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.
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
Ancient Roman Marble Column Capital
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An exceptional marble capital of the classic Corinthian order with 3 tiers of foliate acanthus leaves. Both large and well preserved our beautiful example retains much of its crisp ...
Marble
Pair of Painted Antique Columns with Corinthian Capitals
Located in Sheffield, MA
The pair of antique Corinthian columns are painted with a marblized effect on each base and shaft and have black capitals, above which are ce...
Wood
Antique Italian Architectural Salvage Sculptural Elements Now Statue Table Pair
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent near pair of antique Italian architectural salvaged elements, now repurposed and fashioned as one-of-a-kind tables / stands / sculptures! 19th Century or earlier, Italy, most likely Venetian / Veneto region, hand carved polychrome painted sculptural corinthian column capital exterior building elements almost certainly depicting a Baroque interpretation of Medusa, having spiral scroll volutes, acanthus leaf carvings, figural ancient mask...
Wood
$120,000 / set
Pair of Marble Roman Capitals, 2nd Century, France
Located in Girona, Spain
Pair of marble Roman capitals. Corinthian order Made with stone and with matching black metal bases. Roman antiquities. “Certificate of Authenticity”. Pair of monumental Corinthian capitals, decorated in two registers with acanthus leaves. Its large size indicates that its use would be destined for an important public temple. From the French region of Nimes. Provenance: The Chenel Collection. 2nd century...
Stone
Pair of Architectural Salvage Wooden Ionic Column Capitals
Located in Leesburg, VA
Pair of Architectural Salvage Wooden Ionic Column Capitals Anonymous First half of the 20th century; Europe Wood Approximate size: 10.5 (h) x 24.5 (w) x 5 (d) in. each A pair of s...
Wood
19th Century Italian Zinc Flame Finials on Distressed Wood Bases
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This pair of 19th-century finials features sculptural flame motifs cast in metal, likely zinc, known for its durability and weather resistance. Each flame form rises organically with...
Zinc
Monumental English Edwardian Portland Stone Keystone
Located in London, GB
An enormous, English carved Portland Stone keystone, Edwardian c.1905, with a female mask to the front. Of astonishing and imposing scale, wear as expected, repaired nose.
Limestone
$14,213Sale Price|24% Off
19th Century Italian Carved Marble Architectural Frieze Sculpture of Caesar
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century Italian carved marble Architectural Frieze Sculpture of Caesar, Of rectangular form the finely carved Carrera Marble 50" x 20" slab w...
Carrara Marble, Statuary Marble, Steel
Pair of Tall Faux Sienna Marble Tuscan Style Columns
Located in Nashville, TN
With faux and real distress, faked and real cracks, crevices, nicks ,dings etc. Tuscan, a Roman style with Doric influence. Simple entablature with no fluting to the shaft. Well de...
Scagliola
19th Century Italian Carved Marble Column Capital
Located in Austin, TX
A stately and well carved marble Corinthian column capital, 19th century, Italy. Presented and displayed inverted, with a typical decorative motif of acanthus and volute. Perfect f...
Marble
$780Sale Price|20% Off
Polychromed Classical Styled Carved Garland or Festoon
Located in Nashville, TN
Hand carved wood architectural fragment . Polychromed in colors of gaiety .In style of ancient classical Roman garlands or festoons . FESTOON CARVED IN WOOD CARVING OF A GARLAND ...
Wood
$1,400Sale Price|20% Off
Large Roman Style Bronze Figural Architectural Element
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Roman style bronze figural architectural element, depicting a goddess holding on her head an acanthus column with a bronze urn cascading with ...
Bronze
$450 / set
Pair of Antique Cast Plaster Corbels
Located in Sheffield, MA
The pair of antique cast corbels are hollow and are secured with iron horizontal bars. Can be hung for display or use as brackets for shelving. Also will work well for bookends.
Plaster
$1,193Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Large Cast Gate Post Finials Sculptures
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Pair of Large Cast Gate Post Finials Sculptures A pair of large gate pier finials This is a superb large pair of Globe Gate Post finials in good used condition The finials are 19...
Concrete
$1,301Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of 19th Century Green Wall Brackets These are beautifully designed
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Pair of 19th Century Green Wall Brackets These are beautifully designed pieces, they are in a classical style and painted in a very dark green, they could be used as wall bracket...
Plaster
Bronze Architectural Push Pull double Door Handles with Ancient of King
Located in London, GB
Set of two rounded bronze door handles based on medieval or ancient coins resembling a crowned king. These door handles are European 1970s. Their reliefs full of fine detail have the...
Bronze
Eighteenth Century Carved Portland Stone Keystone
Located in London, GB
A large carved Portland stone keystone, likely eighteenth century, the tapered form with female mask carved to the front face.
Limestone
Antique Hand-Carved Wood Corinthian Pilaster Capitals
Located in Sheffield, MA
The antique Corinthian pilaster capitals are made of hand-carved hardwood. They are embellished with leaves and flowers. Leaves even protrude from...
Hardwood
Pair of Antique Pilasters and Matching Corinthian Capitals
Located in Sheffield, MA
The pair of antique pilasters have semicircular fluted shafts, decorative bases and flat backs, all hand-carved. Also carved by hand with leaves and vines are the matching Corinthian capitals...
Wood
$1,500 / set
Pair of Antique Carved Stone Capitals and Bases
Located in Sheffield, MA
The pair of antique stone capitals come with separate semi-circular bases. These are to be attache to a wall like pilasters. Can be used for planter bases, small side table or as gar...
Stone
$7,550 / set
Pair of Antique Marble Pilaster Console Plinth
Located in Sheffield, MA
The pair of antique stone console table supports or pedestals have finely carved fluted fronts topped by acanthus leaves set against uncarv...
Marble
$1,997
Mascaron à tête de femme
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Mascaron en plâtre qui représente une tête de femme souriante. A l'origine ce moulage d'un élément architectural vient d'une semelle de poutre. Traces de polychromie ancienne.
Plaster
Pair of Early 20thC Hand Carved Carrara Marble Guardian Angels Praying
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Amazing pair of hand chisiled marble statues of kneeling guardian angels praying. Hand crafted in Italy from Carrara Marble in about the 1920s. These were kept in storage for a numbe...
Carrara Marble
$7,841Sale Price|25% Off
19th Century Italian Architectural Corinthian Wood Columns on Stone Base - Pair
Located in Firenze, IT
This tall pair of Italian 19th century Louis XVI style hand carved walnut architectural columns with Corinthian capitals and stone base boasts a fluted and slender body crowned with ...
Stone, Sandstone
Ancient Roman Carved Marble Roundel
Located in Essex, MA
Depicting a robed man holding a scroll in a circular frame, the hairstyle recalls that Emperor Gallienus; rough technique is compatible with the late Third Ce...
Marble
Corinthian Order Portland Stone Capital
Located in London, GB
An English, Corinthian Order pilaster capital carved in Portland Stone, likely mid-nineteenth century. Provenance unknown. Attractively weathered throughout.
Limestone
$1,195 / set
H 16 in W 14.5 in D 15 in
Antique Salvaged Carved Wooden Architectural Wall Brackets, Corbels or Shelves
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This matched pair of antique hand-carved walnut wall brackets were salvaged from an early Victorian house in Montreal, Canada. The brackets are unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Canada in approximately 1850 in the period Victorian style. The brackets are solid walnut in their composition and have ornate decorative carvings. These wall corbels...
Walnut
Pair of Antique Carved Stone Capitals and Bases
Located in Sheffield, MA
The pair of antique stone capitals come with separate semi-circular bases. These are to be attache to a wall like pilasters. Can be used for planter bases, small side table or as gar...
Stone
19th Century Belgium Bluestone Capitals
Located in Dallas, TX
Gorgeous bluestone capitals. Item dates back to the 1880s. Origin; Belgium.
Stone
17th Century Stone Capital
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A large 17th century French capital on a associated base. Sculpted front and sides, flat backside. Great to decorate a garden or display indoors.
Sandstone
19th Century Italian Carved Marble Column Capital
Located in Austin, TX
A stately and well carved marble Corinthian column capital, 19th century, Italy. Presented and displayed inverted, with a typical decorative motif of acanthus and volute. Perfect f...
Marble
$1,938
H 39.38 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
19th Century Spanish Wooden Pedestal Base Painted in Faux Marble
Located in Marbella, ES
19th century Spanish wooden pedestal base painted in faux marble.
Wood
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
19th Century Carved Neo-Classical Style Capitals, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of large scale neo- classical style 19th century painted capitals. This continental pair do have some chippiness to the paint.
Wood
Antique French Corinthian Capital
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
Serge Roche Pair of Gilt Plaster Columns, Mid-Century Modern
By Serge Roche
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Serge Roche pair of gilt plaster columns. The foliage and reed inspired coiled movement of the columns inspired by nature. Serge Roche (1898-1988) was a French designer and artist in the mid 20th Century, son of a famous art dealer and collector. He conceived very creative and original objects and furniture often made in plaster and with a strong Baroque or Roccoco feel, interpreted in a unique manner which reflected a new Century's sensibility. His work was commissioned by the elite of his time, such as Maison Jansen, Coco Chanel and Charles de Beistegui...
Plaster
$1,295
H 5.25 in W 12.25 in D 12.25 in
Antique Stone Neoclassical Ionic Column Capital Stand, 19th Century
Located in Elkhart, IN
A stunning Greek or Roman Neoclassical style cast stone Ionic column capital. This piece of architectural salvage would make a lovely objet d'art, ...
Cast Stone
Ancient Temple in Lacquered Wood from the End of the 1800s
Located in Cesena, FC
Beautiful rare temple dating back to around the second half of the 1800th century in the middle of the Baroque style made of finely carved and gilded wood. Rich sculpted decoration, carving with volute curls. The perforated and gilded dome is of great value. Beautiful old patina. The structure has 8 columns...
Wood, Lacquer
Pair of Tall Fluted Gustavian Painted Wood Corner Columns
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Pair of Tall Early 1900's Fluted and Gustavian Painted Corner Columns in Wood. Bring classic architecture into your home with these impressive vintage column corner columns painted...
Wood, Paint
Sold
H 12.625 in W 151.375 in D 4.625 in
19th Century 3-Piece Carved Stone Arcade from Burgundy, France
Located in Dallas, TX
Presented in three sections, this unique French stone arcade measures over 12 ½ feet in length. Hand-carved in Burgundy, France, during the mid-1800s, the limestone has a pleasing ne...
Stone, Limestone
Sold
H 2.76 in W 8.86 in D 1.38 in
DECORATIVE ANTIQUE GOLD GILT BRONZE RECTANGULAR GRAND TOUR ROMAN FRIEZE PLAQUe
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this really quite lovely Antique Circa 1870-1880 Grand Tour gold gilt bronze Roman Frieze or plaque A very decorat...
Bronze
Unique Anglo Roman Limestone Sarcophagus
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
circa 250 AD. A stunning Anglo Roman sarcophagus in limestone, sitting on sledge feet and having curved strigilated side carvings with warrior shield and two crossed arrow symbols at...
Stone
Very Large Egyptian Imperial Red Porphyry, Roman Fragment
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Very large partially carved and polished Imperial red porphyry Roman fragment Measures: 72 x 42 x 21,5 cm.
Porphyry
Pair of Antique Carved Wood Column Form Pedestals
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Elaborately carved fluted Corinthian columns with scrolled and leafy capitals. Raised on tiered square bases and mounted with hexagonal tops and weighted iron base attachments. Measu...
Iron
Italian Modern Alabaster Column Finely Worked, 1980-2000s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Alabaster column finely worked, 1980-2000s. Elegant and classic column in alabaster with a round base in cream yellow color. The top is square with cut corners. The c...
Alabaster
Roman Marble Column Capital
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Roman Carrara marble column capital with relief carving. Natural loss of pattern in areas consistent with age. Italy. Circa 13th century.
Marble
Set of 19th C. French Stone Finials on Iron Bases
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of (3) Limestone Finials mounted on Iron bases. The finials are (3) different sizes: 1) 16"H X 8"W X 8"D 2) 17"H X 8"W X 8"D 3) 13.5"H X 8"W X 8"D
Limestone, Iron
Sold
H 78 in W 13 in D 13 in
Pair of Paint Decorated Roman Columns Having Hand Painted Flowers, circa 1940
Located in New York, NY
A pair of paint decorated Roman columns having hand painted flowers, circa 1940. Each measures: 13" x 13" x 78" Each Weighs: 41 Lbs.
Wood, Paint
Victorian Brass Caryatid Door Knocker
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Victorian brass Caryatid door knocker, A Large Victorian Brass door knocker decorated with facer of s caryatid wearing a large head d...
Brass
Giant White Italian Carrara Marble Roman Bath Tub
Located in Potters Bar, GB
- Wonderful white carrara marble Roman bath tub - Large piece at six feet head to toe - 185 CM - Great to get this configured again as a bath, very deep a...
Marble