Classical Roman Decorative Objects
During Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 A.D., Pompeii and Herculaneum in today’s Italy were preserved as they were on the day of their destruction. Particularly at Herculaneum, furnishings were carbonized beneath volcanic ash. This was pivotal to understanding how Classical Roman furniture was designed. Archaeological investigations and printed reproductions of discoveries would influence styles evoking this ancient civilization, from the Renaissance to neoclassicism.
While knowledge of Classical Roman furniture comes from rare surviving pieces, it is also derived from frescoes and sculptures portraying Roman life. Much of Roman art, architecture and design was informed by Greece — Roman architect, military engineer and writer Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, whose timeless De architectura is taught in contemporary architecture classes and pays tribute to classical architecture, visited Greece while working under Julius Caesar and admired the country’s architectural developments. The Roman solium references the Greek thronos, a stately chair of honor with an upright form and footstool. As the Roman Empire spread across Europe and into North Africa and Western Asia, the expansion of trade for silver, silk, marble and wood allowed for more luxurious designs.
Classical Roman furniture was made from bronze, wood and stone — in particular, marble — with ornate touches like tortoiseshell veneers, bone and glass inlays and claw feet. Ornaments depicting lion heads and mythological figures were sculpted from silver, bronze and ivory. Compared to the decorative attention given to the mosaic floors and wall paintings, however, furniture for even a wealthy house was minimal. It focused on the necessities for guests arriving for both socializing and business and the rooms housing family, relatives and enslaved people.
The triclinium dining room had banquet couches, items so prized they were sometimes interred with the deceased. Tall bronze or terracotta candelabras held oil lamps for lighting. Carved marble tables reflected status, while the lararium home shrine demonstrated faith.
Find a collection of Classical Roman decorative objects, tables, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.
1960s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Terracotta
19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Carrara Marble
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Bronze
15th Century and Earlier North African Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Clay
Mid-20th Century American Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Bronze
2010s Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Pottery, Clay
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Stone, Marble, Carrara Marble
20th Century American Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Alabaster
19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century French Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Iron
Mid-19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Iron
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
1980s American Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Cast Stone
1920s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Carrara Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Plexiglass
Mid-19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Majolica
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Blown Glass
1940s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Carrara Marble
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble, Iron
Mid-18th Century German Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Plexiglass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Majolica
Early 1900s Belgian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Siena Marble, Bronze
20th Century Greek Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Majolica
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Stone
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
1960s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Plaster, Boxwood
Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Bronze
1880s French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 20th Century Unknown Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Composition
1880s Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Glass
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Carrara Marble
1960s American Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Brass
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Terracotta
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble
Early 20th Century Danish Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Plaster
Early 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
17th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Paint
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Bronze
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble
2010s American Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1960s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Plaster
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Rock Crystal
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble
2010s Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Concrete, Metal