Classical Roman Furniture
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
Piece of Roman Stone Cornicing, circa 200 BC
Located in London, GB
A piece of Roman stone cornicing, circa 200 BC.
Category
15th Century and Earlier Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Stone
A Pair of German K.P.M Porcelain Plaques Depicting "Aligira and Tirian"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Pair of antique German KPM porcelain plaques depicting "Aligira and Tirian"
Marked with 'K.P.M' Sceptre Mark with the letters 'SZ', with size marks 915-255, marked with Royal Vien...
Category
19th Century German Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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 Furniture
Materials
Marble, Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Italian baroque style Mirror with hand-carved gilt details, aged mirror glass
Located in San Francisco, CA
Beautiful ebonized hardwood frame with 22-karat water gilded leaf details and
a lovely crown. The mirror is probably from the late 1970s-early 1980s.
Category
1980s American Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Lacquer, Giltwood
Pair of Antique Pilasters and Matching Corinthian Capitals
Located in Sheffield, MA
The pair of antique pilasters have semicircular fluted shafts, decorative bases and flat backs, all hand-carved. Also carved by hand with leaves and vines are the matching Corinthian capitals...
Category
18th Century Unknown Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Neo-Renaissance Armchairs, circa 1900
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of neo-Renaissance armchairs, circa 1900.
Oak and leather.
Category
Early 1900s Belgian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Oak
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 Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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 Furniture
Materials
Marble
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 Furniture
Materials
Resin
Antique Italian Tapestry Caesar Augustus. Size: 8 ft x 12 ft
Located in New York, NY
Magnificent Antique Italian Tapestry Depicting Caesar Augustus, Country Of Origin: Italy, Circa Date: 1880’s. Size: 8 ft x 12 ft (2.44 m x 3...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Wool
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 Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Copper Plate Engravings by Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Located in San Francisco, CA
G. B. Piranesi, in his fifties, was interested in archaeology and studied in Southern Italy where he produced drawings of Greek architecture.
Medium: Etching on laid paper.
Year: c...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Piero Fornasetti Vintage "Botanica Pratica" Porcelain Botanical Serving Bowl
By Fornasetti
Located in North Miami, FL
This wonderful substantial sized porcelain square vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian Piero Fornasetti bowl or serving piece has all the elements of botanicals and flowers and is enti...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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 Furniture
Materials
Marble
Piece of Roman Stone Cornicing, circa 200 BC
Located in London, GB
A piece of Roman stone cornicing, circa 200 BC.
Category
15th Century and Earlier Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Stone
18th Century Italian Painting of a Soldier, Fragement from a Larger Painting
Located in Buchanan, MI
Very handsome Italian portrait of a soldier, in ebonized frame with silver detail. Measurements include frame.
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Canvas
Sepia on Board by Tomas Rut after Michelangelo
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Hand-painted studies by Tomasz Rut (Polish, 1961- ) based on Michelangelo's Ignudi, 20 nude males as seen on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome, mixed-media; sepia crayon and...
Category
Late 20th Century American Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Antique Persian Tabriz
By Hadji Jalili
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite finely woven late 19th century Persian Tabriz.
7'8'' x 11'1''
Since the middle of the 19th century, Tabriz has lead a resurgence in Persian carpet-weaving both for domest...
Category
Late 19th Century Persian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Wool
Turkish Antique Oushak Carpet
Located in New York, NY
A truly divine antique Oushak masterpiece. Two identical scrolls in between an irregular set of palmettes running through coral ground with a delightful s...
Category
19th Century Turkish Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Wool
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 Furniture
Materials
Art Glass, Glass
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 Furniture
Materials
Art Glass
Pair of Classical Roman Style Male Female Wall Sculptures
Located in Asheville, NC
Pair of male and female Classical Roman style sculptures made to look ancient, beautifully crafted in bas relief signed by artist.
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
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 Furniture
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 Furniture
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 Furniture
Materials
Marble
"Canon of the Five Orders of Architecture" by Iacomo Barozzio Da Vignola
Located in Miami, FL
The clarity and ease of use of Vignola's treatise caused it to become in succeeding centuries the most published book in architectural history.
This book was first published in 1562....
Category
16th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Paper, Parchment Paper
Vintage Clear Marbro Amphora Murano Table Lamp
Located in East Hampton, NY
Extraordinary example of Marbro lamps in urn design mounted on square chrome base. Two sockets. Shade NOT included.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Chrome
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 Furniture
Materials
Statuary Marble
Tall Corinthian Column Wood Pedestal Stand
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Bring a touch of classical architecture into your home with this impressive Corinthian Column Pedestal. This classic column style stand features wood on all sides. Certainly makes a ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Wood
Important Roman "Torso"in Carrara Marble early 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Important Roman "Torso" in Carrara marble
early 20th Century
Carrara marble
Torso h: 32cm. 24cm x 16cm
Base: 20cm x 20cm h: 20cm ( modern base )
H.total: 62cm
30kg
Excellent condi...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
Bronze Hoard
Located in London, GB
Dagger L: 27.8 cm,
Luniform bronze, possibly a belt buckle L: 10.8 cm,
Shield-shaped bronze with a point Diam: 6.5 cm,
Pommel Diam: 3.7 cm,
Violin-bow brooch L: 17.5 cm,
P-Shape...
Category
15th Century and Earlier European Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Onyx Marble Green and Brown Stone Obelisks – a Pair
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a pair of beautiful stone obelisks, circa the 1970s. Carved from fine onyx marble, these obelisks boast a mesmerizing color palette that includes shades...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble, Onyx, Stone
Roman Relief "Warrior" late 19th Century in Carrara Marble With Video
Located in Madrid, ES
Roman Relief "Warrior" late 19th Century in Carrara Marble
Italy
45cm x 19cm
good condition for the time
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
Barbezat et Cie Cast Iron Painted Classical Sculpture of a Female Water Carrier
Located in Milford, NH
A fine Mid 19th century cast painted iron sculpture of a Classical form female water carrier on pedestal, with oval foundry stamp “Barbezat et Cie” at her feet, on a round scroll, sh...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Iron
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 Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
Pen Drawing on Paper Representing "The Holy Family" by Girolamo Muziano.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pen drawing on paper representing "The Holy Family" by Girolamo Muziano.
Pen drawing on paper, "The Holy Family" by Girolamo Muziano (1528-1592), nicely framed, preparatory drawing ...
Category
16th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Paper
Tuscan RED MARBLE CUP late 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Tuscan RED MARBLE CUP late 19th Century
Italy
Base diameter 15cm.
HEIGHT 21 cm
DIAMETER 41 cm
WIDTH 41 cm
excellent storage conditions
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique Italian Carved Marble Bas Relief 'Lady and Peacock'
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century Italian carved white marble bas relief depicting a lady standing by a tree holding a garland of flowers over a peacock.
Dimensions:
...
Category
1890s Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble
2 Classical Rouge Marble Columns Pillar Pedestal Stand Sculpture Display Pair
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of 20th century vintage Italian Classical Revival pink marble columns. An elegant trophy or baluster form with exceptional color. Made in Mexic...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble
Roman portrait head of a Patrician
Located in EL CAMPELLO, ES
ITEM: Portrait head of a Patrician
MATERIAL: Marble
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 1st Century B.C
DIMENSIONS: 250 mm x 175 mm x 215 mm (without stand), Life-siz...
Category
15th Century and Earlier European Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair of Classical White "Alabaster" Like Moonstone Lamps
Located in Sheffield, MA
Pair of stunning lamps with classical columnar design from the Aladdin White Moonstone lamps collection. Aladdin was a maker of oil lamps from which these lamps were converted from. Possibly from the Corinthian Series, the label on the bottom reads: Mantle Lamp...
Category
19th Century American Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Cast Stone
Framed Engraving of a Candelabrum by Francisco Piranesi
Located in Essex, MA
Nicely framed and matted with a wonderful classical engraving with notations and title.
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Paper
Pompeii Verdigris Bronze Table with Nike and Trophy, Italian, 19th Century
Located in Miami Beach, FL
This table is a rare reproduction of an artifact discovered in the excavations of Pompeii. The original is in the Naples National Archeological Museum. The bronze table is supported by a herm of Jupiter...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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 Furniture
Materials
Lucite, Giltwood
Italian Bronze Fountain
Located in Budapest, HU
Precious Italian bronze fountain made with the lost-wax casting technique. Bronze composed of 80% copper. Perfectly working.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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 Furniture
Materials
Iron
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 Furniture
Materials
Carnelian, Stone
Classical Roman furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Classical Roman furniture 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 furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, building and garden elements, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with stone, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Classical Roman furniture 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 furniture, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Luca Scacchetti, LAGU, and Richard Ginori. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $30 and tops out at $150,000 while the average work can sell for $2,914.
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