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.
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Terracotta
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Majolica, Ceramic
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Alabaster
1950s German Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Earthenware, Clay
19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Clay
Early 20th Century French Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 1900s German Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Bronze
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Stone, Bronze
Late 20th Century European Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Stone
17th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble
Mid-19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Iron
19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble
1870s French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Alabaster
17th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Alabaster
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1950s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1850s French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Pewter
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Art Glass
1950s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Pottery
1920s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble
19th Century English Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble, Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Early 1900s Belgian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Siena Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century Dutch Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Bronze
17th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Walnut
19th Century Unknown Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Terracotta
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Bronze
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble
1910s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Composition
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Walnut
1870s Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Bronze
1970s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Danish Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Brass
2010s Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Concrete, Metal
1860s French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Carrara Marble
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Plaster
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Other
1920s American Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Cast Stone, Limestone
1960s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Plaster
1990s Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Lead
1990s Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Marble
1950s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Plaster
Early 2000s European Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Alabaster
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Plaster