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.
Rare Antique Classical Roman Bronze & Glass Inkstand with Crystal Glass Inkwell
Located in Lisse, NL
Stylish, rare and mint condition bronze, brass and glass desk piece. This completely original inkstand dates from the late 19th century and it has a large number of striking Roman...
Crystal, Brass, Bronze
Marble Inkwell Souvenir of the Grand Tour Frieze Temple of Venus
Located in Pistoia, IT
White marble inkwell in the shape of a capital frieze, souvenir of the Grand Tour, Roman workshop, late 18th century. Our inkwell is inspired by the friezes on the colonnades of the ...
Marble
$316Sale Price / set|20% Off
French Set of Champleve Enameled Small Inkwell and Letter Opener
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a small bronze champleve enamel set of an inkwell and letter opener. Both of them depicts colorful hand painted flowers, “C” scrolls and foliages. The resting plate of the in...
Bronze
GUCCI Set of Magnifying Glass and Letter Opener
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Gucci set of magnifying glass and letter opener made of solid brass / Made in Italy Original mark on the item / comes in original box length 4.7 inches / magnifying glass dia...
Brass
An Italian Grand Tour Specimen Marble Paperweight, Late 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The round paperweight framed in black marble, with porphyry and sienna marble and other marble specimens. The center in sienna marble with carved bea...
Belgian Black Marble
$3,882
H 6.7 in W 2.56 in D 2.49 in
Antique Victorian Marble Roman Ruins Grand Tour Statue Sculpture Columns Pillars
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this extremely collectable original Victorian Marble Grand Tour Roman Ruin statue of columns A wonderful original piece, this is a desk sized co...
Marble
Grand Tour Inlaid Specimen Marble Paperweight, Late 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The paperweight inset with a plaster cast of the Coliseum, outlined in 'marmo nero' and marmo giallo.
Marble
A Vintage Italian Grand Tour Specimen Marble Ruler, 20th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The 7 1/4" ruler with 8 different specimens inset with in a black marble frame.
Marble
$1,795
H 6 in W 15 in D 7.5 in
Early 20th-C. French Gilt Bronze And Malachite Desk Pen Inkwell / Inkstand
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is an early 20th century highly decorative French gilt bronze, malachite and faux malachite inkstand with dual inkwells. The base is a mix of faux malachite and malachite veneer...
Malachite, Bronze
$338
H 5.12 in W 5.52 in D 2.76 in
Lovely Antique Grotto Shell Souvenir du Croisir Inkwell Art Nouveau
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This exquisite antique inkwell is a stunning example of Art Nouveau design, shaped like a grotto shell and inscribed with "Souvenir du Croisir," capturing the romantic essence of a b...
Metal
$2,500 / set
H 0.88 in W 8 in D 4.63 in
English "Grand Tour" Derbyshire Specimen Marble Plaque Paperweights, circa 1850
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A collection of three 'Grand Tour' English / Italian polychrome marble plaques or paperweights, one rectangular; two of cartouche form, the 'Derbyshire' or 'Belgian Black' marble slabs inset with native English stones 'Blue John' (Derbyshire Spar), 'Duke's Red', 'Bird's-Eye', and foreign Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, and Jasper in 'ovoid' and 'kidney' form inlays. Measurements : Rectangular plaque: 8" by 4.63" by .88" Cartouche plaque...
Marble
$580 / set
H 2.88 in W 9.63 in D 10.38 in
Antique Art Nouveau Silver Inkwell, Letter Opener, Dip Pen and Seal Set, in Box
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1900s travel set or desktop accessories inkwell, dip pen, letter opener and seal. Made of silver (marked 800) and crystal glass. Nice additio...
Crystal, Silver
19th Century Italian Grand Tour Bronze of “The Dying Gaul”
Located in Kastrup, DK
A neoclassical Grand Tour sculpture in dark-patinated bronze depicting The Dying Gaul — an iconic motif after the famous ancient original from Pergamon. Mounted on an oval Siena marb...
Siena Marble, Bronze
$240
H 5.25 in W 8 in D 4.75 in
Antique Paris Le Sacre Coeur Souvenir Double Inkwell Stand Architecture Building
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1900s - 1910s double inkwell, with a souvenir building of The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris. Nice addition to your writing desk or just to display them in your ...
Metal
Military WWI British MkIV Tank Bronze Desk Inkstand, circa 1918
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
WWI British Military MkIV tank, circa 1918 Marble and bronze desk inkstand. High details. Pen not included. We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage...
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 18 in W 10.25 in D 7.25 in
19th Century French Gilt Bronze Bouillotte Lamp with Inkwell & Marble Base
Located in Milford, NH
A fine French gilt bronze bouillotte lamp with double inkwell and glass inserts mounted on a green variegated marble base with pen holder, on a footed bronze base. The electrified la...
Marble, Bronze