Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
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.
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Murano Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Onyx, Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Onyx, Marble
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Clay, Earthenware
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Marble, Bronze
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Majolica
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
Mid-18th Century Unknown Antique Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Blown Glass
15th Century and Earlier Cypriot Antique Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Limestone
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Terracotta
18th Century English Antique Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
2010s Israeli Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Blown Glass
1920s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Terracotta
Mid-19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Iron
1920s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Murano Glass
1960s German Vintage Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
2010s Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Resin
20th Century American Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Swedish Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Murano Glass
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Terracotta, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Majolica, Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Marble
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Art Glass, Blown Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Earthenware, Majolica
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Clay
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Majolica
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Earthenware, Majolica
19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Bronze
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Iron
1870s French Antique Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Earthenware, Majolica
1950s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Pottery
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Alabaster
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Earthenware, Majolica
1970s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Art Glass, Glass
1950s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1950s German Vintage Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1920s Japanese Vintage Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Brass, Enamel
Early 20th Century French Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Bronze
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Art Glass
Mid-19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Iron
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Marble
20th Century Unknown Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Granite
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Marble
1990s Italian Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Carrara Marble
15th Century and Earlier North African Antique Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Clay
Early 20th Century Unknown Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Cement
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Earthenware, Majolica
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Travertine
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Silver
Early 1900s American Antique Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Earthenware, Majolica