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 Large Imperial Egyptian Red Porphyry specimen - partially polished
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Ancient red porphyry is a magmatic effusive lithotype characterized by a Bordeaux-red color, composed of a cryptocrystalline matrix in which floating phenocrysts of pale pinkish whit...
Porphyry
Large specimen of Imperial Egyptian Red Porphyry - Partially polished
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Ancient red porphyry is a magmatic effusive lithotype characterized by a Bordeaux-red color, composed of a cryptocrystalline matrix in which floating phenocrysts of pale pinkish whit...
Porphyry
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
$3,584Sale Price|20% Off
Large Imperial Black Porphyry specimen
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Rare and Large Imperial Black Porphyry architectural fragment partially polished, 23,5 x 15 x 12 cm Porfido Nero is a rare Black Variety of Imperial Porphyry from Gebel Dokhan (th...
Porphyry
Hand-Carved Clear Rock Crystal Obelisk on Stepped Base, 12.5"
Located in New York, NY
A handsome hand-carved rock crystal obelisk, rising 12.5 inches in height and distinguished by the exceptional clarity and luminosity of its natural crystal. The tall, elegantly prop...
Rock Crystal, Quartz
Pair of Hand-Carved Rock Crystal Obelisks on Stepped Bases, 12"
Located in New York, NY
A striking pair of hand-carved rock crystal obelisks, each measuring 12 inches in height and raised on a stepped architectural base. Cut and polished from substantial pieces of natur...
Quartz, Rock Crystal
Pair of Rock Crystal Quartz Obelisks
Located in New York, NY
A pair of rock crystal quartz obelisks with cast gilt brass base. Created by Phoenix Gallery NYC.
Natural Rock Crystal Tower Obelisk
Located in Bradenton, FL
Natural rock crystal tower Obelisk. Natural rock crystal on carved wood base.
Rock Crystal
Clear Crystal Quartz Obelisk
Located in Bradenton, FL
Beautiful clear quartz crystal obelisk. Clear quartz is thought to amplify energy and thought. Obelisk contains natural occlusions, which is normal and does not indicate a defect.
Quartz
Polished Malachite Chrysocolla Organic Free-Form Natural Specimen
Located in Forney, TX
A visually striking authentic Congolese mined polished solid Malachite & Chrysocolla natural specimen (midcentury modern Brutalist decoration, sculpture, or paperweight) The undulating surface of this unique freeform example presents with a layer of bright blue Chrysocolla interrupted by the Malachite's desirable rich deep green shades of banding. This beautiful specimen even shows an intricate botryoidal growth of the Malachite below the Chrysocolla. This is one highly decorative and intriguing offering, perfect for any fossil or geode collector, artifact collection, nature enthusiast, or simply displayed as a stunning objet d'art for anyone looking to elevate their home decor. Easily adding bold vivid color and dramatic variations, unique texture, organic shape and distinctive sculptural form design elements; this fairly large and impressive curiosity is sure to bring a touch of timeless elegant sophistication, rustic warmth, tranquil serenity...
Malachite
$1,230Sale Price|33% Off
H 8.5 in W 10.5 in D 2.5 in
Large Mortoniceras Drakeoceras Ammonite Fossil Specimen, USA
Located in Warrenton, OR
Large Mortoniceras Drakeoceras Ammonite Fossil Specimen, USA. About 110 million years old. ***NOTE: Our 1stDibs store is closing at the end of May and items will not be available th...
Shell, Organic Material
Fine Pair of Cut Rock Crystal Obelisks
Located in New York, NY
A fine and unusual pair of Art Deco hexagon form cut rock crystal obelisks, beautifully hand-cut and hand-polished, Paris.
Rock Crystal
$1,300
H 3.15 in W 3.94 in D 0.4 in
Extremely Rare Roman Glass Fragment with Iridescent Patina – 1st–4th Century AD
Located in Fukuoka, JP
A remarkable and rare fragment of ancient Roman glass, dating from the 1st to 4th century AD. The glass is preserved in excellent condition and displays a stunning natural iridescent...
Glass
Natural Grey Rock Crystal Quartz Obelisk
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful grey rock crystal quartz obelisk with painted wooden base.
Pair of Ruler Selenite on Lucite Bases
By Interi
Located in Columbia, SC
A pair of ruler selenite on lucite bases. Ruler selenite or "selenite logs" are single, prismatic selenite crystals from Morocco that were formed in extensive beds by the evaporation of ocean brine. This mineral is a crystallized form of gypsum and is characterized by a silky, pearly luster called satin spare. Interi transforms Italian artifacts...
Rock Crystal
$1,280 / set
H 8.375 in W 6.875 in D 1 in
Large 8 Inch Ammonite Fossil Cut Polished and Mounted Mineral Specimen
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Large 8 inch Split Ammonite Mounted Fossil Set Jurassic - Cretaceous Period, 200 - 145 million years old The cutting and polishing of this large pair revealed pale yellow-brown, cal...
Stone
Ancient Roman Portrait Bust of a Man, 1st Century BC
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A portrait of Roman aristocrat executed in the Veristic style. From the Latin "verus" meaning truth, the practice represented everyday subjects with great realism often including signs of age with exacting detail. Wrinkles, furrowed brows, and moles are presented as signs of wisdom and power and suggest the philosophical and moral character of the sitter. With the ascent of Emperor Augustus, eternal youth again took center stage, and verism fell into disfavor. The style enjoyed a resurgence after Emperor Vespasian came to power in 69 AD, Italy, 1st century BC. Provenance - the collection of Spanish fashion designer Elio Berhanyer...
Marble
Ancient Roman Upper part of a torso of Mercury in marble
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Upper part of a torso of Mercury. Ancient Rome · 2nd century AD. Marble. 64 cm with the stand. Provenance - Private collection of C. M., Leuven, Belgium. Acquired between 1980 an...
Marble
Elegant base in porfido Serpentino Antico
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Elegant fragment in porfido Serpentino Antico 19,5 x 18 x 12 cm This beautiful fragment can be used as a base made of rare marble, ideal for displaying ancient or modern objects and...
Marble
Large Ancient Roman Shipwreck Salvaged Amphora, 100 AD
Located in London, GB
A large and beautifully encrusted ancient Roman 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, covered with signs of marine life, snails, sponges, molluscs, sea urchins and barnacles. A very decorative piece. Measures: Height 33.5 inches. Provenance: Reputedly salvaged by the famous explorer, Jacques Cousteau...
Pottery
Amphora Amber-Colored Glass Bottle, Roman Period, circa 4th Century AD
Located in Sofia, BG
Amphora shaped glass bottle Eastern Mediterranean, Roman Period, circa 4th century AD. Amber-colored glass. Blown Amphora shaped perfume bottle of a ra...
Glass
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. In classification, this Amphora seems to conform to Peacock and Williams group 66; its origin of manufacture may be northern Palestine or Lebanon and it may once have contained wine. A very decorative piece. Measures: Height: 33 inches. Width: 18 inches. Provenance: Reputedly salvaged by the famous explorer, Jacques Cousteau...