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
Vintage Piero Fornasetti "Recipe" Plates Set of Three, Porcelain 1950's. Italy
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...
Porcelain
Pair Vienna Mythological Porcelain Plates in Pierced Gilt-Bronze Roman Frames
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Signed Vienna Mythological Porcelain Tondi in Pierced Gilt-Bronze Roman Revival Frames Royal Vienna Porcelain Manufactory (K.K. Wiener Porzellanmanufaktur) Austria and Bohemi...
Bronze
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
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
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
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
$313Sale Price|20% 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
Piero Fornasetti Vintage Porcelain Bowl "Botanica Pratica" Italy 1950's
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 Fornasetti for Rosenthal Gilded Medusa Porcelain Desert or Salad Plates
By Fornasetti, Rosenthal
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
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
$28,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
Piero Fornasetti Plate Aries Zodiac Sign Porcelain 1966, Italy
Located in Milano, IT
Piero Fornasetti plate Aries zodiac sign porcelain 1966, Italy.
Porcelain
Large Art Deco Rosenthal Porcelain Figurine The Korean Dancer H566
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large porcelain figurine was manufactured by the Rosenthal Porcelain Factory and is entitled 'Korean Dancer' and made in circa 1927 in the period Art Deco style. This figurine was designed by the Austrian sculptor Constantin Holzer-Decanti who worked for the factory until 1927 and was inspired by the well known dancer, Anita Berber...
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
Piero Fornasetti Tema E Variazioni Porcelain Plate #78
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Piero Fornasetti "Tema e Variazioni" porcelain plate depicting the face of the famous opera singer Lina Cavalieri, no.78 / made in Milano Italy circa 1960. Original mark on t...
Porcelain
Fabulous Pair of Meissen Porcelain Glass Coolers/Cachepots
Located in New York, NY
A fabulous pair of Meissen Porcelain glass coolers/cachepots. This exceptional pair of exquisitely hand-painted Meissen Porcelain glass coolers are each painted with panels of figure...
Porcelain, Meissen
$1,312Sale Price / set|29% Off
H 5.52 in Dm 6.7 in
19th Century Pair of Louis XVI Paris Porcelain Cachepots
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A delightful and colourful matching pair of pretty porcelain cache pots, perfect for displaying indoor plants. Dating from the 19th century, the pots have been lovingly hand painted ...
Porcelain
$120Sale Price|20% Off
H 2 in W 9 in D 9 in
Antique Royal Vienna Porcelain Plate, Biedermeier Style, Austria, 1860
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Antique Austrian cca 1860 Royal Vienna cabinet portrait porcelain plate, 9, with cobalt blue border with gold . Handpainted portrait of a young woman. Signed verso Cowuetetie. Underg...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Italian Racehorse Champions Plates
Located in Downingtown, PA
This complete set of six porcelain plates comprises Piero Fornasetti’s series Grandi Campioni Italiani del Galoppo, or Great Italian Champions of the Flat, each plate given over to o...
Porcelain
Early Meissen Porcelain, Singerie Style Monkey Musician Figurine
Located in New York, NY
An early Meissen Porcelain Singerie style Monkey Musician Figurine. Dressed in full male noble attire and wig the monkey merrily plays the trumpet assu...
Porcelain
A 20th century Meissen porcelain set, Germany
Located in Delft, NL
A 20th century Meissen porcelain set, Germany A porcelain set, manufactured by Meissen in Germany. The set painted with bright colors, red, blue, yellow and green in floral pattern....
Porcelain
$4,950 / set
H 1 in Dm 10.25 in
Fornasetti Milano 'Fiori' Pattern Porcelain Plates, Set of Twelve, circa 1965
By Fornasetti
Located in Kinderhook, NY
An incredibly rare set of 12 large porcelain dinner plates in the 'Fiori' pattern designed by Piero Fornasetti and produced by Fornasetti - Milano, circa 1965. There are two plates o...
Porcelain
Piero Fornasetti Astrolabio Plate 1955 Italy
Located in Milano, IT
Piero Fornasetti plate.
Porcelain
Sold
H 15.75 in Dm 7.88 in
Large Meissen Porcelain Figure, Cupid Feeding The Nightingales, R. Hölbe, C 1890
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent large and rare Meissen figurine group from the 19th century: A beautiful, youthful Cupid with large wings, clad only in a large purple cloth draped around his legs, seated ...
Porcelain
Sold
H 12.6 in W 11.82 in D 10.63 in
Large Mythological Meissen Group, The Wedding, by J.C. Schoenheit, Circa 1850
By Meissen Porcelain, Johann Carl Schoenheit
Located in Vienna, AT
Exceptional rare Meissen porcelain group: A group of three figures in elaborate Rococo attire: the young, pretty lady in a bodice dress with a low neckline, a long skirt, a bustle an...
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 Meissen Porcelain, Christian Gottfried Juechtzer
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 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