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.
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 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
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
$2,053Sale 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
$1,097Sale Price|20% Off
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
$4,863Sale 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
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
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
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
$640Sale 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
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
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
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
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
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 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
Grand Tour Italian Carved Marble Bust - Psyche of Capua
Located in Langenfeld (Rheinland), DE
An elegant late 19th-century Italian marble bust of Psyche of Capua, inspired by classical Roman models. Finely carved with delicate features and flowing drapery, this piece embodie...
Marble
$194,373 / 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
"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
Rustic Travertine Stone Sculpture, Roman Empire - 130 AD, Gallery Display, HAAND
Located in St Petersburg, US
Inspired by the grandeur of the ancient Hadrian's Gate, this handcrafted travertine sculpture captures the essence of history and craftsmanship. Commissioned in the year 130 AD to h...
Stone, Travertine, 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
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 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
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
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
Italian Roman Sculpture of the David
Located in New York, NY
A classic Italian Roman statue of the 'David' on a black marble base by sculptor G. Ruggeri, Italy, circa mid-20th century, Italy. White resin statue is on a black marble base with t...
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
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
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
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 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
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
$932Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Berlin KPM Porcelain Figural Group Sculpture
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Berlin KPM Porcelain Figural Group Sculpture
Porcelain
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
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
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
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
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
Ancient Roman Bronze Foot Fragment A.D. 1st-2nd Century
Located in York, GB
A finely cast bronze foot fragment from an ancient Roman statue with a wonderful green patina consummate with age. Provenance from the Mintici collection, Belgium 1970's-1990's.
Bronze
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
$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
$4,800 / 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
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
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
$2,700 / item
Bust of Mark Anthony
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Well-figured decorative composition/resin bust of Roman Emperor.
Resin
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
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
$100,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
Life Size 19th Century Italian White Marble Sculpture Titled "The Wrestlers"
Located in Tarzana, CA
This exceptional 19th century Italian hand carved marble group titled: 'The Wrestlers' was carved after a Greek original of the 3rd century BCE. This impressive statue depicts two na...
Carrara Marble