Classical Roman Busts
CLASSICAL ROMAN STYLE
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.
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Style: Classical Roman
Roman Bust With Helmet
Located in Southall, GB
Exquisitely detailed carving of a Roman Bust with Helmet. The Males features are intricately carved with attention given to the shape of the nose and furrowed brow as he prepares to ...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Marble
Emperor Hadrian bust in various precious marbles -made in Italy
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Sculpture, emperor bust, Hadrian bust, Hadrian polychrome bust, ancient Roman bust, Roman art, classical art, Greek art, bust, white Carrara marble, classical sculpture, ancient scul...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Carrara Marble
1990s Bust of Roman General Hand Carved in Carrara White and Alicante Red Marble
Located in Marbella, ES
1990s bust of a Roman general, hand carved by craftsmen using Carrara white marble for the head and Alicante red for the toga, where the white and red contrast give movement and real...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Marble
Bisque Porcelain a Stature of Boy and Girl Reading a Book, French, 19th Century
Located in Lantau, HK
A 19th century French bisque sculpture of a stature of boy and girl reading a book.
Biscuit porcelain with indistinct signature to base 'LIARD',
Shipping included
Free and fa...
Category
19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Carrara Marble
18th century Venus de’ Medici Bronze Bust
Located in Stockholm, SE
An 18th century Venus de’ Medici bronze bust, mounted on a later 19th century marble base. It has a beautiful rich slightly worn dark brown patina. Venus...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century Bronze Bust of David, Désiré Weygers
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
An antique brown patinated bronze bust depicting the mythical David after Michelangelo's masterpiece displayed in the Museum of Florence. The ...
Category
Early 1900s Belgian Antique Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Siena Marble, Bronze
French Plaster Bust of a Classical Roman Male
Located in Houston, TX
French plaster bust of a classical roman male.
Handsome Italian stone bust of a Classical Roman, circa 1920. This beautiful classical male bust sculpture i...
Category
1920s French Vintage Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Plaster
17th Century Set Of Venetian Bronze Door Handles On Wooden Stands
Located in Bradenton, FL
Set of four 17th century Venetian bronze door handles, set on ebonized wooden stands. Each handle is a original of a bronze bust of an ancient Italian man affixed to a square wooden ...
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Bronze
Antique Diskobolos Sculpture of Alabaster and Marble
By G. Ruggeri
Located in Buxton, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this Sculpture of Diskobolos
The sculpture is carved from Alabaster with a Marble Base
Signed - G.Ruggeri
Circa 1950 - 1970
Italian Origin
Dimens...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Alabaster, Marble
Bust Eleonora Duse Attributable Sculptor Arrigo Minerbi Villa Callas Sirmione
By Arrigo Minerbi
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Bust of Eleonora Duse attributable to the sculptor Arrigo Minerbi, from Villa Callas Sirmione of Giovanni Battista Meneghini.
Bust obtained from stone o...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Stone
A Plaster Bust of Seneca
Located in Atlanta, GA
Roman philosopher Lucius Annaeus Seneca the Younger, usually known as Seneca, was a Stoic philosopher of Ancient Rome, a statesman, dramatist, and in one work, satirist, from the pos...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Plaster
Head Julius Caesar carved on white Carrara marble-made in Italy
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Julius Caesar sculpture, Caesar head sculpture, Sculpture, Male head, classical art, Greek art, Julius Caesar art , white Carrara marble, classical sculpture,
Portrait head of Juliu...
Category
1990s Italian Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Marble
17th Century Italian Carrara Marble Bust of Classical Roman
Located in Houston, TX
17th century Italian carrara marble bust of a Classical Roman.
Finely carved Classical Roman Carrara marble bust sculpture from the 17th ce...
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Marble
Busto imperatore romano Adriano - materiale composito polvere marmo
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Busto di Adriano imperatore romano.
realizzato con impasto di polvere di marmo e resina poliestere, detto marmo ricostituito.
dall'aspetto , molto simile al vero marmo, solo un poco ...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Other
Bust Apollon
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Beautiful glazed terracotta bust of Apollon. This beautiful and elegant off-white bust made in Spain around the 50’s will be a prominent element of your dec...
Category
20th Century Spanish Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Plaster
Coppia di busti in Ceramica chiara- G. Cesare e Adriano imperatori-made in Italy
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Giulio Cesare, Adriano busto, Scultura, busto imperatore, Busto Giulio Cesare, busto imperatore Augusto, busto romano antico, arte romana, arte classica, arte greca, busto, busto cre...
Category
Early 2000s European Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Ceramic
Herma Adriano scolpita su marmo biancoCarrara, bust rouge France base bardiglio
Located in Tarquinia, IT
busto Adriano, marmo Adriano, herma Adriano, busto scolpito made in Italy.
herma imperatore Adriano.
testa scolpita su bianco carrara
busto scolpito su Rosso Francia
base tornita in ...
Category
1990s Italian Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Marble
Testa di Medusa - gorgone mitologia greca - made in Italy
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Testa di medusa, la gorgone più famosa della mitologia greca.
Realizzato con impasto di polvere di marmo e resina poliestere, detto marmo ricostituito.
dall'aspetto , molto simile al...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Composition
Roman Style Solid Marble Bust
Located in Countryside, IL
Roman style solid marble bust
This bust measures: 15 wide x 10 deep x 23 inches high
This piece is in Great Vintage Condition with minor marks,...
Category
20th Century American Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Marble
French Porcelain Bust of Classical Male
Located in Houston, TX
French porcelain bust of a classical male.
This vintage French porcelain bust sculpture is mounted on a marble base and dates to the 1940s.
...
Category
1940s French Vintage Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Marble
17th Century, Italian Ancient Carved Stone Bust of Roman Emperor
Located in IT
17th century, Italian ancient carved stone bust of Roman Emperor
Measures: H 33 (with base) H 28.5 (sculpture only) x 25 x 7 cm.
The ancient bust, in ...
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Marble, Stone
Roman Style Gesso over Plaster Carved Head of Jupiter on Circular Base
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Roman style gesso over plaster carved head of the god Jupiter on circular base. Emanating the grandeur of ancient Rome, this verist representation of the god Jupiter, intricately c...
Category
19th Century Antique Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Gesso, Plaster
A fine pair of 19th c Classical bronzes by Henry Bonnard Bronze Co 1889
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine and rare pair of 19th century Classical Roman bronze heads of Ajax and Minerva. Done by famed American company Henry Bonnard Bronze Co . This com...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Bronze
Italian Carved Marble Bust of Eros . Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
Italian hand carved marble bust of Eros with cloak & quivers. Eros signifies the god of love. Early 19th Century
Category
1820s Italian Antique Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Marble
19th Century Young Emperor Bust
Located in Roma, IT
19th century bronze bust of young emperor.
This object is shipped from Italy. Under existing legislation, any object in Italy created over 70 years ago by an artist who has died re...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Ebonized Plaster Bust of Marcus Tulles Cicero
Located in Stamford, CT
A Bust of Marcus Tulles Cicero, Roman Consul in 63 B.C. completed in ebonized plaster, circa 1880.
Marcus Tullius Cicero was a Roman statesman, orator, lawyer and philosopher, who served as consul in the year 63 BC. He came from a wealthy municipal family of the Roman equestrian order, and is considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists. (Wikipedia)
Provenance:
Collection of Brigadier General Alfred Douglas Miller...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Plaster
Italian Mid-Nineteenth Century Bronze Bust of Lucius Verus
Located in London, GB
Italian mid-nineteenth century bronze bust of Lucius Verus, circa 1860-1870, on circular waisted socle.
Lucius Verus ruled Rome alongside Marcus Aureli...
Category
1860s Italian Antique Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Bronze
Mid-Century French Polished Iron Bust of Young "Bacchante" Female
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a shell or wine cellar with this elegant bust. Hand crafted in France circa 1970, and built of iron, the bust sits on an attached round base, and depicts a young female "Bac...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Iron
Bronze sculpture Marcus Aurelius
Located in Rome, IT
Description
Bronze sculpture Marcus Aurelius. ADDITIONAL PHOTOS, INFORMATION OF THE LOT AND SHIPPING INFORMATION CAN BE REQUEST BY SENDING AN EMAIL.
Indicative shipping costs in Ital...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Bronze
Venus Bust Wall Plaque in Plaster
Located in Buxton, GB
This beautiful antique sculpture depicts the Roman goddess Venus and is a true masterpiece of art. The sculpture is a large, life-size bust made of high-quality plaster and was prod...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Plaster
French Patinated Bronze Bust of the Greek Hero Ajax, circa 1880
Located in Dallas, TX
Grand Tour French, patinated bronze bust of the Greek hero/mythological warrior Ajax (Menelaus) on a socle base, circa 1880. Ajax wears a helmet with batt...
Category
19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Bronze
A fine pair of late 19th century Alabaster and marble Roman dignitary busts
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine pair of late 19th century to early 20th century Italian alabaster and black Belgian marble busts of Roman dignitaries. Hand carved and fine detail
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Alabaster, Belgian Black Marble
Male Roman Style Carrara Marble Bust
Located in Southall, GB
A stunning marble decorative male bust on a attractive marble plinth base. Skilled craftsmanship is evident in the hand carved features and garments. A imposing piece that would look...
Category
Late 20th Century European Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Carrara Marble
Bust of Carrera Marble and Honey Onyx
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Bust Roman Emperor, carrara marble and honey onyx.
Category
20th Century European Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Onyx, Marble
Antique Carved Wood Classical Sculpture
Located in London, GB
A beautiful and very unusual antique sculpture, carved from solid wood. This looks like it is most likely Italian, it depicts an intimate scene from biblical times. It is hard to dat...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Wood
Pair Grand Tour Busts on Stands Bronze Jupiter Juno, 1820
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Highly collectable pair of bronze Grand Tour busts on stands in the classical manner
The busts each depict the Roman Gods Jupiter (male) and Ju...
Category
1820s Antique Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Bronze
Marble Bust by William Theed the Younger
Located in London, GB
Portrait bust in statuary marble. Ex Browne-Swinburne, Capheaton Hall, Northumberland.
Signed and dated, 1830
William Theed, t...
Signed and dated, 1830
William Theed, t...
Category
19th Century British Antique Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Statuary Marble
Classical Roman busts for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Classical Roman busts for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage busts created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, building and garden elements, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with stone, marble and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Classical Roman busts made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original busts, popular names associated with this style include A. Santini, Europa Antiques, F. Barbedienne Foundry, and Friedrich Goldscheider. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for busts differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $220 and tops out at $79,080 while the average work can sell for $3,651.