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Classical Greek Urns

CLASSICAL GREEK STYLE

There is rare surviving furniture from ancient Greece, yet this classical style has informed design for centuries. Interiors of houses in antiquity were minimal, with much of a room’s color coming from frescoes on the walls and mosaics on the floors. Classical Greek furniture was sparing but finely crafted and influenced by Egyptian furniture design through Mediterranean trade.

Furnishings of the period were usually made from local wood like cypress, cedar, oak and willow from ancient Greece’s plentiful forests, although some pieces were carved from marble, such as a 300–200 B.C. throne with lion legs and a curved back now at the Getty Villa. Comfort and clean lines characterized designs during the Classical era, the symmetry and thoughtful proportions reflecting the architecture of Greek temples.

Some pieces of ancient Greek furniture were simple, rectangular platforms like the klinē, a multipurpose ancestor of today’s couches or daybeds that held cushions stuffed with wool, dry grass or down. These structures were used for both sleeping and dining, which wealthy Greeks did while reclining. At night, oil lamps illuminated rooms that frequently surrounded a garden courtyard.

Most of what scholars have learned about Greek furniture design owes to its representations in art like vases and stelae. The portable diphros stool, with its backless design and four turned legs, was one of the more common types of seating in daily Greek life — it appears as such for the gods on the Parthenon frieze. Stools without backs have been found in early Roman tombs, while benches were also common Greek seating furniture created for use in theaters. In houses of the Hellenistic period, benches seemingly functioned as tables, too.

Some designs evolved through adaptations by the Romans, including the klismos chair. After prominent archaeological excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum, the klismos chair — with its four saber legs and the elegant curves that define its back — was a source of inspiration for aesthetics in eras ranging from 18th-century neoclassicism to 20th-century Art Deco.

Find a collection of Classical Greek decorative objects, wall decorations and building and garden elements on 1stDibs.

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Style: Classical Greek
French Garden Urn or Planter Pot of Cast Iron in the Classical Style
Located in Austin, TX
A fine French campana urn or garden planter pot of cast iron in the Classical style, with everted dentil rim, quarter-lobed body, and flared masked handles on reeded round foot. Pe...
Category

19th Century French Antique Classical Greek Urns

Materials

Iron, Metal

Classical Painted Cast Hardstone Mellon Bowl Garden Urn 20th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Ask About Reduced In-House Shipping Rates - Reliable Service & Fully Insured*** Classical Painted Cast Hardstone Mellon Bowl Garden Urn 20th C Measures- 12''H x 14.5''W x 14.5''D
Category

20th Century Classical Greek Urns

Materials

Stone

Classical Painted Cast Hardstone Mellon Bowl Garden Urn 20th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Ask About Reduced In-House Shipping Rates - Reliable Service & Fully Insured*** Classical Painted Cast Hardstone Mellon Bowl Garden Urn 20th C Measures- 12''H x 14.5''W x 14.5''D
Category

20th Century Classical Greek Urns

Materials

Concrete

Set of Three 19th Century Painted Greek Earthenware Olive Jars
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of Three 19th Century Painted Greek Earthenware Olive Jars are perfect for adding a timeless touch to your garden, outdoor entertainment area, or even in a casual interior decor!...
Category

Late 19th Century Greek Antique Classical Greek Urns

Materials

Earthenware

Large Planter Urns, 19th Century Bronze Medici Style, Pair
Located in Summerland, CA
Medici style, Fantastic pair of decorative Italian urns. Permanent original Pewter finish on solid bronze. Wonderful relief procession of drama, music, and dance. Handles on each sid...
Category

1890s Italian Antique Classical Greek Urns

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Carved Pink Stone Urns, 20th Century
Located in Faversham, GB
A pair of decoratively carved pink stone urns. Perfect for garden or home alike. Price is for the pair. English, 20th century. Additional information: H 36 cm (H 29.1 inches) ...
Category

20th Century British Classical Greek Urns

Materials

Stone

Monumental 20th Century fibreglass Classical Urn on Pedestal
Located in Bagshot, GB
If you're looking to make a statement at the front of the drive or just looking for that piece with some wow factor in the back garden, this monumental verdi gris fibeglass, 20th cen...
Category

Late 20th Century British Classical Greek Urns

Materials

Fiberglass

Large Bronze Garden Urn after a Model at Versailles
By Claude Ballin
Located in Stamford, CT
A substantial bronze garden urn with handles in the form of a bearded men having exceptional patination. After a model from the Palace of Versailles ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Classical Greek Urns

Materials

Bronze

Pair Classical 19th Century Lidded Garden Urns
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive pair of classical 19th century lidded garden urns, each with acorn finials, scrolling foliate relief to the lids, fluted decoratio...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Classical Greek Urns

Materials

Composition

Pair of 19th Century, Classical Style Urns
By Galloway Pottery
Located in Newport Beach, CA
Grand pair of late 19th century, terracotta urns featuring reliefs of Neptune / Poseidon amidst the waves flanked by a hippocampus and a sea serpent. Stamped “Galloway Pottery, Phila...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Classical Greek Urns

Materials

Terracotta

Painted Cast Iron Garden Urns and Pedestal Bases, American, Mid-20th Century
Located in Downingtown, PA
Painted cast iron garden urns and pedestal bases, American, mid-20th century. A pair of white painted cast iron metal urns on square pedes...
Category

1950s American Vintage Classical Greek Urns

Materials

Iron

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Pair of French Gray Painted Cast Iron Garden Urns
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of French gray-painted cast iron garden urns circa 1910. They feature an unusual, whimsical shape, beautifully decorative rims and a rich patina. Sold together and priced $4,400...
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1910s French Vintage Classical Greek Urns

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Chocolate Color With Raised Details Terracotta Olive Pot, Spain, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
19th century Spanish large terracotta olive pot. Unearthed from a very large family run olive oil producing business in southern Spain. Beautifu...
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19th Century Spanish Antique Classical Greek Urns

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Pair of Antique French Garden Cast Iron Half Round Urn Form Fluted Wall Planters
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of unusual early 20th century antique French cast iron half round demilune wall mounted urn form wall planters. Having traces of blue paint, e...
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1920s French Vintage Classical Greek Urns

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Pair of Large Bronze Mounted Marble Garniture Urns
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Finely crafted large white and brown marble urns with patinated bronze mounts. The lids with artichoke finials, palmettes and acanthus leaves, attached to the necks decorated with le...
Category

20th Century Classical Greek Urns

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Large Antique Spanish Olive Storage Jar
Located in Sheffield, MA
This is a large size terracotta Biot type olive jar from central Spain. It has a wonderful aged patina with chalky painted finish. It makes a great statement as a sculpture in a room...
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19th Century Spanish Antique Classical Greek Urns

Materials

Terracotta

Spanish Dark Terracotta Olive Jar / Vessel
Located in Barcelona, ES
Antique Handmade Unglazed Terracota Olive Jar or Vessel, Spain, 19th century- 1930s This eye-catching dark terracota jar or urn was designed to contain water and to keep it fresh. I...
Category

19th Century Spanish Antique Classical Greek Urns

Materials

Terracotta, Clay, Earthenware, Pottery

Pair of 20th Century Cast-Iron Vintage Victorian Style Urns
Located in London, GB
Pair of cast-iron vintage Victorian style urns with unusual brown patina including matching bases.
Category

20th Century English Classical Greek Urns

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

Antique Pair of Mid-Victorian Cast Iron Garden Urns
Located in Manchester, GB
Antique pair of small mid-Victorian cast iron garden urns with fine decoration. Primed ready for painting. Overall 15.5" (39.4cm) diamete...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Classical Greek Urns

Materials

Iron

Cast Iron French Classical Style Round Urn Design Outdoor Garden Planter Pot
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Cast Iron French Classical Style 15" Round Urn Design Outdoor Garden Planter Pot. Item features heavy cast iron construction, unique round form,...
Category

Late 20th Century Classical Greek Urns

Materials

Iron

Cast Iron Low and Wide Round French Style Outdoor Garden Planter
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Cast iron low and wide 34" round French style outdoor garden planter. Item features heavy cast iron construction, unique low and wide form, deco...
Category

Late 20th Century Classical Greek Urns

Materials

Iron

Pair of French Ormolu and Marble Urns Signed Sanglan, 19th Century
Located in Cypress, CA
Exquisite 19th century pair of French Napoleon III ormolu-mounted green marble urns, signed “SANGLAN.” The foliage decorated ormolu lid is topped by resting bee above an ovoid-shaped marble, flanked by vine and foliate handles, centred by lovebirds, all resting on an octagonal marble and gilt bronze base. Ernest Sanglan...
Category

19th Century French Antique Classical Greek Urns

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of 19th Century White Iron Garden Urns
Located in Milano, IT
A pair of large neoclassical 19th century iron garden urns painted white.
Category

19th Century French Antique Classical Greek Urns

Materials

Iron

Previously Available Items
French Verdigris Copper Urn or Vase with Lid in the Classical Style
Located in Austin, TX
A fine French decorative urn or vase of copper in the Classical style, with a beautiful verdigris patina over the whole, featuring a removable lid with finial, fitted to an urn body ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Greek Urns

Materials

Copper, Metal

Pair Cast Iron Handled Grecian Urns on Floral Embossed Plinths 20th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
A pair of Grecian cast iron garden urns offer foliate embossed bowls with flanking scroll form handles having central mask, raised on floral embossed plinths, 20th century Measures-...
Category

20th Century Classical Greek Urns

Materials

Iron

Pair Embossed Cast Iron Classical Double Handled Garden Urns on Plinths, 20th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
A pair of Classical garden urns offer cast iron construction with egg and dart rim. Over floral embossed vessel with melon form base, flanking handles and raised matching embossed b...
Category

20th Century Classical Greek Urns

Materials

Iron

Pair of Large Classical Cast Iron Garden Urns on Plinths, 20th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
A pair of large Classical garden urns offer gadroon lips over ribbed vessels raised on square plinths, 20th century. Measures: 39.75" height x 22" diameter.
Category

20th Century American Classical Greek Urns

Materials

Metal, Iron

Pair of Neoclassical Figural Cast Iron Garden Urns, 20th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
A pair of neoclassical figural garden urns offer cast Iron construction with gadroon brodering over vessel with foliate elements in relief and double handles with lion masks, melon b...
Category

20th Century Classical Greek Urns

Materials

Metal, Iron

19th Century Bronze Urn
Located in New York, NY
19th century cast bronze urn.
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Classical Greek Urns

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Bronze Urn
19th Century Bronze Urn
H 26 in W 24 in D 24 in
Vintage Pair of Cast Iron Classical Garden Urns, 20th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
A vintage pair of Classical garden planters offer urn form with egg and dart rim and mellon base, raised on plinth with square base, 20th century. Measures- 24.5" height x 18.5" d...
Category

20th Century American Classical Greek Urns

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Iron

Two Large French Classical Painted Cast Iron Garden Urns on Plinths
Located in Big Flats, NY
A pair of well cast French classical garden planters feature iron construction in pedestal urn form having melon bowls with egg and dart rims raised on central pedestals and seated o...
Category

20th Century French Classical Greek Urns

Materials

Iron

Pair of 19th Century French Cast Iron Garden Urns
Located in Houston, TX
Lovely pair of antique French cast iron Campana garden urns, planters or jardinières. These beautiful Classic form French garden urns would make a ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Classical Greek Urns

Materials

Iron

Pair of Italian Classical Alabaster Vases
Located in New York, NY
Our pair of very large neoclassical style, Italian alabaster vases. Good condition. They can be wired to be illuminated from the inside.
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1910s Italian Vintage Classical Greek Urns

Materials

Alabaster

Pair of Grecian Style White Painted Double Handle Garden Urns, 20th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
A pair of white painted tin Grecian style garden urns feature flared form bowl with reeded base and double handles surmounting decorated plinth seated on square feet, 20th century *...
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20th Century American Classical Greek Urns

Materials

Metal, Tin

Grecian Style Cast Stone Planters, circa 1940
Located in Culver City, CA
Grecian style cast stone planters, circa 1940 Two-part planters with decorative bowls on animal legs with clay feet.
Category

1940s American Vintage Classical Greek Urns

Materials

Cast Stone

Classical Greek urns for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Classical Greek urns for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage urns created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Classical Greek urns made in a specific country, there are Europe, United Kingdom, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original urns, popular names associated with this style include and Galloway Pottery. 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 urns differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $509 and tops out at $15,000 while the average work can sell for $4,707.

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