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.
Spanish Gilt Iron Drinks Side Table / Martini Table, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish drinks table on a tripod base, Spain, 1950s Entirely made in hand forged iron, gilt finish. It has a clean design with Gothic style acce...
Iron, Wrought Iron, Metal
Mid-Century French Iron Coffee Table with Crackle Glass Top
Located in Dallas, TX
This vintage French coffee table, crafted circa 1970, showcases a refined blend of sculptural ironwork and textured glass, offering a striking balance of structure and lightness. The...
Wrought Iron
Spanish Gueridon Drinks Occasional Low Side Table in Wrought Iron
Located in Barcelona, ES
Elegant wrought iron low round coffee table or occasional table drinks table. Spain, 1940s This drink table stands up on four scrolled legs supported on iron balls . The top is heavi...
Wrought Iron, Iron
Large Gothic Artisan Handwrought Iron and Glass Coffee Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Impressive, Gothic influenced, artisan blacksmith made, coffee table circa 1940s features a handwrought, iron x base with 3/4 inch thick glass top. The Nicos Zographos swivel chair s...
Wrought Iron
Cast Iron and Oak Pub Table Garden Table, 1 of 5
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Cast Iron and Oak Pub Table Garden Table, 1 of 5 This lovely table stands on a heavy iron 4 footed base, the top of the table is made with oak We have 5 of these and another 3 ver...
Iron
Heavy Forged Bronzed Iron Base Rouge Marble Top Coffee Table Mint
By Giocometti
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Heavy Forged Bronzed Iron Base Rouge Marble Top Coffee Table Mint
Marble, Steel
Spanish Gueridon Drinks Occasional Low Side Table in Gilt Wrought Iron, 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Gilt Iron Spanish Martini Table / Coffee Table Spain, 1940s Elegant wrought gilt iron low round coffee table or occasional drinks table. This eye-catching drinks table stands up on ...
Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
Small Drinks Table / Side Table / Martini Table in Wrought Iron
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish Side Table, Wrought Iron Small Spanish Gilt Iron Drinks Table Gueridon, End or Side Table. Manufactured in Spain, 1940s. This pedestal table has a wavy edged top heavily decored by the Hammer work. It stands on a tripod base with scroll ended feet and a beatiful twisting decorative detail at the central part of the stem. Terrific aged patina with rusty accents. Its eclectic design mixing Gothic and Brutalist accents marks the difference. Use it as small side table, candle stand, cocktails table, smokers table or occasional table for parties around the sofa and display it with other Martini tables in different sizes to create a set. Measures: 45 cm H x 27,7 cm W x 25 cm D Diameter of the top: 20,5 cm We have other drinks tables in this style in case that you need a pair or a set. Spanish Wrought Iron Table...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Walnut Carved Centre Coffee Table, Gothic Style, Round, Antique, 1920
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Walnut Carved Centre Coffee Table The table is made in walnut, a superb wood for the carver, the top is round and deeply carved in some places even pierced right through, it has a...
Walnut
$1,500 / item
H 20 in W 13 in D 13 in
'Diagramme' Wrought Iron and Travertine Drink Table by Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The 'Diagramme' wrought iron and travertine drink table by Design Frères. Chic blackened wrought iron frame contrasting with cream travertine t...
Travertine, Wrought Iron
Antique French Iron and Glass Top Coffee Table
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Maison Jansen style Antique French iron and glass top coffee table. This table measures: 54 wide x 33 deep x 18 inches high. This table is in good Vintage Condition with one br...
Iron
$1,206
H 18.9 in Dm 16.93 in
Midcentury Teak, Brass and Cast Iron Tripod Side Table by Digsmed, Denmark
By Digsmed
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
This round vintage tripod side table was made in Denmark in the 1950s to 1960s by Digsmed. It has a black lacquered cast iron string style ba...
Metal, Brass
Small Drinks Table / Side Table / Martini Table in Wrought Iron
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish Side Table, Wrought Iron Small Spanish Gilt Iron Drinks Table Gueridon, End or Side Table. Manufactured in Spain, 1940s. This pedestal table has a wavy edged top heavily decored by the Hammer work. It stands on a tripod base with scroll ended feet and a beatiful twisting decorative detail at the central part of the stem. Terrific aged patina with rusty accents. Its eclectic design mixing Gothic and Brutalist accents marks the difference. Use it as small side table, candle stand, cocktails table, smokers table or occasional table for parties around the sofa and display it with other Martini tables in different sizes to create a set. Measures: 45 cm H x 27,7 cm W x 25 cm D Diameter of the top: 20,5 cm We have other drinks tables in this style in case that you need a pair or a set. Spanish Wrought Iron Table...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Vintage Giacometti Style Iron Coffee Table with Glass Top
Located in Chicago, IL
20th century vintage iron coffee table with a glass top, in the style of Diego Giacometti. One leg of table repaired in 2023.
Iron
$1,400
H 29.52 in Dm 23.62 in
New Century Round Cast Iron Base with Marble Top Garden Table or Bistro Table
Located in Miami, FL
French style cast iron base with marble & brass top garden table or bistro table. The base it's black but you can choose the colors. Finely detailed cast iron base with white marbl...
Marble, Brass, Iron
$2,300
H 27.96 in W 26.58 in D 17.72 in
19th Spanish Walnut Side Table with Turned Legs and Iron Stretcher
Located in Miami, FL
Side table of walnut with turned legs and beleveled top. Spanish, the legs are connected by an original iron stretcher, 19th century.
Iron
Gilt Iron Martini Table
Located in London, GB
A gilt-iron martini table, hand made in England. The table is hand forged by a highly skilled blacksmith and finished in 23.5 carat gold leaf with a distressed finish. Available fr...
Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
Pair of St. Charles Occasional Tables by Volk
By VOLK 3
Located in Brooklyn, NY
As shown: (Listing is for a pair). Bleached ash with inlaid marble - sold individually or as a pair. Copper plated steel leg Waterborne finish. Dimensions: 15.5” H x 20” W x 20”. Cus...
Marble
1960s Mid-Century Modern Italian Coffee Table with Glass Top
Located in New York, NY
1960s Mid-Century Modern wood base and glass top Italian coffee table in the style of Osvaldo Borsani, fully restored with with new glass top, with minor wear and patina due to age a...
Glass, Bentwood
Coffee Table with Marble Top and Chrome Base
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Coffee table, marble, chrome, Europe, 1980s. Exuding simplicity, this unassuming side table exudes an aura of pure elegance. Its design showcases a square, delicately marble tablet...
Marble, Chrome
English Pub Table With Wood Top and Cast Iron Base
Located in Austin, TX
An authentic English pub table from the 19th c., featuring a moulded round top of mahogany attached to an under-tier of cast iron with three cabriole legs showing cartouche cameo por...
Metal, Iron
Vintage Beveled Glass Polished Forged Wrought Iron Coffee Table
Located in Dallas, TX
This unusual cocktail table would make an interesting addition to any living room, sitting area, office, or den. Rectangular in shape, the table features a sturdy iron frame, accente...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 15.5 in W 54 in D 27 in
Midcentury Romweber Viking Oak Grapevine Carved Rectangular Coffee Table
Located in Dayton, OH
"Romweber Viking oak coffee table, circa 1970s. Features a short rectangular carved oak frame with grapevine and Nordic motif over squared legs. Ta...
Oak
Sold
H 18.5 in W 39.25 in D 39.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Chess Cocktail Table with Hand Carved Polychrome Figures 1965
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous game cocktail chess table from the mid sixties. Hand carved and polychrome figures which are easily stored below the chess table top. Gre...
Hardwood, Paint
19th Century English Chestnut and Wrought Iron Coffee Table Trunk
Located in Dallas, TX
This large antique fruitwood coffee table trunk was crafted in England, circa 1870. The wooden blanket chest is finished on all four sides, and is de...
Wrought Iron
Spanish Gueridon Drinks Occassional Low Side Table in Gilt Wrought Iron
Located in Barcelona, ES
Elegant wrought gilt iron low round coffee table or occassional table drinks table. Spain, 1920s This drink table stands up on four scrolled legs supported on iron balls . The top i...
Gold Leaf, Wrought Iron, Iron
Sold
H 18.5 in W 39.5 in D 39.5 in
Midcentury Italian Hand Carved and Painted Medieval Style Chess Set and Table
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Midcentury Italian hand carved and painted medieval style chess set and table removable glass top with fitted and slotted drawers for storage of fi...
Wood, Paint
Sold
H 21.5 in W 44 in D 35 in
Antique French Carved Oak Hunt Coffee Table Renaissance Black Forest Oval
Located in Choudrant, LA
Direct from France, a stunning antique French carved Black Forest oval coffee table! ~Massive carved pedestal base supported by ornate hand...
Oak
1950s Italian Large Sculpture Chess Coffee Table
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Spectacular Italian sculpted painted chess set and game table. Pieces are carved of hardwood with polychrome features. Each chess piece is a work of art. Pieces stand 8-11 inch tall....
19th Century French Carved Walnut and Iron Round Coffee Table with Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
This interesting Gothic coffee table was crafted in southern France, circa 1880. The antique cocktail table features three carved renaissance male f...
Marble, Iron
Sold
H 21 in W 45 in D 32 in
19th Century Iron Gate as Coffee Table, St. George and Order of the Garter
Located in Essex, MA
Magnificent English iron gate created into a glass top coffee table Original surface Shield of St. George, Order of the Garter, Symbol of the K...
Iron
16th Century Oak Hog Carrier, This Also Belonged to Actress Jean Simmons
Located in London, GB
A wonderful cool and quirky 16th century oak hog carrier with heaps of history which has been cleverly converted into a coffee table using slate inset panels. This also belonged to Actress Jean Simmons...
Slate
18th Century French Gothic Handcarved Oak Trunk
Located in Dallas, TX
Exquisitely handcrafted from old-growth oak this timeless 19th century French Gothic low trunk was raised up a bit for easy access leaving room for a full wi...
Oak