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
19th Century Classic Chased Bronze Figure of Pan or Dancer on Carved Wood Base
Located in Miami, FL
Extremely detailed and finely chased 19th century bronze figure of pan in celebration or dance perhaps in Bacchanalia. Flutes, laurel scepter rais...
Category
19th Century Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Italian Alabaster Group of Children Pushing a Cart
Located in Brighton, Sussex
This enchanting 19th century Italian carved Alabaster group of four putti playing whilst pushing and pulling a wooden cart, entitled; 'From the harvest'
By Prof; A. Petrill, Firenz...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Alabaster
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
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...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
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
French, Early 20th Century Bronze, David Beheading Goliath
Located in Montreal, QC
It is certainly David from the Old Testement. He is young handsome and brave, his harp he has set down and is about to behead the Philistine Champion, Goliath who is not shown.
He...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Bisque Porcelain Couple in Conversation, French, 19th Century
Located in Lantau, HK
A 19th century French bisque porcelain figurine of a couple seated and engaged in a conversation. The figurine is marked on back and ...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
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...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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
Lions Pair of Sculpture Marble Italian 13th Century Romanesque
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Rare, pair of 13th century, Romanesque, marble, recumbent lions
Recumbent lions were popular in 11th-13th century Italian architecture with pairs ...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Marble
A Large Patinated Bronze Figure of a Draped Religious Women Titled: Antifonh
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine 19th century French patinated bronze figure of a standing draped classical woman with a wreath to her hair holding an urn.
Titled: Antifonh
Measures:
Height 41.5" (105.4 cm)...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
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
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
Antique Bronze Female Sculpture by Eugene Antoine Aizelin, 19th Century, France
Located in Montreal, QC
Exquisite bronze sculpture by Eugene Aizelin (French 1821-1902) featuring a strikingly beautiful statue of a female figure standing and reading a letter; set on plinth base. Dimensio...
Category
19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
17th Century, Italian Ancient Carved Stone Bust of Roman Emperor
Located in IT
17th century, Italian ancient carved stone bust of Roman Emperor
Measures: H 33 (with base) H 28.5 (sculpture only) x 25 x 7 cm.
The ancient bust, in ...
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Stone, Marble
18th-19th Century Neoclassical Multi-Marble Bust of Roman Emperor Titus Domitian
Located in New York, NY
A striking late 18th-early 19th century bust of the Roman Emperor Titus Domitian. The head is made from hand carved white Carrara marble, the tunic and t...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Alabaster, Breccia Marble, Carrara Marble
Ancient Roman Bust
Located in Tyrone, Northern Ireland
An ancient Roman marble bust of a male, dating to the 1st-2nd century AD.
Larger than life-size and depicting a male wearing a laurel wreath and milit...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
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 for the toga, where the white veins give movement and realism to the cloth. S...
Category
Late 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
Pair of 19th Century Cast Lead Cupids from a Municipal Fountain
By Fiske Or Mott
Located in New York, NY
Stunning pair of cast lead cupids, originally part of a grand public fountain, now destroyed. The seated cupids hold a wine goblet in one hand, and a cluster of grapes on the other. ...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Lead
19th Century Italian Neoclassical Style Specimen Marble Busts of Caesars
Located in Charleston, SC
Incredible hand carved 19th century Italian specimen marble busts of Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony.
The life like faces are impeccably carved in...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
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...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Large Marble Grouping of "Cupid and Psyche" after A. Canova, Signed C. Lapini
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent and large carved Italian Carrara marble grouping of "Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss", Modeled After Antonio Canova, signed Cesare Lapini. The subjects are shown to be m...
Category
1870s Italian Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Bronze figure of Augustus after Roman period original
Located in London, GB
Known as the ‘Augustus of Prima Porta,’ the original bronze version of this sculpture was created c. 20 BCE. That original has been lost since antiquity but is known today from a mar...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Marble, 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
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...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Stone
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 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
Antique Italian Micro-Mosaic Plaque Depicting the Pantheon in Rome
Located in London, GB
This exquisite antique Italian micro-mosaic plaque depicts the Piazza della Rotunda in Rome, with the Pantheon at its centre. The portrayal is particularly important, as it shows the...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Stone
Pair of Grand Tour Bronze Figures after the Antique
Located in Montreal, QC
This striking pair, one of Ceres, emblematic of the harvest, the other with a dove and laurel wreath are well modelled as elegant figures in flowing gowns...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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
French Art Deco Bronze Figure
Located in Houston, TX
A 1930s French Art Deco bronze Roman warrior figure with spear and shield on black marble base.
Category
Early 20th Century French Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
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...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Gilt Bronze Statuette of the Belvedere Antinous, Italian, 19th Century
Located in Kensington, MD
The gilt bronze figure of Antinous is mounted on a circular gilt bronze socle set on an hexagonal gilt bronze plinth attached to a wood base.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Bronze Figure Group of a Painter with a Muse, Late 19th Century
Located in Lantau, HK
A late 19th century French bronze figure group of a painter at his easel with a female figure by his side.
The piece is in good condition with a lovely patina.
Shipping inclu...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Marble Bust of Caesar
Located in New Haven, CT
This very handsome 40" tal marble bust was hand-carved in Italy in the Grand Tour period. Made of rouge- grey- and Statuario-Marbles.
Circa 1860.
It is possibly of Marcus Junius Brut...
Category
1860s Italian Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Antique Stone Lion Mask Pedestal
Located in Sheffield, MA
19th century English Romanesque antique stone pedestal has protruding lion mask carved on pedestal.
Base measurement: 9.25" x 9.25"
Top meas...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Stone
Pair of Grand Tour Bronze Putti
Located in Montreal, QC
This charming young couple evoke summer in Italy. She with a bill hook and branch with fruiting vine, and her companion with a sheaf of wheat over his shoulder. Each is well modelled...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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
Antique Grand Tour Classical Bronze Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Antique Grand Tour classical bronze Roman figural sculpture with laurel crown.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
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
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
German Figural Young Roman Bronze Mounted on Rouge Marble Base, Circa 1885
Located in Hollywood, SC
German figural bronze of young roman mounted on a circular squared rouge marble base, Late 19th century. Signed by sculptor Fritz Heinemann, Roma.
Category
1880s German Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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
Pair of 19th Century Cast Iron Female Figures Holding Pestle and Mortar
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A pair of 19th century cast iron female figures holding pestle and mortar.
A lovely pair of figures, they are very heavy each of the figures is holding ...
Category
1860s Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
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
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...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
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...
Category
19th Century English Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
17th Century Italian Carrara Marble Bust of Classical Roman
Located in Houston, TX
17th century Italian carrara marble bust of a Classical Roman.
Finely carved Classical Roman Carrara marble bust sculpture from the 17th ce...
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Life Size 19th Century Italian White Marble Sculpture Titled "The Wrestlers"
Located in Los Angeles, 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...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Carrara 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
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
Italian Carved Marble Bust of Eros . Circa 1820
Located in Hollywood, SC
Italian hand carved marble bust of Eros with cloak & quivers. Eros signifies the god of love. Early 19th Century
Category
1820s Italian Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Marble Bust by William Theed the Younger
Located in London, GB
Portrait bust in statuary marble. Ex Browne-Swinburne, Capheaton Hall, Northumberland.
Signed and dated, 1830
William Theed, t...
Signed and dated, 1830
William Theed, t...
Category
19th Century British Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Statuary Marble
19th Century Bronze Statue of Venus Aphrodite
By Praxiteles 1
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique bronze statue depicting Aphrodite / Venus, a goddess from classical antiquity. This bronze statue dates from circa 1870 and was made in France. The statue is not ...
Category
1870s French Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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.