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.
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
Vintage 1956 Royal Doulton Don Quixote D6455 Porcelain Toby Character Jug Mug
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage 1956 Royal Doulton Handled Don Quixote D6455 Large Porcelain Toby Character Jug Mug. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 7.5" H x 6.5" W x 6" D.
Ceramic, Porcelain
$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
Vintage 1959 Royal Doulton Robin Hood D6527 Porcelain Toby Character Jug Mug
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage 1959 Large Royal Doulton Limited Edition Hand Made "Robin Hood" D6527 Porcelain Toby Character Jug Mug. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 7.5" H x 7.5" W x 6" D.
Porcelain
$356Sale 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
Vintage 1954 Royal Doulton Rip Van Winkle D6438 Porcelain Toby Character Jug Mug
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage 1954 Royal Doulton Large Handled Porcelain Limited Editon Hand Made "Rip Van Winkle" D6438 Toby Character Jug Mug. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 7.25" H x 7.5" W x 5....
Porcelain
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
$2,965Sale 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
Vintage 1975 Royal Doulton Ann Boleyn D6644 Porcelain Toby Character Jug Mug
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage 1975 Royal Doulton Large "Ann Boleyn" D6644 Porcelain Limited Edition Toby Character Jug Mug with Axe Handle. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 7" H x 6.25" W x 4.5" D.
Porcelain
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
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
$294
H 6.89 in W 5.91 in D 3.55 in
Vintage Capodimonte Porcelain Decorative Item by Ginori, Rococo Style, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1960s. These two 18th century figures are made in Capodimonte porcelain. This statue might show slight traces of use since it's vintage, but it can be considered as in...
Porcelain
Quality Antique Victorian Staffordshire toby jug of Mr Snuff
Located in Ipswich, GB
Quality antique Victorian Staffordshire toby jug of Mr Snuff having a quality Victorian toby jug of Mr Snuff in wonderful period clothing in pu...
Ceramic
$1,036Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.5 in W 4.5 in D 3.25 in
Art Deco Figurine of 'Mata Hari' by Capodimonte / Naples Porcelain Company
By Capodimonte
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Art Deco Figurine of 'Mata Hari' by Capodimonte / Naples Porcelain Company Italy, circa 1925 An exceptional work, displaying grace and movement, subtly hand- painted. The seductive turban and gold earring wearing dancer draped in a White and Iron-Red Moon and Star motif garment, on a tasseled pillow. Hence our Mata Hari, attribution/suggestion. The name Mata Hari, is a Malay expression for the sun. Literally meaning “eye of the day"/ dawn of the day' This exquisite figure, depicts the The dancer (Mata Hari ?) as the sun-wearing the moon and stars. Marked with the variation Blue underglaze Crown & N. In remarkable well cared for condition, some minor wear to the gilt. The figurine stands...
Porcelain
$440Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.75 in W 16.75 in D 16.75 in
Large Italian Capodimonte Porcelain Center Bowl, Cherubs Scene in Relief, 20thC
By Capodimonte
Located in Big Flats, NY
An oversized Italian Capodimonte center bowl offers cherub garden scenes in relief with gilt highlights throughout, 20th century Measures - 3.75''H X 16.75''W X 16.75''D. A finely cr...
Porcelain
Royal Doulton Egyptian Revival Porcelain Jardinière
Located in Stamford, CT
Royal Doulton jardinière made during the Egyptian Revival period.
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
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
$4,677Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 11.03 in W 5.12 in D 5.12 in
Pair of Jacob Petit Porcelain Flask, circa 1830-1840
By Jacob Petit
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of polychrome porcelain baluster flasks. The bottles are decorated on an azure blue background with rocailles elements in combed gold. A fine decoration of garlands of polychrom...
Porcelain
Fine 19th Century Italian Porcelain Parrot
By Capodimonte
Located in Norwood, NJ
Colorful and finely painted porcelain parrot in greens, yellows and blues, perched on realistic branch with leaves and berries. Bottom with crowned ...
Porcelain
$195
H 5.5 in W 4 in D 2.75 in
English 19th Century Victorian Split Leg Staffordshire Dog with White Coat
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Victorian period slit leg Staffordshire dog from the 19th century with textured coat and gilded collar. Created in England during the reign of Queen Victoria, this Staffor...
Pottery
19th Century English Minton Majolica Oyster Plates Pair
By Minton
Located in Winter Park, FL
A pair of late 19th Century English Minton Majolica oyster plates with six oyster wells and a large well for crackers surrounding a center well for sauce. Luminous cream and pink gla...
Majolica
Antique Capodimonte Porcelain Table Snuff or Dresser Box
By Capodimonte
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine, antique Capodimonte porcelain table snuff box in the Meissen style. With a polychrome enamel Bacchanalian scene on the lid, neoclassical...
Porcelain
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