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.
Large Meissen Porcelain Figurine 'Dancing Vestal Virgin' By E.J. Haenel, Ca 1880
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent large and rare Meissen figurine from the 19th century: Fully sculpted porcelain figurine of an antique-style young beauty standing in a dancing pose in an elaborately pleat...
Porcelain
Meissen Set of the Four Seasons Porcelain Figures, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An enchanting set of four, late 19th century Meissen porcelain groups, depicting the four seasons, each with putti playing around a logs fire, a bail of hay, picking grapes and garla...
Porcelain
Naples Capodimonte Porcelain Lidded Tankard, Italian Early 19th Century
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
Richard Ginori Italian White & Gold Coffee or Tea Cup, circa 1960s, 8 Avail
Located in New York, NY
Very beautiful vintage Italian white porcelain with gold gilt coffee or tea cup(s) by designer Richard Ginori, Italy, circa mid-20th century, circa 1960s. Colors include: gold gilt a...
Gold
A Pair of German K.P.M Porcelain Plaques Depicting "Aligira and Tirian"
Located in Tarzana, CA
A Pair of antique German KPM porcelain plaques depicting "Aligira and Tirian" Marked with 'K.P.M' Sceptre Mark with the letters 'SZ', with size marks 915-255, marked with Royal Vien...
Porcelain
Large Meissen Porcelain Figurine Group 'Apollo & Daphne', By Juechtzer, Ca. 1860
By Christian Gottfried Juechtzer, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent large and rare Meissen figurine group from the 19th century: Apollo clothed with a cloak embraces Daphne from behind, who is fleeing from him and has already frozen into a ...
Porcelain
Vintage Piero Fornasetti "Botanica Pratica" Porcelain Botanical Serving Bowl
By Fornasetti
Located in North Miami, FL
This wonderful substantial sized porcelain square vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian Piero Fornasetti bowl or serving piece has all the elements of botanicals and flowers and is enti...
Porcelain
Vintage Piero Fornasetti Porcelain "Recipe" Plates Set of Three
By Fornasetti
Located in North Miami, FL
These delightful hallmarked set of three vintage Italian Mid-Century Modern Piero Fornasetti recipe plates are amusing and unusual. One is for stuffed crown roast or frankfurters, th...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti "Nummus" Green Porcelain Plate Mid-Century Modern
By Fornasetti
Located in North Miami, FL
This vintage Fornasetti plate is numbered three and is from the collection of the Roman coin series. All hallmarked on the back. This is a ver...
Porcelain
Pair of Porcelain Blue Cachepots by Vieux Paris, 19th Century Classical Motif
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is an unusual pair of 19th century decorative hand-painted porcelain cachepots with hand-painted classical bust decoration made by Vieux Paris / Old Paris. Molded "Bamboo" faux ...
Porcelain
Pair of Porcelain Vases, Hand Painted French 19th Century, Mark for Sevres
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Lantau, HK
Pair of porcelain vases, French, 19th century, mark for Sevres Hand painted porcelain with very refined floral design. The flower painted in free style reflects the high artistic ach...
Porcelain
Vintage Fornasetti for Rosenthal Gilded Medusa Porcelain Desert or Salad Plates
By Rosenthal, Fornasetti
Located in North Miami, FL
This set of 4 vintage classic porcelain plates are a collaboration between Fornasetti and Rosenthal. They have the 3 medusas on top centering the sun motif between the sun’s rays and...
Gold
19th Century KPM porcelain plaque of the Battle of Corinth
Located in London, GB
19th Century KPM porcelain plaque of the Battle of Corinth German, 19th Century Frame: Height 37.5cm, width 44cm, depth 5cm Plaque: H...
Giltwood, Porcelain
$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
$895
H 8.63 in W 12.75 in D 6.13 in
Large Mid-Century Rosenthal Porcelain Figurine of a Rooster by J. Feldtmann
By Rosenthal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine mid-century Rosenthal porcelain figurine. In the form of a rooster. Designed by J. Feldtmann in the 1950s for Rosenthal. S...
Porcelain
Four Meissen Porcelain Plaques Depicting the Four Seasons
Located in London, GB
This delicately detailed set of four allegorical porcelain plaques portrays family scenes within the theme of the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Spring can be ide...
Metal
$1,250 / set
H 12.5 in W 11 in D 5.5 in
Fabergé Porcelain Tea, Coffee Cups Set of Four in a Velvet Case
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Fine porcelain set of four Fabergé original porcelain coffee or tea cups, service for four. Enjoy the start to your day with the classical sophistication only from Faberge. These s...
Porcelain
19th Century Signed Meissen Porcelain Artwork
Located in Roma, IT
A wonderful late 19th-Century Meissen blue onion square hand painted porcelain dish. Printed and impressed "Meissen" mark on reverse. This fine blue onion platter exhibits excellen...
Porcelain
$15,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 21.5 in W 18 in D 2 in
Antique Painted Porcelain Plaque Depicting an Orientalist Beauty, Signed Vienna
Located in New York, NY
A very large and magnificent antique painted porcelain plaque depicting an orientalist beauty dressed in silk, jewelry, pearls, and 24-karat raised gold and enamel, signed Vienna. Th...
Enamel
$48,500 / set
H 12 in W 12 in D 12 in
Pair 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Chinoiserie Style of Nodding Pagoda Figures
Located in New York, NY
A large rare pair of 19th century Meissen Chinoiserie style Nodding Pagoda Figures with Movable Head, Hand and Tongue, known as a "Nodder'. This Unusual...
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
$2,750
H 2.125 in Dm 17.75 in
19th Century French Creil & Montereau Hand Painted Aesthetic Movement Charger
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This outstanding hand painted 19th century French ceramic charger was made by Hautin Boulenger & Cie at Creil & Montereau. The highly detailed Aesthetic Movement charger features polychrome decoration depicting a Japanese quail perched in a flowering cherry tree bearing vivid green foliage. The bird's gaze is fixed on a colorful butterfly with intricately patterned wings which is located off to one side. The image is set on a gilt ground which bears a series of repeating raised gilt motifs. The charger's shoulder is finished in cobalt blue with stylized gilt hearts separated by light blue floral and foliate elements. The 4lb 11oz charger bears an impressed mark used by Creil et Montereau between 1876-1884. The foot rim is not pierced. This beautifully executed hand painted French charger...
Ceramic
Pair 19th Century Meissen Figural Porcelain Centerpiece Baskets
Located in New York, NY
Pair of antique (late 19th century) reticulated porcelain baskets supported by putti around a tree stump, and encrusted with raised flowers. Each 16 inches tall. Each with the Meiss...
Porcelain
Porcelain Tea or Coffee Set, Rosslau China Blau
Located in Chorzów, PL
Porcelain set, Rosslau China Blau. Breakfast set from the Hermann Schomburg & Söhne Porzellan Rosslau manufacture, China Blau collection. Very good condi...
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
Sold
H 14.38 in W 6.3 in D 5.91 in
Large Meissen Porcelain Figurine Group 'Apollo & Daphne' By Juechtzer, Ca 1860
By Christian Gottfried Juechtzer, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent large and rare Meissen figurine group from the 19th century: Apollo clothed with a cloak embraces Daphne from behind, who is fleeing from him and has already frozen into a ...
Porcelain
Sold
H 18.12 in W 9.06 in D 8.27 in
Rare Large Meissen Porcelain Figurine 'Psyche', By Rudolph Hoerl, Circa 1890
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent large and rare Meissen figurine group from the 19th century: A breathtakingly beautiful young woman with her hair tied up and large butterfly wings on her back, naked excep...
Porcelain
Sold
H 1.78 in Dm 14.1 in
Large Royal Vienna Picture Plate 'The Disarming Of Cupid' A. Kauffmann, ca 1900
Located in Vienna, AT
Large, very elaborately decorated porcelain plate: the centre is completely filled by a finely painted polychrome image, framed by a broad serrated band painted in gold over gold: Th...
Porcelain
Sold
H 1.58 in Dm 14.18 in
Large Royal Vienna Picture Plate 'In The Forest Glade' Gallant Scene, ca 1900
Located in Vienna, AT
Large, very elaborately decorated porcelain plate: the centre is completely filled by a finely painted polychrome picture, framed by a broad serrated band painted in gold over gold: ...
Porcelain
Sold
H 1.58 in Dm 14.1 in
Large Royal Vienna Picture Plate 'The Triumph Of Venus' After F. Boucher, c 1890
Located in Vienna, AT
Large, lavishly decorated porcelain plate: the centre of the plate is completely filled by a finely painted polychrome image, framed by a broad band of gold-painted palmettes: accord...
Porcelain
Sold
H 12.41 in W 6.7 in D 5.52 in
Large Meissen Figurine Allegory 'The Painting' by Johann Christian Hirt, ca 1885
Located in Vienna, AT
Extremely decorative full plastic depiction of a young beauty in classical style, with a bare breast, covering the bare abdomen with a large cloth held together with a shoulder strap...
Porcelain
Sold
H 13.39 in W 5.52 in D 5.91 in
Large Meissen Figurine, 'The Painting', by Johann Christian Hirt, Ca 1885
Located in Vienna, AT
Extremely decorative full plastic depiction of a young beauty in classical style, with a bare breast, covering the bare abdomen with a large cloth held together with a shoulder strap set with gemstones, laurel leaves on the tied up hair, in the left hand holding a color palette with brushes and with her raised right hand painting on something in front of her, at her feet a small putto sitting on a column piece and working on a mask. On a round meadow base with a gold rim. Modeller: Johann Christian HIRT (1836 - 1897) German sculptor; began an apprenticeship as an art turner early on, 1855 entry into the Munich Academy of Fine Arts, 1864 establishment of his own studio, honorary member of the Royal Academy of Arts. Hirt was an artist of stylistic pluralism of the 19th century and sought his identity between classicism, romanticism, Nazareneism, naturalism, realism and historicism and received numerous awards. Design of Model N 160 around 1882-1885 Manufactory: Meissen Germany Dating: made around 1890 Style: Classicism Material: multicolored porcelain, glossy finish Technique: handmade porcelain Hallmarked: underglaze blue Meissen Sword...
Porcelain
Sold
H 14.5 in W 5.25 in D 5.25 in
Antique Austrian Royal Vienna Hand Painted & Enameled Porcelain Urn c1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Austrian Royal Vienna lidded urn offers porcelain construction with vessel having hand painted genre scene of Classical Greek figures ...
Porcelain, Paint
Piero Fornasetti Vintage Gilded Porcelain Love Heart Coasters Barware Set of 6
Located in North Miami, FL
These delightful and romantic verbages are depicted within the heart shape of these hallmarked Piero Fornasetti vintage gilded porcelain Love coasters and or small plates. Sold as a ...
Gold
Sold
H 2.75 in Dm 5.38 in
Richard Ginori Designer Italian Coffee or Tea Cup and Saucer in Blue and Gold
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful mid-20th century Italian white porcelain, cobalt blue and gold gilt, coffee or tea cup and saucer by designer Richard Ginori, Italy. Colors include, cobalt blue, gold and white porcelain. With maker's mark on bottom as show in image #14. Measurements: Saucer 5.38" diameter Cup 2.5" height x 3.13" diameter Another Richard Ginori set...
Gold
Sold
H 2.75 in Dm 5.38 in
Richard Ginori Designer Italian Coffee or Tea Cup and Saucer in Green and Gold
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Italian white porcelain with emerald green and gold coffee or tea cup and saucer by designer Richard Ginori, circa mid-20th century, Italy. Colors include Emerald green, ...
Gold
Classical Parian Sculpture Bust by Gaetano Chiaromonte
Located in Rochester, NY
Antique classical style parian bust of an intense looking man with lots of character by sculptor and painter - Gaetano Chiaromonte, Italian ( 1872 - 1962 ) incise signed by artist on...
Porcelain