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.
The Knife Grinder, a crouching figure sharpening a blade, Late 19th-century Neoc
Located in Honnelles, WHT
The Arrotino, crouching figure sharpening a blade, Neoclassical bronze on a yellow Sienna marble base, late 19th century
Bronze
$880Sale Price|25% Off
19th Century Hand-Carved Marble Bust of Woman, Roman Style, Italy
Located in Basildon, GB
19th Century Carved Marble Portrait of a Woman. Carved of reddish-brown coloured marble, shown in classical style, inserted into a bust of alabaster and fitted with a socle of dark g...
Marble
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...
Marble
Carved Painted and Gilt Wood Column Display Pedestal
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Carved painted and gilt wood column display pedestal The column is set on a square base, the central column is deeply reeded and supports a square platform top The column is in t...
Paint
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...
Glass
Women In The Antique, Bronzes, XIXth Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Antique women, two brown patina bronzes of women standing in draped dresses Wooden bases Patina wear (traces of old gilding) 19th century price for the set Height 30 and 28cm D...
Bronze
17th Century Spanish Faux Marble Cassetta Frame
Located in New York, NY
Handcarved and parcel-gilt Cassetta frame with deep red panels and faux marble segments in sea green.
Gold Leaf
Bronze Cupid Sculpture with Goose on Marble Base, Italian, 1910
Located in Montreal, QC
A figure of a nude, winged boy (Cupid), carrying a goose under his left arm. The source for this sculpture is a two-foot high bronze fountain figure...
Marble, Bronze
Mid-Century French Polished Iron Bust of Young "Bacchante" Female
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a shell or wine cellar with this elegant bust. Hand crafted in France circa 1970, and built of iron, the bust sits on an attached round base, and depicts a young female "Bac...
Iron
Jean Antoine Injalbert bronze 1882
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Wonderful bronze by Jean François Injalbert c 1882.
Bronze
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.
Bronze
Decorative Ceramic Bowl, Alexandre Kostanda, France c. 1948
Located in St Ouen, FR
Massive bowl with polychrome glazes and antique decoration. Born to Russian parents Alexandre Kostanda very quickly tried his hand at ceramics when his parents settled in Vallauris ...
Ceramic
$1,706Sale Price|25% Off
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...
Marble
Bacchus, Plaster Statue, France, circa 1930
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful old plaster statue, in the neoclassical spirit, representing young Bacchus. France, National Museums molding workshop, circa 1930.
Plaster
19th Century Roman Obelisks in Red and Green Marble, Classical Style
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century Roman Obelisks Red and Green Marble Unique piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Marble
19th Century Ebonized Plaster Bust of Marcus Tulles Cicero
Located in Stamford, CT
A Bust of Marcus Tulles Cicero, Roman Consul in 63 B.C. completed in ebonized plaster, circa 1880. Marcus Tullius Cicero was a Roman statesman, orator, lawyer and philosopher, who served as consul in the year 63 BC. He came from a wealthy municipal family of the Roman equestrian order, and is considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists. (Wikipedia) Provenance: Collection of Brigadier General Alfred Douglas Miller...
Plaster
Late 20th Century Vintage Horse Statue
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This bronze horse head sculpture features a strong, elongated form with expressive detailing in the mane and muzzle. The finish is aged with hints of patina, lending it a sense of ti...
Bronze
17th Century, Italian Ancient Carved Stone Bust of Roman Emperor
Located in IT
17th century, Italian ancient carved stone bust of Roman Emperor Measures: H 33 (with base) H 28.5 (sculpture only) x 25 x 7 cm. The ancient bust, in ...
Marble, Stone
Gilt Bronze Model of Ceres
Located in London, GB
A gilt bronze model of Ceres, Roman goddess of agriculture, modeled seated holding torch aloft in one hand and with a sheaf of wheat in the other, on plin...
Salviati Miniature Glass Tazza
Located in New York, NY
In 19th-century Venice, glassmaking studios were pokey little family affairs. The craft was passed on from father to son, and conducted in a studio, with an assistant or two, and per...
Glass
Antique Greco-Roman Soldier Sculpture / Vase
Located in New York, NY
Very unique antique (19th century) continental figurative sculpture or centerpiece with shallow vase at center depicting Roman soldiers. 17 1/2 inches tall and 7 inches across. App...
Bronze
Fine Large 19th Century Continental Bronze Bust Depicting a Roman Dignitary
Located in Dallas, TX
Fine Continental Roman style bronze bust, late 19th century, depicting a curly haired and bearded young man wearing classical drapery pinned on his l...
Bronze
Antique Carved Wood Classical Sculpture
Located in London, GB
A beautiful and very unusual antique sculpture, carved from solid wood. This looks like it is most likely Italian, it depicts an intimate scene from biblical times. It is hard to dat...
Wood
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...
Marble, Ormolu
Classical Faux Marble Roundel with a Mask
Located in London, by appointment only
An extremely well-made copy of a classical mask after the antique, the face shown in high relief within a dished background and a border of Greek Key with discs to the four sides. No...
Resin
19th Century Bronze Bust of Young Emperor in Classical Roman Style
Located in Roma, IT
19th century bronze bust of young emperor. This object is shipped from Italy. Under existing legislation, any object in Italy created over 70 years ago by an artist who has died re...
Bronze
Roman travertine cup classic style -made in Italy
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Travertine cup, antique classical cup, sculpture, marble, marble furniture, marble fruit holder, white marble cup, marble cup , Roman travertine cup ,Carrara, classical cup. Classica...
Travertine
Bust of Egyptian pharaoh carved on white Carrara marble
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Sculpture, Egyptian bust, ancient bust, pharaoh bust, Roman art, classical art, Greek art, bust, white Carrara marble, classical sculpture, ancient sculpture, ancient bust, made in I...
Marble
Antique Patinated Bronze Figure of Roman Emperor by Mathurin Moreau
Located in London, GB
This fine, full length figure is modelled in the contrapposto pose, a position originating from ancient Greek Classical sculpture. The visual arts uses the term 'contrapposto' to des...
Bronze
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...
Marble, Belgian Black Marble, Bronze