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.
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...
Clay
Italian Majolica Pharmacy Jar
Located in Bradenton, FL
Late 18th century Italian Majolica Polychrome Pharmacy Jar or Albarello, dated 1777. These jars were use in apothecaries to hold medicinal herbs, powders...
Majolica
$8,561Sale Price|20% Off
Giara in argento 800 massiccio in stile "pompeiano"
Located in VALENZA, IT
Grande giara in argento massiccio 800. La forma è tonda e panciuta nella parte centrale mentre si stringe più nettamente verso la "bocca" del vaso. Sul corpo sono stati eseguiti sba...
Silver
$1,950 / set
Roman Terracotta Oil Lamps, Set of Four
Located in Bradenton, FL
Roman Terracotta Oil Lamps, Set of Four, used as an alternative to candles, dating between 1st and 2nd century A.D, one lamp probably later and 3r...
Terracotta
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.
Porcelain
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...
Pottery
Mid-century vintage cobalt blue and gold Italian porcelain jars
Located in Allentown, PA
Presenting a pair of exceptional Italian porcelain jars with lids. This pair of jars have a deep cobalt blue glaze with cream and gold accents. This fine pair of porcelain jars were ...
Porcelain
Pompei Moon Jar Hand Painted Ceramic Italy Contemporary 21st Century Majoilica
Located in London, GB
Pompei moon jar, 2024, full-fire reduction faience earthenware (majolica) 30 cm diameter, hand painted unique piece. Bottega Vignoli is a brand of artistic ceramics based in Faenza, one of the most representative ceramic production centres in Italy. Founded in 1976 by sisters Saura and Ivana, Bottega Vignoli stands out for its limited production, accurate details and skilful experimentation resulting in stunning unique and one of a kind pieces. Their style is immediately recognizable and expressly follows the path...
Ceramic, Earthenware, Majolica
Pair of Sevres Hand Painted Turquoise Porcelain Lidded Urns
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a pair of Sevres hand painted porcelain turquoise lidded urns. Both of them are depicting in the front a sea shore fishermen scenes. In one, a group of fishermen are preparing a sailboat and in the other one, they are pulling the net. The back are adorned with some gilt fishing tools and baskets with foliages. Both scenes are golden framed with scrolls of acanthus and flowers beside them. Gilt white concave long oval shaped rings alternated with gilt foliages and shamrocks decorate the necks of the urns. The same pattern are repeated in the lids, but no white color in the center. The bell shaped lids ended with pinecones finials. A mix of scrolls and Greek keys serve as handles. The round bases are also decorated with gilt foliages. The Sevres hallmark appears in the lids and below the bases. One of the urn’s painting...
Porcelain
A "Grand Tour" Cast Iron Etruscan Vase/Urn
Located in Sheffield, MA
A “Grand Tour” Cast Iron Etruscan Vase 19th Century Depicting classical Greek figures, with ring handles with a leaf motif on each side. Height 20 in. Vas INV. 9
Iron
Italian Silver Neoclassical Lidded Urn
Located in New York, NY
Italian Silver Neoclassical Lidded Urn. Italian neoclassical sterling silver urn form zucchiera. Handles with foliate terminals and lid with a...
Sterling Silver
19th Century Neoclassical Bronze Dore Urn Signed F. Levillain
Located in Savannah, GA
19th century neoclassical signed bronze doré urn with handles and adorned with elaborate roman scenes. Signed stamped F. Levillain. Ferdinand Levillain...
Bronze
Rare Set of 4 Large English Antique Terracotta Garden Urns
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of 4 large scale English antique terracotta garden urns or planters by Lambton Firebrick and Sanitary Pipe Works circa 1910. To find four huge 100-year-old antique terracotta planters...
Terracotta
Urn Vase Marble Gray, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Urn marble gray, Sweden. An urn or vase made in marble in Sweden, 20th century.
Marble
$340 / item
H 13 in Dm 5 in
Handmade Ceramic Vase #800 in Burgundy Glaze with Burgundy Cotton Fringe Detail
Located in Proctorsville, VT
Vase #800 by Karen Gayle Tinney Hand formed stoneware with burgundy glaze. Burgundy cotton braided details. Inside is glazed, the vessel will hold water. 13”H x 5”W Karen Gayle Ti...
Ceramic, Cotton
$161
H 1.58 in W 11.03 in D 4.73 in
Scatola in Legno Nargento, xx Seco, Argento Smaltato, Argenteneria Ottaviani
Located in Milano, MI
scatola in legno nargento - xx seco - argento smaltato - argenteneria ottaviani. Dettagli Condizione Usato - Come nuovo Paese di origine it Periodo di tempo 1950 scatola in...
Silver
$2,867Sale Price|20% Off
H 18.12 in W 14.97 in D 12.21 in
Spanish Large Terracotta Water Jar / Pitcher / Vessel
Located in Barcelona, ES
Andalusian Hand-made terracotta two-handled water jar, Spain, 1880s-1930s. Traditional spanish terracotta jar / pitcher. Unglazed exterior and interior with handles at both sides. Us...
Ceramic, Earthenware, Terracotta
Very Good 19th Century Grand Tour Bronze Urn
Located in Hudson, NY
A finely cast and patinated bronze urn decorated in high relief with classical figures and reeded handles attached with bearded mask.
Bronze
Pair of Cast Iron Campana Form Garden Urns on Stands
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand pair of early 20th century English Campana form garden urns or planters raised on pedestal stands. The pair feature cast iron construction with ne...
Iron
$5,620 / set
H 36.62 in W 13.78 in D 13.78 in
Onyx Marble Vases Life-size Pair Classical Urns Circa 1960
Located in Cheltenham, GB
Life-size pair of green and red onyx turned polished vases, the rolling rims above slender baluster form terminating in circular bases. The onyx vases are carved from single blocks o...
Stone, Onyx, Marble
Unglazed Roman Style Clay Pot with Handles, Decorative Pots
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...
Earthenware, Clay
White and Gilt Capodimonte Porcelain Urns with Lids and Putti Decoration
By Capodimonte
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of white and gilt hand painted Capodimonte classical urns with lids on a tapering square base. The urns have Classic scrolled handles and are decorated on the bodies with raised...
Porcelain
Turkish Terracotta Olive Jar or Garden Urn
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A large turkish terracotta olive pot with great patina. This beautiful piece can be used as a garden ornament or planter, for indoor and outdoor use.
Terracotta
Sold
H 13.78 in W 13.78 in D 13.78 in
Ceramic Vase by Bottega Vignoli Hand Painted Italian Majolica Contemporary
Located in London, GB
Cassettoni moon jar, full-fire reduction faience earthenware 35 cm diameter, unique piece, 2020. Bottega Vignoli is a brand of artistic ceramics based in Faenza, one of the most r...
Ceramic, Earthenware, Majolica
Sold
H 13.78 in W 13.78 in D 13.78 in
Ceramic vase by Bottega Vignoli Hand Painted Glazed Earthenware Italian Majolica
Located in London, GB
Parallelepipedal moon jar, full-fire reduction faience earthenware, 2017 35cm diameter, hand-painted unique piece. Bottega Vignoli is a brand of artistic ceramics based in Faenza,...
Ceramic
Italian Glazed Pottery Vessel after Giuseppe Arcimboldo
By Giuseppe Arcimboldo
Located in Houston, TX
Italian glazed pottery lidded vessel or jar in the style of Giuseppe Arcimboldo, 16th century Italian painter. The colorful bust sculpture is adorn...
Antique Italian Olive Oil Jar in Wrought Iron Stand
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Cream ceramic, having a rustic textured ribbing to the body and twin handles, the whole fitted to a wrought iron tripod base. Condition: Chips to lower rim, other wise consistent wi...
Wrought Iron
Ancient Roman Encrusted Redware Amphora
Located in Soquel, CA
Encrusted Redware Amphora, Roman era 300 BC - AD 300, an ancient example of the storage and trade and ceramic vessels that occasionally fell to the base of the Mediterranean floor. T...
Clay