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.
$2,090Sale Price|20% Off
Magnificent Bust of the Greek God Ares
Located in London, GB
Magnificent Bust of Ares Ancient Greek God of War His Head slightly turned to his Right Antique white finish Plaster
Plaster
Fragment of an Oscillum. Ancient Roman, 1st–2nd century AD. Marble. 38 cm.
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Fragment of an Oscillum Roman 1st–2nd century AD Marble 38 cm high, 20.3 cm long and 2.5 cm thick; 42.5 cm high including the stand. Condition: Preserves approximately half of t...
Marble
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
English 20th Century Stone Bust of Alexander the Great
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
English, early 20th century or very late 19th century, bust of Alexander the Great to add Classical beauty to any garden or art collection. The solid, reconstituted stone–a concrete ...
Stone
Italian Marble Bust of Venus Italica on Frosted Lucite Base
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An exquisite marble bust from the early 19th Century portraying a female figure. A true testament to the craftsmanship of after Antonio Canova of Italy. This piece stands atop a 2 ti...
Marble
19th Century Italian Alabaster Bust
Located in Houston, TX
19th century Italian alabaster bust. Well sculpted antique Italian alabaster or marble bust of a classical female mounted on a plinth. This is a beautifully detailed antique alabaster bust...
Alabaster
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. ...
Marble
Classical Female Plaster Torso Figural Bust Sculpture on Wood Base, MMA
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Vintage MMA classical female torso plaster sculpture object by Metropolitan Museum of Art. This large Roman or Greek figural reproduction Venus de Medici or Aphrodite sculpture feat...
Plaster, Wood
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
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...
Plaster
Ancient Roman, Toracata statue of Emperor in marble
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Toracata statue of emperor Ancient Rome · Reign of Domitian, 81-96 AD. Marble 181 cm high; 80 cm wide; 30 cm deep Documents: - Study report on the age of the piece issued by Dr....
Marble
19th Century Italian Terracotta Bust of a Classical Male
Located in Houston, TX
19th century Italian terracotta bust of a classical male. This monumental antique Italian terracotta bust sculpture of a classical Roman male is a well executed statement piece and...
Terracotta
Petite Italian Bronze & Slate Etruscan Statue Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
Small Etruscan Sculpture Firenze Italy 1980's bronze & Slate.
Slate, Bronze
$156Sale Price|20% Off
Petite Bronze Etruscan Reproduction Sculpture 1970s Italy
Located in San Diego, CA
A small Etruscan bronze statue circa the 1970s made in Italy mounted in a black stone base the base shows a crack and repair it can easily be replaced...
Stone, Bronze
A Large Heavy Bust of Apollo This is a good looking bust
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Large Heavy Bust of Apollo This is a good looking bust, it has been on display outdoors so has a slightly weathered appearance, a piece with good presence The Statue is 21” high ...
Cement
Italian Classical Roman Style Plaster Torso Sculpture
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Classical Roman Style Plaster Torso Sculpture. Offered is an outstanding Italian plaster female torso sculpture In the Classical Roman style. This large plaster torso is well...
Plaster
Ancient Roman Bronze Herm on Stand, 1st-4th Century AD
Located in Bradenton, FL
Ancient Roman Bronze Herm Statue dating from the 1st to 4th Century A.D. A herm was a statue consisting of a a head atop a square pillar, originally an artifact to honor the god Herm...
Bronze
Beautiful Antique Bust of a Warrior in the Roman Style, 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Beautiful antique bust of a warrior in the Roman style, 20th century. Antique-style nude male, bust in composite material, 20th century. Dimensions : h: 82cm , w: 72cm, d: 46,5...
Composition
Bust of the Apollo Belvedere in Natural Stone, 2nd Half 20th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Apollo, the Roman god of light, spring, music, song, and poetry. The Apollo Belvedere is among the most celebrated ancient marble sculptures and has been regarded as a masterpiece of...
Stone
$4,951Sale Price|20% Off
Ancient roman Head of Eros, in white marble, circa A.D. 2nd - 3rd century
Located in York, GB
Provenance: Private collection, Belgium; Galerie Chenel, Paris; Private collection, London This beautiful little fragment was likely made for a larger relief sculpture, and is co...
Marble
$1,000
Roman torso in stone
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Muscular torso in stoneware, after the classical greek and Roman sculptures. with a good patina. Signed but not readable (see last picture). Probably circa 1930.
Stoneware
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
19th Century Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture of Diana of Gabii
Located in New York, NY
19th Century patinated bronze sculpture of Diana of Gabbi measuring 37 3/4 inches tall, 10 in wide and 11 5/8 in deep, circa 1840-1870. Inscribed Reduction Sauvage with the stamped ...
Bronze
19th-century Italian Sculptor "Apollo Belvedere" H. 60cm
Located in Madrid, ES
19th-century Italian Sculptor "Apollo Belvedere", bronze, approx. 60 cm high (including base) Good condition
Bronze
Ancient Roman Bronze Figure of Mercury, 1st Century AD
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The Roman deity Mercury was the god of commerce, communication, and travelers. He is the equivalent of Hermes from the Greek pantheon, and due to his association with communication ...
Bronze
Ancient Roman Marble Sphinx Fragment, Hand-Carved, Circa A.D. 100-200
Located in York, GB
Provenance: Private collection, Canada and Israel (before 1955); by descent. Carved in white marble, this fragment preserves the body a Sphinx and dates to around the A.D. 2nd cent...
Marble
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
$200,058 / item
Ancient Roman Apollo Citaredo
Located in BARCELONA, ES
24.5 cm with the stand. Provenance - Galerie Nina Borowski, Paris. - Private collection, Mr. Fleischman, New York, acquired from the previous owner in November 1985. - Inherited fro...
Bronze
Greco Roman Marble Head of a Woman On Stand
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century marble head of a Roman Woman on a black wooden stand. A well modeled carved head with details of eyes, nose and lips, as well as a fine braid of hair pulled up across he...
Marble
Roman Marble Foot with Sandal
Located in London, GB
This evocative Roman marble foot fragment is a timeless remnant of the overlifesized sculpture it was once part of. Sensitively carved and polished, the outer sole of the sandal rema...
Marble
Antique Roman Marble Head of a Goddess, Possibly Venus, 1st-3rd Century AD
Located in Doha, QA
A captivating Roman marble head of a Goddess, possibly Venus, dating from the 1st–3rd century AD, exquisitely carved and presented on a bespoke marble pedestal styled as a classical ...
Marble
1st Century AD Roman Bronze Statuette of Mercury Polykleitos Classic Antiquities
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A unique historic artifact – a Roman bronze statuette of Mercury, holding a caduceus, with ram at side, of Polykeitan style. Circa 1st Century A.D. Displayed on base pedestal. Polykl...
Bronze
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
$659Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Plaster
Female Torso in Cast Stone Karl Springer Ltd
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This cast stone female torso was purchased in 1983 from the Karl Springer showroom in 1983. We have the original receipt for the purchase which where the torso was displayed in Honol...
Cast Stone
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
Large Winged Griffin by Bottega Cadorin, for Testolini & Salviati, carved walnut
By Vincenzo Cadorin, Testolini & Salviati
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Large winged griffin by Bottega Vincenzo Cadorin, for Testolini & Salviati in carved walnut. These two sculptural elements were the basis of a large mirror, produced by the great car...
Walnut
19th Century Italian Marble Bust, Hand-Carved in Greco-Roman Style
Located in Madrid, ES
Elegant classical-style marble bust, likely produced in Italy in the 19th century. The sculpture depicts an idealized female figure inspired by Greco-Roman antiquity, characterized b...
Carrara Marble
2nd Century AD Roman Marble Relief Sculpture with Theatre Mask
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Relief with theatre mask Ancient Rome, 2nd century AD Marble 51 cm height. Provenance - Private collection, Switzerland, acquired in the 1980s – 1990s. - Private collection, Lond...
Marble
Matching Pair of Handcarved Italian Alabaster Horses
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a lovely matching pair of handcarved Italian Alabaster horses. Mid 20th century circa 1960. Pair of hand-carved horses that look like ...
Alabaster
Nineteenth Century Italian Bronze of Seated Hermes
Located in London, GB
Nineteenth century Italian bronze model of Seated Hermes, stamped 'GIORGIO SOMMER FOUNDRY, NAPLES', set on marble plinth base. Dimensions: 44cm (17¼") High, 42cm (16½") Wide, Base 2...
Marble, Bronze
High relief carved from white Carrara marble—“Battle with a Knight”—Made in Italy
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Carved white marble high relief HIGH-RELIEF: An Ancient Roman Battle Made n Italy A high relief carved from white Carrara marble depicting a battle featuring a Roman knight The total...
Carrara Marble
Antique Bronze Aristotle Sculpture on Marble Base, Italy, 1850
Located in Montreal, QC
The philosopher in oratorical pose, with an urn of his writings at his feet. A 19th century casting, good crisp quality on marble base.
Marble, Bronze
$562Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Flying Cherub, Italian, Plaster, Classical, Romantic, Putto Figure, 1980
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage flying cherub. An Italian, plaster putto figure with leather hanging strap, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1980. A decorative accent piece, ideal for suspen...
Plaster
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
Large Meissen Porcelain Figurine 'Dancing Vestal Virgin' By E.J. Haenel, Ca 1880
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent large and rare Meissen figurine from the 19th century: Fully sculpted porcelain figurine of an antique-style young beauty standing in a dancing pose in an elaborately pleat...
Porcelain
Large Grand Tour Bronze Statue of Seated Mercury
Located in New York, NY
Very large Grand Tour verdigris patinated bronze statue of the seated Greek Olympian god of travelers, commerce, thieves, and language, Hermes (aka Mercury in Roman mythology), datin...
Bronze
Antique Berlin KPM Porcelain Figural Group Sculpture
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Berlin KPM Porcelain Figural Group Sculpture
Porcelain
Antique Italian Marble Bust of Augustus Caesar
Located in Newark, England
Grey Marble Socle From our Sculpture collection, we are delighted to offer this exceptional Antique Italian Marble Bust Augustus Caesar. The bust...
Marble, Carrara Marble
Busto di Marco Aurelio in marmi policromi -made in Italy
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Scultura, busto imperatore, busto romano antico, arte romana, arte classica, arte greca, busto, marmo bianco Carrara, scultura classica, marco Aurelio, scultura antica, busto antico,...
Carrara Marble
Theatre mask of the "Excellent Young Man". Ancient Roman, 1st century AD. 59 cm.
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Monumental theatre mask of the "Excellent Young Man" Ancient Roman, 1st century AD Marble, probably from Paros. Height 59 cm, width 53 cm and depth 26 cm. 75 cm with the stand. ...
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
$4,800 / set
Pair of Antique Garden Lions
Located in Sheffield, MA
The pair of French hand-carved antique garden stone lions are crouching and are made of stone. The dimensions are for the slightly larger of th...
Stone
Antique Roman / Etruscan Style Statue
Located in Sheffield, MA
Antique Roman / Etruscan style pottery partial statue. Robed figure in draped fabric. Measures: 7.5 inches in height. Exact age unknown, the pieces in t...
Terracotta
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...
Bronze
Medusa on trapezoid with griffin carved from carrara marble -made in Italy
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Original white Carrara marble sculpture. Sculpture of Head of Medusa type Rondanini placed on trapezoid with griffin and capital inspired by the model of Giustiniani collection, Torl...
Marble
Bust Octavian Augustus in white Carrara marble -made in Italy
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Sculpture, emperor bust, Octavian bust, Octavian Augustus bust, ancient Roman bust, Roman art, classical art, Greek art, bust, white Carrara marble, classical sculpture, Marcus Aurel...
Marble
Pair of Early 20thC Hand Carved Carrara Marble Guardian Angels Praying
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Amazing pair of hand chisiled marble statues of kneeling guardian angels praying. Hand crafted in Italy from Carrara Marble in about the 1920s. These were kept in storage for a numbe...
Carrara Marble
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
$156Sale Price|20% Off
Hand-Crafted Italian Marble Bust of Dante, Circa 1900
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small Italian Marble Bust of Dante, circa 1900.
Marble