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.
Venetian Villas Michelangelo Muraro by Paolo Marton
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Venetian Villas Hardcover by Michelangelo Muraro (Author), Paolo Marton (Photographer). Large heavy beautiful hardcover coffee table book. A meticulously detailed survey of nearly 80...
Paper
C Plinii Caecilii Secundi Epistolae Et Panegyricus, 1712
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a very rare and ‘old’ antiquarian book, C Plinii Caecilii Secundi Epistolae et Panegyricus dated 1712. Published by Johannus Minellii in 1712. Covered and bound in v...
Leather, Paper
Sotheby's Antiquities Catalog Benzian Collection of Ancient Glass, July 1994
Located in Stamford, CT
Sotheby's auction catalog of the exceptional Benzian Collection of Ancient Roman and Islamic Glass. An invaluable reference for the collector, scholar or anyone interested in the most delicate and beautiful of antiquities, ancient glass...
Paper
Leonardo Da Vinci The Complete Paintings Hardcover Coffee Table Book
By Leonardo da Vinci
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Leonardo da Vinci. The Complete Paintings. Book by Pietro Marani Da Vinci in detail: Leonardo's life and work all paintings. One of the most fully ac...
Paper
World of Bernini 1598-1680 by Robert Wallace Hardcover Book in Sleeve
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
The World of Bernini. 1598-1680. Wallace, Robert Published by Time-Life Books., New York, 1973. Beautiful and Collectible Vintage 1973 Hardback Time Life Library of Art “The World o...
Paper
World of Michelangelo 1475-1564 by Robert Coughlan Book
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
The world of Michelangelo 1475-1564 by Robert Coughlan and The Editors of Time-Life Books Published by Time Incorporated, New York, NY, 1966. Title: The World of Michelangelo 1475-1564 Publisher: Time Incorporated, New York, NY Publication Date: 1968 Binding: Hardcover with slipcover Condition: good Edition: Time-Life Library of Art. Beautiful and Collectible Vintage 1968 Hardback Time Life Library of Art “The World of Michelangelo” Book...
Paper
Leonardo Da Vinci Hardcover Book by Patrice Boussel
By Leonardo da Vinci
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Leonardo Da Vinci Hardcover Book by Patrice Boussel. Discusses Leonardo the man and painter, provides an analysis of his thinking as revealed in his...
Paper
Michelangelo by William E. Wallace The Complete Sculpture Painting and Architect
By Michelangelo
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Michelangelo by William E. Wallace Hardcover Table Book The Complete Sculpture Painting and Architecture. Easton Press Oversized Hardcover Book 1998. With an engaging text by renowned Michelangelo scholar William E. Wallace, "Michelangelo: The Complete Sculpture, Painting, Architecture" brings together in one exquisite volume the powerful sculptures, the awe-inspiring paintings, and the classical architectural works of one of the greatest artists of all time. Including everything from his sculptures Pietas and David to his beautiful paintings of the Sistine Chapel and the Doni Tondo, the book provides an opportunity to view Michelangelo s work as never before, and to more fully understand the artist who, through his work, spoke of his life and times. The frescoes are specially printed on onion skin paper...
Paper
Pope Francis and the New Vatican Draper, Robert Hardcover Book
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Pope Francis and the New Vatican Draper, Robert hardcover book Title: Pope Francis and the New Vatican Publisher: National Geographic Publication Date: 2015 Binding: Hardcover Book condition: Very good Dust jacket condition: Dust jacket included Synopsis: National Geographic goes behind-the-scenes of the new papacy with unprecedented, exclusive access to Pope Francis. Embedded with the Pope inside the Vatican for 6 months, award-winning photographer David Yoder captures intimate moments in never-before-seen photographs presented here for the first time--including in the Sistine Chapel with the Pope alone on Christmas Day. These extraordinary images reveal the majesty and splendor of the Vatican alongside the humbleness of the man changing it--a compelling juxtaposition. The pontiff's public life and personal crusades are exposed as never before, as well as the inner workings of the Vatican--a uniquely powerful state. Complementary essays by acclaimed journalist and author Robert Draper--drawn from interviews around the world with many who had never spoken publicly before--insightfully cover Pope Francis's personal story, his journey to the papacy, and the heart of his ministry. The book also features a timeline, maps, and Pope Francis's most inspiring words...
Paper
Reverse Glass Painting of Saint George and the Dragon
Located in Stamford, CT
Verre églomisé, or reverse glass painting with gilding of Saint George and the Dragon. St George shown riding his steed, slaying the dragon...
Glass
$95
H 12.25 in W 11 in D 3 in
The Private World of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé Book by Robert Murphy
Located in New York, NY
The Private World of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé By: Robert Murphy Photography by Ivan Terestchenko One of the most talented and influential couturiers of his time, Yves Sai...
Paper
Arcimboldo by Roland Barthes (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
A beautifully produced book by Franco Maria Ricci, one of a limited edition of 3,000 numbered copies, this being 388. 175 pages with tipped in color plates with additional drawings and sketches, the text is in English. Arcimboldo has become best known for his portraits of human heads made up from vegetables, plants, fruits, sea creatures and tree roots, which were greatly admired by his contemporaries and remain of great fascination to this day. each was carefully constructed and as can be seen with the main image, the Librarian...
Paper
Frida Kahlo, The Complete Paintings, XL Book
By Frida Kahlo, TASCHEN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
We access the intimacy of Frida’s affections and passions through a selection of drawings, pages from her personal diary, letters, and an extensive illustrated biography featuring photos of Frida, Diego, and the Casa Azul, Frida’s home and the center of her universe. This large-format XXL book allows readers to admire Frida Kahlo’s paintings...
Fabric, Paper
Rare Italian Porcelain Madonna by Paolo Marioni
Located in Antwerp, BE
Rare Italian porcelain Madonna, signed P Marioni. Paolo Marioni as author. Measures: Height 51 cm, width 24 cm, depth 12 cm.
Porcelain
$2,371Sale Price|20% Off
H 23.04 in W 27.96 in D 0.99 in
Antique Map of the City of Visby 'Sweden' by F. Hogenberg, 1598
Located in Langweer, NL
This is a wonderful bird's-eye plan/view of the oldest city in Sweden. Visby, the largest city on the island of Gotland was an important Viking city and the main centre of the Hanseatic League...
Paper
$7,259Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.67 in W 18.12 in D 2.37 in
Ancient Buddhist Stone Tabletop Altar with a Lotus Flower
Located in Antwerp, BE
An exceptional and very early Buddhist stone altar equipped with two handgrips for moving it to the spot of the planned sacrifice. Carved by hand from a si...
Schist
Vintage Trout Fishing Fly Rod by Pezon Et Michel
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Vintage Fishing Trout Fly Rod, Pezon & Michel, Parabolic. A fine 9ft 6", two piece, split cane trout fly fishing rod with alloy screw reel fitting, cork handle, scarlet silk whipping...
Bamboo
$600 / item
H 15.6 in W 11.4 in D 4 in
Fantastic Worlds of Frank Frazetta, Numbered, Limited Edition XXL Book
By TASCHEN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
All Hail the King of Fantasy Art. Frank Frazetta finally gets the big beautiful book he deserves. Frank Frazetta has reigned as the undisputed lord of...
Aluminum, Foil
Elizabeth Garouste et Mattia Bonetti (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonnetti have been at the forefront of the decorative arts for a few years. After creating the Barbary style , they imposed a poetic and cultured look i...
Paper
"Universe: Exploring the Astronomical World" Book
Located in New York, NY
Explore the stars and planets and beyond through art over the ages – an international panel of experts take you on a journey through man's record of the universe – from ancient cave ...
Paper
$98Sale Price|49% Off
H 12 in W 8.5 in D 1.5 in
Sixty Years of Interior Design The World of McMillen Book, 1st Ed
Located in Stamford, CT
Sixty Years of Interior Design: The World of McMillen by Erica Brown. Hardcover, 1st edition. Binding is tight and and there is no visible wear.
Paper
The Story of Jewelry 1st ED. 1973 by J. Anderson Hardcover Book
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
The Story of Jewelry 1973 by J. Anderson. Introduction by Edward Lucie-Smith Black Hardcover Book. Translate from Italian. J. Anderson Black - Storia dei gioielli English text. Documents jewelry's history from the primitive ornaments of prehistoric times to the abstract simplicity of modern design. This book offers a unique way of exploring the world of vintage jewelry for experts, newcomers, and anyone with an interest in the topic. Every piece of jewelry tells a story. Each chapter is centered around a particular piece of jewelry and the way in which it is emblematic: a previous owner, an exemplary design or dominant material. From an array of historic pieces...
Paper
Leonardo Da Vinci The Complete Paintings, Coffee Table Art Book
By Leonardo da Vinci
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Leonardo da Vinci. The Complete Paintings . Hardcover Book Coffee Table Art Book. Da Vinci in detail: Leonardo's life and work all paintings! One...
Paper
Leonardo Da Vinci The Complete Paintings and Drawings Opus Book
By Leonardo da Vinci
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Leonardo da Vinci. The Complete Paintings and Drawings. Da Vinci in detail: Leonardo's life and work all pictures, all drawings! One of the most ful...
Paper
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H 2.76 in W 7.88 in D 11.42 in
Schliemann, Henry, ILIOS, The City and the Country of the Troyans, 1885 Paris
Located in Sofia, BG
Heinrich Schliemann - Ilios, ville et pays des Troyens - 1885 Archaeology, Art, History Book SCHLIEMANN, Henri. ILIOS. Ville et pays des Troyens....
Paper
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H 1.97 in W 7.09 in D 5.52 in
C. Julii Caesaris De Vita Et Rebus Gestis Ex Musaeo Joannis Georgii Graevii, 1713
Located in Sofia, BG
C. Julii Caesaris Quae extant omnia Cum Animadversionibus integris Dion. Vossii, J. Davisii Coll. Regin. Cantab. Socii, ALIORUMQUE VARIIS NOTIS, Ut & qui vocatur JULIUS CELSUS DE VIT...
Paper
"Romeo and Juliet" Opera, Ch. Gounod, Paris, 1876
By Francois-Louis Gounod
Located in Sofia, BG
Roméo et Juliette (Romeo and Juliet) is an opera in five acts by Charles Gounod to a French libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré, based on Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespea...
Paper
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H 9.5 in W 6.5 in D 1.75 in
16 Volume Book Set of the Literature of Italy from 1265-1907 for Walter Rawlings
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This 16 volume set of books was published by the National Allumni and is numbered 97 out of a limited series of 100. This series was prepared for Walter T. Rawlings and is a compilat...
Paper