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
Bronze samovar with patina finish, large decorative piece, around 1880
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Bronze samovar with patina, large tour object, around 1880. The object is made of bronze with a patina, showing signs of oxidation and wear. The wooden handle is missing. The ins...
Bronze, Steel
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
Drunken Silenus, bronze with black patina after the Antique, around 1880
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Drunken Silenus, bronze with black patina after the Antique, around 1880
Bronze, Steel
Bronze bust depicting a philosopher after the Antique, 19th century, founder Lup
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Bronze bust representing a philosopher after the Antique, 19th century, caster Luppens Bronze bust representing a philosopher after the Antique, 19th century, caster Luppens & Co.
Steel
Wounded Amazon, bronze after the Antique, Barbedienne casting, 19th century
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Wounded Amazon, bronze after the Antique, Barbedienne casting, 19th century
Steel, 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
$2,550
H 28 in Dm 17 in
French Provincial 1880s Green Glazed Oblong Terracotta Jar with Weathered Patina
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Provincial green glazed terracotta jar circa 1880 with oblong body, nicely weathered appearance and small base. Add a touch of rustic charm to your space with this exquisite...
Terracotta
Large 20th Century Famille Verte Porcelain Decorative Piece
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Add a touch of traditional Chinese artistry to your space with this large 20th Century Famille Verte Porcelain Decorative Piece. This striking piece features a classic bottle shape a...
Porcelain
$4,000 / item
H 27.5 in W 7 in D 7 in
Rick Owens Swan Neck Vase, Black Patina Bronze, Modern Design, France
By Rick Owens
Located in Chicago, IL
The now iconic bronze swan neck vase from the Rick Owens bronze relic collection. This is shown in the black patina. Originally designed in 2012. Each br...
Bronze
$181 / item
H 9.45 in Dm 3.94 in
Handmade Cylindrical White Carrara Marble Vase with Black Marquina Marble Stripe
By Fiammetta V.
Located in Carrara, IT
Cylindrical white Carrara marble vase with bottom black Marquina marble stripe, made in Italy, Carrara. Each piece is in a way unique (since ...
Marble
$3,400 / item
H 6.75 in W 7.75 in D 7.5 in
Rick Owens Evase Vase, Handcrafted Bronze with Black Patina, France
By Rick Owens
Located in Chicago, IL
The iconic bronze Evase vase from the Rick Owens bronze relic collection. This is shown in the black patina. Each bronze is hand crafted in France and is signed. Can be used as vas...
Bronze
Large Japanese Antique Earthenware Jar with Dark Rustic Patina
Located in Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate-gun, Iwate Prefecture
An impressive large Japanese antique earthenware jar with a beautifully aged surface and a powerful, sculptural presence. Its generously rounded body, wide opening, and thick, softl...
Pottery
Handmade White Carrara Marble Utensil Holder
By Fiammetta V.
Located in Carrara, IT
White Carrara marble utensil holder, made in Italy, Carrara. Each piece is in a way unique (every marble block is different in veins and shades)...
Marble
Pair of Antique 19th Century Bronze Apulian Style Urns
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A pair of antique late 19th century bronze Apulian style urns. The Sienna marble base compliments the bronze twin scrolling handles and krater bowl above bodies depicting scenes of ...
Marble, Siena Marble, Metal, Bronze
$5,352
H 19.1 in Dm 22.05 in
Neoclassical basin in white Carrara marble, Italy, late 18th–early 19th century
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Neoclassical basin in white Carrara marble, Italy, late 18th–early 19th century
Marble
Antique Chinese Style Porcelain Vase Made in Italy, 20th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Antique 20th Century Chinese Style Porcelain Vase Made in Italy. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Decoration Type / Colour: Imari Japanese Style: Arita Region o...
Porcelain
An Antique French 19th Century Bronze Warwick Urn
Located in London, GB
The vase is made of bronze and features a large, bell-shaped body adorned with intricate reliefs. Its design includes classical motifs such as Bacchic (related to Bacchus, the god o...
Bronze
$1,594
H 20.87 in W 4.53 in D 4.73 in
Bronze sculpture depicting a bust of a satyr dating back to the 19th century ca.
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Bronze bust depicting a satyr, characterized by a marked theatrical and grotesque expressiveness. The face features a mocking smile with a slightly protruding tongue, while the obliq...
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Antique Chinese Carved Bronze Vase
Located in Pomona, CA
Very nice antique Chinese bronze vase decorated with a carved low relief idealized frieze with Chinese traditional forks art of Kin Lin sym...
Bronze
German Stoneware 5 Liter Crock, late 19th Century.
Located in Asaa, DK
German Stoneware 5 Liter Crock, late 19th Century. Large antique pickling jar from Germany late 19th or early 20th century. This traditional Westerwald...
Stoneware
Rick Owens Bronze Coupe Vase, Black Patina, Brutalist Design, France
By Rick Owens
Located in Chicago, IL
The now iconic bronze coupe vase from the Rick Owens bronze relic collection. This is shown in the black patina. Designed in 2012. Each bronze is signed. Can be used as vase or sculp...
Bronze
Italian Giltwood Obelisk by Florentia, Pair
By Florentia
Located in Denton, TX
Pair of 1960s Italian obelisk handcrafted in Italy with a combination of giltwood and glass also a hidden compartment on each one made by Florentia.
Glass, Wood