Medieval Clocks
MEDIEVAL STYLE
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.
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Style: Medieval
Georgian Mahogany Gothic Style Tall Case Clock with Moon Phase Dial
Located in Milford, NH
A fine English Georgian Gothic style tall case clock, its bonnet with a swan’s neck broken arch pediment with Battersea enamel oval polychrome urn accents surmounting scrolled fabric...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Medieval Clocks
Materials
Metal, Brass
Antique French Gothic Cartel Wall Clock - Rare - Fully restored - Henri Riondet
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A rare and superb antique French Gothic cartel clock. It is designed architecturally with twin spires and a soaring roof of tracery. Perched above is a mythical flying creature, deli...
Category
19th Century French Antique Medieval Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Antique Seth Thomas English Gothic Style Mahogany Bracket Clock C1910
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Seth Thomas English Gothic Style Mahogany Bracket Clock C1910
Measures- 15"H x 10.5"W x 7.5"D
Category
Early 20th Century Medieval Clocks
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Gilt Bronze and Porcelain Mantel Clock with Chivalric Scenes
Located in London, GB
This beautiful porcelain mantel clock is designed in the shape of a shield which is propped up on a gilt bronze (ormolu) easel support, composed of two shields and a staff topped by ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Three Piece Alabaster Clock Garniture in the Form of a Neo-Gothic Cathedral
Located in London, GB
This exquisite three-piece alabaster clock garniture consists of a central clock with two flanking vases. The central clock is designed to resemble the shape of a neo-Gothic cathedra...
Category
19th Century French Antique Medieval Clocks
Materials
Alabaster, Ormolu
Antique brass clock set with religious decoration
Located in London, GB
This three-piece brass clock set is wonderfully designed to look like a collection of Christian church bells. The mantel clock features a bell-shaped b...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Clocks
Materials
Brass, Enamel
Neo-Gothic antique three piece ormolu clock set
Located in London, GB
The central clock with dial to the center, displaying hours in individual plaques in Roman numerals and five minute intervals engraved into the ormolu case in Arabic numerals, the ca...
Category
19th Century French Antique Medieval Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Gothic Style Inlaid Marble Mantel Clock Dial Signed H. Azur à Paris
Located in New York, NY
French 19 century Gothic style inlaid marble mantel clock.
Dial signed H. Azur à Paris. Height 21 inches, width 14 1/4 inches.
Category
19th Century French Antique Medieval Clocks
Materials
Marble
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Nice Late 19th Century Gilt and Patinated Bronze Three Piece Clock Set
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Jaeger LeCoultre, Atmos Clock with Moon Phase, Fontainebleu, 1990s
Located in Greven, DE
Jaeger LeCoultre - Atmos Fontainebleu with Moon Phase
Switzerland
Mahogany, brass, glass
Year of manufacture 1993
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French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Plum-Mahogany Ormolu Mounted Tall Case Clock
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A Very Fine French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Plum-Mahogany and Ormolu Mounted Tall-Case Regulator attributed to Revollon. The Roman numeral dial signed: Revollon - M. Lion, with h...
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H 87.5 in W 19.25 in D 12.75 in
French 19th Century Louis XIV Style Figural Ormolu Clock Garniture, Raingo Frers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and palatial French 19th century Louis XIV style figural ormolu three-piece clock and candelabra garniture suite, comprising of a gilt-bronze clock and a pair of ten-ligh...
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19th Century English Mahogany Tall Case Clock
By James Ritchie
Located in Winter Park, FL
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Antique 19th Century Early American Seth Thomas Tall Case Grandfather Clock
Located in Dayton, OH
A beautiful Seth Thomas long case clock, circa first half 19th century. Features an American poplar case in Early American styling with an open pediment, c...
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H 94 in W 18.5 in D 10.5 in
Antique Georgian Tall Case 8 Day Grandfather Clock Joseph Thompson of Whitehaven
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique Georgian Regency period tall case 8 day inlaid mahogany grandfather clock, by Joseph Thompson of Whitehaven, circa 1820.
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H 92 in W 21.5 in D 9.75 in
Exceptional Late 19th Century Three-Piece Clock Set by Ferdinand Gervais
Located in Long Island City, NY
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By Ferdinand Gervais
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Antique French Gilded Bronze Cartel Wall Clock
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Mid-19th Century Seth Thomas Ogee Shelf Clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite mid-19th-century Seth Thomas Ogee shelf clock, crafted in Thomaston, Connecticut, showcases the refined craftsmanship of one of America’s most renowned clockmakers. Th...
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Previously Available Items
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Located in Pewsey, GB
A French 19thc Bronze Gothic Shelf Clock . With an embossed dial and Porcelain numbers that has a 8 day time and strike movement. The piece has a number of decorative details includi...
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Antique French Ormolu and Porcelain Gothic Clock - Vincenti - Fully Overhauled
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
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Antique Wm Gilbert Gothic Mahogany Reverse Painted Mantel Steeple Clock
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Located in Dayton, OH
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English Clock, William Barrow, London, circa 1870
Located in Chorzów, PL
The English clock, ref. William Barrow, London, circa 1870.
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19th Century Gothic Style J.E. Caldwell Gilt Bronze Clock Garniture Set
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Japy Freres Antique French Gilt Bronze Gothic Clock
By Japy Frères
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
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Hounds Of The Devil, Large Gothic Antique French Gilt Bronze Cartel Wall Clock
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
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English Skeleton Clock by J. Smith & Sons of Clerkenwell
Located in New Orleans, LA
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Medieval clocks for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Medieval clocks for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, brass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Medieval clocks made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,900 and tops out at $18,581 while the average work can sell for $4,705.