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.
$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
Ochre Millefiori Glass Plate by Ercole Moretti
Located in Palm Desert, CA
An intricately detailed glass dish by Ercole Moretti with close-packed complex millefiori glass mosaic beads. The millefiori (or murrini) technique ...
Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Art Glass
$675 / set
Italian Male Bust Sculptures Grand Tour
By A. Santini
Located in New York, NY
A set of three (3) Italian male sculpture busts by R. Santini, in the classical Roman or Grand Tour design style, circa mid-20th century, Italy. This set of busts could be used for a library, office, etc., on a shelf, table, etc. Marked on bottom as shown in images. Dimensions L to R: Nerone: 4.63" Width x 6" Height Augusto: 4.13" Width x 5.75" Height Traiano: 4.63" Width x 6.19" Height Italian table, search ref. #: LU1314231162942 (SOLD.) For Corinthian capitol columns...
Composition
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
$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
$131 / set
Collection of Roman Numerals
Located in London, England
Cast metal Roman numerals. Circa 1900 H 8cm x W 5cm x D 3cm
Steel
Marble inkwell Souvenir of the Grand Tour Rome late 18th century
Located in Pistoia, IT
Capital-shaped white marble inkwell, souvenir of the Grand Tour, Roman workshop, late 18th century. Rome was considered the stop par excellence of the Grand Tour, as it represente...
Marble
Pair of Antique Decorative Bronze Roman Busts on Columns
Located in London, GB
A Pair of Miniature Bronzes of Roman Busts On Marmore Nero Columns In the Manner of Georges Servant After the original models exhibited at the Paris ex...
Marble, Belgian Black Marble, 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
$3,951
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
$500 / set
H 7.75 in W 4.75 in D 3.5 in
Pair of 19th Century Carved & Gilded Corbels Converted to Bookends, Circa 1890
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A highly decorative pair of 19th century Regence-style painted & gilded architectural corbel elements with hand carved acanthus leaf detail, salvaged from the interior of a 19th cent...
Wood
Grand Tour Italian Carved Marble Bust - Psyche of Capua
Located in Langenfeld (Rheinland), DE
An elegant late 19th-century Italian marble bust of Psyche of Capua, inspired by classical Roman models. Finely carved with delicate features and flowing drapery, this piece embodie...
Marble
$366 / set
H 14.18 in W 5.12 in D 5.12 in
19th Century French University Teaching Shapes - Collection Of Eight
Located in Hook, Hampshire
19th Century French University Teaching Shapes - Collection Of Eight. We know little of the history or use of this collection but they are from the late 19th Century and came from ...
Beech
$2,700
H 14 in W 3.8 in D 9.8 in
Italian Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture Bust of Diana by Del Nerro Foundry
Located in Shippensburg, PA
GRAND TOUR Italy, mid-19th century Bust of the goddess Diana Cast by Del Nero Foundry, Rome, crisp inscription to base of neck verso DEL NERO ROMA Patinated bronze raised on a mottled pink marble...
Marble, Bronze
$8,436Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.35 in W 20.87 in D 9.06 in
Marble Sculpture Bust Of Emperor Julius Caesar After The Antique Grand Tour
Located in Tivoli Terme, Roma
The sculpture realized by a Roman sculptor as from the Roman academy tradition, is carved with white marble. The sculpture represents the face of a young Julius Caesar, Julius Caesar formally known as Caesar was a Roman general and statesman who played a critical role in the events that led to the demise of the Roman Republic...
Marble
Grand Tour Male Nude Bronze Sculpture
Located in Houston, TX
Early 20th Century bronze male nude sculpture on wood pedestal base.
Bronze
Frank Lloyd Wright 1979 Plaster Cast Tree of Life
By Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Licensed and manufactured by the Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio Foundation in 1979, this large Plaster Bas-Relief Plaque is an exact replica of the original, which adorned the entr...
Plaster
$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
Italian Grand Tour Carved Marble Bust Of Woman
Located in Bradenton, FL
Classical 19th century hand-carved Italian Neoclassic Grand Tour marble female bust. Bust features intricately carved young woman's head and neck, wearing delicate drapery across déc...
Marble
$95 / item
H 8 in W 1.75 in D 6 in
Extensive Collection of 19th Century Leather Bound Books Priced Per Book English
Located in Buchanan, MI
Extensive collection of 19th century leather bound books, priced per book, various colors, sizes, most with embossed gilt decoration. This is just a partial offering of what we have,...
Leather
Vintage Italian Brown Leather Bound Gold Gilt Half Round Bookends
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Italian Brown Leather Bound Gold Gilt Half Round Bookends. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 6" H x 4" W x 2.75" D each.
Leather
Beautiful Classic Table Lamp in Matte Gold from the 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful classic table lamp in matte gold with polished edges in gold. Originally a kerosene lamp from the late 19th century that was converted int...
Gold Plate, Brass
Elegant Marble Table Lamp in the shape of an Obelisk
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant marble table lamp in the shape of an Obelisk. Made of marble with four gilded balls as decoration. From the 20th century. New lampshade with linen structure on the outside...
Marble, Gold Plate, Brass
Vintage Brass & Copper Armillary Sphere Bookends, Austria, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A decorative set of two bookends. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made of brass, copper and a wooden. Found at an estate sale in Vienna, Austria and was made proba...
Metal
Sold
H 19.5 in W 17 in D 12 in
Grand Tour Italian Ormolu Mounted Multi-Marble Julius Caesar Coliseum Model
Located in New York, NY
A 19th Century Italian Ormolu Mounted Multi-Marble Julius Caesar Coliseum Model. This is a beautiful rendition of a Roman coliseum with a dore bronze mounted Julius Caesar standing in the middle of the marble masterpiece. The domed top is made up of multiple marble species including verde marble, carrara marble, and rough marble...
Marble, Carrara Marble, Siena Marble, Bronze
Italian Verde Dark Green Marble Bookends, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Italian dark green verde marble bookends in a classic design style, circa mid to late-20th century, 1970s, Italy. Beautifully carved details from one piece of marble. Dimen...
Marble
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
Antique Round Figural Bronze Plaque Medallion Adam and Eve Garden of Eden
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique round figural bronze plaque medallion Adam and Eve Garden of Eden. Item features solid cast bronze construction, figure of Expulsion of Adam and Eve with Angel from the Garde...
Bronze
Fine Quality Micromosaic Paperweight Depicting Pliny's Doves
Located in San Francisco, CA
An Italian Grand Tour micromosaic black marble paperweight inset with a superb mosaic depiction of Pliny's Doves as he described them in "The N...
Marble
Pair of Abstract Roman Gladiator Sculptures by Frederick Weinberg
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A pair of rare and iconic 'Roman Gladiators' table sculptures by Frederick Weinberg. These abstract sculptures portray a stylized profile of a Roman soldier / gladiator. Spectacular form and design; the brass figures are mounted on a round, wooden base. These would make a great little pair of lamps. About the artist: Philadelphia based artist and industrial designer Frederic Weinberg produced and sold a wide variety of functional and decorative items under a company bearing his name. Though he is probably best known for his figural wire and fiberglass wall sculptures, he also produced retail fixtures...
Brass
Antique French Amusing Bronze Figure of Diogenes, a Desk Set
Located in Montreal, QC
Famously, Diogenese wandered the Streets of Athens with a lantern, searching in vain for an honest man. He also used to be seen naked in a barrel on occasion. There is a temperature ...
Bronze
Midcentury White and Gold Italian Jewelry Dish by Richard Ginori
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful midcentury Italian oval dish by designer Richard Ginori, circa Mid-20th Century, Italy. Dish has decorative gold and blue detail around edge, and center area featuring a ...
Porcelain