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.
Roman Marble Vessel Fragment with a Dancing Woman, a Maenad
Located in London, GB
This poetic fragment depicting a dancing maenad dates to the Roman Imperial Period, and likely once formed part of a large vessel or cinerary urn. Gracefully carved, the female figur...
Marble
Gallo-RomanPuddingstone Millstone Sculpture from 2nd Century France
Located in London, GB
Carved from a mosaic-like rock, this striking sculpture is the lower grinding stone from a Gallo-Roman millstone - a powerful and aesthetic symbol of life two millennia ago. It is ma...
Stone
Antique Italian Micro-Mosaic Plaque Depicting the Pantheon in Rome
Located in London, GB
This exquisite antique Italian micro-mosaic plaque depicts the Piazza della Rotunda in Rome, with the Pantheon at its centre. The portrayal is particularly important, as it shows the...
Stone
Roman Bronze Parade Helmet Fragment, circa A.D. 1st century
Located in York, GB
Provenance: German art market, 2002; With Jean-David Cahn AG, Basel, 2008; Private collection Switzerland; With Cahn International AG, Basel, 2018; Private collection, London - p...
Bronze
Antique Black & White Alabaster Lotus Flower Pendant Light, Top Quality Fixture
Located in Lisse, NL
Top-class antique light fixture with a stunning hand-carved alabaster shade, brass chains and an alabaster canopy. Thanks to its unique design and generous size, this antique alabas...
Alabaster, Metal, Brass
Bronze figure of Augustus after Roman period original
Located in London, GB
Known as the ‘Augustus of Prima Porta,’ the original bronze version of this sculpture was created c. 20 BCE. That original has been lost since antiquity but is known today from a mar...
Marble, Bronze
18th Century Roman Stone Hand-Carved Classical Warrior
Located in West Hollywood, CA
18th Century Classical Warrior Mounted Bust Hand-Carved Out of Solid Roman Stone Sourced from Rome, Italy by Martyn Lawrence Bullard
Stone
Classical Faux Marble Roundel with a Mask
Located in London, by appointment only
An extremely well-made copy of a classical mask after the antique, the face shown in high relief within a dished background and a border of Greek Key with discs to the four sides. No...
Resin
19th Century Roman Obelisks in Red and Green Marble, Classical Style
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century Roman Obelisks Red and Green Marble Unique piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Marble
Mid-century vintage plaster figural wall sculpture
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid century vintage plaster figural wall sculpture. This wall sculpture is made of plaster with a venetian finish the surface of the p...
Plaster
German Figural Young Roman Bronze Mounted on Rouge Marble Base, Circa 1885
By Fritz Heinemann
Located in Charleston, SC
German figural bronze of young roman mounted on a circular squared rouge marble base, Late 19th century. Signed by sculptor Fritz Heinemann, Roma.
Marble, Bronze
$12,965
H 16.54 in Dm 27.56 in
'Cosmic Ore Pendant 70' Handmade Gradient Patina Bronze Brass Ceiling Fixture
Located in London, England
Inspired by planetary forms and textures, Atelier001's Cosmic Collection artfully explores the interplay of metal properties with a curated selection of patina finishes. This pendan...
Brass
$12,965 / item
H 16.54 in Dm 27.56 in
'Cosmic Ore Pendant 70' Handmade Gradient Patina Bronze Brass Ceiling Fixture
Located in London, England
Inspired by planetary forms and textures, Atelier001's Cosmic Collection artfully explores the interplay of metal properties with a curated selection of patina finishes. This pendan...
Brass
$12,965 / item
H 16.54 in Dm 27.56 in
Cosmic 'Verdigris Pendant 70' Handmade Patinated Brass Ceiling Light, Chandelier
Located in London, England
Two finely hand-spun brass plates make up this pendant light, finished in a verdigris patina to create this unique appearance. The light is projected into the shade and reflects out,...
Brass
Antique Style Plaster Plaque Depicting Bucranium on Stand
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
This 20th century antique style plaster plaque depicts a bucranium in striking high relief. Symbolic of Greek and Roman architecture, a bucranium is a decorative motif of an ox or bull skull among swags and garlands of foliage. This embellishment was commonly used in classical architecture and Doric temples of ancient Rome and later during a neoclassical revival in the late Georgian period. This 20th century plaster depiction is an intricate example of the bucranium, modelled in plaster in high relief and mounted on a bespoke steel stand for display...
Steel
$475
H 7.5 in W 3.5 in D 3 in
Vintage Grand Tour Bronze Bust of Emperor Caesar Augustus on Sienna Marble
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage Grand Tour Bronze Bust of Emperor Caesar Augustus on Sienna Marble, circa early 1900s. A piece of imperial history with this classic Grand Tour bronze bust of Augustus Caesar...
Marble, Bronze
$1,906Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 4.34 in Dm 5.91 in
Cosmicity Marble Pendant Light by on.Entropy, in White, Pink, Grey, Green Colour
By on entropy
Located in Athens, GR
COSMICITY is a collection of unique marble pendant lights, where geometric shapes are cut in lightweight forms. These are combined into totemic figurines of white marble or pink & green marble hues, evoking a sense of playfulness and delight. COSMICITY consists of four, 4 pendant lights: Cronus, Aphrodite, Aquarius and Aries. They have a diverse application, installed either as an individual pendant light (bedside, entrance lamps...
Marble
$23,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 22.75 in W 17.5 in D 5 in
2nd Century Italian Stone Sculpture Roman Relief Aristocrat Mounted Antiques LA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
2nd Century Italian Stone Sculpture Roman Relief Aristocrat Mounted Antiques LA . Hand Carved Stone relief Aristocrat mounted on marble Private collector . ...
Stone, Limestone
Roman Marble Trapezophorus circa 1st-2nd Century A.D
Located in Madrid, ES
A Roman marble trapezophorus in the Form of a Barbarian Dacian young figure. Circa 1st-2nd century A.D. Measure: height 24 1/4 inches (62 cm). Property from Mr. Radu Moldovan, Skokie, Illinois Provenance: B.C. Holland Gallery...
Marble
$12,965 / item
H 16.54 in Dm 27.56 in
Cosmic 'Rust Pendant 70' Artisan Handmade Rust Patinated Brass Ceiling Light
Located in London, England
Two finely hand-spun brass plates make up this pendant light, finished in a mixed rust patina to create this unique appearance. Light is projected into the shade before reflecting ou...
Brass
Rare Ancient Roman Fragment of Red Imperial Porphyry
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An ancient example of a red Imperial Porphyry fragment dating back as far as 1st century Ancient Rome. This is a rare and unusual worked example of this semi-precious stone which is ...
Porphyry
Atelier Pendant 14"
By Allied Maker
Located in Glen Cove, NY
A hand-spun brass parabolic shade perfectly slips over a cast-glass dome. A line of glass is revealed from the profile; inciting a look underneath into a seemingly endless void of gl...
Brass
Bronze Sequined Dancing Woman on Marble Base
Located in Annville, PA
Graceful even when standing still the Bronze Sequined Dancing Woman on Marble Base is a striking addition to any setting. Using traditional lost wax casting methods the Bronze Dancin...
Bronze
Ancient Roman Male Torso Fragment, White Marble, Circa A.D. 100-400
Located in York, GB
Provenance: Private collection, 1960s, Sotheby’s London, Ancient Sculpture and Works of Art, December 2018, lot 50 A fine ancient roman torso fragment. Carved from white marble, i...
Marble
Classical Style Verdigris Bronze Bust on Custom Iron Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A hauntingly beautiful classical-style bronze bust, presented on a custom blackened iron museum mount, exuding the quiet gravitas of an archaeological fragment. The sculpture depict...
Bronze
Giò Ponti La Conversazione Classica
By Gio Ponti
Located in Weesp, NL
Are you looking for a unique and timeless addition to your home or business? Look no further than these 10 exquisite ceramic tiles designed by the legendary Gio Ponti for Bardelli Ceramica Italy...
Ceramic
Ancient Roman Bronze Statue Fragment
Located in London, GB
Fragment from an Over Life-Size Roman Imperial Statue, 1st - 2nd century AD. An extraordinary bronze fragment from the cuirassed statue of a Roman Emperor, an important genre of o...
Bronze
Roman bronze sandaled foot on Egyptian imperial red porphyry base
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Roman bronze sandaled foot from a statuette Roman, 2nd century AD Bronze, on an Egyptian imperial red porphyry base Foot : Height 3,6 x length 6,3 x depth...
Porphyry, Bronze
Sold
H 27 in Dm 16 in
Antique Black & White Alabaster Pendant Chandelier Top Quality Fixture 1900-1910
Located in Lisse, NL
Top class light fixture with a stunning alabaster shade and a blackened chain & canopy. Thanks to its unique design and good size this hand carved antique alabaster chandelier wil...
Alabaster, Brass, Metal
19th C. Carved Marble Capital on Lucite Base
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century hand carved marble Capital on contemporary lucite base.
Marble
Marble Capital on Lucite Base
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century carved marble Capital displayed on a lucite base. I purchased the Capital in Italy but it was made in France.
Marble
Sold
H 71.46 in W 14.97 in L 71.46 in
Vintage Bust on Pedestal, English, Plaster, Female Portrait, Doric Column
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage bust on pedestal. An English plaster cast female portrait atop a Doric column and dating to the late 20th century. Classic Elegan...
Plaster
Carved Italian Gilt Wood Figures on Lucite Stands
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 19th century carved giltwood figures mounted on Lucite stands. Base is 2" thick.
Lucite, Giltwood
Roman Marble Head of Athena
Located in London, GB
"On her head [Athena] set her helmet of gold, with four plumes, and coming to a peak both in front and behind - decked with the emblems of a hundred cities; then she stepped into her...
Marble
Large Ancient Roman Shipwreck Salvaged Amphora, 100 AD
Located in London, GB
A large and beautifully encrusted ancient Roman transport Amphora, sea salvaged and dating to the 1st-2nd century AD. Salvaged from the depths of the Mediterranean, this large vessel was lost in some ancient shipwreck. Once filled with the produce of the Classical world, it has been transformed into a magnificent marine sculpture. A very decorative piece. Measure: Height 37.5 inches. Provenance: Reputedly salvaged by the famous explorer, Jacques Cousteau...
Pottery