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 Giltwood Picture Frame, Classical Roman Style, France, 1790
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Antique, rich, perfect giltwood frame, suitable for painting or mirror. It's not necessary an ornamental frieze to place on top, but I have it (on request). The top part looks darker...
Fruitwood
17th Century Spanish Faux Marble Cassetta Frame
Located in New York, NY
Handcarved and parcel-gilt Cassetta frame with deep red panels and faux marble segments in sea green.
Gold Leaf
Calvary XVIIth Century, Religious
Located in Madrid, ES
Calvary XVIIth century, religious 17th Century Calvary, religious Ancient Calvary from the 17th century carved in boxwood Boxwood is characterized by its hardness and difficult pruning. It has traces of polychromy and gold. Measure: 65x45...
Fruitwood
Antique Giltwood Picture Frame. English 18th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Lovely Georgian giltwood picture frame Carved pine with shallow gesso and gilt Original patina Internally or sight measures 19.25 x 24 inches. 48.5 x 61 cm Free UK shipping
Giltwood
Antique Religious Carved Marble Church Reliquary Altar Stone
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce carved marble altar stone fragment, most likely Italian, the rectangular consecrated Carrara marble panel serves as a reliquary containing important relics, adorned with cro...
Carrara Marble
Antique Art Nouveau Photo Album or Book with Brass Stand Up Frame
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique standing photo album is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from France and date to approximately 1900 and done in the period Art Nouveau style. The album is compo...
Brass
18th Century Religious Reliquary
Located in London, GB
18th Century Religious Reliquary An arm reliquary (or bras-reliquaries) is a “speaking reliquary”—a sacred vessel shaped like the body part it was intended to house. Beyond being a...
Pine
18th Century, Spanish Colonial Religious Painting of San Geronimo
Located in San Francisco, CA
18th century painting of San Geronimo, oil on canvas laid on wood board. It was later placed in a restored 19th century wood and gesso frame. There is no signature.
Canvas
$304Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.37 in W 1.97 in D 0.79 in
Antique Picture Frame, Brass Photo Frame, France, 2 x 3 cm
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful picture frame, France circa 1930. Picture size: 2 cm x 3 cm. Brass frames are distinguished by their characteristic golden color, which intensifies over time through the fo...
Brass
French Giltwood Picture Frame
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th Century French giltwood picture frame with incised vine decoration and inner bead border. Warm gilt finish is in good condition with some losses to outer edges, slight corner ...
Giltwood
Claude Lalanne, a Rare Gilt-Bronze Dragonfly Frame, France, C. 1985
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
Claude Lalanne (1925-2019) A rare gilt-bronze dragonfly frame, France C. 1985, Signed on reverse Cl. Lalanne Artcurial 25/450. Measures: 4" high x 3...
Bronze
18th Century French Giltwood Frame
Located in Roma, IT
Important, beautiful gilded and carved wooden frame with typical 18th century French motifs Excellent condition Internal dimensions cm 20.8 x 26.8 This artwork, never before on the...
Wood
Early 19th Century French Frame
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Early 19th century French frame, Louis XVI style.
Wood
Carved Wooden Frame, 17th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Large wooden frame carved in twisted style and painted, from the 17th century. Original paint - Some chips and missing parts, traces of treated woodworm, transformations on the b...
Wood
$486
H 4.73 in W 4.73 in D 0.79 in
Antique Wall Double Picture Frame, Louis XVI. Style, France, 5 x 5 cm
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful double brass picture frame for wall installation, France, circa 1880. Picture size: 4,5 cm x 4,5 cm. Hanging ring on the top for wall installation, hidden behind a wonderfu...
Brass
Marble Profile Portrait Medallion Of Ancient Roman Emperor
Located in Bradenton, FL
Grand Tour marble profile portrait medallion of an ancient Roman emperor. Back has note with words 'Domitianis Titus Flavius'. Titus Flavius Domitianus was emperor of Rome 51-96AD, w...
Marble
Luxury Italian Hammered Copper Metal Picture Frame by Del Conte
By Del Conte
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Luxury Firenze Italian hammered copper metal picture frame from Del Conte. The texture of hammer tone is an ancient surface treatment for metal that is achieved through the painstaki...
Copper
Sold
H 45.5 in W 35.25 in D 1 in
Antique Italian Oil on Canvas Old Master of Del Sarto's John The Baptist
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique oil on canvas old master portrait painting after Andrea Del Sarto's Saint John The Baptist with crucifix and cup, professionally restored as en verso label reads, seated i...
Giltwood, Canvas