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.
Ancient granite capital, Corinthian style, Andalusia, Spain
Located in Valladolid, ES
An exceptional Corinthian capital with smooth leaves in granite, foregoing the intricate carving of the classical acanthus in favor of a much more geometric, clean, and stylized fini...
Granite
Pair of 19th Century Hand-Carved Italian Stone Artichoke Finials
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 19th century weathered stone artichoke finials. They are all hand chiseled and have bulbous shapes with a layered, petal-like pattern coverin...
Stone
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
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
$7,807Sale 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 Marble Column Capital
Located in Beverly Hills, 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 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
$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
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
$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
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
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
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
$1,518 / set
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
$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
$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
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
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
Antique Molded Plaster Mascaron, Classical Roman Style, France, 1950
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
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
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
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
$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
HUGE Ancient Roman Sandstone Architectural Frieze Fragments
Located in York, GB
Provenance: Georges Joseph Demotte (1877 - 1923), Paris and New York; Andrée Macé (1918 - 2000), Belgium and New York; Jean-Claude Renard Auction, Collection Demotte / Andrée Macé,...
Sandstone
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
$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
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
$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
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
$4,250 / set
H 68 in W 8 in D 4 in
Italian Neoclassical Style Painted and Giltwood Architectural Pilaster Columns
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Neoclassical style painted and giltwood architectural pilaster columns. Lovely pair of 19th century Italian Louis XVI style hand carved, paint...
Giltwood
$2,105
H 41.34 in Dm 13 in
Tuscany 19th Century Renaissance Column Pedestal by Dini & Puccini in Walnut
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Tuscany original 19th century Renaissance column pedestal in walnut hand-crafted, by Dini & Puccini, polished to wax Measures cm: Height 105, diameter 33\25.
Walnut
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 Antique Walnut Pedestal Column with Rustic Turned Design
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A beautiful antique wooden pedestal column, its body carved into an impressive twist, and featuring nicely turned upper and lower sections beneath a square display tray. The column s...
Walnut
Set of Four 17th Century Italian Rococo Painted Wood Columns
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 4 Italian Rococo (17th/18th Century) green painted columns with gold swirl carved floral design and Corinthian capitals.
Wood
$2,650
H 10.375 in W 13.25 in D 12.5 in
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
$462Sale Price|49% Off
H 16.15 in W 8.08 in D 2.76 in
Italian 18/19th Century Hand Carved Giltwood Floral Ornament
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful handcarved giltwood floral ornament that once adorned a chapel .Original period piece that due it’s high age has a wonderful weathered look. Italy circa 1780/1850 , weathe...
Wood
$2,350
H 28.5 in W 9.75 in D 5.5 in
Pair 19th Century Neoclassical Style Italian Plaster Urns with Flame Finials
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Italian neoclassical style urns in relief that can either stand on their own or hang from the wall as decorative elements. Quite handsome, with acanthus leaf decoration and f...
Plaster
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
19th Century French Hand Carved Pedestal
Located in London, GB
We are proud to offer an unusual example of a hand carved late 19th Century carved pedestal. This is a highly decorative and unusual example because of its hand carved studded detail...
Pine
$286Sale Price|50% Off
H 16.54 in W 7.09 in D 2.37 in
Italian 18/19th Century Hand Carved Giltwood Acanthus Leaf Ornament
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful handcarved giltwood acanthus leaf ornament that once adorned a chapel . Original period piece that due its high age has a beautiful weathered look. Italy circa 1780/1850 , ...
Wood
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
Roman Corinthian Capital, Flavian Period, 1st Century AD
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Roman corinthian capital Marble Flavian period, 1st century AD H 40 x L 42 x P 40 Provenance : Private collection United Kingdom.
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