Off
9'10"x10' Ivory Hand Knotted Shiraz Flower Rosettes Border Wool Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Hand Knotted Shiraz Reimagined Unique Flower Rosettes Border Design Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old...
Wool
$2,098Sale Price|25% Off
6'x8'10" Ivory, Fine Peshawar Densely Woven, Soft Wool Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Ivory, Fine Peshawar with Intricate Geometric Motifs Natural Dyes, Soft Wool Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Transitiona...
Wool
$2,187Sale Price|25% Off
6'1"x9'1" Medium Sapphire, Fine Peshawar Natural Wool Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Medium Sapphire, Fine Peshawar with Intricate Geometric Motifs Natural Dyes, Extra Soft Wool Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches St...
Wool
$1,794Sale Price|25% Off
2'5"x18'9" Sky Blue Finer Peshawar Wool Hand Knotted XL Runner Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Sky Blue, Finer Peshawar with All over design, Natural Dyes, 100% Wool, Hand Knotted, XL Runner Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Transi...
Wool
$1,875Sale Price|25% Off
6'3"x6'3" Ivory, Organic Wool, Hand Knotted Herati Design 250 KPSI Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Ivory, Densely Woven Organic Wool, Hand Knotted Herati with All Over Fish Mahi Design, 250 KPSI, Round Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style:...
Wool
$1,978Sale Price|25% Off
6'x9'2" Light Blue Nain Design 250 KPSI Natural Wool Hand Knotted Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Light Blue, Nain With All Over Flower Design, 250 KPSI, Natural Wool, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Traditional Primar...
Wool
$1,641Sale Price|25% Off
6'1"x9' Red Herati Design Wool and Silk 175 KPSI Hand Knotted Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Red Herati All Over Fish Design Thick and Plush Wool 175 KPSI Hand Knotted Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centur...
Silk
$1,641Sale Price|25% Off
6'1"x9' Silver Gray, Hand Knotted Anatolian Village Inspired Pure Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Silver Gray, Hand Knotted Anatolian Village Inspired Geometric Medallions with Animal Figurines, Vegetable Dyes Pure Wool, Oriental Rug. It has ...
Wool
$2,783Sale Price|25% Off
8'x9'8" Cream, Hand Knotted White Wash Peshawar, Heavily Washed Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Cream, Hand Knotted White Wash Peshawar, Heavily Washed Extra Soft Wool, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centurie...
Wool
$2,177Sale Price|25% Off
6'x9'2" Cadet Gray, Vegetable Dyes Soft Wool, Hand Knotted Finer Peshawar Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Cadet Gray, Vegetable Dyes Soft Wool, Hand Knotted Finer Peshawar with Elements Design, Dense Weave, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for month...
Wool
$1,365Sale Price|25% Off
6'x6' Cherry Red Nain Flower Design 250 KPSI Wool Hand Knotted Square Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Cherry Red, Nain with Center Medallion Flower Design 250 KPSI, Wool Hand Knotted, Square Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months...
Silk
$5,548Sale Price|25% Off
9'10"x14'3" Midnight Blue Hand Knotted Nain with Flower Design Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Midnight Blue, Hand Knotted, Nain with Flower Medallion Design, Wool, 250 KPSI, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Traditional Primary co...
Silk
$1,812Sale Price|25% Off
2'6"x12'1" Gray, Wool and Silk, Hand Knotted, Broken Persian Design, Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Gray, Wool and Pure Silk, Hand Knotted, Broken Persian Design, Runner Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-o...
Silk
$1,529Sale Price|25% Off
2'7"x12'4" Tan, Sickle Leaf Design, Silk With Wool Hand Knotted, Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Tan, Sickle Leaf Design, Silk With Textured Wool Hand Knotted, Runner Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-o...
Silk
$1,679Sale Price|25% Off
4'x11'8" Ivory, White Wash Peshawar Organic Wool Hand Knotted Wide Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Ivory, White Wash Peshawar with Geometric Design Natural Dyes, Organic Wool Hand Knotted, Wide Runner Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for mont...
Wool
$2,258Sale Price|25% Off
8'10"x11'10" Silver Gray, Pure Wool Hand Knotted, Anatolian Design Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Silver Gray, Pure Wool Hand Knotted, Anatolian Design Supple Collection Thick and Plush, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months...
Wool
$1,478Sale Price|25% Off
5'6"x8' Deep and Saturated Red, Afghan Khamyab, Soft and Wool Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Deep and Saturated Red, Afghan Khamyab with Geometric Design, Soft and Shiny Wool Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and...
Wool
$1,530Sale Price|25% Off
8'10"x11'5" Blue, Hand Knotted, Soft and Shiny Wool, Moroccan Berber Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Navy Blue, Hand Knotted, Soft and Shiny Wool, Natural Dyes, Moroccan Berber with Criss Cross Pattern Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for month...
Wool
$3,092Sale Price|25% Off
2'7"x22'2" Tan, Hand Knotted Sickle Leaf Design Silk With Wool, XL Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Tan, Hand Knotted Sickle Leaf Design Silk With Textured Wool, XL Runner Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries...
Silk
$5,382Sale Price|25% Off
10'x13'10" Ivory, Hand Knotted Damask Design, Wool and Plant Based Silk Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Ivory, Hand Knotted Damask Design, Tone on Tone Wool and Plant Based Silk, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for month...
Silk
$5,817Sale Price|25% Off
9'9"x9'9" Gray, Erased Persian Design, Wool and Silk Hand Knotted, Round Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Silver Gray, Erased Persian Design, Wool and Pure Silk Hand Knotted, Round Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centur...
Silk
$2,377Sale Price|25% Off
5'7"x7'7" Red Afghan Ersari with Geometric Design, Pure Wool Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Coral Red Hand Knotted Natural Dyes, Afghan Ersari with Geometric Design, Pure Wool Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in t...
Wool
$1,540Sale Price|25% Off
2'9"x14' Midnight Blue Nain Flower Design 250 KPSI Wool Hand Knotted Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Midnight Blue, Nain All Over Design, 250 KPSI Wool Hand Knotted, Runner Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries...
Silk
$1,434Sale Price|25% Off
2'8"x9'7" Coral Red Afghan Ersari Soft Wool Hand Knotted Runner Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Coral Red, Afghan Ersari with Ancient Animal Figurines Design Natural Dyes, Densely Woven Extra Soft Wool Hand Knotted, Runner Oriental Rug. It ...
Wool
$7,140Sale Price|25% Off
11'7"x14'6" Coral Red, Angora Ushak Soft Wool, Hand Knotted Oversized Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Coral Red, Angora Ushak with Colorful Motif, Soft and Pliable Wool, Hand Knotted, Oriental Oversized Rug. It has been Knotted for months and mon...
Wool
$1,336Sale Price|25% Off
2'7"x12'2" Gray Angora Ushak Pure Wool Hand Knotted Oriental Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Gray Angora Ushak with Bold Floral Pattern Pure Wool Hand Knotted Oriental Runner Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centurie...
Wool
$1,227Sale Price|25% Off
2'6"x11'6" Extra Soft Wool Hand Knotted Gray Afghan Peshawar Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Extra Soft Wool Hand Knotted Gray Afghan Peshawar with Geometric Design Oriental Runner Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the ce...
Wool
$2,664Sale Price|20% Off
10'x14' Fine Jacquard Wool and Plant Based Silk Hand Loomed Gray Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Fine Jacquard with Sickle Leaf Design Wool and Plant Based Silk Hand Loomed Gray Oriental Rug. It has been Loomed for ...
Silk
$11,750Sale Price|25% Off
12'x12' Gray Erased Persian Design Wool and Silk Hand Knotted Square Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Silver Gray Erased Persian Design Wool and Pure Silk Hand Knotted Oriental Square Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centurie...
Silk
$1,633Sale Price|25% Off
2'7"x7'9" Wool and Pure Silk Hand Knotted Gray Broken Persian Design Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Wool and Pure Silk Hand Knotted Ivory Broken Persian Design Oriental Runner Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old ...
Silk
$1,864Sale Price|25% Off
2'6"x16'3" Runner Textured Wool and Silk Mughal Inspired Medallions Design Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind XL Runner Textured Wool and Silk Mughal Inspired Medallions Design Brown and Gray Oriental Rug. It has been woven for months and months in the c...
Wool
$2,474Sale Price|25% Off
7'10"x9'9" Blue Shiny Wool Maze Design With Berber Influence Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Blue Shiny Wool Maze Design With Berber Influence Hand Knotted Soft, Velvety Plush Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in th...
Wool
$1,335Sale Price|25% Off
6'x8'10" White Wash Peshawar Pure Velvety Wool Light Gray Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind White Wash Peshawar Pure Velvety Wool Light Gray With Soft Colors Hand Knotted Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the ce...
Wool
$3,017Sale Price|25% Off
4'1"x12'1" Grey Wool And Pure Silk Broken Persian Design Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Grey Wool And Pure Silk Broken Persian Design Hand Knotted Oriental Wide Gallery Size Runner Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in t...
Silk
$1,983Sale Price|25% Off
9'x12' Yellow and Ivory Supple Collection Modern Oceanic Square Design Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Yellow and Ivory Supple Collection Modern Oceanic Square Design Pure Wool Hand Knotted Oriental Rug. It has been woven for months and months in ...
Wool
$1,965Sale Price|25% Off
8'x9'9" Ivory White Wash Peshawar Natural Wool Hand Knotted Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind IvoryWhite Wash Peshawar Natural Wool Hand Knotted Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving craftsma...
Wool
$4,936Sale Price|25% Off
8'x10'1" Hand Knotted Grey Broken Persian Design Wool And Silk Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Hand Knotted Grey Broken Persian Design Wool And Pure Silk Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving ...
Silk
$1,518Sale Price|25% Off
2'7"x14' Green Wool & Silk Broken Persian Design Hand Knotted Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Seafoam Green Tone on Tone Wool and Silk Broken Persian Design Hand Knotted Runner Oriental Rug. It has been woven for months and months in the ...
Silk
$1,436Sale Price|25% Off
5'8"x9'10" Silver & Black Washed Baluch Pure Wool Hand Knotted Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Silver and Charcoal Black Washed Baluch Pure Wool Hand Knotted Oriental Rug. It has been woven for months and months in the centuries-old Persia...
Wool
$3,016Sale Price|25% Off
10'x14'1" Pink Wool and Art Silk Transitional Design Hand Loomed Jacquard Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Pink Wool and Art Silk Transitional Design Hand Loomed Jacquard Oriental Rug. It has been woven for months and months in the centuries-old Persi...
Silk
$1,758Sale Price|25% Off
2'9"x7'10" THE SUNSET ROSETTES Wool And Pure Silk Runner Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind THE SUNSET ROSETTES Wool And Pure Silk Runner Hand Knotted Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old Persian weaving c...
Silk
$3,916Sale Price|25% Off
8'x8' Round Broken Persian Design Wool and Pure Silk Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Round Broken Persian Design Wool and Pure Silk Hand Knotted Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old Persian weaving ...
Silk
$4,715Sale Price|25% Off
8'1"x10' Black Lush and Plush Hand Knotted Sickle Leaf Design Wool and Silk Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Phantom Black, Lush and Plush, Hand Knotted, Sickle Leaf Design, Soft Pile, Wool and Silk, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Tran...
Wool
$2,681Sale Price|25% Off
2'7"x20'2" White Sickle Leaf Design Silk with Wool Hand Knotted XL Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Silk With Textured Wool Hand Knotted, Sickle Leaf Design, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving c...
Wool
$2,488Sale Price|25% Off
5'10"x9'1" White Hand Knotted Nain Floral Design 250 KPSI Wool and Silk Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Natural White, Hand Knotted, Nain All Over Floral Design, 250 KPSI, Wool and Silk, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Traditional ...
Silk
$4,484Sale Price|25% Off
2'9"x20' Beige Hand Knotted The Sunset Rosettes Wool and Pure Silk XL Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Biscoti Beige, Hand Knotted, Soft Colors, The Sunset Rosettes, Wool and Pure Silk, XL Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: T...
Silk
$3,432Sale Price|25% Off
2'9"x18' Beige Hand Knotted Wool and Pure Silk The Sunset Rosettes Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Egg Nog Beige, Hand Knotted, Soft to Touch, Wool and Pure Silk, The Sunset Rosettes with Vibrant Colors, Runner Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0....
Silk
$2,716Sale Price|25% Off
2'6"x15'8" Gray Wool and Silk Erased Persian Design Runner Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Hand Knotted Broken Persian Design, Wool And Silk, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving craftsma...
Wool