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.
Roman Glass Bottle, Late Classical Period, 3rd Century AD
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An extremely rare specimen, this tall cylindrical glass bottle has few known counterparts in the Roman world. The tall slender body, short sloping shoulder, and relatively long tape...
Glass
Roman Period Blue Glass Bottle, 2nd to 3rd Century AD
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This exquisite blue-green glass flask from the Roman period features a stunning and varied surface due to the extensive time it spent underwater. Being a shipwreck piece, it has dev...
Glass
Classical Style Iridescent Glass Bottle
Located in New York, NY
Classical style glass bottle on lucite stand Lucite base holder Measures. 3.4" x 4.2" x 1.8"L.
Blown Glass
Roman 100-400 AD Ancient Greenish Glass Swirled Sprinkler Flask In Perfect Shape
Located in Miami, FL
Ancient Roman glass flask bottle. An stupendous ancient glass flask, created during the Roman imperial period, between the 100 to 400 AD. Crafted in blown bi-color glass with spirals and swirled decorations. Measures: Height of 5.25 inches and a base diameter of 3 inches (133 mm by 76 mm). Ancient Roman Glass A large part of the ancient glass work repertoire was designed for table use, in particular for carrying and serving water and wine at banquets. Jugs, one of the most frequently used containers, existed in various dimensions (the smaller examples would contain condiments, the largest ones beverages) and shapes: a spherical or more elongated body, a flat or higher, molded base, a trefoil-shaped or circular and elaborate mouth. This example can certainly be dated to the Late Roman period because of the pale, greenish hue of the glass, the simple form of the base, wide mouth, indented rim and especially the presence of the spiraling patterns in low relief which are clearly visible on the body, having appeared as an ornament in glass work from the 4th century onward. Provenance: Saint Louis Museum Missouri, ascension date 1960, acc no 59.87; T.K. Asian antiquities gallery, Williamsburg Virginia; purchased by James & Nancy Markell, Virginia 1980; by descent to Lauren Markland, Fort Lauderdale, FL.; acquired in Palm Beach, FL. in March 7, 2020. Note: Similar examples are in collections of the british museum in london and the metropolitan museum of new york city. Note: It is perfect condition with light natural iridescent, with no cracks or previous repairs. Condition: The overall condition of this ancient bottle...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Murano Glass Jewel Tone Sommerso Style Round Perfume Bottle
Located in Troy, MI
New Murano glass round perfume bottle features heavy, clear class with sommerso-style jewel-toned layers of fuchsia, violet and berry. Top has a scent...
Murano Glass
Pair of Glass Bottles in Fish Shape
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
circa 1970. We offer this pair of glass bottles in fish shape.
Art Glass
Original Antique (3rd Century AD) Roman Carved Agate Intaglio
Located in Highwood, IL
Intaglio is a technique which dates back to antiquity and is still in use today. Images are carved or engraved in gemstones leaving a hollow impression in the untouched background. T...
Agate
21st Century Blown Glass "Dafne Bottle"
By [1+2=8], Andrea Barra
Located in Milano, IT
Yes, it's true, it's a bottle, a decanter, but it is also an excuse to embellish the table, a even if you only load it with water, the "twisted" processing of the glass, gives ...
Murano Glass, Blown Glass
Roman Marble Trapezophorus circa 1st-2nd Century A.D
Located in Madrid, ES
A Roman marble trapezophorus in the Form of a Barbarian Dacian young figure. Circa 1st-2nd century A.D. Measure: height 24 1/4 inches (62 cm). Property from Mr. Radu Moldovan, Skokie, Illinois Provenance: B.C. Holland Gallery...
Marble
$462 / set
H 5.91 in Dm 3.75 in
Pair of Murano Glass Scavo Vases in Ancient Roman Style, Italy, Mid-Century
By Cenedese Scavo, Franco Moretti, Archimede Seguso, Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Cenedese
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This elegant pair of Murano glass vases showcases the renowned Scavo technique, lending them an aged, ancient Roman look. Crafted by skilled Italian artisans, the surface of each vas...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Ancient Roman Bronze Herm on Stand, 1st-4th Century AD
Located in Bradenton, FL
Ancient Roman Bronze Herm Statue dating from the 1st to 4th Century A.D. A herm was a statue consisting of a a head atop a square pillar, originally an artifact to honor the god Herm...
Bronze
Loetz Silberiris Candia Iridescent Twin Handled Glass Vase
By Loetz Glass
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Stylish Bohemian Silberiris Candia iridescent glass vase with brown handles by Johann Loetz Witwe and dating from around 1900. The simply shaped vase ref PN 85/5151 in the Loetz cata...
Blown Glass
Joe Cariati Angelic Glass Bottle Grouping, 2024
By Joe Cariati
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary American glass artist Joe Cariati's Angelic Glass Bottle Grouping, consisting of seven pieces, is quintessentially modern in both function and style, showcasing a purity...
Blown Glass
$8,293
H 15.95 in Dm 12.21 in
Hadra Hydria (Water Jar). Ancient Greek, 3rd century BC. Pottery. 40.5 cm.
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Hadra Hydria (Water Jar) Greek 3rd century BC Pottery 40.5 cm high; 31 cm wide Condition: Good state of preservation. Provenance: Private collection, Paris, France. Documentat...
Pottery
$14,216
H 14.97 in W 8 in D 0.99 in
Fragment of an Oscillum. Ancient Roman, 1st–2nd century AD. Marble. 38 cm.
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Fragment of an Oscillum Roman 1st–2nd century AD Marble 38 cm high, 20.3 cm long and 2.5 cm thick; 42.5 cm high including the stand. Condition: Preserves approximately half of t...
Marble
Loetz “Titania” Art Nouveau Green Iridescent Glass Vase with Silver Overlay
By Loetz Glass
Located in Miami, FL
Loetz “Titania” Art Nouveau Green Iridescent Glass Vase with Silver Overlay, Art Nouveau Loetz “Titania” Iridescent Green Glass Vase, Silver Overlay Deco...
Glass, Art Glass
Roman Period Tall Glass Perfume Bottle
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This charming perfume vessel with layered patina has survived the centuries with its beauty intact. The flattened body rises to a long and graceful cylindrical neck with an everted r...
Glass
1950s Atmospheric Blue Planet Scavo Thin Neck Murano Cenedese Bottle
By Cenedese
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful earth in a bottle; a tall rare-form Cenedese bottle, excellent condition, without damage.
Glass
Large Ancient Roman Green Glass Vessel, 250 AD
Located in London, GB
A large ancient Roman green glass Amphora from the Near East, dating to the 3rd century AD. Free blown and sitting on a slightly indented base, ...
Blown Glass
Ancient Roman Glass Bottle, 150 AD
Located in London, GB
An elegant ancient Roman glass bottle, dating to the 2nd century AD. The rounded body rises into a tall, cylindrical neck, with collared li...
Glass
Ancient Roman Heavy Glass Bottle, 250 AD
Located in London, GB
A heavy ancient Roman glass bottle, exhibiting stunning iridescence, dating to the 2nd - 3rd century AD. A thick walled glass bottle, of ...
Glass
Roman Glass Sprinkler Flask, 200 AD
Located in London, GB
An ancient Roman sprinkler flask, dating circa 200 AD. Mold blown, the globular body with a pleasing net pattern, the short cylindrical neck constricted at the bottom, with flarin...
Blown Glass
Ancient Roman Glass Jug, 200 AD
Located in London, GB
A fine and beautifully preserved Roman glass jug, dating to the first-second century AD. Free blown, with rounded body, curved shoulders, cylindrica...
Blown Glass