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.
1900s, Gilt Framed Madonna of the Chair Painting Print on Wood
By (after) Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino)
Located in Germantown, MD
The Madonna Della Sedia commonly known as the Madonna of the chair is a painting by an Italian artist Raphael dating back to 1513 -1514. It is currently hou...
Hardwood, Giltwood
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
19th Century KPM porcelain plaque of the Battle of Corinth
Located in London, GB
19th Century KPM porcelain plaque of the Battle of Corinth German, 19th Century Frame: Height 37.5cm, width 44cm, depth 5cm Plaque: H...
Giltwood, Porcelain
Santa Rita Retablo
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This late 19th century Mexican Folk Art devotional painting depicts St. Rita of Casia, the patron saint of lost and improbable causes. Wishing to join an Augustinian convent ...
Tin
American Legion Baseball and Basketball Folk Art Paintings
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Pair of baseball and basketball paintings found in a Midwestern American Legion hall. These were proudly displayed behind the legion hall bar. Grea...
Large KPM Porcelain Plaque of 'Romeo and Juliet' 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality large 19th century KPM Porcelain plaque, depicting 'Romeo and Juliet' mounted in a carved giltwood frame.
Porcelain
Giltwood Frame Oil on Canvas Painting
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Late 20th century giltwood framed oil on canvas still life painting. The oil painting is in good condition. Artist signature left hand corner. The frame is about 17 inches x 15 inche...
Giltwood, Paint
Rare & Collectible Hardcover Book By Donald Deskey Art Deco
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful illustrations nice clean condition on this rare and very collectible book, by Donald Deskey hard cover.
Paper
Vintage Framed Bulldog on Settee Oil painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage bulldog resting at the edge of a settee or bench posing for a painting. a masculine canine companion bulldog. Notice the muscular features of the chest and leg area. Detail...
Paint
$395
H 14.75 in W 11.25 in D 1.5 in
Frida Kahlo: The Painter and Her Work by Helga Prignitz-Poda (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
Frida Kahlo is now regarded as one of the foremost artists of the 20th century. Her reputation grew late in her life and more so, posthumously. During her life she was more famous fo...
Paper
$280Sale Price|30% Off
H 2.25 in W 12 in D 12.62 in
‘Picasso The Early Years 1881-1907’ Hardcover Art Book by Palau i Fabre
Located in Toronto, ON
Pablo Picasso Book by Palau I Fabre detailing Picasso’s work from 1881 to 1907. Published by Rizzoli, New York in 1981. This hardcover book comes with a hardcover sleeve. The book it...
Paper
$150 / item
H 14.7 in W 11 in D 2 in
Ferrari by Pino Allievi. XL hardcover book with Leatherette binding.
By TASCHEN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Il Fascino Ferrari - A monument to Italy’s driving force. Few men, women or brand names have come to define a century. For seven decades and counting, the Italian powerhouse founded...
Foil
$4,950Sale Price|33% Off
H 13 in Dm 10.38 in
German 19th Century Berlin Porcelain Kpm Covered Bacchus Tureen Centerpiece
By Royal Porzellan Bavaria KPM Germany Handarbeit.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine German 19th century Berlin porcelain covered Tureen, the finial in form of an infant Bacchus on a domed cover with molded band and painted scenes divided by floral sprays...
Porcelain
$1,000
H 9.45 in W 6.97 in D 1.19 in
Trattato della Pittura di Lionardo da Vinci (Treatise on Leonardo Paintings )
Located in Middletown, NY
Vinci, Leonardo da & Carlo Amoretti Trattato della Pittura di Lionardo da Vinci (Treatise on Painting by Leonardo da Vinci) Milano: Società Tipografica de' Classici italiani, 18...
Leather, Paper
Porcelain Figure, KPM Berlin 19th century
Located in Belmont, MA
Woman with a parrot, KPM Berlin, 19th century.. Beautiful figurine of a standing woman in oriental dress holding a parrot in her right hand. Naturalistically painted with fired KPM mark...
Porcelain