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.
Mid-20th Century Italian Basalt Tazza
Located in Chicago, IL
This mid-20th century Italian basalt porcelain tazza is a refined study in classical elegance. With a wide, low bowl gracefully elevated on a turned foot, its proportions echo the ti...
Porcelain
Antique Handcrafted Bronze & Brass Table Centerpiece / Fruit Bowl w Goat Sculpt.
Located in Lisse, NL
Exceptional 19th Century bronze and brass Tazza / Bowl with sculptural goats, great quality patina. Every now and then, a piece emerges that truly captures the soul of 19th-century ...
Bronze, Brass
Antique Handcrafted Bronze Table Centerpiece Bowl by F. Levillain & Barbedienne
By F. Barbedienne Foundry, Ferdinand Levillain
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning French bronze tazza with wine & Bacchus theme, by Ferdinand LEVILLAIN (1837-1905). Every time we find an antique of this extraordinary quality and beauty we wonder what p...
Bronze
19th Century French Bronze Tazza Dish by Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A Roman-classical style decorative bowl, cast in bronze, brown patinated finish. This antique coupe is signed by Ferdinand Barbedienne (France, 1810-1892). In the center a depiction ...
Bronze
1970s Handcrafted Black Marquina Marble Table Centerpiece, Fruit Bowl or Planter
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning and multi-purpose, Italian marble tazza or deep bowl in a Roman Classical style. This remarkable centerpiece of classical beauty and elegance is one of the most striking an...
Marble
Japanese 1920s Enamel and Brass Jardiniere
Located in London, GB
This is a very decorative and good sized jardiniere, made and enamelled in Japan in the 1920s. Good quality enamelling - this shows some signs of wear, consistent with it's age. We would recommend this is used for indoor plants...
Brass, Enamel
$1,400Sale Price|20% Off
Italic Black Glazed Pottery 4th BC
Located in San Diego, CA
A rare original antique italic black glazed pottery.
Terracotta
19th century grand tour classical Italian bronze compote
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a late 19th century Italian neo classical bronze compote. This classical bronze compote has ornate claw feet and mythical figures on either side of the bowl with rings. This ...
Bronze
$7,900
Alabaster Pedestal Bowl
Located in Miami, FL
Offered is an amber-colored chiseled alabaster pedestal bowl designed exclusively for Urban Art Home and made by an artisan in Italy. The bow...
Alabaster
Decorative Ceramic Bowl, Alexandre Kostanda, France c. 1948
Located in St Ouen, FR
Massive bowl with polychrome glazes and antique decoration. Born to Russian parents Alexandre Kostanda very quickly tried his hand at ceramics when his parents settled in Vallauris ...
Ceramic
Large Lalique Crystal Bowl Centerpiece
By René Lalique
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautifully hand crafted Lalique centerpiece decorative bowl in a wide open "V" form shape. The bowl is embellished by engraved frosted doves and large scrolls design details. Maker'...
Crystal
$1,450
H 4.25 in Dm 7.75 in
Wonderful French Empire Gilt Doré Bronze & Cut Crystal Round Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French empire gilt doré bronze & cut crystal round centerpiece bowl raised on paw feet
Crystal, Bronze
$1,520Sale Price|39% Off
H 20 in W 14.25 in D 14.25 in
Large Bright Yellow Hand Painted Porcelain Jardinière Bowl on a Wooden Stand
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large yellow hand painted porcelain jardinière bowl on a wooden stand.
Porcelain
1950s Large Danish Orange Centerpiece Fruit Table Bowl Mid-Century Vintage
By Krenit
Located in Hyattsville, MD
A wonderful 1950s mcm pop of color for any interior with a real design heritage behind it, by Herbert Krenchel for Krenit of Denmark. Massive at 15 inches in diameter.
Enamel, Steel
XL Footed Resin Bowl Centerpiece in Yellow by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
An elegant XL round bowl that is supported by four half spheres that make a fun, bold and unique piece great for holding fruit, plants and specially everyone's attention. You can hav...
Resin
Ribera Handmade Large Centerpiece Bowl - Stoneware
By OWO Ceramics
Located in Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, AR
Beautiful large centerpiece bowl crafted from stoneware clay. Inspired by the vibrant marine life of the reef and the soft motion of ocean waves, this extra large fruit bowl showcases a distinctive blend of artistry and nature, capturing the tranquil beauty of the sea. Each centerpiece bowl is wheel-thrown and hand-glazed in our studio, featuring a soft, white matte finish that beautifully enhances the organic textures of the clay. The glaze has been specially formulated for this collection, reflecting the dedication and craftsmanship that goes into each piece. Ideal for keeping your weekly fruits out on the counter or as a striking standalone accent, this white centerpiece bowl...
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery, Stoneware
Handmade Small Fruit Bowl in Paonazzo Marble
By Fiammetta V.
Located in Carrara, IT
Small fruit bowl in Paonazzo marble, extracted and processed in Carrara, Italy. You have a 100% made in Italy product. It is ideal for fruit and to present food. Each piece is in a w...
Marble
Ferdinand Barbedienne " Diana" Sculpture, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
"Diane de Gabies" French sculpture, late 19th century. Patinated bronze with "Ferdinand Barbedienne" foundry marks. Height: 51 cm. Very goo...
Bronze
Italian Wall-Mounted Green Metal Waste Basket, Mid-20th Century
Located in Milan, IT
Functional and sculptural wall-mounted waste basket produced in Italy, mid-20th century. Crafted from perforated and expanded metal sheet, the basket features a trapezoidal form with...
Metal
$640Sale Price|20% Off
H 13.78 in Dm 11.42 in
Japanese Antique Crucible 1920s-1940s / Flower Vase Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old Japanese crucible. It is a refractory tool used to melt metals in the early Showa period (1920s-1940s). The material is estimated to be refractory clay containing grap...
Clay
$1,618
H 1.97 in Dm 14.57 in
Large Handmade Hammered Silver Centerpiece Bowl by Renzo Cassetti, Italy 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Fantastic large round shell shaped centerpiece completely handmade in hammered silver plate. This beautiful piece was designed by Renzo Cassetti in Italy in the 1970s and is signed i...
Silver Plate
Swedish Porphyry Tazza, 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The turned base and stem with shallow bowl top. Shows signs of expert repair.
Large Ceramic Bowl Hand Painted Majolica Italy Contemporary 21st Century
Located in London, GB
Bottega Vignoli, Byzantium bowl, 2022 Full-fire reduction earthenware 54 cm diam. unique piece hand-painted Italian majolica. Bottega Vignoli is a brand of artistic ceramics base...
Ceramic, Majolica
Antique 17th Century Spanish Limestone Mortar
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique limestone mortar 17th century Spain.
Limestone
17th Century Marble Mortar, Spain
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique marble mortar Marble 17th Century Spain.
Marble
Sold
H 2.76 in Dm 7.88 in
Ceramic Bowl by Bottega Vignoli Hand Painted Glazed Earthenware Contemporary
Located in London, GB
Ceramic bowl with Roma decor, full-fire reduction faience earthenware 20 cm diameter, hand painted unique piece, 2017. Perfect decor for the wall or simply placed on a coffee table,...
Ceramic, Earthenware
Sold
H 8.9 in W 16.9 in D 12.8 in
Antique and Handcrafted Bronze Table Centerpiece / Fruit Bowl on Red Marble Base
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning Italian or French made bronze tazza from the 1800s. Every time we find an antique of this extraordinary quality and beauty we wonder what people are looking for in stores in this day and age. In terms of the design, the beauty, the amazing techniques and the materials that were used to create this table piece, nothing modern even comes close. Just imagine the amount of work, the incredible skill and the dedication it would have took to create this piece from the 'drawing board' all the way to the polishing of the bronze and marble. And as it goes with top quality made antiques, this tazza too has only grown more beautiful, because of the many decades in which the rich patina was built up. You could place some tangerines or flower petals in the outer ring of the bowl, but this work of art will look simply amazing by itself also. It is the best tazza we have seen in a long time and we will let our photos do the rest of the talking. Mind you, our price for this classical and top quality made eyecatcher includes perfect packing and also free shipping from our store to your door in just 4 days. No matter where you live on our beautiful planet. Our price for this classical and top quality made eyecatcher includes perfect packing and also worldwide delivery from our store to your door in just 4 days. Maximum width x height: 16.9 x 8.9 inches. Diameter of the bronze bowl/dish: 12.8 inches. Diameter of the red marble base...
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 5.71 in Dm 11.23 in
Vintage Marble Dish, English, Rosso Orobico, Decorative, Fruit Bowl, Jardinière
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage marble dish. An English, rosso orobico marble decorative fruit bowl or jardiniere and dating to the late 20th century. Deep marbl...
Marble
Sold
H 8.5 in W 20.5 in D 14.75 in
Large Antique and Handcrafted Fine Bronze Table Centerpiece / Fruit Bowl / Tazza
By Marcel Debut
Located in Lisse, NL
One of the largest but also the finest antique Tazza we have seen in ages. Stunning from every angle. Impressive Antique 19th Century Classical Roman Bronze Tazza Table Display Piece Every time we find an antique of this extraordinary quality and beauty we wonder what people are looking for in stores in this day and age. In terms of the design, the beauty, the amazing techniques and the materials that were used to create this table piece, nothing modern even comes close. Just imagine the amount of work, the incredible skill and the dedication it would have took to create this piece from the 'drawing board' all the way to the polishing of the bronze. Marcel Début was a French sculptor best known for his Art Nouveau bronze depictions of historic figures like Mozart and Gaelic warriors, scenes from Greek mythology, rustic peasants in Tunisia, and pedigreed animals. Born in 1865 in France, he studied with his father the famed sculptor Jean Didier Début, who specialized in more traditionally realistic figurative work, as well as under Henri Michel Antoine Chapu...
Bronze
Sold
H 6.3 in Dm 11.03 in
Sicilian Ceramic 1880 Decorated Warriors Leaves Gesualdo Di Bartolo Caltagirone
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Big Bowl Sicilian Ceramic 1880 Decorated Warriors Leaves Gesualdo Di bartolo Caltagirone. The colors are Very Beautiful, intense blue, Yellow.
Ceramic, Pottery
Sold
H 6.11 in W 2.37 in D 2.37 in
Rare circa 100AC Ancient 1st Century Roman Bronze Amphora Jug Vessel on Stand
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Wimbledon-Furniture Wimbledon-Furniture is delighted to offer for sale this very rare 1st century 100ac Roman Amphora Bronze vessel There are multiple high definition super-siz...
Bronze
Piero Fornasetti Porcelain Bowl and or Desk Accessory Vintage
By Fornasetti
Located in North Miami, FL
Fornasetti for the man, for the architect, for the graphic designer for the draftsman. This Piero Fornasetti porcelain Mid-Century Modern bowl dish paper clip holder...
Porcelain