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.
Pretty Vintage French aubusson médiéval style jacquard Tapestry "Vendanges"
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French jacquard tapestry featuring the exquisite design of the renowned medieval museum tapestry, "Les Vendanges" (grape harvest) from the C...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
Nice French Aubusson Style screen printed by hand tapestry «winged stags»
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Immerse yourself in the allure of this mid-20th-century French tapestry, showcasing a design inspired by a 15th-century woven masterpiece titled "Cerfs Ailés" (winged stags) at Rouen...
Cotton, Linen
Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry “fountain concert”
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French screen-printed by hand tapestry featuring the exquisite design of a medieval museum tapestry titled “fountain concert “ This tapestr...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
Beautiful antique fine 18th century french needlepoint tapestry
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Elegant 18th-century French petit point tapestry, beautifully hand-stitched with fine detail and rich colors. This charming piece depicts a lively pastoral scene with figures in peri...
Wool, Cotton, Silk
Pretty Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry “medieval life”
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French screen printed tapestry by hand featuring the exquisite design of the renowned medieval museum tapestry, “falcon hunting” or (Medieva...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
Late 19th Century French Aubusson Verdure Tapestry with Louis XVI Revival Style
Located in Dallas, TX
79208 Late 19th Century Antique French Aubusson Tapestry, 06'00 x 08'10. A sanctuary of woven splendor and poetic artistry, this handwoven wool and silk French Aubusson tapestry from...
Wool, Silk
Pretty Vintage Aubusson Style médiéval design Jacquard Tapestry « the harvest »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
very beautiful Aubusson style tapestry, with a design of a medieval tapestry That Tapestry has been created in about 1530 by B. Van Orley, creator of "Chasses de Maximilien" (acces...
Wool
Pretty medieval Aubusson design handWoven Polish Tapestry
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Beautiful vintage Polish handwoven tapestry by wool on cotton foundation dating from the mid 20th century, This Polish tapestry clearly draws inspiration from the late medieval Fren...
Wool, Cotton
Pretty Vintage Aubusson Style médiéval design Jacquard Tapestry
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
very beautiful French Aubusson style tapestry, with a design of a medieval tapestries. This tapestry has been made in the renowned “La Filandière” manufacturing Beautiful colours w...
Wool, Cotton
Nice French Aubusson Style screen printed by hand tapestry
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Immerse yourself in the allure of this mid-20th-century French tapestry, showcasing a design inspired by a 16th century masterpiece museum tapestry. Nice 20th-century tapestry repro...
Cotton, Linen
The Lovers’ Draught: Antique English Medieval Needlepoint Masterpiece of Romance
Located in Dallas, TX
78092 Rare Antique English Needlepoint Tapestry 02'04 x 03'05. Woven in the quiet hush of late-Victorian England yet echoing the soul of the Middle Ages, this extraordinary handwoven...
Wool
Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry Vendanges museum Design
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French hand-printed tapestry featuring the exquisite design of the renowned medieval museum tapestry, "Les Vendanges" (grape harvest) from t...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
Nice Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry « Suzanne and the old men »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French screen-printed by hand tapestry featuring the exquisite design of a medieval museum tapestry titled « Suzanne and the old men » The ...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
Moldovan Rose Kilim • Handwoven Floral Flatweave Rug • Wall Art • Vintage, 1960s
Located in Burlingame, CA
✔ This rug feels like a romantic midnight garden, grounding a space with moody elegance, painterly florals, and soulful vintage character. Handwoven in Eastern Europe in the 1960s, ...
Wool, Cotton
Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French screen-printed by hand tapestry featuring the exquisite design of a medieval museum tapestry This tapestry, a replica of the origin...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
$7,199Sale Price|20% Off
Antique French Aubusson Verdure Tapestry
Located in Dallas, TX
77764, antique French Verdure tapestry. This hand-woven antique French Aubusson verdure tapestry depicts a landscape scene of the French countryside. ...
Wool
Nice French Aubusson Style hand printed tapestry « enchanted park »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Immerse yourself in the allure of this mid-20th-century French tapestry, showcasing a design inspired by a 15th-century woven masterpiece titled "The Enchanted Park." Adorned with ex...
Wool, Cotton
Nice French Aubusson Style screen printed by hand tapestry
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Immerse yourself in the allure of this mid-20th-century French tapestry, showcasing a design inspired by a 16th century masterpiece museum tapestry. Adorned with exquisite hues of b...
Cotton, Linen
Wonderful palace size Aubusson style jacquard Tapestry "Arming and departure"
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century Flanders jacquard tapestry featuring the exquisite design of the Arming and departure.tapestry. This tapestry was designed by Edward Burne-...
Wool, Cotton, Acrylic
Vintage French Medieval Tapestry, the Promenade Tapestry
Located in Dallas, TX
77769, vintage French Medieval tapestry, the Promenade tapestry. Drawing inspiration from a combination of Pieter van Aeist and French Medieval sty...
Wool
Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry « Maximilian's Hunt »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French hand-printed tapestry featuring the exquisite design of « The month of July or The sign of the lion or The report, from the tapestry ...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
Bobyrug’s Pretty Mid Century French Aubusson Tapestry medieval design
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Very pretty mid century french Aubusson tapestry with beautiful design from the painter Georges Deveche ( 1903-1974), showing a scene of a museum medieval tapestry with beautiful col...
Wool
Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry Vendanges museum Design
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French hand-printed tapestry featuring the exquisite design of the renowned medieval museum tapestry, "Les Vendanges" (grape harvest) from t...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
Bobyrug’s Wonderful Vintage French hand printed Tapestry Vendanges museum Design
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French hand-printed tapestry featuring the exquisite design of the renowned medieval museum tapestry, "Les Vendanges" (grape harvest) from t...
Cotton
Zabihi Collection Antique Ivory Turkish Scatter Size Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th - century scatter size turkish sivas Rug. Ivory, red, brown and camel Measures: 3'3'' x 4'9''.
Wool
Zabihi Collection Antique Turkish Small Narrow Rug
Located in New York, NY
a 2nd quarter of the 20th century Small Turkish Runner rug no. j5247 size 1' 8" x 5' 3" (51 x 160 cm)
Wool
Pretty Vintage French screen printed Tapestry by hand. « hunting meeting »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French screen printed tapestry by hand featuring the exquisite design of the renowned medieval tapestry, "Rendez vous de chasse » ( hunting...
Wool, Cotton
Pretty Vintage French screen printed Tapestry by hand. « Sheep shearing »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French screen printed tapestry by hand featuring the exquisite design of the renowned medieval museum tapestry,I « La tonte des Moutons» ( S...
Wool, Cotton
Wonderful palace size flanders Aubusson style jacquard Tapestry "Vendanges"
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century Flanders jacquard tapestry featuring the exquisite design of the renowned medieval museum tapestry, "Les Vendanges" (grape harvest) from the...
Wool, Cotton, Acrylic
$3,584Sale Price|20% Off
Moldovan Rose Kilim • Vintage European Flatweave Wool Rug • 8×13 • 1940s
Located in Burlingame, CA
Moldovan Rose Vintage Kilim • Handmade Wool Carpet • 8x12 European Floral Flatweave Area Rug for Living Room, Bedroom, Dining, Kitchen & Study ✔ This handmade vintage rug from E...
Wool, Cotton
Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry « Maximilian's Hunt »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French hand-printed tapestry featuring the exquisite design of « The month of July or The sign of the lion or The report, from the tapestry ...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry Vendanges museum Design
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French hand-printed tapestry featuring the exquisite design of the renowned medieval museum tapestry, "Les Vendanges" (grape harvest) from t...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry « Maximilian's Hunt »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French hand-printed tapestry featuring the exquisite design of « The month of July or The sign of the lion or The report, from the tapestry ...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
Pretty medieval Aubusson Style Jacquard Tapestry «Hunting stop or peasant snack
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
very beautiful French Aubusson style tapestry, with a design of a medieval tapestries. This tapestry has been made in the renowned “La Filandière” manufacturing Halte de chasse ou c...
Wool, Cotton
Pretty Vintage French hand printed Tapestry, Vendanges museum Design
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French hand-printed tapestry featuring the exquisite design of the renowned medieval museum tapestry, "Les Vendanges" (grape harvest) from t...
Cotton, Wool
Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry « departure to hunt »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French screen-printed by hand tapestry featuring the exquisite design of «Departure for falcon hunting on horseback” This tapestry, a repli...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
Pretty Vintage wide French screen printed Tapestry by hand. «
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French screen printed tapestry by hand featuring the exquisite design of the renowned medieval museum tapestry, “falcon hunting” or (Medieva...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry
By J. Laurent
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French screen-printed by hand tapestry featuring the exquisite design of a medieval museum tapestry titled “Charade” This tapestry, a repli...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
1700s Green Scene Pictoral Antique French Tapestry 10'9"x13'8" Wool Carpet Rug
Located in New York, NY
Late 17th Century French Tapestry ( 10'9" x 13'8" - 327 x 416 cm ) Material: Wool warp,18 warps per inch; wool and silk pattern wefts, Z-2; woven sideways. This extremely attractive...
Wool
Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry « The Miracle»
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French screen-printed by hand tapestry featuring the exquisite design of The Miracle of the Honeybee The Miracle of the Honeybee, 16th cen...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
Wonderful Vintage French screen printed by hand Tapestry Vendanges museum Design
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this mid-century French hand-printed tapestry featuring the exquisite design of the left half (the pressing side) of the renowned medieval museum tapestry, "...
Wool, Cotton, Linen
Moldovan Rose Kilim • Vintage European Flatweave Rug • Wall Art • Dated 1972
Located in Burlingame, CA
✔ This rug feels like a midnight garden in bloom, bringing romantic drama and painterly elegance into a space through its rich contrast and soft vintage florals. Handwoven in Moldov...
Wool, Cotton
Antique Turkish Rug in Ivory and Gray
Located in New York, NY
An unusual Turkish rug woven in Izmir, located in western Turkey. Nice, crisp colors and durable full pile with abrash near one end of the field. Charming indeed. Measures: 4'4'' ...
Wool