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.
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
Mid-century vintage plaster figural wall sculpture
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid century vintage plaster figural wall sculpture. This wall sculpture is made of plaster with a venetian finish the surface of the p...
Plaster
sculpture of Roman woman with tunic and stole in white Carrara marble- made Italy
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Roman woman sculpture, marble sculpture, Roman matron sculpture, Roman matron sculpture with tunic and stole carved on white Carrara marble original sculpture made in Italy The weigh...
Carrara Marble
Carrara Marble Head In Antique Style
Located in Charmes, FR
18th century or older sculpted marble head? mounted on a contemporary iron base in good condition
Carrara Marble
Horse head walking -fragment- white marble from carrara -made in Italy
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Sculpture, horse sculpture, marble horse, carrara marble sculpture, sculpture made in Italy. Sculpture of a fragment of an incedent horse in the march Resting on a basalt and iron b...
Marble
Women In The Antique, Bronzes, XIXth Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Antique women, two brown patina bronzes of women standing in draped dresses Wooden bases Patina wear (traces of old gilding) 19th century price for the set Height 30 and 28cm D...
Bronze
Sculpture in Polychrome Wood Representing Saint Marguerite, 18th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture in polychrome wood representing Saint Marguerite, 18th century. Sculpture of Saint Marguerite in carved wood and polychrome wood, France, 18th century. Dimensions : H: 54...
Wood
Italian Carved Marble Bust of Robbed Eros with Quivers, God of Love, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
Italian hand carved marble bust of robbed Eros with quivers. Eros signifies the God of love. Early 19th Century
Marble
foot sculpture with fine ancient Roman footwear - made in Italy
Located in Tarquinia, IT
carved foot, Roman footwear, marble foot, ancient Roman foot, Roman foot sculpture, Foot sculpture with footwear in ancient Rome style. Sculpture valuable and highly original Materi...
Marble
Plaster Skinned Anatomical Figure, circa 1900s, Ellegible Signature
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Plaster Skinned Anatomical Figure, circa 1900s, Ellegible Signature
Plaster
Original plaster head representing EL DANTE, circa 1900
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Original plaster head representing EL DANTE, circa 1900
Plaster
Horse sculpture -fragment- light ceramic bronze patina -made in Italy
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Horse sculpture fragment, ceramic horse, bronze horse Bronze patinated light ceramic sculpture placed on volcanic stone and iron base light refractory ceramic, bronze patinated. dime...
Ceramic
Diana Gabii, sculpture carved on white Carrara marble, made in Italy
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Sculpture of the Diana "Gabii," hand carved on beautiful white Carrara marble. Made n Italy The total weight is 23 kg The sculpture has an "antiqued" treatment, even with special pa...
Carrara Marble
German Figural Young Roman Bronze Mounted on Rouge Marble Base, Circa 1885
By Fritz Heinemann
Located in Charleston, SC
German figural bronze of young roman mounted on a circular squared rouge marble base, Late 19th century. Signed by sculptor Fritz Heinemann, Roma.
Marble, Bronze
Herma Hadrian carved on whiteCarrara marble, bust rouge France base bardiglio
Located in Tarquinia, IT
hadrian bust, Hadrian marble, Hadrian herma, sculpted bust made in Italy. herma emperor Hadrian. head carved on white carrara bust carved on France Red apuan bardiglio turned base we...
Marble
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...
Rock Crystal
Head Julius Caesar carved on white Carrara marble - made in Italy
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Julius Caesar sculpture, Caesar head sculpture, Sculpture, Male head, classical art, Greek art, Julius Caesar art , white Carrara marble, classical sculpture, Portrait head of Juliu...
Marble
Antique Greco-Roman Soldier Sculpture / Vase
Located in New York, NY
Very unique antique (19th century) continental figurative sculpture or centerpiece with shallow vase at center depicting Roman soldiers. 17 1/2 inches tall and 7 inches across. App...
Bronze
Head Julius Caesar carved on white Carrara marble-made in Italy
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Julius Caesar sculpture, Caesar head sculpture, Sculpture, Male head, classical art, Greek art, Julius Caesar art , white Carrara marble, classical sculpture, Portrait head of Juliu...
Marble
Bust of Egyptian pharaoh carved on white Carrara marble
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Sculpture, Egyptian bust, ancient bust, pharaoh bust, Roman art, classical art, Greek art, bust, white Carrara marble, classical sculpture, ancient sculpture, ancient bust, made in I...
Marble
Bust Julius Caesar carved on white and cipolin marble -made in Italy
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Sculpture, emperor bust, Caesar bust, Julius Caesar bust, ancient Roman bust, Roman art, classical art, Greek art, bust, white Carrara marble, classical sculpture, ancient sculpture,...
Marble
Bronze sculpture Marcus Aurelius
Located in Rome, IT
Description Bronze sculpture Marcus Aurelius. ADDITIONAL PHOTOS, INFORMATION OF THE LOT AND SHIPPING INFORMATION CAN BE REQUEST BY SENDING AN EMAIL. Indicative shipping costs in Ital...
Bronze
Mid-Century French Polished Iron Bust of Young "Bacchante" Female
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a shell or wine cellar with this elegant bust. Hand crafted in France circa 1970, and built of iron, the bust sits on an attached round base, and depicts a young female "Bac...
Iron
19th Century Hand-Carved Marble Bust of Woman, Roman Style, Italy
Located in Basildon, GB
19th Century Carved Marble Portrait of a Woman. Carved of reddish-brown coloured marble, shown in classical style, inserted into a bust of alabaster and fitted with a socle of dark g...
Marble
Mid-19th Century French Bronze Figure of the Borghese Gladiator
Located in London, GB
A French bronze figure of the Borghese Gladiator, mid-19th century, cast by Ferdinand Barbedienne, after the antique. Base dimensions: 34.5cm...
Bronze
A fine 19th century French signed bronze of Victory. Parcel gilt details .
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine 19th century French bronze depicting Victory. Signed with beautiful details and parcel gilt sword and wreath.
Bronze
$1,120Sale Price|20% Off
Max DeMoss 1987 Bronze Figurative Abstract Sculpture
By Max DeMoss
Located in Oceanside, US
This sculpture presents a dynamic and emotive scene, likely crafted in bronze, depicting three figures interacting with a horse in a dramatic, fragmented style. The composition evoke...
Bronze
Italian Mid-Nineteenth Century Bronze Bust of Lucius Verus
Located in London, GB
Italian mid-nineteenth century bronze bust of Lucius Verus, circa 1860-1870, on circular waisted socle. Lucius Verus ruled Rome alongside Marcus Aureli...
Bronze
$1,706Sale Price|25% Off
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...
Marble
Sculpture Bust Stone Brutus
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
After the antique. This bust conveys the character of Brutus his courage, strength, power, nobility, honour and conviction. Measures: height 34cm., 13.5" diameter 20cm., 8" Fashioned after the c1539 statue of Brutus by Michelangelo, Bargello Museum in Florence. Marcus Junius Brutus Caepio (c.85-42): Roman politician, murderer of Gaius Julius Caesar and one of the last defenders of the republic. Marcus Junius Brutus is one of the great names of Roman history. Central to the notorious conspiracy that resulted in the assassination of the dictator Julius Caesar on the Ides of March 44 BC, Brutus gave brief hope to those who longed for the restoration of republican government. Yet by August of the same year he was on his way from Italy to the Greek east; a little over two years later he had committed suicide in the face of defeat at the hands of Mark Antony...
Cast Stone
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...
Sculpture Woman in Bronze and Marble Guss Wollenbergu Schuttz
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Logistics and International Shipping We provide a comprehensive export service so that your only concern is enjoying your acquisition. • Door-to-Door Service: Pieces located in our A...
Marble, Bronze
Late 20th Century Vintage Horse Statue
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This bronze horse head sculpture features a strong, elongated form with expressive detailing in the mane and muzzle. The finish is aged with hints of patina, lending it a sense of ti...
Bronze
Vintage Boho Plaster Bust of Man
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Introduce a touch of old-world grandeur to your home with this striking vintage neoclassical bust. Inspired by classical Greco-Roman sculpture, this piece features a serene visage cr...
Plaster, Paint
Fine Large 19th Century Continental Bronze Bust Depicting a Roman Dignitary
Located in Dallas, TX
Fine Continental Roman style bronze bust, late 19th century, depicting a curly haired and bearded young man wearing classical drapery pinned on his l...
Bronze
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...
Marble
$15,160Sale Price|20% Off
An Italian Cast 19th Century Bronze Group Mother & Children Titled "La Tempête"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Fine Italian Cast 19th Century Bronze Group Titled "La Tempête" (The Tempest) Probably after Mathurin Moreau (French, 1822–1912), Cast by The Alessandro Nelli Foundry in Rome. The ...
Marble, Bronze
Antique Carved Wood Classical Sculpture
Located in London, GB
A beautiful and very unusual antique sculpture, carved from solid wood. This looks like it is most likely Italian, it depicts an intimate scene from biblical times. It is hard to dat...
Wood
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 for the toga, where the white veins give movement and realism to the cloth. S...
Marble
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...
Marble
Gilt Bronze Model of Ceres
Located in London, GB
A gilt bronze model of Ceres, Roman goddess of agriculture, modeled seated holding torch aloft in one hand and with a sheaf of wheat in the other, on plin...
19th Century Young Emperor Bust
Located in Roma, IT
19th century bronze bust of young emperor. This object is shipped from Italy. Under existing legislation, any object in Italy created over 70 years ago by an artist who has died re...
Bronze
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.
Plaster
Bust of Carrera Marble and Honey Onyx
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Bust Roman Emperor, carrara marble and honey onyx.
Onyx, Marble
Antique Patinated Bronze Figure of Roman Emperor by Mathurin Moreau
Located in London, GB
This fine, full length figure is modelled in the contrapposto pose, a position originating from ancient Greek Classical sculpture. The visual arts uses the term 'contrapposto' to des...
Bronze
Pair of Antique Decorative Bronze Roman Busts on Columns
Located in London, GB
A Pair of Miniature Bronzes of Roman Busts On Marmore Nero Columns In the Manner of Georges Servant After the original models exhibited at the Paris ex...
Marble, Belgian Black Marble, Bronze