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.
Antique French Corinthian Capital, Hand-Carved Wood with Gold Leaf
Located in Austin, TX
Corinthian Capital, French, of finely hand carved wood finished with 24 carats gold leafing. The architectural element which can serve as a side table features a hand carved décor o...
Gold Leaf
Antique Cast Iron Fireback, Apollo with Lyre, Greek Style, 1850
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This fireback was made in the 19th century of cast iron. It is adorned with a representation of the god Apollo that we recognize thanks to the lyre he's holding in his hands.
Iron
American Charleston Cast Iron Lyre Boot Scrape, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
American Charleston cast iron lyre boot scrape resting on a oval scalloped edge base, Early 19th century.
Iron
Beautiful Cast Iron Fireback or Backsplash
Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland
This nice and tall cast iron fireback is beautifully decorated and in great condition. It fireback can be used in a real fire or as a beautiful backsplash. Our vast collection of an...
Iron
Antique Cast Iron Fireback
Located in Oostvoorne, NL
Beautiful l antique cast iron fireback. This fireback has a luxurious look. The fireback can be placed in a working fireplace against the fi...
Iron
Antique Fireback / Backsplash, Man with Scythe
Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland
Man with scythe and corn in his hand. A great square cast iron antique fireback displaying a man his scythe and some corn. Good condition, can be used in a real gas or log fire....
Iron
Antique Corinthian Corner Capital
Located in Sheffield, MA
The antique Corinthian corner capital is made of veined marble painted white. One corner is cut away so that the capital can protrudes from the corn...
Marble
18th Century Hand-Carved Stone Capital in Corinthian Style
Located in Marbella, ES
18th century hand-carved stone capital in Corinthian style.
Stone
18th Century Italian Carved Limestone Corinthian Capital
Located in Stamford, CT
18th century Italian Neoclassical carved limestone Corinthian capital. Weathered and broken, this architectural fragment makes an resonant outdoor or indoor decorative element. Gre...
Limestone
Antique Carved Wood Sculpture
Located in Sheffield, MA
Exotic 19th century carved relief architectural wood element, once part of a building facade has now been mounted on metal stand and made into an exciting and impressive sculpture. ...
Wood
$3,160Sale Price|20% Off
H 78.75 in W 43.31 in D 1.97 in
Antique Entrance Door with Double Leaf, Carved Walnut Wood, 1800, Italy
Located in Cuneo, Italy (CN)
Antique double-leaf entrance door, hand carved in precious light brown walnut wood, hand-built in the 19th century by artisans in Italy. Beautiful and of great character, clear and ...
Walnut
$3,500
H 39 in W 34 in D 10.75 in
Scottish Cast Iron Decorative Umbrella Stand, Carron Company, Circa 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
Scottish cast iron umbrella stand with decorative urns, swags, and floral motif resting on a molded edge rectangular base with two removable pans for water . Mid-19th century. Carron...
Iron
Antique 19th Century Cast Iron Building Finial
Located in Stamford, CT
Nice untouched cast iron building finial standing 39" on mounted wooden base. Great original color. No cracks or breaks. buyer pays $65 shipping in the continental US.
Iron
George & The Dragon Cast Iron Fireback
Located in London, GB
A large decorative cast iron fireback featuring George and the Dragon. English, 20th century. Height: 788 mm 31" Width: 838 mm 33"
Iron
Painted Wood and Iron Architectural Fragment
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Architectural fragment of a painted wood and iron corinthian column, circa 1900. With old paint. The main body is wood and the acanthus leaves are iron.
Iron
A Large Brass Dionysus Door Knocker
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Large Brass Dionysus Door Knocker A Large Brass door knocker showing the head of Dionysus, the Greek God of Fertility and Fruitfulness, a s...
Brass
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H 7.09 in W 7.09 in D 4.73 in
Bronze Push Pull Door Handles for Double Doors Round with Ancient Coins
Located in London, GB
Set of two round bronze door handles based on ancient Greek coins of ca. 5th century BC, most likely resembling the helmeted head of Athena, with frontal eye, wearing winged Athenian...
Bronze
Pair of Small 19th Century Carved Belgian Bluestone Capitals
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand-carved in Belgium in the 1800’s, this pair of small bluestone capitals has been inspired by the Ionic order of ancient civilizations (Greece and Rome). Ionic architecture is kno...
Stone
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H 13.25 in W 76 in D 4.75 in
Two Carved Oak Classical Architectural Mantle Mounts, Figural Satyr Heads, c1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique pair of Classical figural mantel mounts offer carved oak construction with satyrs and scrolled foliate elements, c1890 Measures - 13.25''H x 76''W x 4.75''D.
Oak
Pair of Antique Classical Greek Style Corinthian Columns
Located in Sheffield, MA
A great pair of American classical architectural fluted wood columns. The tall circular wood columns are 91" high with a short cap at the top. Use your creative energy and see how yo...
Wood
19th C. American Architectural Fluted Columns w/ Ionic Capitals
Located in Rochester, NY
A good pair of antique 19th century American architectural fluted wood columns w/ carved wood Ionic capitals in nicely aged original antique cond...
Wood
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H 15.5 in W 14.25 in D 14.25 in
Vintage Concrete Greek Corinthian Style Decorative Carved Capital
Located in Pasadena, CA
Our vintage concrete decorative carved capital is fashioned in the Greek Corinthian style. It is the perfect way to add an enhancing accent to any room or patio. They can be used as ...
Concrete
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H 95 in W 14 in D 14 in
2 Corinthian Architectural Stone Columns Concrete Acanthus Roman Greek Pillar
Located in Dayton, OH
2 Corinthian architectural stone columns concrete Acanthus Roman Greek pillar 8' Amazing set of architectural Greek or Roman style Corinthian columns w...
Concrete
Magnificent Pair of Victorian Twisted Carved Corinthian Columns
Located in Benington, Herts
A magnificent pair of 7ft Victorian twisted carved timber Corinthian columns, circa 1880. This stunning and imposing pair of columns standing 7ft high having carved Corinthian capit...
Pine
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H 11.25 in W 12.25 in D 11.25 in
Pair of Oversized Classical Antique French Parcel Gilt Figural Wall Sconces
Located in Big Flats, NY
A pair of oversized figural French wall sconces offer chalk ware construction each having parcel-gilt sculpture of Archangel Michael, 20th century ***DELIVERY NOTICE – Due to COVID-...
Plaster
Antique Plaster Cast of the Parthenon Selene Horse Head
Located in Vero Beach, FL
This is one of the most famous and popular plaster casts of the beautiful horse head of the chariot of Selene. It is made after a rescued marble sculpture from the Parthenon in Athen...
Plaster