Medieval Lanterns
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.
20th Century Spanish Medieval Lanterns
Gold Leaf, Wrought Iron, Iron
19th Century Antique Medieval Lanterns
Copper
20th Century Spanish Medieval Lanterns
Iron, Wrought Iron
1880s Antique Medieval Lanterns
Brass
Mid-19th Century American Antique Medieval Lanterns
Brass
2010s French Medieval Lanterns
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Medieval Lanterns
Iron
1920s American Vintage Medieval Lanterns
Metal
20th Century French Medieval Lanterns
Iron
Late 19th Century English Antique Medieval Lanterns
Bronze
Early 1900s Antique Medieval Lanterns
Brass
Early 20th Century Spanish Medieval Lanterns
Wrought Iron, Metal, Gold Leaf, Iron
Early 1900s American Antique Medieval Lanterns
Bronze
20th Century American Medieval Lanterns
Metal
1920s American Vintage Medieval Lanterns
Bronze
20th Century Medieval Lanterns
Metal
Mid-19th Century French Antique Medieval Lanterns
Iron
Early 18th Century French Antique Medieval Lanterns
Wrought Iron
Mid-19th Century French Antique Medieval Lanterns
Glass, Wood
Mid-19th Century French Antique Medieval Lanterns
Iron
19th Century Central American Antique Medieval Lanterns
Wrought Iron, Tin
20th Century American Medieval Lanterns
Copper
2010s American Medieval Lanterns
Wrought Iron
20th Century American Medieval Lanterns
Brass
Early 20th Century French Medieval Lanterns
Bronze
20th Century Medieval Lanterns
Brass
Late 20th Century American Medieval Lanterns
Brass
2010s American Medieval Lanterns
Wrought Iron
1830s American Antique Medieval Lanterns
Early 20th Century French Medieval Lanterns
Wrought Iron
Late 19th Century French Antique Medieval Lanterns
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Medieval Lanterns
Copper, Brass
Early 20th Century European Medieval Lanterns
Wrought Iron, Brass, Metal
Mid-19th Century French Antique Medieval Lanterns
Onyx
1930s Italian Vintage Medieval Lanterns
Brass, Wrought Iron
19th Century Spanish Antique Medieval Lanterns
Wrought Iron
1890s American Antique Medieval Lanterns
Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Lanterns
Iron
Early 20th Century American Medieval Lanterns
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Medieval Lanterns
Iron
Mid-20th Century Medieval Lanterns
Glass
19th Century English Antique Medieval Lanterns
Bronze
Mid-20th Century English Medieval Lanterns
Brass
1890s French Antique Medieval Lanterns
Brass