Classical Roman Decorative Objects
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.
20th Century Indian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Bronze, Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Onyx, Marble
1980s English Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Ceramic
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Slate, Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble
Late 19th Century English Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Ceramic
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Onyx, Marble
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Stone, Marble, Carrara Marble
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Majolica
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Porphyry
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Limestone
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Ceramic
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Terracotta
1930s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Stoneware
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble, Carrara Marble
1940s French Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble
Mid-18th Century Unknown Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Blown Glass
2010s European Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble, Stone, Travertine
1940s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Porcelain
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
1850s French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
15th Century and Earlier Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble
Early 20th Century French Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Bronze
20th Century European Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Composition
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Carrara Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Composition
1860s Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Alabaster
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble
19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 20th Century European Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Stone
1920s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Terracotta
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Alabaster
1880s French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Iron
1920s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Art Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble, Steel
Early 20th Century European Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Terracotta
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble
1870s French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Bronze
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Terracotta
1960s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Terracotta
1960s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Plaster, Boxwood
Early 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Oak
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Alabaster, Breccia Marble, Carrara Marble
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Cast Stone
Early 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Stone
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble