Classical Greek Vases
CLASSICAL GREEK STYLE
There is rare surviving furniture from ancient Greece, yet this classical style has informed design for centuries. Interiors of houses in antiquity were minimal, with much of a room’s color coming from frescoes on the walls and mosaics on the floors. Classical Greek furniture was sparing but finely crafted and influenced by Egyptian furniture design through Mediterranean trade.
Furnishings of the period were usually made from local wood like cypress, cedar, oak and willow from ancient Greece’s plentiful forests, although some pieces were carved from marble, such as a 300–200 B.C. throne with lion legs and a curved back now at the Getty Villa. Comfort and clean lines characterized designs during the Classical era, the symmetry and thoughtful proportions reflecting the architecture of Greek temples.
Some pieces of ancient Greek furniture were simple, rectangular platforms like the klinē, a multipurpose ancestor of today’s couches or daybeds that held cushions stuffed with wool, dry grass or down. These structures were used for both sleeping and dining, which wealthy Greeks did while reclining. At night, oil lamps illuminated rooms that frequently surrounded a garden courtyard.
Most of what scholars have learned about Greek furniture design owes to its representations in art like vases and stelae. The portable diphros stool, with its backless design and four turned legs, was one of the more common types of seating in daily Greek life — it appears as such for the gods on the Parthenon frieze. Stools without backs have been found in early Roman tombs, while benches were also common Greek seating furniture created for use in theaters. In houses of the Hellenistic period, benches seemingly functioned as tables, too.
Some designs evolved through adaptations by the Romans, including the klismos chair. After prominent archaeological excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum, the klismos chair — with its four saber legs and the elegant curves that define its back — was a source of inspiration for aesthetics in eras ranging from 18th-century neoclassicism to 20th-century Art Deco.
Find a collection of Classical Greek decorative objects, wall decorations and building and garden elements on 1stDibs.
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Style: Classical Greek
Early 20th Century Italian Set Of Three Decorative Etruscan Style Lekythos Vases
Located in London, GB
This is a magnificent set 3 of highly decorative early 20th Century Etruscan style vases also known as black-figure pottery painting. Figures and o...
Category
Early 1900s Italian Antique Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Goddess Artemis. Stamno. From the series Gynaeceum
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Goddess Artemis. Stamno, 2023 Paloma Castello
From the series Gynaeceum
Hand painted ceramic
Height : 40 cm
Width : 30 cm
Opening Width: 26.2 cm
Base Width: : 20 cm
Gineco (Gyn...
Category
2010s Colombian Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
A Pair of Patinated Bronze Vases by Ferdinand Barbedienne, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A pair of patinated bronze vases by Ferdinand Barbedienne, 19th century.
A pair of patinated bronze vases by Ferdinand Barbedienne in the taste of Ancient Greece.
H: 57cm, D: 26cm
Category
19th Century French Antique Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Bronze
Antique Amphora in Classical Greek Style
Located in Kastrup, DK
Decorative Amphora with handles in the style after the Greek classical period.
The vase is done in black painted cast iron with yellow decorations, one side depicts a classical Gree...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Iron
Vintage Ceramic Vase with Brown Bulls and Bands
Located in Grythyttan, SE
With inspiration from ancient greek pictorial style vases, this beige vase is decorated with bulls and bands in brown paint. The band ornamentations with two bands, twisted bands and...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Ancient Greek 350BC South Sicily Campanian Black Terracotta Handled Kylix Vase
Located in Miami, FL
A Ancient Greek Kylix vase.
Campanian ancient Greek red terracotta stemless kylix (drinking cup) with two handles. from the Magna Grecia period. Made between the 350-300 BC in the G...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Greek Antique Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Earthenware, Terracotta
Danish 19th Century Ancient Greek Style Cast Iron Vase
Located in Kastrup, DK
Cast iron vase in the ancient style. Black, red and burnt orange decorations.
In original and untouched condition with beautiful patina consistent with age and use.
Very decorative...
Category
Late 19th Century Danish Antique Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Metal
Ancient Greek Attic Pyxis Cosmetics Box
Located in London, GB
A rare Colonial Greek or Etruscan Attic black-figure Pyxis
Circa 6th century B.C.
Terracotta
Finely moulded, the cover with rounded knob and reserved dec...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Terracotta
'SVM Handarbete', Art Deco, Bronze Vase, Swedish, 1930's
Located in London, GB
A beautiful and rare Art Deco Bronze vase by SVM Handarbete, Sweden, 1930's.
This vase has an exquisite patina with logo engraving to the base.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Bronze
Wedgwood Tri-Colored Jasper Vase
By Wedgwood
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional and rare Wedgwood tri-colored jasper vase exemplifies that renowned firm’s classical artistry. Crafted of jasper, perhaps the greatest of Josiah Wedgwood’s porcelain innovations, in the shape of an ancient Greek calyx krater...
Category
Early 20th Century English Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Majestic Antique Majolica Vase/ Urn ca 1900
Located in Doha, QA
This is an absolutely beautiful Majolica porcelain Vase.
It is 42 cm hight and has as its main theme the face of Dionysus -God of Wine in greek mythology. The handles are decorated ...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Porcelain
Antique 19th century Italian Rare Greek Mythology Majolica Vase/Urn
Located in Doha, QA
A very rare and very decorative Italian Majolica Vase. Hight 41 cm. The vase is decorated with four faces of God Ammon-epithet of Zeus, and two of Neptun...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Porcelain
Ancient Greek Black Glaze Kantharos Wine Cup
Located in London, GB
Greek Black Glaze Kantharos
Circa Early 4th Century B.C.
Terracotta
With old label reading ‘No. 133’
Height: 8.8 cm
This 4th Century B.C. kan...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Antique Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Tall Mediterranean Contemporary Ceramic Vase, Cyprus
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Tall contemporary minimalist ceramic vase handmade in Cyprus. Unglazed exterior with handcarved incised relief stylized organic decor with caramel br...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cypriot Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Highly Decorative, Great Crater with Greek Mythological Decoration, Italy, 1850
Located in Walkertshofen, BY
Unusually large crater with extensive depictions of Greek mythology. Light ceramic in terracotta color with ebonized paint. Two protruding volute handles adorn the sides. The huge si...
Category
1850s Italian Antique Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Classical Greek Terra Cotta Vase, Vassal
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Mid 20th century Attica terra cotta hand crafted beautiful vase featuring hand painted early Classical Greek scenes , decorated all around with Gree...
Category
20th Century Greek Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Terracotta
Antique German Royal Bonn Porcelain Tapestry Vase, Classical Genre Scene, C1900
By Royal Bonn
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique German vase by Royal Bonn offers hand painted Classical genre scene with women dancing in a courtyard, maker mark on base as photographe...
Category
Early 20th Century German Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Porcelain
Pair Green Gold 19th Century Crystal Vases, Greek Key Design Attributed Moser
By Moser
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Rich green blown crystal vases featuring 24 karat gold decoration throughout with the central portion having a Greek key design. This pair dates to the last half of the 19th century ...
Category
1880s Antique Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Crystal, Gold
Terracotta Greek Handled Amphora Vase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Glassic Greek, handled, amphora vase in rich, eathy terracotta. The vase measures 9 inches wide handle to handle.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Ceramic, Terracotta
Porcelain & Ceramic Sculptural Vase Italy Contemporary, 21st Century
Located in London, GB
"TuttiTappi (Venus doppelgänger)", 2016, glazed earthenware and porcelain, measures: H 27 x 15 x 15cm
Andrea Salvatori (Italy, 1975) is an internationally renowned visual artist w...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Classical French 19th century fine opaque glass vase circa 1890
Located in Central England, GB
Classical French 19th Century Vase
A stylish mid 19th century French vase with a classical design in fine opaque glass with boarders of "duck...
Category
19th Century French Antique Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Glass
Mid 20th Century Italian Scavo Glass Roman Style Vase
Located in Elkhart, IN
A mid 20th century Roman style pink Scavo glass vase. Scavo glass was created in the mid 20th century by using a technique involving the application, to the surface of an object, of ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Glass
Vases Art Deco Period in Grecian Style in Painted Spelter on Marble Bases, Pair
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of Grecian Art Deco spelter vases on marble bases recall the glory days of the ancient Greeks before the roman conquest, and feature embossed patterns...
Category
1920s French Vintage Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Marble, Spelter
Pair of Classical Italian Grey Marble Vases After the Famous Medici Vase
Located in London, GB
Pair of classical Italian grey marble vases after the famous Medici vase
Italian, 19th Century
Measures: Height 51cm, width 26cm, depth 25cm
These exceptional vases are carved from dark greenish marble in a classical style. Each vase is modelled as an ancient Greek bell krater...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Marble
Antique Classical Greek Cameo Art Pottery Lamp Base Attr. Weller, c1930
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique lamp base offers urn form cameo art pottery vase attributed to Weller with dancing Grecian figures and garden elements in relief and raise...
Category
20th Century American Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Metal
20th Century Porcelain Lamp Pair by Mottahedeh
By Mottahedeh
Located in Savannah, GA
This handsome pair of Mottahedeh cobalt and white porcelain urn lamps feature central floral medallions surrounded by raised bellflower swags, hand-painted and parcel gilt, and are mounted on 5.5 inch square brass bases. Porcelain artichoke...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Brass
Vintage Ornamental Baluster Urn, English, Golden Pearl Marble, Decorative, Vase
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage ornamental baluster urn. An English, golden pearl marble decorative vase, dating to the late 20th century.
Classical appeal with golden hues
Displays a desirable aged patina
Shapely baluster urn with marble...
Category
20th Century English Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Marble
Vintage Decorative Vase, English, Platinum Striata Marble, Baluster Urn
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage decorative vase. An English, platinum striata marble baluster urn, dating to the late 20th century.
Stunning marble vase, to enha...
Category
20th Century English Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Marble
Alfiero Mangani Granite Finish Ceramic Flared Vase
Located in East Hampton, NY
An Italian Mangani ceramic vase; mimics a fine appearance of fine granite. The vase come with an opaque finish, signed to bottom.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Pair of Alfiero Mangani Granite Finish Ceramic Vases
Located in East Hampton, NY
Pair of Italian Mangani ceramic vases; mimics a fine appearance of fine Granite. The vases come with an opaque finish, signed to bottom.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Late 18th Century, Greek Classic Enameled Terracotta Vase Ceramiche di Este
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Greek Classic enameled terracotta vase by Ceramiche di Este, circa 1780-1820 attributtable ex Manifattura Franchini
About Ceramica di Este
The porcelain of Este is a porcelain pr...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Terracotta
A pair of Terracotta Urns
Located in New York, NY
A pair Continental of painted terracotta urns with classical figures and decoration, Early 20th Century
Category
20th Century Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Terracotta
Goddess Aphrodite. Hydria. From the series Gynaeceum
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Goddess Aphrodite. Hydria, 2023 Paloma Castello
From the series Gynaeceum
Hand painted ceramic
Height : 41.5 cm
Width : 33 cm
Base Width: : 16.5 cm
Gineco (Gynaecium)
Two of the ...
Category
2010s Colombian Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Pair Greek Terra Cotta Kalyx-Kraters
Located in Houston, TX
Mid 20th century Attica terra cotta kalyx-kraters featuring gods and goddesses in early Classical Greek scenes. These two handle bowls were made for...
Category
Mid-20th Century Greek Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Terracotta
Large Apulian Bell Krater
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
A very nice and lovely example, red-figure painted, pottery wine mixing bowl, standing on a graceful pedestal foot which supports the bell shaped body wit...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Greek Vases
Materials
Pottery
Classical Greek vases for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Classical Greek vases for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage vases created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Classical Greek vases made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Balkan Peninsula pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original vases, popular names associated with this style include Mangani Firenze, Andrea Salvatori, Mottahedeh, and Royal Bonn. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for vases differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $200 and tops out at $153,375 while the average work can sell for $1,800.
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