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.
Green & Blue Byzantium Ceramic Vase Hand Painted Majolica Italy Contemporary
Located in London, GB
Bottega Vignoli, Byzantium vase, 2022, hand-painted maiolica fired in full-fire reduction firing 17cm x 37cm height. Unique piece. Bottega Vignoli, based in Faenza—the historic ...
Ceramic, Majolica
Bisque Porcelain Couple in Conversation, French, 19th Century
Located in Lantau, HK
A 19th century French bisque porcelain figurine of a couple seated and engaged in a conversation. The figurine is marked on back and ...
Ceramic
$716Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century English Diminutive Parian Bust of Apollo Belvedere
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th century English diminutive Parian bust of apollo Belvedere, a well executed example, raised on a 3-inch diameter solace base. Unmarked.
Ceramic
Two Italian Urbino Maiolica painted ceramic dishes
Located in London, GB
Two Italian URBINO Maiolica "Istoriatio" hand painted dishes Marked in reverse in Italian : Roman's helping a wounded enemy horatti & Curiati . Roman champions in battle Note: pl...
Ceramic
$2,992Sale Price / item|20% Off
Byzantium Ceramic Vase Hand Painted Majolica Italy Contemporary 21st Century
Located in London, GB
Bottega Vignoli, Byzantium vase, 2022, hand-painted maiolica fired in full-fire reduction firing 17cm x 37cm height. Unique piece. Bottega Vignoli, based in Faenza—the historic ...
Ceramic, Majolica
Red & White Byzantium Ceramic Vase Hand Painted Majolica Italy Contemporary
Located in London, GB
Bottega Vignoli, Byzantium vase, 2022, hand-painted maiolica fired in full-fire reduction firing 17cm x 37cm height. Unique piece. Bottega Vignoli, based in Faenza—the historic ...
Ceramic, Majolica
$360Sale Price|79% Off
Naples Capodimonte Porcelain Lidded Tankard, Italy, Circa 1810
By Capodimonte
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a Naples (Capodimonte) Porcelain Lidded Tankard with deep relief body, which we date to the early 19th Century and made in Naples, Italy. The tankard is hand made with deep ...
Porcelain
$975 / set
H 15 in W 9 in D 1 in
Pair of 19th Century English Minton Framed Painted Ceramic Wall Plaques
By Minton
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in England circa 1880, and set in the original carved oak frames, each plaque is hand painted and stamped on the back Minton, London, England. Each porcelain, signed by the a...
Ceramic, Oak
Contemporary Handmade Ceramic Ash Vase XL, Green and White
Located in Brooklyn, NY
One of a kind ceramic ash vase. The vase is comprised of two different clay bodies and is glazed with a coppery green glaze on the top contrasting a speckled matte white bottom. Asse...
Ceramic, Clay
1990s Chinese Porcelain Figure Bust of Mao Zedong
Located in Marbella, ES
1990s Chinese porcelain figure bust of Mao Zedong, with stamp from Chinese customs authorizing its export.
Ceramic
Contemporary Handmade Ceramic Noble Vase Red and White
Located in Brooklyn, NY
One of a kind ceramic Noble vase in red clay with white speckled base, copper green glaze interior. The vase is comprised of two different clay bodies and features a raw, unglazed ce...
Ceramic, Clay
$7,600 / set
H 9 in W 16 in D 6.5 in
Pair of 19th Century French Majolica/Fiance Models of Lions Perched on Stands
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of 19th century French Majolica/Fiance Models of Lions Perched on stands. Each is wonderfully hand painted in vibrant purple and blue colorways. The bases are green and each i...
Ceramic
Late 19th Century English Colorful Majolica Oyster Plate
Located in Ross, CA
Late 19th century English majolica oyster plate with pink and turquoise wells, a blue center for lemon wedges and a brown background.
Ceramic
French Provencal Hand-Painted Ceramic Pitcher Vase
Located in Miami, FL
A fine hand-crafted ceramic pitcher vase from the Provence region of France. This French ceramic pitcher vase is very well made using clay from the region. Hand-painted then glazed...
Ceramic
$3,070 / set
H 17.13 in Dm 9.45 in
Pair of Bisque Porcelain Figural Groups, Sèvres Style, Late 19th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This elegant pair of figural groups is executed in finely modeled white bisque porcelain, depicting two classical female figures in graceful, dance-like poses around a central fluted...
Bronze
$879
H 11.03 in W 3.55 in D 2.37 in
19th Century French Sculpture in White Porcelain with Golden Decorations
Located in Sofia, BG
French sculpture of an young well dressed man accompanied with a little sheep. Marked at the bottom in very good condition with no restorations. France, circa 1890.
Porcelain
Italian Hand Painted Porcelain Vase by Capodimonte
By Capodimonte
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Italian hand painted porcelain biscuit vase, circa 1990s. Characterized by a classic line with floral decorations. Italian manufacturing brand imprinted ...
Porcelain
Contemporary Italian Green Ceramic Vase with Fruit Motifs
Located in Ibiza, Spain
This glazed green ceramic vase is meticulously handcrafted, featuring traditional lime motifs inspired by southern Italy. Each piece exemplifies the region's rich artistic heritage a...
Ceramic
$667 / item
H 15.36 in W 6.3 in D 4.34 in
Contemporary Cuorecarpenito Green Petrol Blue Ceramic Vase Glossy Glazed
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
The "A Venezia" is a hand made ceramic glazed vase in beautiful blue petrol color. This vase is part of the Bubble Family Collection, a collection of 20 glazed ceramic vases with a ...
Ceramic
Set of Six Apothecary Jars w/ Lids
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of (6) beautiful ceramic apothecary jars with lids, each labeled in elegant cursive with the names of different herbs or substances. Such jars are typically used for storing ad ...
Ceramic
Set of Eight Italian Apothecary Jars w/ Lids
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of eight Italian ceramic Apothecary Jars with lids. Each cream colored jar has a spice name painted in a calligraphy style font.
Ceramic
Sold
H 20.08 in W 6.7 in D 3.55 in
L. F. Jørgensen, Denmark, Impressive Terracotta Sculpture of Roman Warrior
Located in København, Copenhagen
L. F. Jørgensen, Denmark, a large and impressive terracotta sculpture of a Roman warrior with a shield. Early 20th century. In excellent condition with minor signs of use. Marked....
Ceramic
Sold
H 14.57 in Dm 6.7 in
Ceramic Vase Roman Mosaic Hand Painted Majolica Italy Contemporary 21st Century
Located in London, GB
Bottega Vignoli, Roman mosaic vase, 2022 Full-fire reduction earthenware 17cm x 37cm height. unique piece hand-painted Italian majolica. Bottega Vignoli is a brand of artistic ce...
Ceramic, Majolica
Antique 17th Century Spanish Limestone Mortar
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique limestone mortar 17th century Spain.
Limestone
Wedgwood Crimson Jasper Dip Creamer and Sugar Bowl
By Wedgwood
Located in New Orleans, LA
This beautiful jasper dip creamer and sugar bowl set is the work of the famed Wedgwood and exhibits the company's rare crimson hue. Crafted in the classical...
Ceramic
Porcelain Dish Depicting Roman Figures by Fornasetti
By Fornasetti
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Vintage Fornasetti porcelain dish depicting two Roman figures. Could be used as a jewelry catch-all dish. A combination of gold glaze and black and white figures...
Porcelain
Ancient Roman Pottery Skyphos, 100 AD
Located in London, GB
An ancient Roman pottery skyphos, dating to the 1st century AD. Of particularly elegant form, finely potted, with round foot and flat base, st...
Italian Dimensional and Textural One of Kind Studio Signed Ceramic
By De Sanga
Located in North Miami, FL
This unbelievable story is told in this ceramic chariots of fire meets Rome and the Italian Coliseum in a modern yet storybook way. Obscure piece of...
Ceramic