Classical Greek Pottery

CLASSICAL GREEK STYLE

There is rare surviving furniture from ancient Greece, yet this classical style has informed design for centuries. Interiors of houses in antiquity were minimal, with much of a room’s color coming from frescoes on the walls and mosaics on the floors. Classical Greek furniture was sparing but finely crafted and influenced by Egyptian furniture design through Mediterranean trade.

Furnishings of the period were usually made from local wood like cypress, cedar, oak and willow from ancient Greece’s plentiful forests, although some pieces were carved from marble, such as a 300–200 B.C. throne with lion legs and a curved back now at the Getty Villa. Comfort and clean lines characterized designs during the Classical era, the symmetry and thoughtful proportions reflecting the architecture of Greek temples.

Some pieces of ancient Greek furniture were simple, rectangular platforms like the klinē, a multipurpose ancestor of today’s couches or daybeds that held cushions stuffed with wool, dry grass or down. These structures were used for both sleeping and dining, which wealthy Greeks did while reclining. At night, oil lamps illuminated rooms that frequently surrounded a garden courtyard.

Most of what scholars have learned about Greek furniture design owes to its representations in art like vases and stelae. The portable diphros stool, with its backless design and four turned legs, was one of the more common types of seating in daily Greek life — it appears as such for the gods on the Parthenon frieze. Stools without backs have been found in early Roman tombs, while benches were also common Greek seating furniture created for use in theaters. In houses of the Hellenistic period, benches seemingly functioned as tables, too.

Some designs evolved through adaptations by the Romans, including the klismos chair. After prominent archaeological excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum, the klismos chair — with its four saber legs and the elegant curves that define its back — was a source of inspiration for aesthetics in eras ranging from 18th-century neoclassicism to 20th-century Art Deco.

Find a collection of Classical Greek decorative objects, wall decorations and building and garden elements on 1stDibs.

Style: Classical Greek

Ancient Paestan Red-Figure Kylix

$45,000

Ancient Paestan Red-Figure Kylix

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Attributed to The Painter of Naples 1778. Elegantly potted this kylix sits on a high foot, with a lively painted satyr and draped female figure decorating the tondo. The satyr stand...

Category

15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Greek Pottery

Materials

Terracotta

Greek Pottery Kylix Depicting Two Soldiers

$175

Greek Pottery Kylix Depicting Two Soldiers

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

Greek Pottery Kylix Depicting Two Soldiers We know it’s hard to find one-of-a-kind pieces! Shop our listings for new inventory curated from an Interior Architect and Designer’s POV...

Category

Mid-20th Century Greek Classical Greek Pottery

Materials

Clay

Greek Pottery Kylix Depicting Winged God

$175

Greek Pottery Kylix Depicting Winged God

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

Greek Pottery Kylix Depicting Winged God

Category

Mid-20th Century Greek Classical Greek Pottery

Materials

Clay

Lot of 4 Greek Replica Pottery

$480 / set

Lot of 4 Greek Replica Pottery

Located in Savannah, GA

A lot of four pieces of Greek replica pottery. plate is 7 ½ inches wide, tallest jug 6 ¾ inches tall

Category

20th Century Unknown Classical Greek Pottery

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Two Handle Ceramic Vase, Rookwood Style, Mid-Century, USA

$125

Vintage Two Handle Ceramic Vase, Rookwood Style, Mid-Century, USA

By Rookwood Pottery Co.

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Large Vintage Two Handle Ceramic Vase Great size, color and glaze. overall good condition one tight hairline crack at the top (almost impossible to see)

Category

Mid-20th Century American Classical Greek Pottery

Materials

Ceramic

Midcentury Italian Pottery Candleholders

$1,250 / set

H 5 in Dm 9.8 in

Midcentury Italian Pottery Candleholders

By Aldo Londi

Located in Oak Harbor, OH

Designer: Unknown Importer: Raymore Period/Model: Mid-Century Modern Specs: Pottery These mid century Italian pottery candle hold...

Category

1960s Italian Vintage Classical Greek Pottery

Materials

Pottery

American Mission Porcelain Pitcher Attributed to Rookwood

$9,750

H 12 in W 5 in D 4 in

American Mission Porcelain Pitcher Attributed to Rookwood

By Rookwood Pottery Co.

Located in Queens, NY

American Mission vase/pitcher decorated with flowers and silver deposit whiplash design attributed to Rookwood.

Category

Early 20th Century American Classical Greek Pottery

Materials

Silver

Vintage Boho Studio Pottery Plates- Set of 8

$595 / set

H 15 in W 11 in D 11 in

Vintage Boho Studio Pottery Plates- Set of 8

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A fabulous set of 8 gorgeous dinner and salad plates. Super chic hand made studio pottery in thr most beautiful shade of green. Four dinner plates and four salad plates. Acquired fro...

Category

Late 20th Century American Classical Greek Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Large Carstens 1960s Mid-Century Modern West German Ceramic Pottery Vase Bamboo

$328

H 15.75 in Dm 8.27 in

Large Carstens 1960s Mid-Century Modern West German Ceramic Pottery Vase Bamboo

Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL

Large ceramic vase made in Germany by Cartens in the 1960s with a very beautiful Bamboo design. Carstens only produced copies in limited amounts of each design. Stamped underneath ...

Category

1960s Vintage Classical Greek Pottery

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Turquoise Blue Pottery Vase

$1,200

H 6.5 in W 5 in D 5 in

Turquoise Blue Pottery Vase

Located in New York, NY

A beautiful Modern turquoise blue Amphora pottery vase, circa early-20th century, USA. Very good condition as shown in images. No chips noted. Dimension...

Category

Early 20th Century American Classical Greek Pottery

Materials

Clay

Mid-Century Modern Studio Ceramic Vase

$4,200

H 18.25 in Dm 8.5 in

Mid-Century Modern Studio Ceramic Vase

Located in Dallas, TX

Great detail in this signed ceramic vase with a glazed white ceramic and detailed with cut and formed ceramic ornamentation around upper portion. Well executed.

Category

Mid-20th Century North American Classical Greek Pottery

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Black Glazed Pottery

$135

H 11.5 in W 8.5 in D 8.5 in

Vintage Black Glazed Pottery

By Bloom Home Inc

Located in Old Town Orange, CA

Medium black glazed pottery, wabi sabi style with perfect imperfections. Overall Size: 8.5"D x 11.5"H Opening: 7"

Category

20th Century Classical Greek Pottery

Materials

Clay

Denby Art Deco Green Glazed Art Pottery Lamb Figure

$199

H 3.15 in W 2.76 in D 1.97 in

Denby Art Deco Green Glazed Art Pottery Lamb Figure

By Denby Pottery England

Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire

A delightful English Art Deco pottery figure of a lamb decorated in green glazes made by Denby and dating from the 1930’s. The figure is hand crafted and stands on four legs with its...

Category

1930s English Vintage Classical Greek Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Figural Majolica Erphila Dachshund Dog Teapot c.1920-1940 Made in Germany

$250

H 8 in W 3.75 in D 7.5 in

Figural Majolica Erphila Dachshund Dog Teapot c.1920-1940 Made in Germany

Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA

Whimsical German Erphila Figural Daschund Teapot. Has typical crazing to the high gloss finish, no chips, cracks or repairs.

Category

20th Century German Classical Greek Pottery

Materials

Majolica, Pottery

Spanish Blue & White Pottery Bowl

$680

H 3.25 in W 12 in D 12 in

Spanish Blue & White Pottery Bowl

By Spanish Manufactory

Located in Kingsbridge, GB

Antique glazed ceramic bowl/plate decorated in cobalt blue on a cream background, inspired by the Fajalauza Iberian earthenware tradition from Granada. The bowl with a stylized, hand...

Category

Mid-19th Century Spanish Antique Classical Greek Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Blue and White Floral Pottery Covered Pil and Cover, Vera Pottery

$900

H 11 in Dm 9.5 in

Blue and White Floral Pottery Covered Pil and Cover, Vera Pottery

Located in Downingtown, PA

Blue and white floral pottery covered pil and cover, Vera pottery, circa 1900-1930. The cylindrical pail with exterior knob handles has a reeded lowe...

Category

Early 20th Century English Classical Greek Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Spode Neo-classical Greek Pattern Blue Soup Plates- Set of Ten

$3,000 / set

H 1.25 in Dm 9.25 in

Spode Neo-classical Greek Pattern Blue Soup Plates- Set of Ten

By Spode

Located in Downingtown, PA

Greek Revival Dining: Set of 10 Spode "Phliasian Horseman" Soup Plates (c. 1806–1820) A fine set of 10 early 19th-century blue and white transfer-printed pottery soup plates by Spo...

Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Classical Greek Pottery

Materials

Pearlware, Pottery

Previously Available Items

Ancient Greek Pottery Attic Black Glazed Cup c450BC

Sold

H 3.63 in Dm 3.82 in

Ancient Greek Pottery Attic Black Glazed Cup c450BC

Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB

Heading : Ancient greek pottery Attic black glazed cup Material: Black glazed pottery Period: Ancient Greek Date: c450BC Origin: Attica/Athens, Greece Condition: VF, slight cos...

Category

15th Century and Earlier Greek Antique Classical Greek Pottery

Materials

Pottery

21.5" antique olive jar

Sold

H 21.5 in W 16 in D 16 in

21.5" antique olive jar

Located in West Hollywood, CA

Our Timeless 21.5" Antique Olive Jar Exudes An Aura Of Authenticity And Elegance, Showcasing Intricate Details. Crafted With Meticulous Artistry, Thi...

Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Classical Greek Pottery

Materials

Earthenware, Pottery

Wedgwood Jasperware Jug or Pitcher Classical Figures Fully Marked, circa 1900

Sold

H 6.15 in W 7.25 in D 5.15 in

Wedgwood Jasperware Jug or Pitcher Classical Figures Fully Marked, circa 1900

By Wedgwood

Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire

This is a good Jasperware stoneware jug or pitcher, made by Wedgwood, England and dating to circa 1900. The jug has a lovely shape with a pouring spout and loop handle. The jug has a classical figures pattern, the figures being applied relief moulded white sprigs, against the blue matt ground color This piece is fully marked to the base with the upper case "WEDGWOOD" impressed mark and ENGLAND dating the piece between 1891 to 1908. Overall a beautiful Wedgwood jug.

Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Classical Greek Pottery

Materials

Pottery, Stoneware

Terracotta Greek Handled Amphora Vase

Sold

H 8 in W 9 in D 7 in

Terracotta Greek Handled Amphora Vase

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Glassic Greek, handled, amphora vase in rich, eathy terracotta. The vase measures 9 inches wide handle to handle.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Classical Greek Pottery

Materials

Ceramic, Terracotta

Wedgwood Jasperware Jug or Pitcher Classical Figures Fully Marked, circa 1900

Sold

H 4.88 in W 6 in D 4.5 in

Wedgwood Jasperware Jug or Pitcher Classical Figures Fully Marked, circa 1900

By Wedgwood

Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire

Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Classical Greek Pottery

Materials

Pottery, Stoneware

Antique English Lilac Classical Jasperware Syrup attr Wedgwood

Sold

H 8.75 in Dm 3.75 in

Antique English Lilac Classical Jasperware Syrup attr Wedgwood

By Wedgwood

Located in Big Flats, NY

An antique English figural syrup attributed to Wedgwood offers lilac Jasperware vessel decorated with white relief Classical cherub scenes and foliate collar surmounted by silver pla...

Category

20th Century English Classical Greek Pottery

Materials

Silver Plate

Figural Italian Classical Pictorial Majolica Pottery Center Bowl, circa 1880

Sold

H 8.5 in Dm 15 in

Figural Italian Classical Pictorial Majolica Pottery Center Bowl, circa 1880

Located in Big Flats, NY

An antique Italian pictorial Majolica Pottery centerbowl offers clover shape with figures, interior with hand painted Classical countryside river scene with figures, exterior with re...

Category

19th Century Italian Antique Classical Greek Pottery

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware, Pottery

Ancient Greek, Southern Italy Wrapped Laurel Footed Cup / Bowl, 4th C BC

Sold

H 3.15 in Dm 3.67 in

Ancient Greek, Southern Italy Wrapped Laurel Footed Cup / Bowl, 4th C BC

Located in Sofia, BG

Red figurine footed cup / bowl Western Greek, 4th century BC Chr. Terracotta. Diameter 9.3 cm. Rotfiguriges dish. - Triple profiled foot. Wrap-laurel bran...

Category

15th Century and Earlier Greek Antique Classical Greek Pottery

Materials

Ceramic

Ancient Cypriot Archaic Amphora, 750 BC

Sold

H 10.5 in Dm 9 in

Ancient Cypriot Archaic Amphora, 750 BC

Located in London, GB

A Cypriot amphora, dating to the Cypro-Archaic period, circa 700-600 BC. With splayed foot and wide voluminous body, rounded shoulders, cylindrical ...

Category

15th Century and Earlier European Antique Classical Greek Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Pair of Majolica School Hand-Painted Faience Pottery Candle Wall Sconces by Gien

Sold

H 16 in W 10 in D 6.5 in

Pair of Majolica School Hand-Painted Faience Pottery Candle Wall Sconces by Gien

By Gien

Located in Big Flats, NY

Pair of Italian Majolica School Faience pottery wall sconces by Gien of France feature shield shape with hand painted classical cherub scenes and having bronze attachments including ...

Category

20th Century French Classical Greek Pottery

Materials

Bronze

Cypriot Early Bronze Age Red Polished Ware Beaked Jug, 2300 BC

Sold

H 6.25 in Dm 3.5 in

Cypriot Early Bronze Age Red Polished Ware Beaked Jug, 2300 BC

Located in London, GB

An incised red polished ware jug from Cyprus, dating to the early Bronze Age, circa 2300-2000 BC. With rounded, globular body and cylindrical neck, cutaway-beak spout and a loop ...

Category

15th Century and Earlier European Antique Classical Greek Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Antique English Staffordshire Pearlware Lady Victory Figure

Sold

H 8.12 in W 3.5 in D 3.5 in

Antique English Staffordshire Pearlware Lady Victory Figure

Located in Wilton, CT

Antique English press molded pearlware figure of Victory, circa 1800. 8 1/8" high. Great detail and color. Nice condition, chip on base, nibble on rob...

Category

Early 1800s English Antique Classical Greek Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Classical Greek pottery for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Classical Greek pottery for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage pottery created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, pottery and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Classical Greek pottery made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original pottery, popular names associated with this style include and Wedgwood. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for pottery differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $375 and tops out at $474 while the average work can sell for $425.