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 Statue of the Wine God Bacchus, c. 1st - 2nd century AD
Located in London, GB
An impressive Roman marble statue of Bacchus, god of wine, with an illustrious provenance. Once gracing the garden of a Roman villa, it was rediscovered and restored during the great...
Marble
Mid-Century Classical Reproduction Of Head of Youth Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
A striking blend of ancient artistry and mid-century decorative sophistication, this vintage bonded bronze reproduction of the Head of Youth sculpture brings the timeless elegance of...
Bronzed Resin
Greek-Roman Marble Torso Sculpture on Iron Stand, 20th Century, Italy
Located in Bradenton, FL
Greek-Roman Marble Torso Sculpture. Torso of a man in contrapposto with clearly defined musculature. Mounted on Iron Stand. Sculpture depicts a classical warrior or military figure ...
Marble, Iron
Life-Size Roman Marble Head of a Satyr, Imperial Period, ex-Sotheby’s 1967
Located in London, GB
A large and finely carved Roman marble head of a satyr, Imperial period, c. 1st–2nd century AD, with a provenance going back to the 1960s. The sculptor has captured the satyr’s wild...
Marble
Sculpture foot. Ancient Rome, 2nd–3rd century AD. Marble. 38 cm long.
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Sculpture foot Ancient Rome · 2nd–3rd century AD Marble 24 cm high; 38 cm long Provenance - Private collection, German. Acquired at Gorny & Mosch 179, 2009, Lot 271. Condition G...
Marble
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
$2,055Sale 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
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
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
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
Head of Aphrodite. Ancient Rome, 1st century BC–1st century AD. Alabaster. 4 cm.
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Head of Aphrodite Ancient Rome, 1st century BC–1st century AD Alabaster 4 cm high; 8.5 cm high including the stand Condition: In good condition. Provenance: Private collection o...
Alabaster
Life Size Imperial Roman Marble Head of Ares, 2nd Century AD
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
From a life-size fìgure of the god, this exceptional marble head gracefully portrays the finest elements of what Roman Imperial art has to offer. The face is rendered with a distinc...
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
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
George, Raku Fired Modern White Ceramic Bust of Male Head by Pavel Amromin
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a white glazed and black clay raku fired ceramic bust. Though modern, this sculpture references Classical Greek and Roman antiquities. A subtle red glaze is used on the lips and the artist has purposefully and mysteriously left a portion around the neck between the head and the chest free of glaze, exposing the black clay beneath. The cracking on the surface is a result of the raku firing process and intended to be there. Pavel Amromin George, 2017 raku fired ceramic 17H x 15W x 9D in 43.18H x 38.10W x 22.86D cm Pavel G. Amromin Exhibitions 2017 SOFA: Sculpture, Objects, Functional Art, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL 2009 Pavel Amromin: Adventure Bound, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA SOFA: Sculpture, Objects, Functional Art, New York, NY 2008 SOFA: Sculpture, Objects, Functional Art, New York, NY 38th Annual Ceramics Exhibition, Crossman Gallery, UW Whitewater, WI 2007 SOFA: Sculpture, Objects, Functional Art, Chicago, IL SOFA: Sculpture, Objects, Functional Art, New York, NY 2006 SOFA: Sculpture, Objects, Functional Art, Chicago, IL The Toy Soldier Collection – MFA Thesis Exhibition, University Gallery, University of Florida, Gainsville, FL 2005 SOFA: Sculpture, Objects, Functional Art, New York, NY 2004 SOFA: Sculpture, Objects, Functional Art, New York, NY SOFA: Sculpture, Objects, Functional Art, Chicago, IL 2003 SOFA...
Ceramic
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 Marcus Aurelius in polychrome marble -made in Italy
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Sculpture, emperor bust, ancient Roman bust, Roman art, classical art, Greek art, bust, white Carrara marble, classical sculpture, Marcus Aurelius, ancient sculpture, ancient bust, m...
Carrara 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
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
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
$552Sale 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
$4,869Sale 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
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
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
English 20th Century Stone Bust of a Greco-Roman Youth
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
English, early 20th century or very late 19th century, bust of a young male to add Greco-Roman classical beauty to any garden or art collection. The solid, reconstituted stone–a conc...
Stone
Ancient Roman Fragment of Relief in Marble
Located in BARCELONA, ES
25.5 cm with the stand. Provenance: R. C. Collection (1924 - 2023), Brussels, Belgium. Roman relief fragments, dating to the third century AD. Preserved in a fragmentary state, the...
Marble
Head of a Satyr. Ancient Roman, 2nd century AD. Marble. Height 34 cm.
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Head of a Satyr Ancient Roman, 2nd century AD Marble Height: 34 cm Condition: With restorations. Provenance Collection of Freiherr (Baron) Dankwart von Bülow, before 1931. Priv...
Marble
Neoclassical Marble Figure of Aphrodite, Early 19th Century Design
Located in Malle, BE
NEOCLASSICAL MARBLE FIGURE OF APHRODITE Circa 1800 – early 19th century Material Marble Dimensions Height: 135 cm, including the base Provenance Acquired in 2024 from the coll...
Marble
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
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
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
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
A Roman Marble Sarcophagus Lid Fragment of a Season, circa 3rd century AD
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A beautiful fragment from the lid of a Roman marble sarcophagus representing the Seasons. It depicts a reclining erote facing left, with outstretched wings: the right is carved in hi...
Marble
$192,088 / 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
Classical male torso carved on white Carrara marble -made in Italy
By Lorenzo Todini
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Sculpture, Male torso, classical art, Greek art, Torso, white Carrara marble, classical sculpture, ancient torso, Greek torso, statuary marble sculpture. Male torso carved on statuar...
Carrara 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
Italian 20th Century White Marble Male Torso on Black Marble Base
Located in ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE, Malaga
A 20th-century Italian marble sculpture of a male torso, carved in the manner of classical Roman antiquity. The figure is executed in white marble with soft gray veining and is prese...
Marble
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
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
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
"Galata Morente" Sculpture in Bronze, sign: F. Barbedienne Fonduer
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
F. Barbedienne fonduer Ferdinand Barbedienne (6 August 1810 – 21 March 1892) was a French metalworker and manufacturer, who was well known as a bronze founder. The son of a small farmer from Calvados, he started his career as a dealer in wallpaper in Paris. In 1838 he went into partnership with Achille Collas (1795-1859), who had just invented a machine to create miniature bronze replicas of statues. Together they started a business selling miniatures of antique statues from museums all over Europe, thus democratising art and making it more accessible to households.[2] From 1843 they extended their scope by reproducing the work of living artists and also diversified by making enamelled household objects. With the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian war in 1870 the firm briefly had to switch to cannon founding owing to the shortage of metals but resumed business afterwards. Following Barbedienne's death in 1892, he was buried in the Père-Lachaise cemetery and the firm was carried on by his nephew Gustave Leblanc until 1952. Among the principal artists reproduced by the firm were Antoine Louis Barye and Auguste Rodin. The Dying Galata (Italian: Galata morente...
Bronze
Bust Apollo With Drapery, Statue Julio-Claudian Dynasty Style, Roman Empire
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This Apollo with drapery statue is a faithful reproduction of an imperial family member from the reign of Augustus. This Julio-Claudian dynasty fragment stands out for its contrappos...
Plaster
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
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
Large Lion Sculpture in Glazed Terracotta, Romanesque Style, Early 20th Century
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Majestic large lion sculpture in white glazed earthenware, crafted in the early 20th century and reflecting an exquisite Romanesque style. This pi...
Terracotta
Lyons by Antoine Durenne Was a French Cast Iron "Offer Free Shipping in Florida"
By A. Durenne
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
They are in Miami. We offer free shipping in Florida. They were exhibited at Palm beach "American International Fine Art Fair (AIFAF)" In the photos you can see a pair of lions of...
Iron
Ancient Roman Trapezophore of a satyr abducting a maenad
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Trapezophore of a Satyr abducting a Maenad Ancient Rome · 1st - 2nd century AD Marble Height 54 cm and 71 cm with the stand. Provenance: - Former private collection, United Kingd...
Marble
$675 / set
Italian Male Bust Sculptures Grand Tour
By A. Santini
Located in New York, NY
A set of three (3) Italian male sculpture busts by R. Santini, in the classical Roman or Grand Tour design style, circa mid-20th century, Italy. This set of busts could be used for a library, office, etc., on a shelf, table, etc. Marked on bottom as shown in images. Dimensions L to R: Nerone: 4.63" Width x 6" Height Augusto: 4.13" Width x 5.75" Height Traiano: 4.63" Width x 6.19" Height Italian table, search ref. #: LU1314231162942 (SOLD.) For Corinthian capitol columns...
Composition
Bronze model of Diana the Huntress
Located in London, GB
A bronze model of Diana the Huntress, French, c.1900, after the original by Jean-Antoine Houdon (1741-1828).
Bronze
18th century Venus de’ Medici Bronze Bust
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
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...
Marble, Bronze
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
Late 19th Century French Cast Iron Bust of Diana of Versailles (Artemis)
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
An imposing and beautifully executed late 19th-century cast iron bust depicting Diana of Versailles (Artemis), the ancient Roman and Greek goddess of the hunt. Masterfully hollow-cas...
Cast Iron
19th Century Italian Grand Tour Bronze Figure of Silenus, God of Wine
By Fonderia Sommer Napoli
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This 19th Century bronze figure of Silenus, God of wine, and tutor of Dionysus, is depicted wrestling a serpent. The serpent represented wisdom and eternal life to the Ancients. It i...
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
Antique Terracotta Statue, Etruscan Style Draped Figure from Italy
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
21st Century Studio Irvine Betti Concrete Stool in Brick Red Cement Handmade
Located in Rome, Lazio
Surrealism, primitivism, metaphysics and brutalism. Art together with architecture and design build a scenario of inspirations and continuous references through which the material ri...
Concrete, Metal
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
$632Sale 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
Roman portrait of a young North African Man - Middle of the 3rd century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Roman portrait of a young North African Man Middle of the 3rd century 27 x 19 x 20 cm Marble on a modern stand Provenance : Collection of M. G. (1936), a French collector and writer...
Marble
Fragment of a sarcophagus relief. Ancient Rome, 2nd century AD. Marble. 37 cm.
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Fragment of a sarcophagus relief Ancient Rome · 2nd century AD Marble 37 cm long, 26 cm high and 9 cm thick Provenance - Private collection, Paris, France. Condition In good con...
Marble