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 Italian Bronze Boy Fountain or Bird Bath Sculpture
Located in Sheffield, MA
With wonderful aged patina, whether a water feature or a standalone sculpture, this wonderful 20th Century Bronze Fountain or Bird Bath will charm the most discriminating art lover....
Bronze
$8,064Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Bronze Classical Putti Cherubs Holding Fish Fountain
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage lost wax cast bronze Roman style fountain from the mid 20th century. Three Putti Cherubs holding fish. Water comes from fishes mouth and drips to a bowl that then creates a...
Bronze
Antique Hand-Carved Italian Lion Head Fountain Mask, Early 1900s
Located in Milano, MI
This antique stone mask was probably used in a fountain. It is a very decorative Italian antique object. The mask fits as decorative object on a bureau o...
Stone
19th Century Continental Iron and Gilt Pedestal Birdbath or Fountain
Located in Dallas, TX
Large and impressive 19th century Continental iron and parcel gilt fountain or birdbath. Beautiful detail and quality.
Iron
$14,850
H 60.63 in W 30.5 in D 28.5 in
Whimsical English 19th-20th Century White Marble Figural Outdoor Dog Fountain
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Whimsical English 19th-20th century white marble figural fountain with dogs fountain. The Baroque Revival six-sided tripod marble base surmounted with three upright seated Yorkshire Terriers resting on a leaf and acanthus center stem, topped with a semi-circular scalloped carved basin...
Marble
$3,017Sale Price|34% Off
H 10.24 in W 8.27 in D 5.91 in
Antique Carved Stone Lion Fountain Head, Italian, Circa 1650-1750
Located in Buisson, FR
Amazing carved stone lion fountain head with a great expression, Italy, circa 1650-1750. Unique period piece. Weathered. H:26cm W:21cm D:15cm
Limestone
Wonderful Modernist Kenetic Motion Copper Fountain / Water Feature, Hand Made
Located in Buffalo, NY
Ingenious copper fountain / water feature, solid copper construction, Modernist design Artisan made, hand executed. Sculpture in motion, great for garden, or indoor space.
Copper
$194,500
H 32 in Dm 51 in
Italian 19th-20th Century Whimsical White Marble Wishing Wellhead with Children
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and exceptionally carved Italian 19th-20th century Baroque Revival style whimsical white Carrara marble wishing wellhead, raised on an octagonal two-step marble base. The intricately carved marble relief circular wellhead depicting carved figures of dancing and cheerful children (Putti) among vines, flowers and fruits, dancing and playing musical instruments with a backdrop of castles, landscapes, forests and wreaths, Florence, circa, 1900. Note: We have part II video of this amazing Wishing Wellhead. Please feel free to request a copy. Literature: A similar wellhead was sold by Jan's & Co. Fine French Antiques, Inc. in 1999, provenance the Atkinson/Kirkeby Estate and it is illustrated in "The Estates of Beverly Hills" by Charles Lockwood and Jeff-Hyland, page 150. Another similar is currently on display at the gardens of "The Elms" mansion a public museum part of the Newport Mansions by The Preservation Society of Newport County in Newport, Rhode Island. Yet another similar wellhead carved with frolicking putti with musical instruments and a dentil molded rim is located at Cranbrook House, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and is illustrated in B. Israel, Antique Garden Ornament...
Carrara Marble
French 18th Century Baroque Stone Carved Cherub Fountain
Located in Carmine, TX
Beautiful 18th century French carved stone fountain featuring three cherubs supporting an ornate scalloped basin with acanthus leaf decoration. Richly detailed with a naturally aged ...
Stone
Antique Bronze Frog Fountain, verde green patina
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique Bronze Frog Fountain, verde green patina..Wonderful life-like frog sculpture..Set up for water feature (see photo).
Bronze
Bronze Triton fountain
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A large bronze, triton fountain… Exceptional detail and patina… Workmanship and design are superior… The fountain is topped with the triton blowing a shell horn. The Triton is youthf...
Bronze
$24,553
H 12.21 in W 10.63 in D 5.91 in
Meissen style porcelain and gilt bronze table fountain by Samson
Located in London, GB
This colourful porcelain table fountain, fashioned in the German Meissen style, was crafted in the 19th Century by the French porcelain company Samson et Cie. The table fountain co...
Ormolu
Cast Aluminum Lions Head Wall Fountain Planter Patterson London 1893
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous wall fountain or planter in aluminum. Cast lions Head and Patterson London 1893. Lots of patina on this one, peeling white paint. In excellent vinta...
Aluminum
Early 20th Century Lead Putti Fountain, Circa 1920
Located in Atlanta, GA
A charming early 20th century lead garden fountain featuring a delightful putti figure supporting a scalloped basin. Dating to around 1920, this piece captures the romantic appeal of...
Iron
Antique Celadon Bird Bath by Wu Jian'an, Art Nouveau Porcelain
By Wu Jian'an
Located in New York, NY
Late 19th. century celadon crackle glazed bird bath featuring a large scalloped bowl on stand.
Porcelain
Bronze Finish Boy & Girl Water Fountain Statue
Located in Germantown, MD
Vintage boy and girl water fountain statue. Boy & girl water fountain statue. Made out of resin and fiberglass materiel with bronze finish. Some...
Resin
Antique Italian Bronze Fountain
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Antique Italian Bronze Fountain. Late 19th Century figure of a boy in a bronze Verdi Gris depicted holding a duck. The boy is standing on a platform with other ducklings at his feet....
Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Carved Marble Pedestal Stand with Swivel Bowl
Located in Dallas, TX
This large antique two-piece marble stand with a bowl, crafted in Italy circa 1920, showcases a timeless classical Roman design. The jardinière features a large, rounded swivel basin...
Marble
Sold
H 56.5 in W 26.5 in D 16.38 in
Wall Fountain of Carved Siena Marble with Bacchus or Dionysus Relief from Italy
Located in Austin, TX
A fine Italian standing wall fountain for outdoors or indoors, in three parts - back, basin, and stand - of carved siena marble, featuring a relief portrait of the Classical god...
Stone, Marble, Siena Marble
Sold
H 24.5 in W 25 in D 8.75 in
Large and Impressive Italian Carved Neptune Wall Sculpture or Fountain Spout
Located in Dallas, TX
Measuring slightly over 2 feet tall, this hand-carved limestone architectural depicting Neptune is quite impressive. Neptune (or Poseidon in Greek) is the Roman god of the sea, makin...
Limestone
After Harriet Whitney Frishmuth, Bronze Fountain of Nude Young Woman
By Harriet Whitney Frishmuth
Located in Milford, NH
A fine bronze fountain of a nude young woman after Harriet Whitney Frishmuth, (1880-1980). Her original works of this fountain date to circa ...
Bronze
Grand Tour Neapolitan Bronze Fountainhead of the 'Amore Con Delfino'
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Rare and beautiful 19th century Neapolitan Grand Tour bronze fountainhead of the 'Amore con Delfino'. Cupid with dolphin, after the antique. Good l...
Bronze
Sold
H 80.25 in W 43.5 in D 43.5 in
Italian 19th Century Carved White Marble Figural Fountain a Putto on a Goose
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An Impressive Italian 19th century carved white marble figural fountain. The circular carved marble basin surmounted with a carved marble figure of...
Carrara Marble, Marble
Minimus Roman Fountain
Located in New Orleans, LA
This stately Roman Minimus fountain adds an attractive splash to one’s outdoor décor. Crafted in a classic two-tiered form, this cast iron fountain’s graceful lines make it the perfe...
Iron
Italian Bronze Fountain Of A Winged Cherub Holding A Goose
Located in Houston, TX
Classical Italian Patinated Bronze Garden Fountain/Statue Of A Winged Cherub Holding A Goose Whose Mouth Is The Spout, Circa. 1920
Bronze
Limestone Architectural Building Element
Located in Hamburg, PA
A unique hand molded architectural element made of limestone. This would look great in a garden or set into a wall and used as a fountain.