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 Bronze & Brass Table Centerpiece / Fruit Bowl w Goat Sculpt.
Located in Lisse, NL
Exceptional 19th Century bronze and brass Tazza / Bowl with sculptural goats, great quality patina. Every now and then, a piece emerges that truly captures the soul of 19th-century ...
Bronze, Brass
Antique Handcrafted Bronze Table Centerpiece Bowl by F. Levillain & Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Levillain, F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning French bronze tazza with wine & Bacchus theme, by Ferdinand LEVILLAIN (1837-1905). Every time we find an antique of this extraordinary quality and beauty we wonder what p...
Bronze
1970s Handcrafted Black Marquina Marble Table Centerpiece, Fruit Bowl or Planter
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning and multi-purpose, Italian marble tazza or deep bowl in a Roman Classical style. This remarkable centerpiece of classical beauty and elegance is one of the most striking an...
Marble
Magnificent Austrian Pair of Seven-Light Sterling Silver Candelabra, Hollowware
Located in Big Bend, WI
Magnificent Austrian succession sterling silver massive candelabrum pair of seven-light figural museum. Each candelabra features a Grecian style ma...
Sterling Silver
$3,897Sale Price|30% Off
19th Century Italian Oil on Alabaster Painting - Pompeian Scene Tray
By Luigi Bazzani
Located in Firenze, IT
This remarkable 19th-century Italian creation combines the artistry of oil painting with the functionality of a decorative tray. The piece features a captivating Pompeian feast scene...
Alabaster, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Enameled Opaline Hand Painted & Decorated Lidded Decorative Urn
Located in Tarry Town, NY
This magnificent antique Italian lidded urn, crafted in the early 19th century, is a stunning example of enameled opaline artistry. The urn features a rich, deep turquoise hue that s...
Gold
Austrian .800 Silver Candelabra / Epergne 3D Man with Axe 87.9 ozt Vienna #6492
Located in Big Bend, WI
Austrian .800 Silver Incredible Austrian .800 silver 6-light candelabra / epergne from Vienna, Austria (maker unknown). This massive piece features a three dimensional man holding...
Sterling Silver
1950s Large Danish Orange Centerpiece Fruit Table Bowl Mid-Century Vintage
By Krenit
Located in Hyattsville, MD
A wonderful 1950s mcm pop of color for any interior with a real design heritage behind it, by Herbert Krenchel for Krenit of Denmark. Massive at 15 inches in diameter.
Enamel, Steel
Italian Large Ceramic Vase Hand Painted
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Italian Torquoise Ceramic large vase hand painted in gold 1960. Large vase with gold flowers painted around the whole vase. Tiny crack at the bottom.
Ceramic
Large Lalique Crystal Bowl Centerpiece
By René Lalique
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautifully hand crafted Lalique centerpiece decorative bowl in a wide open "V" form shape. The bowl is embellished by engraved frosted doves and large scrolls design details. Maker'...
Crystal
Wonderful Royal Crown Derby Traditional Imari Urn Centerpiece Lid Handles
By Royal Crown Derby Porcelain
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Royal Crown Derby Traditional Imari Urn / Centerpiece With Lid And Having Handles
Porcelain
$1,450
H 4.25 in Dm 7.75 in
Wonderful French Empire Gilt Doré Bronze & Cut Crystal Round Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French empire gilt doré bronze & cut crystal round centerpiece bowl raised on paw feet
Crystal, Bronze
XL Footed Resin Bowl Centerpiece in Yellow by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
An elegant XL round bowl that is supported by four half spheres that make a fun, bold and unique piece great for holding fruit, plants and specially everyone's attention. You can hav...
Resin
Handmade Small Fruit Bowl in Paonazzo Marble
By Fiammetta V.
Located in Carrara, IT
Small fruit bowl in Paonazzo marble, extracted and processed in Carrara, Italy. You have a 100% made in Italy product. It is ideal for fruit and to present food. Each piece is in a w...
Marble
Ribera Handmade Large Centerpiece Bowl - Stoneware
By OWO Ceramics
Located in Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, AR
Beautiful large centerpiece bowl crafted from stoneware clay. Inspired by the vibrant marine life of the reef and the soft motion of ocean waves, this extra large fruit bowl showcases a distinctive blend of artistry and nature, capturing the tranquil beauty of the sea. Each centerpiece bowl is wheel-thrown and hand-glazed in our studio, featuring a soft, white matte finish that beautifully enhances the organic textures of the clay. The glaze has been specially formulated for this collection, reflecting the dedication and craftsmanship that goes into each piece. Ideal for keeping your weekly fruits out on the counter or as a striking standalone accent, this white centerpiece bowl...
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery, Stoneware
19th Century English Papier Mâché Tray
Located in San Francisco, CA
A beautifully hand-painted and gilt paper mâché tray depicting a young Queen Victoria inside the coach (note the initials VR on the coach door).
$1,054
H 4.73 in W 11.03 in D 7.88 in
20th Century, French, Hand Painted Floral Decorated Serving Bowl by Limoge
Located in Sofia, BG
Great French hand painted with lovely floral decoration in blue and green surrounded with gold finish serving bowl or centre piece by Limoge. France.
Ceramic
Pair of Victorian Silver Plated Four Light Candelabra
Located in Montreal, QC
While unmarked, these seem to us to be in the style of Elkington. The prevailing motif is fruiting vine, the stem, arms and drip pans continue the theme, the three legged base is als...
Silver Plate
$1,599
H 1.97 in Dm 14.57 in
Large Handmade Hammered Silver Centerpiece Bowl by Renzo Cassetti, Italy 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Fantastic large round shell shaped centerpiece completely handmade in hammered silver plate. This beautiful piece was designed by Renzo Cassetti in Italy in the 1970s and is signed i...
Silver Plate
Vintage Gordiola Blown Vase after the Ancient, circa 1960
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Beautiful vintage Gordiola blown glass vase with translucent effect due to the micro bubbles. Vase created in the style of the antique. The handles are terminated by the heads of horses...
Glass
Sold
H 8.9 in W 16.9 in D 12.8 in
Antique and Handcrafted Bronze Table Centerpiece / Fruit Bowl on Red Marble Base
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning Italian or French made bronze tazza from the 1800s. Every time we find an antique of this extraordinary quality and beauty we wonder what people are looking for in stores in this day and age. In terms of the design, the beauty, the amazing techniques and the materials that were used to create this table piece, nothing modern even comes close. Just imagine the amount of work, the incredible skill and the dedication it would have took to create this piece from the 'drawing board' all the way to the polishing of the bronze and marble. And as it goes with top quality made antiques, this tazza too has only grown more beautiful, because of the many decades in which the rich patina was built up. You could place some tangerines or flower petals in the outer ring of the bowl, but this work of art will look simply amazing by itself also. It is the best tazza we have seen in a long time and we will let our photos do the rest of the talking. Mind you, our price for this classical and top quality made eyecatcher includes perfect packing and also free shipping from our store to your door in just 4 days. No matter where you live on our beautiful planet. Our price for this classical and top quality made eyecatcher includes perfect packing and also worldwide delivery from our store to your door in just 4 days. Maximum width x height: 16.9 x 8.9 inches. Diameter of the bronze bowl/dish: 12.8 inches. Diameter of the red marble base...
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 8.5 in W 20.5 in D 14.75 in
Large Antique and Handcrafted Fine Bronze Table Centerpiece / Fruit Bowl / Tazza
By Marcel Debut
Located in Lisse, NL
One of the largest but also the finest antique Tazza we have seen in ages. Stunning from every angle. Impressive Antique 19th Century Classical Roman Bronze Tazza Table Display Piece Every time we find an antique of this extraordinary quality and beauty we wonder what people are looking for in stores in this day and age. In terms of the design, the beauty, the amazing techniques and the materials that were used to create this table piece, nothing modern even comes close. Just imagine the amount of work, the incredible skill and the dedication it would have took to create this piece from the 'drawing board' all the way to the polishing of the bronze. Marcel Début was a French sculptor best known for his Art Nouveau bronze depictions of historic figures like Mozart and Gaelic warriors, scenes from Greek mythology, rustic peasants in Tunisia, and pedigreed animals. Born in 1865 in France, he studied with his father the famed sculptor Jean Didier Début, who specialized in more traditionally realistic figurative work, as well as under Henri Michel Antoine Chapu...
Bronze
Italian Font or Bowl of Carved Siena Marble with Shell Design
Located in Austin, TX
A fine Italian font or bowl centerpiece of Siena marble, featuring a carved shell design with shell relief on its sides. Dimensions are H 3 3/4 inches ...
Stone, Marble, Siena Marble
Sold
H 9.1 in W 4 in D 5 in
Antique Porcelain Centerpiece, 8 Pieces by Ginori, Italy Figural Shell Turquoise
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A rare and whimsical 8 piece centerpiece for your table or entrance way. With 8 separate pieces to make a number of unique shapes and sizes. Originally for flowers, but simply stunni...
Gold