Classical Roman Decorative Objects
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
After the Antique, Grand Tour Bronze of Aristotle
Located in Montreal, QC
The philosopher in oratorical pose, with an urn of his writings at his feet.
A 19th century casting, good crisp quality on marble base.
Category
1850s Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
17th Century Marble Bust of Man
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, be...
Category
17th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
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, Firenze....
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Alabaster
Ancient Large Wooden Wing on Iron Base
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
An angel lost a wing... and I picked it up for Christmas time...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Fruitwood
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
Nice Pair of 7ft Bronze Classical Maidens
Located in London, GB
Large Pair of Bronze Classical Maidens Holding A Urn
These originally were part of a Fountain
But could be used as Free Standing Sculptures and Wired to a Fountain
Category
20th Century Unknown Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Bronze Tazza Dish by Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A Roman-classical style decorative bowl, cast in bronze, brown patinated finish. This antique coupe is signed by Ferdinand Barbedienne (France, 1810-1892). In the center a depiction ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Sculpture Woman in Bronze and Marble Guss Wollenbergu Schuttz
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Sculpture Woman in Bronze and Marble
Guss Wollenbergu Schuttz
We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Maestro Imperio Rossi, Vintage Murano Millefiori Art Glass Vase, 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
Dimensions:
Height 18-3/4 inches
Diameter 8-3/4 inches
Found in the middle section of the vase’ neck, there is a round glass medallion with letter “m”, indented into it for Maestro Imperio Rossi...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Byzantium Vase Hand Painted Ceramic Italy Contemporary 21st Century Majoilica
Located in London, GB
Byzantium Vase 2024, full-fire reduction faience earthenware (majolica) 28 cm diameter x 36 cm height hand painted unique piece.
Bottega Vignoli is a brand of artistic ceramics ba...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Earthenware, Majolica
Emperor Hadrian bust in various precious marbles -made in Italy
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Sculpture, emperor bust, Hadrian bust, Hadrian polychrome bust, ancient Roman bust, Roman art, classical art, Greek art, bust, white Carrara marble, classical sculpture, ancient scul...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Carrara Marble
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
Pair of Porcelain Blue Cachepots by Vieux Paris, 19th Century Classical Motif
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is an unusual pair of 19th century decorative hand-painted porcelain cachepots with hand-painted classical bust decoration made by Vieux Paris / Old Paris. Molded "Bamboo" faux ...
Category
1870s French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Sculpture Bust Roman Emperor White and Red Marble
Located in Tivoli Terme, Roma
The sculpture realized by a Roman sculptor as from the Roman academy tradition, is carved with two marbles.
Gaius Iulius Caesare formally known as Cesare was a Roman general and statesman who played a critical role in the events that led to the demise of the Roman Republic...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
Marble Roman relief representing a Christogram
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Marble Roman relief representing a Christogram
Roman relief - 4th century
25 x 22 x 8 cm
Provenance :
Collection of the Château de B. À Nevers by Georges C.S., scholar born in 1833 and deceased in 1909
The entire castle and its collections were acquired in 1938 by the current owners of the estate
A christogram is a monogram or combination of letters that forms an abreviation for the name of Jesus Christ.
This rare fragment combines chi (X) and rho (P), the first two letters of Christ's name in Greek and it is one of the oldest and most popular early christian symbol. The monogram of Christ, or chrismon, is also a powerful symbol of imperial victory: it appeared to Emperor Constantine the Great before his battle against Maxentius in ad 312, promising victory in the name of Christ. In Plato's Timaeus, it is explained that the two bands which form the "world soul" (anima mundi...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
Large Classical Bronze 'By the Sword and Plow', by Boisseau
Located in Brighton, Sussex
Emile Andre Boisseau (1842-1923, France) bronze sculpture of a man wearing a fur loin cloth, he holds a sword in one hand and leans beside a farmer’s plow;...
Category
1880s French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Antique Grand Tour Ornately Cast 'The Dying Gaul' Italian Bronze Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This very ornately cast bronze sculpture is unsigned, but presumed to have been done in Italy in approximately 1900, in the Classical Roman style. This figurative study depicts the famous Classical Roman sculpture known as 'The Dying Gaul...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Plaster Skinned Anatomical Figure, circa 1900s, Ellegible Signature
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Plaster Skinned Anatomical Figure, circa 1900s, Ellegible Signature
Category
Early 20th Century Andorran Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Plaster
Mid Century Cast Limestone Sculpture Bust Of A Roman Emperor Possibly Caesar
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous cast limestone sculpture bust of a Roman dignitary, possibly Caesar or Augustus. Great detailed casting of stone with an angled pose in typical Roman garb. Fantastic hair! P...
Category
1920s American Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Cast Stone, Limestone
18th century Venus de’ Medici Bronze Bust
Located in Stockholm, SE
An 18th century Venus de’ Medici bronze bust, mounted on a later 19th century marble base. It has a beautiful rich slightly worn dark brown patina. Venus...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
Tiffany Studios Bronze Italian Style Urn “From the Antique” Series early 1900s
Located in Glenford, NY
Rare Very Fine Tiffany Studios Classical Roman Style Urn. Made in approximately 1908 as part of their “From the Antique” series. The series number is S113 and 1609 is marked on the ...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
French Terracotta Sculpture of a Classical Male
Located in Houston, TX
French terracotta sculpture of a classical male.
This stunning French terra cotta sculpture of a classical Roman male is expertly executed ...
Category
1920s French Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta, Wood
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Lead
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...
Category
19th Century German Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
A fine 19th century French signed bronze of Victory. Parcel gilt details .
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine 19th century French bronze depicting Victory. Signed with beautiful details and parcel gilt sword and wreath.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Greco Roman Marble Head of a Woman On Stand
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century marble head of a Roman Woman on a black wooden stand. A well modeled carved head with details of eyes, nose and lips, as well as a fine braid of hair pulled up across he...
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
French 19th Century Clock Set with Roman Centurion and Candelabra
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th century French gilded ormolu and green marble clock garniture. Having a pair of four branch candelabra with classical busts to t...
Category
19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Rare Antique Classical Roman Bronze & Glass Inkstand with Crystal Glass Inkwell
Located in Lisse, NL
Stylish, rare and mint condition bronze, brass and glass desk piece.
This completely original inkstand dates from the late 19th century and it has a large number of striking Roman...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Bronze
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...
Category
Early 20th Century French Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Clay
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Carrara Marble
Italian Carved Marble Boar Sculpture
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Carved Marble Boar Sculpture.
We offer a well carved copy of the original Italian marble boar sculpture located in Florence Italy. This version...
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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...
Category
1850s French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Pewter
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 ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Alabaster
Moses Michelangelo Vintage Statue Sculpture Alabaster Resin 27cm
Located in Poperinge, BE
Vintage statue, sculpture of the famous Moses by Michelangelo, a beautiful and correct representation of the famous statue from Rome, made of alabaster powder and resin, cast resin, ...
Category
1960s European Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Alabaster
21st Century Studio Irvine Betti Concrete Stool in Brick Red Cement Handmade
Located in Rome, Lazio
Surrealism, primitivism, metaphysics and brutalism. Art together with architecture and design build a scenario of inspirations and continuous references through which the material ri...
Category
2010s Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Concrete, Metal
Bisque Porcelain Couple with Grapes, 19th Century French Sèvres
Located in Lantau, HK
A 19th century French Sèvres biscuit porcelain figurine of a couple seated in the garden. The gentleman is feeding grapes to the lady, whose l...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Carrara Marble
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Italian White Glazed Porcelain Urn Vase Glased Porcelain by Bassano, circa 1930
By Bassano
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Italian White Glazed Porcelain Urn Vessel or Vase Glased Porcelain by Bassano, circa 1930.
Category
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
19th Century Framed Relief Sculpture, Inspired by the style of Clodion
Located in NICE, FR
This large plaster relief was inspired by Claude Michel Clodion's fresco and was crafted in the workshops of the Louvre Museum in Paris in the lat...
Category
19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Plaster
17th Century Set Of Venetian Bronze Door Handles On Wooden Stands
Located in Bradenton, FL
Set of four 17th century Venetian bronze door handles, set on ebonized wooden stands. Each handle is a original of a bronze bust of an ancient Italian man affixed to a square wooden ...
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Mid-century vintage white and gold German porcelain classical urn/vase
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a handsome large mid-century vintage white and gold German porcelain urn. This urn features a 22 karat gold glaze to the handles and around the base with a white glaze to the...
Category
1950s German Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Torso maschile classico in marmo bianco di Carrara scultoreo -made in Italy
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Scultura, Torso maschile, arte classica, arte greca, Torso, marmo bianco Carrara, scultura classica, torso antico
Torso maschile scolpito su bellissimo marmo bianco di Carrara, model...
Category
1990s Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
A Plaster Bust of Seneca
Located in Atlanta, GA
Roman philosopher Lucius Annaeus Seneca the Younger, usually known as Seneca, was a Stoic philosopher of Ancient Rome, a statesman, dramatist, and in one work, satirist, from the pos...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Plaster
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
Large Lion Sculpture in Glazed Terracotta, Romanesque Style, Early 20th Century
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Majestic large lion sculpture in white glazed earthenware, crafted in the early 20th century and reflecting an exquisite Romanesque style. This pi...
Category
Early 20th Century European Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
Gilt Bronze Statuette of the Belvedere Antinous, Italian, 19th Century
Located in Miami Beach, FL
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Busto imperatore romano Adriano - materiale composito polvere marmo
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Busto di Adriano imperatore romano.
realizzato con impasto di polvere di marmo e resina poliestere, detto marmo ricostituito.
dall'aspetto , molto simile al vero marmo, solo un poco ...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Other
Mid century vintage hand-painted Italian pottery urn with lid.
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid century vintage hand painted pottery urn with lid. This hand painted classical Italian urn has beautiful tones of chocolate brown, Amber and cream. This urn with lid wa...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
sculpture of Roman woman with tunic and stole in white Carrara marble- made Italy
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Roman woman sculpture, marble sculpture, Roman matron sculpture, Roman matron sculpture with tunic and stole
carved on white Carrara marble
original sculpture made in Italy
The weigh...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Carrara Marble
Roman Style Solid Marble Bust
Located in Countryside, IL
Roman style solid marble bust
This bust measures: 15 wide x 10 deep x 23 inches high
This piece is in Great Vintage Condition with minor marks,...
Category
20th Century American Classical Roman Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
Classical Roman decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Classical Roman decorative objects 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 decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, building and garden elements, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with stone, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Classical Roman decorative objects 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 decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, LAGU, F. Barbedienne Foundry, and Bottega Vignoli. 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 decorative objects 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 $2,800.
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