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.
Ivory Hand Knotted Old Persian Kerman Cropped Thin Distressed Look Worn Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Wool
10'x10' Gray Cypress Tree Design Silk with Textured Wool Hand Knotted Square Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Square Cypress Tree Design Silk with Textured Wool Hand Knotted Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old Per...
Silk
$2,742Sale Price|25% Off
3'x12'4" Admiral Blue THE PEACOCK Sari Silk Colorful Hand Knotted Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Admiral Blue, THE PEACOCK, Sari Silk, Colorful, Hand Knotted, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Sari Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Transitional Primary color:...
Silk
$347Sale Price|25% Off
2'1"x3'1" Gray Persian Erased Design Silk with Wool Hand Knotted Mat Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Battleship Gray, Broken Persian Erased Design, Silk with Textured Wool, Hand Knotted, Sample Mat Oriental Rug WoolCategory2010s Indian Medieval More Carpets
Materials
10'5"x14' Handspun Wool Flat Weave Brown Mountain Design Kilim Hand Woven Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Handspun Wool Flat Weave Brown And Blue Mountain Design Kilim Hand Woven Reversible Oriental Rug. It has been Woven for months and months in the...
Wool
6'x9'4" Jewellery Design Sari Silk with Textured Wool Colorful Handknotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Jewellery Design Sari Silk with Textured Wool Colorful Hand Knotted Oriental Rug. It has been woven for months and months in the centuries-old P...
Wool
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
9'2"x12' Gold Brown, Silk With Textured Wool, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Gold Brown, Silk With Textured Wool, Hand Knotted, Transitional Sarouk, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries...
Silk
Purple Overdyed Hand Knotted Old Persian Hamadan Wool Clean Rustic Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Wool
Blue Hand Knotted Clean Evenly Worn Vibrant Wool Overdyed Old Persian Tabriz Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Wool
Navy Blue Worn Wool Cropped Thin Hand Knotted Old Persian Kerman Distressed Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Wool
$1,995Sale Price|25% Off
9'x12'1" Brown Wool and Silk Hand Knotted Modern Grass Design Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Shades of Brown, Wool and Silk, Hand Knotted, Modern Grass Design, Tone on Tone, Lush and Plush, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches S...
Wool
8'3"x10' Navy Blue, Fine Peshawar Pure Wool Hand Knotted Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Navy Blue, Fine Peshawar with Ziegler Mahal Design, Natural Dyes Dense Weave, Pure Wool Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for mont...
Wool
$5,464Sale Price|25% Off
8'9"x8'9" Beige, Wool and Pure Silk, Hand Knotted, Oriental, Round, Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Beige, THE SUNSET ROSETTES, Wool and Pure Silk, Hand Knotted, Oriental, Round Rug. It has been Loomed for months and months in the centuries-old...
Silk
$2,918Sale Price|25% Off
6'x9'2" Ivory Silk-Textured Wool Tree of Life Meditation Design Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Ivory Silk with Textured Wool Tree of Life Meditation Design Hand Knotted Oriental Rug. It has been woven for months and months in the centuries...
Silk
$7,840Sale Price|20% Off
Barn Red Antique Persian Kashan Debir Hand Knotted Pure Wool Clean Oversized Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous hand-knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to makeExact Rug Size in Feet and Inches : 11'2" x 16'8"Main Rug Color : RedRug Border Color : Visa BlueOther Colors of the Rug : Flint, Gray Goose...
Wool
$1,240Sale Price|20% Off
Red Antique Persian Mahal Excellent Condition Hand Knotted Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind red antique Persian Mahal excellent condition hand knotted oriental rug. It has been knotted for months and months in the centuries-old Persian weaving...
Wool
Misty Gray, Pure Wool, Vintage Persian Kerman, Hand Knotted, Mat Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Wool
Beige Hand Knotted Worn Wool Cropped Thin Distressed Vintage Persian Kerman Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Wool
Pink Abrash Vintage Persian Hamadan Hand Knotted Pure Wool Clean Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Wool
Beige Hand Knotted Cropped Thin Worn Wool Distressed Look Old Persian Kerman Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Wool
Blueish Grey Distressed Feel Worn Wool Hand Knotted Vintage Persian Tabriz Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous hand-knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Wool
$1,356Sale Price|25% Off
3'x11'7" Dorian Gray Bidjar Garus Design Hand Knotted Wool Runner Aryana Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Fine Aryana Bidjar Garus Design, Hand Knotted, Pure Wool, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving c...
Wool
$1,583Sale Price|25% Off
9'5"x11'7" Light Blue Southwest Geometric Design Flat Weave Hand Woven Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Light Blue, American Indian Southwest Geometric Design, Flat Weave, Hand Woven, 100% Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Traditional...
Wool
$842Sale Price|25% Off
2'7"x6'4" Navy Blue Nain with Vines Design Wool and Silk Hand Knotted Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Midnight Blue, Nain with All Over Vines Design, Soft Pile, Wool and Silk, 250 KPSI, Hand Knotted, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25...
Wool
3'2"x5'1" Cloud Gray Broken Persian Design Hand Knotted Wool and Pure Silk Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Cloud Gray, Broken Persian Design, Hand Knotted, Wool and Pure Silk, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Transitional Primary color...
Wool
$1,185Sale Price|25% Off
10'3"x16'1" Colorful Organic Wool Hand Woven Afghan Kilim Oversized Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Colorful, Veggie Dyes Organic Wool Hand Woven, Afghan Kilim with Geometric Design Flat Weave, Reversible Oversized Oriental Rug. It has been Wov...
Wool
$8,230Sale Price|25% Off
9'x11'10" Colorful Mamluk Design Sari Silk with Textured Wool Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Macaroon Yellow, Colorful Mamluk Design, Sari Silk with Textured Wool, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Traditiona...
Wool
4'1"x10'4" Sari Silk with Textured Wool Runner Mamluk Design Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Colorful Sari Silk with Textured Wool Wide Runner Mamluk Design Hand Knotted Oriental Rug. It has been woven for months and months in the centur...
Silk
$1,573Sale Price|25% Off
2'9"x8'1" Red with Yellow Sari Silk with Textured Wool Mamluk Design Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Crimson Red with Yellow, Sari Silk with Textured Wool, Colorful Mamluk Design, Hand Knotted, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches S...
Wool
2'x3' Blue Silk with Textured Wool Striae Design Hand Knotted Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Blue Silk with Textured Wool Striae Design Hand Knotted Oriental Rug. It has been woven for months and months in the centuries-old Persian weavi...
Wool
$1,170Sale Price|25% Off
4'1"x6'2" Laurel Green Silk & Wool Mughal Design Hand Knotted Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Laurel Green, Pure Silk With Textured Wool, Mughal Design, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Transitional Primary c...
Wool
$1,170Sale Price|25% Off
2'8"x10' Gray Erased Persian Design Wool and Silk Hand Knotted Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Slate Gray, Broken and Erased Persian Design, Wool and Pure Real Silk, Hand Knotted, Runner Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Pure Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style...
Silk
4'x6' Rich Red Hand Knotted Soft Wool 175 KPSI Herati Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Rich Red Hand Knotted Soft Wool 175 KPSI Herati with All Over Design Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-ol...
Silk
2'7"x6' Red Karajeh Design with Medallions Hand Knotted Pure Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Crimson Red, Karajeh Design with Geometric Medallions, Hand Knotted, Pure Wool, Soft Pile, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Tra...
Wool
4'3"x6'2" Midnight Blue Vintage Persian Hamadan Wool Hand Knotted Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Midnight Blue, Vintage Persian Hamadan with Geometric Medallion, Animal Figurines, Worn and Distressed, Sheared Low, Zero Pile, Sides and Ends Professionally Secured, Hand Knotted, 1...
Wool
3'x5' Yellow Vintage Chinese Medallion Design Silk Hand Knotted Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Golden Yellow, Vintage Chinese, Medallion Design, Silk, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Traditional Primary color: Yello...
Wool
3'x10'10" Gray Peshawar with Bijar Garus Design Hand Knotted All Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Cloud Gray, Peshawar with Bijar Garus Design, Aryana Collection, Hand Knotted, Vegetable Dyes, High Mountain Wool, Densely Woven, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: ...
Wool
12'2"x15' Lexicon White Wool and Silk Hand Loomed Modern Oversized Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Lexicon White and Luxury Black, Modern Textured and Variegated Line Design, 100% wool, Hand Loomed, Oversized Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool and Plant based Silk Latex: No Pile...
Wool
9'x12'2" Snowbound White Hand Knotted Nain 250 KPSI Design Wool Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Nain Flower Design, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving craftsmanship techniques ...
Wool
Midnight Blue Antique Afghan Beshir Geometric Design Hand Knotted Pure Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Wool
Gold Brown Silk with Textured Wool Hand Knotted Sarouk Square Rug 12'0" x 12'2"
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Silk
Angels Red Antique Tourkaman Clean Hand Knotted Pure Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Wool
2'8"x12'9" Coral Pink Vintage Persian Lilahan Hand Knotted Pure Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Coral Pink, Vintage Persian Lilahan with Flower Design, 100% Wool, Hand Knotted, Cropped Thin, Worn and Distressed, Sides and Ends Professionally Secured, Runner, Oriental Rug Primar...
Wool
Brown Even Wear Old Persian Hamadan Hand Knotted Wool Clean Runner Abrash Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Wool
Mocha Brown, Hand Knotted Vintage Persian Shiraz Worn Wool, Distressed Look Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Wool
Beige Old Persian Kerman Hand Knotted Cropped Thin Worn Wool Distressed Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Wool
$1,599Sale Price|25% Off
6'7"x9'7" Red Hand Knotted Afghan Andkhoy with Geometric Pattern Soft Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Crimson Red, Hand Knotted, Afghan Andkhoy with Geometric Pattern, Soft and Velvety Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Traditional P...
Wool
$2,235Sale Price|25% Off
5'8"x9'9" Light Blue Hand Knotted Afghan Sultani Cypress Tree Design Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Light Blue, Hand Knotted, Afghan Sultani with Cypress Tree Design, Denser Weave, Vegetable Dyes, Soft Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches S...
Wool
$904Sale Price|25% Off
3'x6' Blue Peshawar with Bijar Garus Design Hand Knotted Wool Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Aegean Blue, Aryana Collection, Peshawar with Bijar Garus Design, High Mountain Wool, Hand Knotted, Vegetable Dyes, Densely Woven, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex:...
Wool
$1,531Sale Price|25% Off
9'x11'10" Crimson Red Southwest Geometric Design Hand Woven Flat Weave Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Crimson Red, American Indian Southwest Geometric Design, Flat Weave, Hand Woven, 100% Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Traditiona...
Wool
$450Sale Price|25% Off
2'8"x6' Red New Persian Hamadan Hand Knotted Soft Wool Runner Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Crimson Red, New Persian Hamadan with Geometric Medallion, Full Pile, Hand Knotted, 100% Wool, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style:...
Wool
3'2"x5'1" Brown Mamluk Design with Medallion Hand Knotted Wool and Silk Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Lark Brown, Mamluk Design with Geometric Medallion, Hand Knotted, Textured Wool and Silk, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Tradi...
Wool
11'8"x15'1" Brown Mamluk Design with Medallions Hand Knotted Wool & Silk XL Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Lark Brown, Mamluk Design with Geometric Medallions, Hand Knotted, Textured Wool and Silk, XL, Oversized, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inc...
Wool
2'7"x24'1" Ivory Hand Knotted Sickle Leaf Design Silk with Wool XL Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Ivory and Brown, Colorful Sickle Leaf Design, Hand Knotted, Silk with Textured Wool, XL Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style:...
Wool
$4,902Sale Price|25% Off
10'x10' Blue Afghan Ersari with Turkish Knot Hand Knotted Soft Wool Square Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Cobalt Blue, Hand Knotted, Afghan Ersari with Turkish Knot, Antique Caucasian Motif, Vegetable Dyes, Densely Woven, Soft and Velvety Wool, Square, Oriental Rug
Primary mat...
Wool
$572Sale Price|25% Off
2'9"x8'7" Crimson Red Wool New Persian Lilahan Hand Knotted Runner Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Crimson Red, Soft and Shiny Wool, New Persian Lilahan with All Over Design, Hand Knotted, Full Pile, Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches ...
Wool
8'9"x11'10" Cloud Gray Damask Wool & Plant Based Silk Hand Knotted Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Hand Knotted Damask Design, Wool and Plant Based Silk, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving craf...
Silk
8'x8' Classic Gray Wool Cord Collection Plain Hand Woven Square Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Hand Woven Cord Collection, Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving craftsmanship techniques by art...
Wool
$728Sale Price|25% Off
3'1"x5'1" Yale Blue Hand Knotted Northwest Persian Village Design Pure Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Yale Blue, Hand Knotted, Northwest Persian Village Design, Aryana Grade, Vegetable Dyes, Soft Pile, High Mountain Wool, Densely Woven, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No ...
Wool