Classical Roman Sculptures
CLASSICAL ROMAN STYLE
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.
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Style: Classical Roman
Period: 20th Century
Sculpture Woman in Bronze and Marble Guss Wollenbergu Schuttz
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Sculpture Woman in Bronze and Marble
Guss Wollenbergu Schuttz
We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Large Roman Neoclassical Plaster Foot of Hercules
Located in Houston, TX
Unusually large and well detailed neoclassical Roman plaster foot sculpture of Hercules. This vintage Italian academic plaster foot sculpture wo...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Plaster
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 ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Alabaster
Bronze Bust of Roman Emperor
Located in New York, NY
large and impressive mid century Italian Bronze Bust of Roman Emperor on a marble base.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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...
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Carrara Marble
Marble Sculpture Bust Of Emperor Julius Caesar After The Antique Grand Tour
Located in Tivoli Terme, Roma
The sculpture realized by a Roman sculptor as from the Roman academy tradition, is carved with white marble.
The sculpture represents the face of a young Julius Caesar, Julius Caesar formally known as Caesar was a Roman general and statesman who played a critical role in the events that led to the demise of the Roman Republic...
Category
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Marble
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...
Category
1980s American Vintage Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Cast Stone
Early 20th Century Bronze Bust of David, Désiré Weygers
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
An antique brown patinated bronze bust depicting the mythical David after Michelangelo's masterpiece displayed in the Museum of Florence. The ...
Category
Early 1900s Belgian Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Siena Marble, Bronze
Roman Gladiator Armour in Brass
Located in East Hampton, NY
Anatomically correct chest plate/armor of a "True" Roman Gladiator, this Hollywood movie prop, is a wonderful full-sized brass piece with original leat...
Category
1960s American Vintage Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Life Size Horse Head in Plaster on Pedestal
Located in Tilburg, NL
Wonderful large horse head in plaster. Big scale and great details and patina. The white plaster creates a beautiful interplay of light and shadows.
Shows great movement in the way the head is depicted. Reminiscent of equivalent plaster casts of horse heads from the Parthenon frieze...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Plaster, Boxwood
Marble Statue
Located in Tyrone, Northern Ireland
A large (almost life-sized) antique Carrara marble statue of a Roman legionary. Dressed in typical Roman soldier costume and with sword and shield in ...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Carrara Marble
Marble Sculpture of a Centaur
Located in New Haven, CT
This rare Italian marble sculpture of a centaur is a copy of one of the life-size originals from “Hadrian’s Villa”.
The originals where found in 17...
Category
20th Century Greek Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Early 20th Century Life-Size Plaster Statue Attributed to Jean Rene Gauguin
Located in Essex, MA
Attributed to Jean Rene Gauguin (French-danish, 1881-1961), the discus thrower Copenhagen, Circa 1926-1927
A lifesize sculpted and painted plaster ...
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Plaster
Bronze Equestrian Sculpter with Caesar on Marble Base, Early 20th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
Bronze Equestrian sculpter with Caesar on marble base, early 20th century.
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Italian Roman Sculpture of the 'David'
Located in New York, NY
A Classic Italian Roman statue of the 'David' by sculptor G. Ruggeri, circa mid-20th century, Italy. With maker's mark's and marked 'Italy' as show in im...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Resin
Craved Rock Crystal Figure of Venus, 20th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A beautiful carved and polished small rock crystal figure of Venus, probably Italy, carved after the antique, early to mid-20th century.
The nak...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Rock Crystal
Wonderful Midcentury Made Art Deco Style Carved Alabaster Column Pedestal Stand
Located in Lisse, NL
Wonderfully stylish and perfectly hand carved alabaster column for displaying a work of art.
This beautiful and classical pedestal on its oc...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Alabaster
Bust of Mark Anthony
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Well-figured decorative composition/resin bust of Roman Emperor.
Category
Late 20th Century British Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Resin
Bacchus, Plaster Statue, France, circa 1930
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful old plaster statue, in the neoclassical spirit, representing young Bacchus.
France, National Museums molding workshop, circa 1930.
Category
1930s French Vintage Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Plaster
Neoclassical Romanesque Bronze Female Form Sculptures with Marble Bases
Located in Dallas, TX
Gorgeous pair of antique golden cast bronze roman women on newly fabricated marble bases. They are hollow and the water jugs are open so they can be used to display an arrangement wi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Italian Porphyry Veneered Model of a Torso, after the Antique, Anthony Redmile
Located in New York, NY
An Italian porphyry veneered model of a torso, after the antique by Anthony Redmile on marble-veneered pedestal.
20th century.
Sitting on a marb...
Category
20th Century Great Britain (UK) Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Porphyry
Large Antique Sculpted Marble Figure of Caesar Augustus
Located in London, GB
Large antique sculpted marble figure of Caesar Augustus
Italian, early 20th century
Measures: Height 186cm, width 118cm, depth 44cm
Known as the ‘Augustus of Prima Porta,’ the o...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Vintage Italian Bronze Wall Sculpture of Roman Warrior, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Whether this bronze wall plaque depicts a Roman Gladiator or Legionaire is uncertain. It was brought home from Rome in 1970 or 71. It is made from solid bronze that has a rich brown ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
1990s Bust of Roman General Hand Carved in Carrara White and Alicante Red Marble
Located in Marbella, ES
1990s bust of a Roman general, hand carved by craftsmen using Carrara white marble for the head and Alicante red for the toga, where the white and red contrast give movement and real...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Classic Italian Roman Sculpture of the 'David' on Black Marble Base
Located in New York, NY
A Mid-20th century classic Italian Roman statue of the 'David' on a black marble base by sculptor G. Ruggeri, Italy. White resin statue is on a black marble base with tan veins. With...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Large & Stunning Early 1900s Roman Classical Alabaster Column Pedestal Stand
Located in Lisse, NL
Wonderful antique column for displaying a work of art.
This beautiful and classical pedestal is perfect for showcasing an antique sculpture or bust. The slight wear, the shape and t...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Alabaster
Life-Size Carved Marble Allegorical sculpture of Hope
Located in Dallas, TX
Life-size carved marble allegorical sculpture of hope
circa 1900, unsigned, the woman wearing a Roman style gown and depicted perched on a cra...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Carrara Marble
1990s Bust of Roman Hand Carved in Carrara White and Alicante Red Marble
Located in Marbella, ES
1990s bust of a Roman, hand carved by craftsmen using Carrara white marble for the head and Alicante red on the toga, where the white veins give movement and realism to the cloth. Si...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Marble
1990s Bust of Roman Hand Carved using Different Carrara and Alicante Marbles
Located in Marbella, ES
1990s bust of a Roman, hand carved by craftsmen using Carrara white marble for the head, Arabescato for the main toga body and Alicante red for the arms, where the veining provide re...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Carved Italian Alabaster Sculpture of a Maiden at the Well, circa 1900
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carved Italian Alabaster sculpture of a maiden at the water fountain
Italy, circa 1900.
Depicting a young maiden leaning on a decora...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Alabaster
Italian Marble Sculpture of a Dog, Circa 1900
Located in Nantucket, MA
The antique sculpture portrays a mastiff, sitting upright in an attentive pose with ears cocked, head canted, and mouth open. Hand carved from a block of green marble, unsigned. The...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Icarus Statue on Stone Fragment
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Well rendered depiction of Icarus, in brown stained terracotta on an angular stone base. Statue is signed but it is difficult to interpret the signature. It appears to be "Faffa Ales...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
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...
Category
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Resin
Collection of Italian Specimen Marble Spheres on Stands
Located in Hudson, NY
This three-piece grouping of specimen marble spheres can be sold as the group or as a pair ( the left and right are a pair or as a single in the middle) and a single. The marble is ...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Bust Eleonora Duse Attributable Sculptor Arrigo Minerbi Villa Callas Sirmione
By Arrigo Minerbi
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Bust of Eleonora Duse attributable to the sculptor Arrigo Minerbi, from Villa Callas Sirmione of Giovanni Battista Meneghini.
Bust obtained from stone o...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Stone
Bust of Carrera Marble and Honey Onyx
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Bust Roman Emperor, carrara marble and honey onyx.
Category
20th Century European Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Onyx, Marble
Well-Carved Pair of Italian Romanesque Style Gray Painted Wooden Masks now Lamps
Located in San Francisco, CA
A well-carved and stylized pair of Italian Romanesque style gray painted wooden masks now mounted as lamps; each bearded face surrounded by thick curl...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Sculptures
A Well-Made Bronze Etruscan War Horse Sculpture
Located in Dallas, TX
A cast bronze Etruscan style horse. Marked , Phillip, on the hoof.
Circa-1970
Category
20th Century American Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Antique Italian Terracotta Classical Bust on a Wood Base
Located in Houston, TX
Antique Italian terracotta classical bust on a wood base.
Italian patinated terra cotta bust or sculpture of a classical Roman on a wood base, circa 1920, possibly a Grand Tour piece...
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
1990s Bust of Greek Amazon Warrior Hand Carved in Carrara White Marble
Located in Marbella, ES
1990s bust of a Green Amazon, hand carved by craftsmen using Carrara white marble. The Amazons were a tribe of women warriors in Greek and Roman mythology...
Category
Late 20th Century European Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Classical Roman sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Classical Roman sculptures for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, building and garden elements, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with stone, marble and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Classical Roman sculptures made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original sculptures, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, LAGU, F. Barbedienne Foundry, and Massimo Marcomini. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $60 and tops out at $150,000 while the average work can sell for $3,210.