Classical Roman Decorative Objects
CLASSICAL ROMAN STYLE
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.
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Style: Classical Roman
1990s Bust of Roman Hand Carved using Different Carrara and Alicante Marbles
Located in Marbella, ES
1990s bust of a Roman, hand carved by craftsmen using Carrara white marble for the head, Arabescato for the main toga body and Alicante red for the arms, where the veining provide re...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
Italian Marble Sculpture of a Dog, Circa 1900
Located in Nantucket, MA
The antique sculpture portrays a mastiff, sitting upright in an attentive pose with ears cocked, head canted, and mouth open. Hand carved from a block of green marble, unsigned. The...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
Grand Faux Marble Urn Vessels, Pair
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Dramatic lightweight resin urn shaped vessels featuring a realistic hand-painted honed Carrara marble faux finish. Classically inspired modern shaped vases sit on top of detachable p...
Category
2010s Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Resin
Pair of Grand Tour Bronze Figures after the Antique
Located in Montreal, QC
This striking pair, one of Ceres, emblematic of the harvest, the other with a dove and laurel wreath are well modelled as elegant figures in flowing gowns...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French, Early 20th Century Bronze, David Beheading Goliath
Located in Montreal, QC
It is certainly David from the Old Testement. He is young handsome and brave, his harp he has set down and is about to behead the Philistine Champion, Goliath who is not shown.
He...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Antique Mason Ironstone Wine Coolers, circa 1820
Located in Baltimore, MD
Pair of magnificent, bold Mason's ironstone wine coolers in mazarine blue, "Warwick Vase" shape, with original and bright polychrome decoration and gilding, Handles are gilded carved...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Ironstone
Italic Black Glazed Pottery 4th BC
Located in San Diego, CA
A rare original antique italic black glazed pottery.
Category
Early 1600s Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
Icarus Statue on Stone Fragment
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Well rendered depiction of Icarus, in brown stained terracotta on an angular stone base. Statue is signed but it is difficult to interpret the signature. It appears to be "Faffa Ales...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
Pair of Grand Tour Bronze Putti
Located in Montreal, QC
This charming young couple evoke summer in Italy. She with a bill hook and branch with fruiting vine, and her companion with a sheaf of wheat over his shoulder. Each is well modelled...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Cast Iron Female Figures Holding Pestle and Mortar
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A pair of 19th century cast iron female figures holding pestle and mortar.
A lovely pair of figures, they are very heavy each of the figures is holding ...
Category
1860s Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Antique Patinated Bronze Figure of Roman Emperor by Mathurin Moreau
Located in London, GB
This fine, full length figure is modelled in the contrapposto pose, a position originating from ancient Greek Classical sculpture. The visual arts uses the term 'contrapposto' to des...
Category
19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Bronze Figure Group of a Painter with a Muse, Late 19th Century
Located in Lantau, HK
A late 19th century French bronze figure group of a painter at his easel with a female figure by his side.
The piece is in good condition with a lovely patina.
Shipping inclu...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Porcelain Vases, Hand Painted French 19th Century, Mark for Sevres
Located in Lantau, HK
Pair of porcelain vases, French, 19th century, mark for Sevres
Hand painted porcelain with very refined floral design. The flower painted in free style reflects the high artistic ach...
Category
19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Porcelain Blue Cachepots by Vieux Paris, 19th Century Classical Motif
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is an unusual pair of 19th century decorative hand-painted porcelain cachepots with hand-painted classical bust decoration made by Vieux Paris / Old Paris. Molded "Bamboo" faux ...
Category
1870s French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Italian Micro-Mosaic Plaque Depicting the Pantheon in Rome
Located in London, GB
This exquisite antique Italian micro-mosaic plaque depicts the Piazza della Rotunda in Rome, with the Pantheon at its centre. The portrayal is particularly important, as it shows the...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
19th Century Young Emperor Bust
Located in Roma, IT
19th century bronze bust of young emperor.
This object is shipped from Italy. Under existing legislation, any object in Italy created over 70 years ago by an artist who has died re...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Clock Set with Roman Centurion and Candelabra
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th century French gilded ormolu and green marble clock garniture. Having a pair of four branch candelabra with classical busts to t...
Category
19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Bust Eleonora Duse Attributable Sculptor Arrigo Minerbi Villa Callas Sirmione
By Arrigo Minerbi
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Bust of Eleonora Duse attributable to the sculptor Arrigo Minerbi, from Villa Callas Sirmione of Giovanni Battista Meneghini.
Bust obtained from stone o...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
17th Century Italian Carrara Marble Bust of Classical Roman
Located in Houston, TX
17th century Italian carrara marble bust of a Classical Roman.
Finely carved Classical Roman Carrara marble bust sculpture from the 17th ce...
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
20th Century Turned and Polished Set of Two 16" Tall Granite Urns / Planters
Located in Toledo, OH
Set of two 16" granite turned and polished planters / urns in shades of rose and gray. Slightly different in shape and opening size but work well together. Very good condition, ready...
Category
20th Century Unknown Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Granite
Classical Faux Marble Roundel with a Mask
Located in London, by appointment only
An extremely well-made copy of a classical mask after the antique, the face shown in high relief within a dished background and a border of Greek Key with discs to the four sides. No...
Category
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Resin
17th Century Spanish Faux Marble Cassetta Frame
Located in New York, NY
Handcarved and parcel-gilt Cassetta frame with deep red panels and faux marble segments in sea green.
Category
Mid-17th Century European Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Gold Leaf
Pair of Antique Decorative Bronze Roman Busts on Columns
Located in London, GB
A Pair of Miniature Bronzes of Roman Busts
On Marmore Nero Columns
In the Manner of Georges Servant
After the original models exhibited at the Paris ex...
Category
19th Century English Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Magnificent Austrian Pair of Seven-Light Sterling Silver Candelabra, Hollowware
Located in Big Bend, WI
Magnificent Austrian succession sterling silver massive candelabrum pair of seven-light figural museum. Each candelabra features a Grecian style ma...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
Collection of Italian Specimen Marble Spheres on Stands
Located in Hudson, NY
This three-piece grouping of specimen marble spheres can be sold as the group or as a pair ( the left and right are a pair or as a single in the middle) and a single. The marble is ...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
Two Piece Collection of Ermanno Nason Scavo Glass
Located in New York, NY
Two vases by Nason for Cenedese, Ca 1970's. Both in perfect condition Dimensions in listing are for taller vase, smaller vase as follows. 7"- H x 9"- W x 3.5"-m open at top. Classic...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass, Glass
Life Size 19th Century Italian White Marble Sculpture Titled "The Wrestlers"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exceptional 19th century Italian hand carved marble group titled: 'The Wrestlers' was carved after a Greek original of the 3rd century BCE.
This impressive statue depicts two na...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Carrara Marble
Large Pair of Italian Majolica Putti Candleholders
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Italian Majolica of golden haired putti, set on rocks beside and embracing acanthus detailed candleholder, resting on separate scroll cornered square base; both pieces of glazed terr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Rare Monumental Ermanno Nason Scavo Vase for Pauly Compagnia
Located in New York, NY
Tea color body with applied black glass "cord" wrap and prunts. Italian Murano Art Glass vase done in classic Scavo technique. Roman revival classical form from the 1970's - 1980's. ...
Category
Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass
Bust of Carrera Marble and Honey Onyx
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Bust Roman Emperor, carrara marble and honey onyx.
Category
20th Century European Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Onyx, Marble
Italian Carved Marble Bust of Eros . Circa 1820
Located in Hollywood, SC
Italian hand carved marble bust of Eros with cloak & quivers. Eros signifies the god of love. Early 19th Century
Category
1820s Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
Well-Carved Pair of Italian Romanesque Style Gray Painted Wooden Masks now Lamps
Located in San Francisco, CA
A well-carved and stylized pair of Italian Romanesque style gray painted wooden masks now mounted as lamps; each bearded face surrounded by thick curl...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble Bust by William Theed the Younger
Located in London, GB
Portrait bust in statuary marble. Ex Browne-Swinburne, Capheaton Hall, Northumberland.
Signed and dated, 1830
William Theed, t...
Signed and dated, 1830
William Theed, t...
Category
19th Century British Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Statuary Marble
19th Century Italian Alabaster Bust
Located in Houston, TX
19th century Italian alabaster bust.
Well sculpted antique Italian alabaster or marble bust of a classical female mounted on a plinth. This is a beautifully detailed antique alabaster bust...
Category
1860s Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Alabaster
Ancient Roman Intaglio from 1st-2nd Century AD Carved Carnelian Stone
Located in Chicago, IL
Ancient Roman Carnelian Intaglio. An intaglio is defined as a small Gemstone, generally semi-precious, that has been carved with images or inscriptions only on the face. This style of carving is the opposite of the cameo technique. The engraving of gemstones was a major luxury art form in the ancient world and an important one in some later periods. This particular Intaglio is Carnelian and dates from the second century AD and shows the head of a figure in profile. It is in very nice original condition and would be ideal for making into a ring. The word Intaglio comes from the Italian word intagliare, meaning “to engrave” or “cut into.” Intaglio describes the process in which an image is engraved into a stone, creating an image in the negative. When a stone carved in this way is pressed into hot wax...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Carnelian, Stone
Centauro scolpito su marmo bianco di Carrara -made in italy -fatto a mano
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Scultura, centauro in marmo, arte romana, arte classica, arte greca, busto, marmo bianco Carrara, scultura classica, scultura antica, busto antico, made in Italy
Centauro scolpito su...
Category
1990s Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Carrara Marble
Marble Capital on Lucite Base
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century carved marble Capital displayed on a lucite base. I purchased the Capital in Italy but it was made in France.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
19th Century Bronze Statue of Venus Aphrodite
By Praxiteles 1
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique bronze statue depicting Aphrodite / Venus, a goddess from classical antiquity. This bronze statue dates from circa 1870 and was made in France. The statue is not ...
Category
1870s French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Antique Italian Terracotta Classical Bust on a Wood Base
Located in Houston, TX
Antique Italian terracotta classical bust on a wood base.
Italian patinated terra cotta bust or sculpture of a classical Roman on a wood base, circa 1920, possibly a Grand Tour piece...
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
Carved Italian Gilt Wood Figures on Lucite Stands
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 19th century carved giltwood figures mounted on Lucite stands.
Base is 2" thick.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Lucite, Giltwood
Antique Cast Iron Garden Urn
Located in Sheffield, MA
The antique classical garden urn is made of cast iron and has two handles and a flared rim. The container has a fluted design encircling its bottom. The handles are screwed to the co...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Classical Roman decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Classical Roman decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, building and garden elements, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with stone, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Classical Roman decorative objects made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, LAGU, F. Barbedienne Foundry, and Bottega Vignoli. 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 decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $60 and tops out at $150,000 while the average work can sell for $2,800.
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