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.
18th Century Italian Roman Emperor Marble Bust
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautiful, albeit heavily distressed stone bust depicting an authoritarian man on a pedestal. Softly colored grey stone with many details intact including draping on tunic, eyes, bea...
Stone, Marble
Set of Four Mid-19th Century French Weathered Painted Iron Medici Vases
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant set of four 19th-century Medici vases were crafted in France circa 1860 and reflect the timeless grandeur of classical garden design. Made from cast iron, each vessel fe...
Iron
Julius Caesar bust in white Carrara marble
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Scultura, busto imperatore, busto Cesare, busto Giulio Cesare, busto romano antico, arte romana, arte classica, arte greca, busto, marmo bianco Carrara, scultura classica, marco Aure...
Marble
Grande Busto Caracalla scolpito su bellissimo marmo bianco (made in italy)
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Scultura, busto imperatore, busto Caracalla, busto marmo, busto romano antico, arte romana, arte classica, arte greca, busto, marmo bianco Carrara, scultur...
Marble
Pair of Medici Vases, Hand Painted Porcelain, French, 19th Century
Located in Lantau, HK
A pair of elegant vases finely painted with flowers and butterflies in brilliant colors, richly gilded on handles and base. Shipping included Free and fast delivery door to door ...
Porcelain
$895 / set
Vintage Bronze Soilder Statue - Set of 2
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This pair of cast metal knight figures exudes old-world grandeur, each standing tall in intricately detailed armor with a raised flag bearing a heraldic crest. Their mirrored stances...
Metal
White Carrara marble sculpture of Hannah and Samuel by F. Andrei. Inv. E.
Located in New York, NY
Depicting Hannah with draping robes holding Samuel in her left arm and placing a donation in a trunk with an engraved Menorah to its front, signed 'F. Andrei. Inv. E. Scolp. Roma 186...
Carrara 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...
Stone
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...
Carrara Marble
$13,000
Pair of Porcelain Candelabra
Located in Lantau, HK
Decorative with figures followers in relief. Porcelain hand painted, marked and the engraving 4611 12. Minor chips Shipping included Free and fast delivery door to door by air...
Porcelain
Large Stone Bust of Julius Ceasar
Located in Swadlincote, GB
A very good stone bust of Julius Ceasar, hollow inside and in overall very good condition. 24" high 25" wiide 15" depth You are welcome to view this item at our showroom, please p...
Cast Stone
Antique Giltwood Picture Frame, Classical Roman Style, France, 1790
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Antique, rich, perfect giltwood frame, suitable for painting or mirror. It's not necessary an ornamental frieze to place on top, but I have it (on request). The top part looks darker...
Fruitwood
$1,950 / set
Roman Terracotta Oil Lamps, Set of Four
Located in Bradenton, FL
Roman Terracotta Oil Lamps, Set of Four, used as an alternative to candles, dating between 1st and 2nd century A.D, one lamp probably later and 3r...
Terracotta
Red & White Byzantium Ceramic Vase Hand Painted Majolica Italy Contemporary
Located in London, GB
Bottega Vignoli, Byzantium vase, 2022, hand-painted maiolica fired in full-fire reduction firing 17cm x 37cm height. Unique piece. Bottega Vignoli, based in Faenza—the historic ...
Ceramic, Majolica
Large 19th Century Neoclassical Renaissance Revival Grand Tour Tazza
Located in New York, NY
19th century continental Grand Tour tazza in the Renaissance style exhibiting the finest design and casting with magnificent details including the profile of a distinguished gentlema...
Bronze
18th Century Roman Stone Hand-Carved Classical Warrior
Located in West Hollywood, CA
18th Century Classical Warrior Mounted Bust Hand-Carved Out of Solid Roman Stone Sourced from Rome, Italy by Martyn Lawrence Bullard
Stone
Light refractory ceramic female torso -made in Italy
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Classical-style female torso made on light refractory ceramic attached to Roman travertine stone base. Light-colored refractory clay is very durable and from appearance can be confus...
Ceramic
Antique Bronze Putti Sculptures on Siena Marble Base, Italy, 1880
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...
Marble, Bronze
Ancient Roman Head of Serapis in Alabaster
Located in BARCELONA, ES
21 cm with the stand. Provenance: Private collection, France. Serapis was a syncretic deity created in Ptolemaic Egypt and subsequently adopted throughout the Roman world. He combi...
Alabaster
1978 Gino Ruggeri Italian Alabaster Figural High Relief Wall Plaque Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful alabaster wall plate features a high relief sculpture commemorating the opera, Carmen. Made by hand in Tuscany, Italy by master sculptor Gino Ruggeri. Comes in the original...
Alabaster
19th Century Continental Iron and Gilt Pedestal Birdbath or Fountain
Located in Dallas, TX
Large and impressive 19th century Continental iron and parcel gilt fountain or birdbath. Beautiful detail and quality.
Iron
Italian Grand Tour Bronze Figure of the Augustus of Prima Porta by A. Messina
By A. Messina
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
An Italian Grand Tour patinated bronze figure of the Augustus of Prima Porta by A. Messina, Roma late 19th century The standing emperor holding a staff in his left hand, wearing mili...
Marble, Bronze
$316Sale Price / set|20% Off
French Set of Champleve Enameled Small Inkwell and Letter Opener
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a small bronze champleve enamel set of an inkwell and letter opener. Both of them depicts colorful hand painted flowers, “C” scrolls and foliages. The resting plate of the in...
Bronze
Green & Blue Byzantium Ceramic Vase Hand Painted Majolica Italy Contemporary
Located in London, GB
Bottega Vignoli, Byzantium vase, 2022, hand-painted maiolica fired in full-fire reduction firing 17cm x 37cm height. Unique piece. Bottega Vignoli, based in Faenza—the historic ...
Ceramic, Majolica
English 20th Century Stone Bust of a Greco-Roman Youth
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
English, early 20th century or very late 19th century, bust of a young male to add Greco-Roman classical beauty to any garden or art collection. The solid, reconstituted stone–a conc...
Stone
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
Mid-Nineteenth Century Italian Bronze Sculptures of Creugas and Damoxenes
Located in London, GB
Mid-nineteenth century Italian bronze sculptures of Creugas and Damoxenes after the eighteenth century original 'I Pugilatori' by Antonio Canova, set atop serpentine columns. Creuga...
Serpentine, Bronze
$6,120Sale Price|30% Off
Polychrome Marble Bust of a Roman Emperor, 20th Century
Located in Puglia, Puglia
A refined polychrome marble sculptural bust depicting a young Roman emperor, crafted with meticulous attention to detail and inspired by classical portraiture of antiquity. The head...
Marble, Breccia Marble, Carrara Marble
Bust of Carrera Marble and Honey Onyx
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Bust Roman Emperor, carrara marble and honey onyx.
Onyx, Marble
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
Sabatino De Angelis Fils Grand Tour Bronze Oil Lamp
By Sabatino De Angelis
Located in Sarasota, FL
Grand tour ancient Roman oil lamp. Signed and dated 1905 by Sabatino de Angelis et Fil. Stunning quality bronze work.
Bronze
Marble Head of an Elderly Man, likely Roman
Located in Greding, DE
Fragmentary Roman male head depicting an elderly man with a receding hairline, pronounced eyebrows, strong cheek structure, and deep facial wrinkles. Traces of original polychromy re...
Granite, Marble
$2,949Sale Price / item|20% Off
Byzantium Ceramic Vase Hand Painted Majolica Italy Contemporary 21st Century
Located in London, GB
Bottega Vignoli, Byzantium vase, 2022, hand-painted maiolica fired in full-fire reduction firing 17cm x 37cm height. Unique piece. Bottega Vignoli, based in Faenza—the historic ...
Ceramic, Majolica
$625
Alabaster Vase
Located in Miami, FL
Designed by Urban Art Home, offered is an amber-colored alabaster bud vase crafted in Tuscany, Italy. It measures approximately 8.25" in width, and is 5.125" tall, has an upper rim...
Alabaster
19th Century Italian Alabaster Group of Children Pushing a Cart
By Aristide Petrilli
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, Firenze....
Alabaster
Bisque Porcelain a Stature of Boy and Girl Reading a Book, French, 19th Century
Located in Lantau, HK
A 19th century French bisque sculpture of a stature of boy and girl reading a book. Biscuit porcelain with indistinct signature to base 'LIARD', Shipping included Free and fa...
Carrara Marble
$1,800 / set
David Foot Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Michelangelo David Foot Sculpture Art work at the Academia dal belle arte Venezia . sold as a set it was meant to be coffee table with the glass as a top . USA Continental in home de...
Gesso
$716Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century English Diminutive Parian Bust of Apollo Belvedere
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th century English diminutive Parian bust of apollo Belvedere, a well executed example, raised on a 3-inch diameter solace base. Unmarked.
Ceramic
Antique Handcrafted Terracotta Pitcher, Rustic Amphora Roman Style Clay Vessel
Located in Miami, FL
This charming clay pot is an excellent representation of Roman pottery, echoing the craftsmanship and aesthetic of ancient times. With its classic form and earthy clay composition, i...
Clay
1970s Set of Two Cenedese Style Blue and Gray Scavo Murano Glass Vases
By Cenedese
Located in Aci Castello, IT
Two Scavo Murano glass vases hand-crafted in Venice in the Seventies, 18 cm is the height of the other vase, they are in very good condition. Scavo glass is a type of glass that has...
Murano Glass
Large Antique NeoClassical Gold Color Bronze 6 arm Candle or Electric Chandelier
Located in Lisse, NL
Excellent quality and great looking, solid bronze chandelier. If you are looking for a truly remarkable and highly decorative fixture then this stunning and large size candle chande...
Bronze
Antique Hand-Carved Italian Lion Head Fountain Mask, Early 1900s
Located in Milano, MI
This antique stone mask was probably used in a fountain. It is a very decorative Italian antique object. The mask fits as decorative object on a bureau o...
Stone
Large Italian Glazed Terracotta Urn with Stylized Horse
By Urbino Workshop
Located in Houston, TX
Large Italian Glazed Terracotta Urn with stylized Horse. Italian glazed terracotta Urbino Maiolica style urn or vessel in muted colors with wel...
Terracotta
Mid-20th Century Italian Basalt Tazza
Located in Chicago, IL
This mid-20th century Italian basalt porcelain tazza is a refined study in classical elegance. With a wide, low bowl gracefully elevated on a turned foot, its proportions echo the ti...
Porcelain
Pair of Patinated Iron and Ebonized Metal PricketsCandleholders Torcheres
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of Roman Style Patinated Iron and Ebonized Metal Prickets. Patinated cast iron base. Measure 9" in diameter at the base and stand 42" tall. Accommodate large size candles.
Metal, Iron
$675 / set
Italian Male Bust Sculptures Grand Tour
By A. Santini
Located in New York, NY
A set of three (3) Italian male sculpture busts by R. Santini, in the classical Roman or Grand Tour design style, circa mid-20th century, Italy. This set of busts could be used for a library, office, etc., on a shelf, table, etc. Marked on bottom as shown in images. Dimensions L to R: Nerone: 4.63" Width x 6" Height Augusto: 4.13" Width x 5.75" Height Traiano: 4.63" Width x 6.19" Height Italian table, search ref. #: LU1314231162942 (SOLD.) For Corinthian capitol columns...
Composition
$4,916Sale Price|20% Off
Ancient roman Head of Eros, in white marble, circa A.D. 2nd - 3rd century
Located in York, GB
Provenance: Private collection, Belgium; Galerie Chenel, Paris; Private collection, London This beautiful little fragment was likely made for a larger relief sculpture, and is co...
Marble
$167Sale Price|20% Off
Antique hallm. historic French pewter candlestick candle holder chiseled garland
Located in Landshut, BY
historic French pewter candle holder Since ancient times, candlesticks have been made in this way. for a good reason :: it makes sense! chiseled garland Manufactured in Southern Fran...
Pewter
Petite Classical Roman Cast Bronze Putti Statuette
Located in Sheffield, MA
A 7 3/4" high small petite statue of a young male figure sculpture on 3" x 3" stand -- this 19th century Italian bronze putto is partially covered with a ...
Bronze
Stylish, Late 1800s Handmade Italian, Alabaster Column, Pedestal or Stand
Located in Lisse, NL
Wonderful Roman column for displaying a work of art. This piece is composed of eight stacked segments, forming a beautifully twisted column inspired by ancient Roman and Baroque des...
Alabaster
$1,980
Plaster Bust of Marianne
Located in Atlanta, GA
Marianne is the embodiment of the French Republic. Marianne represents the permanent values that found her citizens' attachment to the Republic: "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity".
Plaster
Richard Ginori Italian Porcelain Jewelry Dish in Gold and Green
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Italian porcelain dish by designer Richard Ginori with emerald green center and gold decorative edge detail, circa Mid-20th century or earlier, Italy. Colors include gree...
Porcelain
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
Ancient Roman Trapezophore of a satyr abducting a maenad
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Trapezophore of a Satyr abducting a Maenad Ancient Rome · 1st - 2nd century AD Marble Height 54 cm and 71 cm with the stand. Provenance: - Former private collection, United Kingd...
Marble
$3,360Sale Price / set|20% Off
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. ...
Lead
A 19th C. Italian Carrara Marble Statue of Dancing Faun by A. Frilli, Firenze
Located in New York, NY
A Life-Size Italian 19th Century Carrara Marble Statue of a Dancing Faun with Cymbals signed by A. Frilli, Firenze. This piece is after the original model by Massimiliano Soldani (I...
Carrara Marble
19th c. French Bronze Dancing Faun by Lequesne Eugène-Louis
By (after) Eugène-Louis Lequesne
Located in Wichita, KS
A 19th c. French bronze figure of a dancing faun by Eugène-Louis Lequesne. Hand-signed at the base Lequesne (1815-1887). Likely cast by the Gautieur foundry. Found in Paris. Dime...
Bronze
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...
Marble, Bronze
Unique Denmark Made Classical Roman Wall Clock with Sculptures and Flowers
Located in Lisse, NL
Tasteful and unique wooden wall clock with sculptural front. The magnificent front of this midcentury era wall clock is entirely hand carved out of solid wood. It is difficult to se...
Brass
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...
Marble, Bronze