Early 17th Century Medieval Handcrafted Black Iron Coffer or Box
Located in Brescia, IT
The iron coffer, fully original in every part of it, was forged and handcrafted in German in the 1610. Complete with key. Full working iron mechanisms. It is not easy to find a piece...
Iron
$13,200Sale Price|20% Off
Very Rare 15th C. Medieval English Carved Solid Oak Dowry Coffer with Drawer
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Exquisitely carved and well preserved Medieval England dowry coffer. Remarkable decorative "palm-arched" reliefs on the facade echo the design on the drawer at base (a rare feature).
Oak
Antique French Medieval Gothic Carved Oak Chest Coffer 17th Century Panels 1679
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique 17th century French Gothic carved oak lidded chest or coffer, dated 1679. The chest was assembled in the mid 19th century with original carved panels from the 1600s. ...
Oak
16th Century German Oak Coffer-Trunk, Handcrafted with Iron Hardware
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An enormous German coffer-trunk from the 16th century (possibly the oldest antique in our entire 18,000 sqft. showroom!), handcrafted from thick oak planks and fitted with forged iro...
Iron
Very large English antique solid oak mule chest coffer with drawers from 1790
Located in Leicester, GB
An unusually large antique mule chest / coffer with handsome panelling all around. This 18th century mule chest has the height to be a credenza whilst offering plenty of storage insi...
Iron
Unavailable
H 8 in W 12 in D 7 in
A Large Impressive 19th Century Bronze Jewelry Casket Box. Circa 1860
Located in London, GB
This large heavily cast bronze Jewelry box was made in France in the mid 19th century and is made in the form of a medieval coffer. It is superbly detailed with flowers Leaves Cheru...
Bronze
Unavailable
H 4.34 in W 7.49 in D 3.94 in
French Cast Bronze Jewelry Box Made in the Form of a Medieval Domed Top Coffer
Located in GB
This heavily cast bronze jewelry box was made in France in the late 19th century and is made in the form of a medieval domed topped coffer. It is superbly detailed with flowers and ...
Bronze
Early 16th Century Gothic Coffer Strongbox
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A fantastic medieval coffer. Made from 6 wide dovetailed planks from the same chestnut tree this coffer is a great example of haute epoque furniture.
Chestnut
16th Century Late Medieval Oak Linen Fold Coffer
Located in Hoddesdon, GB
A late medieval oak coffer , circa 1500 original planked lid , four panel early linen fold carved front , a nicely patinated honest coffer that hasn’t been restored , retaining all...
Oak
Gothic Oak Chest – Northern France, Circa 1320–1360
Located in Bilzen, BE
Rare medieval oak coffer carved with Gothic tracery, featuring lancets and quatrefoils characteristic of Northern French Gothic architecture (Picardy / Artois) in the 14th century.
Iron
Medieval 16th Century Solid Walnut Gothic Carved Coffer c. 1580
Located in Heathfield, GB
An extremely rare, large and beautiful 16th century medieval solid walnut coffer with superbly carved Gothic tracery to the front panel.
Walnut
16th Century Belgian Coffer - B
Located in Charlotte, NC
A coffer originating in Belgium in the 16th Century.
Metal
Antique Oak Coffer, 18th Century
Located in Redruth, GB
Antique oak coffer. 18th century carved oak coffer with hinged lid, plant hinged lid with three arcaded panels to the front and bracket feet. Quality craftsmanship and a very useful ...
Oak
Antique 16th Century Belgian Coffer - A
Located in Charlotte, NC
A coffer originating in Belgium in the 16th century.
Metal
A rare 17th c. Fir and Chestnut Coffer
Located in New York, NY
The rectangular plank top mounted with three iron strap hinges over the case centered by three recessed square panels set within a cross motif diaper work. Provenance: Huntington An...
A Spanish Wrought Iron Archive Chest, 18th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Spanish Wrought Iron Archive Chest, 18th Century Provenance: Private Australian Collection. Dimensions: Height: 26cm. Width: 62cm. Depth: 30cm.
Wrought Iron
18th Century Spanish Wooden Trunk with Iron Hardware
Located in Marbella, ES
Antique 18th century Spanish wooden trunk with iron hardware.
Wood
$1,000
H 13.78 in W 28.75 in D 13.59 in
1900 Little Rustic Chest or Coffer Gothic Carved Oak & Wrought Iron, French
Located in Labrit, Landes
French coffer or chest made circa 1900. Decorated with carved flowers style. The design of this chest is deliberately rustic. The interior is lined with fabric. Very decorative and ...
Wrought Iron
$4,294Sale Price|20% Off
H 25.4 in W 49.81 in D 23.04 in
1642 Dated Charles I / Jacobean Hand Carved English Oak Coffer Linen Chest Trunk
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this sympathetically restored, 1642 Charles I / Jacobean, hand carved English oak coffer, trunk or chest This piece is stunning, its hand carved t...
Oak
Chest, Leather, Wrought Iron, Textile, Wood, Spain, circa 1500
Located in Madrid, ES
Rectangular body casket with semicircular lid made of carved wood and covered with a worked leather that has been reinforced with a series of forged iron fittings, material in which ...
Wrought Iron, Other
$5,683
H 21.26 in W 59.85 in D 16.93 in L 21.26 in
Rare Large Gothic 16th century carved solid oak chest, France
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 16th century / bridal or blanket chest / oak / Gothic This impressive chest was hand-carved in solid oak in the 16th century in France. The construction is typical of very...
Oak
$5,115
H 37.41 in W 62.21 in D 26.38 in
Gothic Carved Chest, Handcrafted Solid Wood, Tyrol, 16th-18th Century
Located in ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE, Malaga
Tyrol, Austria, 16th–18th Century A remarkable and truly one-of-a-kind Gothic carved chest from the Tyrol region of Austria, reflecting centuries of craftsmanship, use, and careful ...
Wood
$2,156Sale Price|20% Off
H 25.375 in W 46 in D 22.75 in
Antique Tudor Elizabethan Henry VIII Oak Sword Six Plank Coffer Chest Trunk 1540
Located in Portland, OR
Antique Tudor/Elizabethan oak six plank boarded coffer/sword chest, circa 1540. The coffer from the period of King Henry VIII having a hinged lid enclosing a storage area lined with...
Oak
$1,955
H 24.5 in W 42 in D 20 in
Antique English Carved Oak Coffer Trunk Chest Coffee Table Blanket Box c1770
Located in Choudrant, LA
18th century English carved oak coffer trunk chest coffee table blanket box ~Direct from England~ ~Lovely 18th century English coffee or chest, with traditional English style~ ~Comp...
Oak
Antique Early 18th Century Carved Oak Coffer/Chest
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique early 18th century carved oak coffer/chest having finely carved detail to the panels and frieze, panelled sides, standing on stile feet. A fantastic example in original con...
Oak
17th Century English Oak Joined Chest or Trunk
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome English panel carved coffer or chest (trunk) of oak from the Jacobean period (King James II), featuring an iron-hinged, panel top, mounted to a joined rectangular base. ...
Iron
17th century Spanish or Italian carved solid wood chest
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Spanish or Italian 17th century bis chest. Chest structure in solid walnut, entirely hand-carved. Exceptional craftsmanship. Very naive vintage conduction with a nice patina on the...
Walnut
$12,959
H 18.9 in W 30.71 in D 20.08 in
Very Rare Antique Armada Box or Strongbox in Iron Early 17th Century
Located in Meer, VAN
Very Rare Antique Armada Box or Strongbox in Iron Early 17th Century A truly wonderful 400 year old museum worthy ‘strongbox’ or ‘armada box’. Most probably German, around 1600-1620...
Iron
$1,057
H 13.39 in W 17.72 in D 10.24 in
Early 20th Century Italian Gothic style Decorative Boxe or Small Trunk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this beautiful and rare small trunk made in the early 20th century. Made entirely of iron with brass decorations, this trunk has a Gothic-inspired design. A unique decora...
Iron
$2,009Sale Price|20% Off
H 24.41 in W 54.73 in D 21.66 in
18th Century Chest or Coffer Carved Oak, End of Bed French Provincial
Located in Labrit, Landes
Coffer or chest French 18th century carved oak French Provincial country house Very decorative and full of character Decorated with geometrical and vegetal motifs This chest has the ...
Oak
$10,458Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.7 in W 65.36 in D 31.11 in
Antique 16th Century German Dark Brown oak carved Stollentruhe Trunk or Chest
Located in Casteren, NL
This impressive large Stollentruhe, also known as a Stollentroewe, is a large German storage chest crafted around 1580. Its distinctive construction, with massive upright corner post...
Steel
$68,750Sale Price|27% Off
H 40.25 in W 72 in D 55.5 in L 40.25 in
A Fine19th Century Louis XIV Style Collard & Collard Marquetry Baby Grand Piano
By Collard & Collard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine Anglo-French 19th century rosewood, palisander, amboyna and satinwood marquetry (inlaid) art-case baby grand piano, the works by "Collard & Collard". The intricately ...
Bronze
English Antiqued Serving Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
A mahogany and reclaimed oak veneered serving table, the galleried top and undertaker with a glass overlay, on spiral turned legs joined by an under tier fitted with two drawers, on ...
Wood
$2,250
H 22 in W 13 in D 16.25 in
African Impala Horn and Partial Skull Mount, 1st Quarter 20th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
The upper section of the skull mounted on a carved oak backplate with a molded edge.
Bone
$2,728
H 10.75 in W 5.25 in D 4.4 in
Striking Art Nouveau Ceramic and Bronze-Mounted Vase in Victor Horta Style
By Victor Horta
Located in Lisse, NL
Top condition and pure elegance Art Nouveau vase. For the collectors of museum quality and condition Art Nouveau ceramics. This stunning Art Nouveau vase is decorated with the mos...
Bronze
Elegant Handcrafted Victorian Burl Wood Jewelry Box, Circa 1920
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Beautiful handcrafted jewelry box burl wood box, Victorian, Napoleon style burl wood jewelry box. Polished burl Thuya wood hand made with high quality craftsmanship. The hinged lid ...
Wood
$1,027Sale Price|20% Off
H 20.08 in W 9.85 in D 9.85 in
Large Antique Display Dome, English, Glass, Taxidermy, Showcase, Victorian, 1880
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large antique display dome. An English, glass taxidermy or collectable showcase, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1880. Of superb proportion and showcase clari...
Glass, Pine
Indian Bronze Elephant Bell
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Elephant bell and clapper that rings with a deep rich tone and cast in bronze. Having acquired a verdigris patina and presented on a rustic wood and hide swing.
Bronze
$6,706
H 29 in Dm 18.7 in
Arts & Crafts Alabaster Pendant / Chandelier w. Bronze Gothic Style Frame c 1915
Located in Lisse, NL
One of a kind design light fixture with a stunning alabaster shade and a bronze circular Gothic Art frame. This sizeable antique pendant from the early 1900s is another one of our r...
Alabaster, Brass, Bronze, Wire
$48,921Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.09 in W 20.48 in D 13.39 in
One-Off Winsor & Newton Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Sterling Silver 1977 Artist Box
By Windsor & Newton
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely one of a kind Winsor & Newton 1977 Queen Elizabeth Jubilee presentation with sterling silver plaques and boxes Calamander wood Artist b...
Crystal, Sterling Silver
$1,780,000
H 49 in W 90 in D 2.75 in
50 Million Year Old Fossil Crocodile Specimen (Green River Formation, Wyoming)
By Green River Fossil Company
Located in Logan, UT
Act fast to claim this exquisite piece of natural history, as our fossils will no longer be available through 1stDibs after October 31. This sculptural stone specimen features an ex...
Limestone
$81,536
H 35.83 in W 79.14 in D 149.61 in
Carved Walnut Full Size Billiard Table and Accessories by Cox & Yeman
By Cox & Yeman
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An exceptional carved walnut full size billiard table and accessories by Cox & Yeman. London, circa 1880. One end bearing an ivorine label 'Cox & Yeman / Billiard Table Manufa...
Walnut
Zodiac Copper Wall Art
Located in Antwerp, BE
Zodiac copper wall art. Diameter:50 cm. Depth:3 cm.
Copper
$385,000
H 38 in W 36 in D 21 in
Japanese Lacquer and Cinnabar "Samurai" Cabinet, Inaba Family, Edo Period
Located in Troy, NY
Exceptionally large and rare lacquer cabinet. According to the heraldry, visible on the headgear in one of the panels, it was made for the Inaba family, a high ranking Daimyo family,...
Bronze
$264,993
H 57 in W 30 in D 31.5 in
One-of-a-kind 1851 Great Exhibition Carved Armchair by Arthur Jones of Dublin
Located in London, GB
*Winner of the 2022 Masterpiece Fair Furniture Highlight* The 1851 Great Exhibition Carved Bog Yew Armchair by Arthur Jones of Dublin Carved entirely from Irish bog yew wood, ...
Upholstery, Yew
$22,500
H 33 in W 26 in D 44 in
Italian Baroque Rocking Chair by Pauly & Co., 19th Century Silver Leaf
By Pauly & Co.
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Venetian Grotto (19th cent.) silver gilt rocker with carved seashell seat & back and seahorse sides (att: Pauly et Cie, Venice)
Silver Leaf
$29,000
H 103 in W 62 in D 91 in
Antique Queen-Size Carved Four-Poster American Empire Bed, Philadelphia, c 1825
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
An extraordinary American empire four-poster bed in cherry wood from the Philadelphia area that appears in the book, Philadelphia Empire Furniture by Boor. Features an elaborate seri...
Cherry, Poplar
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.