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.
Sculpture Woman in Bronze and Marble Guss Wollenbergu Schuttz
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Logistics and International Shipping We provide a comprehensive export service so that your only concern is enjoying your acquisition. • Door-to-Door Service: Pieces located in our A...
Marble, Bronze
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
$7,900
Alabaster Pedestal Bowl
Located in Miami, FL
Offered is an amber-colored chiseled alabaster pedestal bowl designed exclusively for Urban Art Home and made by an artisan in Italy. The bow...
Alabaster
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...
Marble
Vintage Boho Plaster Bust of Man
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Introduce a touch of old-world grandeur to your home with this striking vintage neoclassical bust. Inspired by classical Greco-Roman sculpture, this piece features a serene visage cr...
Plaster, Paint
Well-Carved Pair of Italian Romanesque Style Gray Painted Wooden Masks now Lamps
Located in San Francisco, CA
A well-carved and stylized pair of Italian Romanesque style gray painted wooden masks now mounted as lamps; each bearded face surrounded by thick curl...
Eros on Dolphin Made with Compressed Marble Powder, 'Medium', Museum Replica
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
Eros, who is considered the god of love in Greek mythology, also appears as a savior. It is not only a symbol of love, but also of everlasting creative reproduction. The original of the Eros bust is exhibited in the Ephesus Museum. The most important sculptures in world history are brought to your living spaces by lagu's special selection, using the best materials. Decorative sculpture is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Sculptures, busts, columns and reliefs, the originals of which are in various museums, are made with the technique of casting under vacuum with marble powder from the mold in accordance with the original. *The deformation and aging found in the original works are directly transferred to the works. *The Ephesus Museum is a museum located in the Ancient City of Ephesus and exhibits Ancient Greek and Roman artifacts. The museum was established in the ancient city of Ephesus in Izmir, with the aim of preserving the historical and cultural heritage of the ancient city. The Ephesus Museum displays artifacts from various periods, including Ancient Greek and Roman artifacts, ancient marble statues...
Marble
$3,550 / set
Pair of molossi dogs in green marble Alps
Located in Milano, IT
The pair consists of two reproductions that can be traced back to the Grand Tour period, thus between the late 18th and early 19th centuries, of a Molosso marble sculpture of Roman o...
Marble
Eros on Dolphin Made with Compressed Marble Powder 4.2" Small Museum Replica
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
Eros, who is considered the god of love in Greek mythology, also appears as a savior. It is not only a symbol of love, but also of everlasting creative reproduction. The original of ...
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
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 for the toga, where the white veins give movement and realism to the cloth. S...
Marble
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...
Marble
$15,160Sale Price|20% Off
An Italian Cast 19th Century Bronze Group Mother & Children Titled "La Tempête"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Fine Italian Cast 19th Century Bronze Group Titled "La Tempête" (The Tempest) Probably after Mathurin Moreau (French, 1822–1912), Cast by The Alessandro Nelli Foundry in Rome. The ...
Marble, 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
Large Pair of Italian Majolica Putti Candleholders
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Italian Majolica of golden haired putti, set on rocks beside and embracing acanthus detailed candleholder, resting on separate scroll cornered square base; both pieces of glazed terr...
Ceramic
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
Bust of Carrera Marble and Honey Onyx
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Bust Roman Emperor, carrara marble and honey onyx.
Onyx, Marble
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....
Alabaster
19th Century Young Emperor Bust
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
Bronze sculpture Marcus Aurelius
Located in Rome, IT
Description Bronze sculpture Marcus Aurelius. ADDITIONAL PHOTOS, INFORMATION OF THE LOT AND SHIPPING INFORMATION CAN BE REQUEST BY SENDING AN EMAIL. Indicative shipping costs in Ital...
Bronze
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
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...
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
Classic antique style cup -turned in white Carrara marble -made Italy
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Marble bowl, antique classical bowl, sculpture, marble, marble furniture, marble fruit bowl, white marble bowl, Carrara marble bowl, classical bowl. Classical-style cup hand-turned o...
Carrara Marble
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