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.
Classical Marble Carved Stone Sink Basin
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
Classical Italian sink basin cut from one single block of white marble with serpentine shaped front and gadrooned carving, these Greek/Roman designs quite happily suit either old or ...
Carrara Marble
Period Marble Carved Stone Sink Basin
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
Classical Italian sink basin cut from one single block of white marble with serpentine shaped front and gadrooned carving, these Greek/Roman designs quite happily suit either old or ...
Limestone
French Carved Marble Stone Sink Basin, Early 20th C.
Located in North Miami, FL
This antique French shell wall-mounted sink basin, recently rescued from a Southampton Estate, is carved from carrara marble and retains the mount...
Carrara Marble
$3,094 / item
Marble Scalloped Sink Basin
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
Classical Italian scalloped sink basin cut from one single block of Carrara marble. Custom sizes available
Marble
Italian Natural Colored Stone Sink w/ Bluish Gray Detailing
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid 20th century classic Roman style Italian made limestone sink. There are soft shades of cream, gray, golds, and more. A hole has already been drilled for convenience.
Limestone
Classical Marble Circular Marble Stone Sink
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
Another unique piece of design, this timeless Italian classical sink is cut from one single block of white Carrara marble, the circular design is taken from Greek and Roman times. Th...
Carrara Marble
Classical Roman Style Bathtub, Solid Marble, Custom Sizes
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
Classical Roman style bathtubs Solid one piece manufacture Designs in various marbles with custom sizing and design options available Small or la...
Carrara Marble
$4,418 / item
Classical Style Serpentine Marble Sink
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
A period style newly made sink cut from one block of Carrara marble, features a serpentine shaped fully gadrooned molded surround. Ideal for either old or new properties. Custom ...
Carrara Marble
$4,225Sale Price|20% Off
Classical Marble Stone Powder Room Sink Basin
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
This timeless beautiful Italian classical sink is cut from one single block of white marble, these designs have not changed since Greek and Roman times, it carries superb artistic me...
Carrara Marble
Carrara Marble Classic Kitchen Sink
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
Carrara Marble Classic Kitchen Sink A simple natural design ideal for a kitchen or bathroom for old and new buildings, superb warm veined character stone cut from one piece of Carrar...
Carrara Marble
Hand-Carved Stone Trough Sink Basin, Continental Europe, 19th Century Style
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautifully hand-carved rectangular stone sink basin, fashioned from solid natural stone with softly tapered sides and a deep interior well. This substantial piece showcases a wonder...
Limestone
"Sari" Pedestal Sink made of Almond Travertine
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The "Sari" pedestal sink made of almond travertine by the Italian company, Piba Marmi, is a sculptural masterpiece that seamlessly blends classic and contemporary design. Crafted fro...
Travertine
Classical Inlaid Marble Stone Sink Basin
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
This timeless beautiful Italian classical sink is cut from one single block of white marble with polychrome inlays. These designs have not changed since Greek and Roman times and car...
Marble
Onyx Rock Sink Bathroom Basin with Live Edge
Located in Atlanta, GA
A single natural onyx sink basin with original live edge. This carved vessel sink, created from a rough onyx rock, has a carved and then polished interior basin, making for easy clea...
Onyx
Carved Onyx Rock Sink Basin with Live Edge
Located in Atlanta, GA
A single natural onyx sink basin with original live edge. This carved vessel sink, created from a rough onyx rock, has a carved and then polished interior basin, making for easy clea...
Stone, Onyx
Classical Carved Marble Stone Sink Basin
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
This timeless beautiful Italian classical sink is cut from one single block of white marble, these designs have not changed since Greek and Roman times, it carries superb artistic me...
Marble
Classical Carved Marble Stone Sink Basin
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
Italian Classical Carved Sink Basin This timeless beautiful Italian classical sink is cut from one single block of white marble with added carved relief detail, these designs have no...
Marble
Classical Carved Marble Stone Sink Basin
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
This period Italian classical sink is cut from one single block of white marble, these designs have not changed since Greek and Roman times, it carries superb artistic merit easily f...
Marble
Outdoor Spanish 19th C. Grey Stone Sink w/Shallow Basin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Spanish carved-stone sink, with shallow basin and off-set drain hole, from the 19th century. This antique hand-carved grey stone sink from Spain has clean/simple lines, and an over...
Stone
$2,640Sale Price|20% Off
H 12.25 in W 25.5 in D 12 in
Hand Carved Stone Container Fountain Trough Basin Planter Antique Farm Sink CA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Hand carved stone container fountain trough basin planter antique farm Sink CA. 18th 19th century small water fountain Basin of hand C. Carved Stone ...
Stone, Limestone
French White Marble Sink
Located in Dallas, TX
This French White Marble Sink is stylish and elegant with a nostalgic charm from its 17th century design. Carved from natural marble, its time...
Marble
Large English Rectangular Garden Stone Sink or Trough
Located in Austin, TX
A finely worked English garden sink or trough of cut stone from the Georgian period, featuring a walled rectangular body with a hole in the base to one corner - perfect for use as a ...
Stone
$2,567
H 20.48 in W 33.47 in D 7.88 in
19th Century Antique Hand Carved White Marble Double Basin Kitchen Sink
Located in Marbella, ES
19th century antique hand carved white marble double basin kitchen sink.
Marble
$2,567
H 7.88 in W 31.5 in D 19.69 in
19th Century Antique Hand Carved White Marble Double Basin Kitchen Sink
Located in Marbella, ES
19th century antique hand carved white marble double basin kitchen sink.
Marble
Classical Marble Carved Stone Sink Basin
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
Classical Italian sink basin cut from one single block of white marble with serpentine shaped front and gadrooned carving, these Greek/Roman designs quite happily suit either old or ...
Carrara Marble
Classical Marble Carved Stone Sink Basin
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
Classical Italian sink basin cut from one single block of white marble with serpentine shaped front and gadrooned carving, these Greek/Roman designs quite happily suit either old or ...
Carrara Marble
Early 20th C. Italian Limestone Sink
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 20th century square shaped Italian limestone sink with drain hole.
Limestone
Early 20th C. Italian Stone sink
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian early square shaped 20th century limestone carved sink with drain hole.
Limestone
Italian Hand-Carved Limestone Sink, Roman Style, 20th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian early 20th century round shaped carved limestone sink with drain hole.
Limestone
Antique Italian Carrera Marble Sink Basin with Hand Forged Iron Stand
Located in San Francisco, CA
Late 19th Century Italian Carrara Marble Sink Basin, cut from one block of Carrara marble, featuring the serpentine shaped fluted surround. The basin rests on a forged iron stand...
Carrara Marble, Iron
Classical Marble Sink Basin
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
Classical Marble Sink Basin Cut from one block of Carrara Marble the piece is made to order custom sizing available
Carrara Marble
Classical Carrara Marble Shell Sink
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
This timeless beautiful Italian classical sink is cut from one single block of white Carrara marble, the design with a set in shell style is taken from Greek and Roman times, the pie...
Carrara Marble
Classical Marble Carved Stone Sink Basin
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
Classical Italian sink basin cut from one single block of white marble with serpentine shaped front and gadrooned carving, these Greek/Roman designs...
Carrara Marble
Classical Marble Carved Stone Sink Basin
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
Classical Italian sink basin cut from one single block of white marble with serpentine shaped front and gadrooned carving, these Greek/Roman designs...
Carrara Marble
Classical Marble Carved Stone Sink Basin
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
Classical Italian sink basin cut from one single block of white marble with serpentine shaped front and gadrooned carving, these Greek/Roman designs...
Carrara 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