Classical Roman Sculptures
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.
2010s Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Concrete, Metal
2010s Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Ceramic
Early 2000s European Classical Roman Sculptures
Ceramic
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Marble
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Marble
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Marble
Early 2000s European Classical Roman Sculptures
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Classical Roman Sculptures
Cast Stone
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Classical Roman Sculptures
Cast Stone
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Classical Roman Sculptures
Cast Stone
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Classical Roman Sculptures
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Classical Roman Sculptures
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Classical Roman Sculptures
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Classical Roman Sculptures
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Classical Roman Sculptures
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Classical Roman Sculptures
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Ceramic, Plexiglass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Ceramic, Plexiglass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Marble
2010s American Classical Roman Sculptures
Ceramic
2010s Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Concrete, Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Classical Roman Sculptures
Glass, Art Glass
1960s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Sculptures
Ceramic
1940s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Sculptures
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Carrara Marble
2010s Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Terracotta
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Marble, Carrara Marble
1940s Vintage Classical Roman Sculptures
Ceramic
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Sculptures
Marble, Bronze
2010s Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Composition
21st Century and Contemporary Classical Roman Sculptures
Bronze
2010s French Classical Roman Sculptures
Iron
2010s French Classical Roman Sculptures
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Limestone
21st Century and Contemporary European Classical Roman Sculptures
Stone
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Classical Roman Sculptures
Ceramic
2010s French Classical Roman Sculptures
Iron
2010s French Classical Roman Sculptures
Iron
2010s Classical Roman Sculptures
Resin
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Classical Roman Sculptures
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary American Classical Roman Sculptures
Composition, Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Sculptures
Plaster