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Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

CLASSICAL ROMAN STYLE

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.

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Style: Classical Roman
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 ...
Category

20th Century Italian Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

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.
Category

20th Century Italian Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Ceramic

Ancient Classical Style Antique Iridescent Glass Bottle
Located in New York, NY
Lucite base holder, Measures. 3.4" x 4.2" x 1.8"L.
Category

Mid-18th Century Unknown Antique Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Blown Glass

Set of 4 Sterling Silver Traprain Dishes or Tastevins, Brook & Son, 1937
Located in Glasgow, GB
A set of four sterling silver Traprain Dishes or Tastevins, replicated from a design found in the Roman silver hoard at Traprain Law, Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1919. The dishes have an...
Category

1930s British Vintage Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Sterling Silver

A Warwick Jug - A rare Victorian sterling silver example - London 1853 R Hennell
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1853 by Robert Hennell III, this stunning, Victorian, Antique Sterling Silver Jug, is a very rare example modelled ...
Category

1850s English Antique Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Sterling Silver

Arte Italica New vintage-style 1795 Pedestal Bowl with Handles - Made in Italy
Located in Leesburg, VA
A new all'antica style pedestal bowl with handles. Made to appear like a true Grand Tour creation, dated 1795, each vintage-style piece produced by Arte Italica is a marriage of the ...
Category

2010s Italian Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Pewter

Bronze French Surtout de Table Circa 1890
Located in London, GB
This superb large bronze surtout de table was made in France circa 1890. Please have a look at all our pictures to see the intricate grape vine and flower detail around the edge mor...
Category

1890s French Antique Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Bronze

Piero Fornasetti Italian Cocktail Drinks Coasters or Wall Art, Set of 6
Located in New York, NY
A set of six (6) Italian Piero Fornasetti cocktail drinks coasters 'Cavalieri', Classical Roman style, circa mid-20th century, 1960s, Italy. A set of six in black and white edged in ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Ceramic

Set of Copeland Spode Bowls, Blue and White Italian Pattern
Located in Toronto, CA
Two spectacular Spode Centrepiece bowls. In the classic Italian pattern, featuring scenes of Italian ruins framed by a finely detailed Chinoiserie border, with gilded accents on the rim and base. Marked to the underside Copeland Spodes Italian England, R 3953. The Blue Italian Collection was launched in 1816 and was inspired at the time by the blue & white ceramic tableware...
Category

20th Century English Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

Murano Glass Vases from Seguso, Italy, Set of 16
Located in Kiel, SH
A set of 16 glass vases attributed to Seguso , Murano in different heights. The tallest vase is 20 cm high.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Murano Glass

Late 18th C Delft Style Bacchus Serpent Handled Vase Blue & White
Located in Hastings, GB
A stunning Delft style vase, late eighteenth century and most likely French faience ware, possibly from the Saint-Omer factory. Beautifully modeled, featuring twin heads of the Roman...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Ceramic

Reed And Barton Sterling Silver Small Plate
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Reed and Barton Sterling Silver Round Plate. This small plate can be used for appetizers or bread. It is hallmarked Reed & Barton St...
Category

20th Century American Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Sterling Silver

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...
Category

1880s German Antique Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

A Roman purple glass jug
Located in UTRECHT, UT
A jug with a bell-shaped body and clover lip, a green trailed handle and a green collar in the middle of the cylindrical neck. 12.4 cm (h) Intact Provenance: Ex C.A. Hessing Collection, coll. no.57 Ex Anonymous sale; Bonhams, London, 22 September 1998, lot 226 Published: Sheppard & Cooper Ltd, Glass: The Eighth Wonder of the Ancient World, London, 1994, p.14, no.75. Roman glass was used primarily for the production of vessels. It developed from Hellenistic technical traditions, initially concentrating on the production of intensely coloured cast glass vessels...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Glass

A Roman yellow glass unguentarium
Located in UTRECHT, UT
Belly-shaped with cylindrical neck and with folded down collar rim, the unguentarium with twisted glass decoration with white intertwining the main yellow colour 4.5 cm (h) Intact Ex. German private collection H.G., collected between 1970s-1990s Roman glass was used primarily for the production of vessels. It developed from Hellenistic technical traditions, initially concentrating on the production of intensely coloured cast glass vessels...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Glass

A Late Roman turquoise glass rod-formed balsamarium
Located in UTRECHT, UT
Glass balsamarium with a twisted tubular body, tapering towards the applied disc base, with two trailed handles 12.0 cm (h) Provenance: Ex anonymous Sale; Pierre Bergé Auctioneers, Paris, 17 January 2009, lot 38 Roman glass was used primarily for the production of vessels. It developed from Hellenistic technical traditions, initially concentrating on the production of intensely coloured cast glass...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Glass

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.
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Ceramic

Richard Ginori Designer Italian White & Gold Espresso Coffee or Tea Cup Saucer
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Italian espresso coffee or tea demitasse cup and saucer 'Toscana' by designer Richard Ginori, circa mid-20th century, Italy. Porcelain cup and saucer have beautiful shape...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Vintage Italian Florentine Cobalt Blue and Gold Large Footed Ashtray
By Castel Limoges
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Hand painted gilded cobalt blue KBNY Ashtray Capodimonte Italy. Vintage Limoges, Sevres style porcelain ashtray in cobalt royal blue with fine gold decor. Beautiful Collectible royal blue porcelain ash tray handcrafted and hand painted with 22-karat gold. This Italian porcelain ashtray has a lovely cobalt blue Sevres base color to the porcelain with stunning gold color accents. Beautiful Florentine style footed large ashtray with gilded accents on rich royal blue. The vintage dish...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Handcrafted Bronze Table Centerpiece Bowl by F. Levillain & Barbedienne
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning French bronze tazza with wine & Bacchus theme, by Ferdinand LEVILLAIN (1837-1905). Every time we find an antique of this extraordinary quality and beauty we wonder what p...
Category

19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Bronze

L. F. Jørgensen, Denmark, Impressive Terracotta Sculpture of Roman Warrior
Located in Copenhagen, DK
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....
Category

Early 20th Century Danish Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Ceramic

Ancient Roman Turquoise Glass Cup
Located in London, GB
Turquoise glass cup Roman Empire, circa 3rd-4th century A.D. With old label reading ‘’965’’. “Pliny relates that the art of glass-making [.] was actua...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Glass

Vienna Porcelain Classical Vase
Located in Newark, England
Fine ‘Vienna‘ Austria porcelain vase. The vase of Classic Roman shape with flared rim and pinched neck with scrolling shoulders and tapered body stood...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Ochre Millefiori Glass Plate by Ercole Moretti
Located in Palm Desert, CA
An intricately detailed glass dish by Ercole Moretti with close-packed complex millefiori glass mosaic beads. The millefiori (or murrini) technique ...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Art Glass

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, ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Gold

Large Footed Brass Service Tray for Bar or Table
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Exceptional brass handled footed tray for service or use for bar. Hammered tray with grapevine trimmed edge. Large piece measuring 31in long x 17in wide x 2in tall. Warm aged pati...
Category

Mid-20th Century Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass, Copper

Modern Bust of a Roman Soldier
Located in Dallas, TX
A masterfully hand carved sculptural bust of a Roman soldier. This is a modern reproduction of a roman era bust with a glazed finish. The figure holds...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Terracotta

Naples Capodimonte Porcelain Lidded Tankard, Italian Early 19th Century
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 dee...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

Austrian .800 Silver Candelabra / Epergne 3D Man with Axe 87.9 ozt Vienna #6492
Located in Big Bend, WI
Austrian .800 Silver Incredible Austrian .800 silver 6-light candelabra / epergne from Vienna, Austria (maker unknown). This massive piece features a three dimensional man holding...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Sterling Silver

Piero Fornasetti Porcelain "Recipe" Plates Mid-Century Modern Set of Three
Located in North Miami, FL
These delightful hallmarked set of three Italian Mid-Century Modern Piero Fornasetti recipe plates are amusing and unusual. One is for stuffed crown roast or frankfurters, the other ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

Sterling Silver Michelangelo Statue of David Bust
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sterling silver michelangelo statue of David Bust. Marked 925.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Sterling Silver

One of a Kind Ceramic Vessel by Mugly, Nyc
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mugly NYC is a Brooklyn based ceramic studio specializing in richly textured sculptural clay and porcelain that evoke the poetics of the handmade. This vessel is made to order with ...
Category

2010s Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery, Clay

Italian 19th Century Oil on Alabaster Painting Pompeian Interior Scene in Ormolu
By Luigi Bazzani
Located in Firenze, IT
This Italian 19th century oil on alabastrer painting depicts an opulent interior in full ancient neoclassical Pompeian style with people festing. The figurative inner scene is painted on a rectangular alabaster slab and housed in a wonderful giltbronze frame resting on casted arrow feet. This is a single section of a bigger surtout de table. You can now use it as a decorative centrepiece on a table or on a console or turn it into a wall decoration. We can provide framing options in this case. The characters enjoy a rich banquet in an elaborate interior, the room renderings...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Alabaster, Bronze, Ormolu

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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Christofle France Silver Plated Plate
Located in Sharon, CT
A heavy 12" signed plate.
Category

1970s American Vintage Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Silver Plate

Ceramic Vase Byzantine Hand Painted Majolica Italy Contemporary 21st Century
Located in London, GB
Bottega Vignoli, Byzantium vase, 2022 Full-fire reduction earthenware 17cm x 37cm height. unique piece hand-painted Italian majolica. Bottega Vignoli is a brand of artistic ceramics...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

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...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Octagonal Framed 'Pompeiian Red' Pottery Roman Medallions
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Octagonal framed 'Pompeiian Red' pottery Roman Medallions Each one a well executed glazed pottery male profile portrait medallion, with a vin...
Category

20th Century Italian Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Pottery, Velvet, Wood

Piero Fornasetti "Nummus" Green Porcelain Plate Mid-Century Modern
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...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Gold

Fornasetti for Rosenthal Porcelain Gilded Medusa Desert or Salad Plates Vintage
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...
Category

1950s German Vintage Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Gold

1970s Handcrafted Black Marquina Marble Table Centerpiece, Fruit Bowl or Planter
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning and multi-purpose, Italian marble tazza or deep bowl in a Roman Classical style. This remarkable centerpiece of classical beauty and elegance is one of the most striking an...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Marble

Elegant Classical Richard Ginori Serving Dish
Located in New York, NY
Covered dish with cobalt blue and gold trim, on white ceramic ground. Elegant design and proportions, perfect condition, and fully and correctly marked.
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Ceramic

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 ...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Ceramic

Large Scavo Vase Attributed to Rigattieri for Seguso
By Scavo Corroso, Vittorio Rigattieri
Located in New York, NY
Scavo, Corroso bottle of Classical Roman form, produced in the 1980s by Seguso. This example is in perfect condition, unsigned.
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Art Glass

Pair of Porcelain Vases, Hand Painted French 19th Century, Mark for Sevres
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...
Category

19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

Piero Fornasetti Vintage "Botanica Pratica" Porcelain Botanical Serving Bowl
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...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

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 ...
Category

1870s French Antique Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

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...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Giltwood, Porcelain

A Pair of German K.P.M Porcelain Plaques Depicting "Aligira and Tirian"
Located in Los Angeles, 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...
Category

19th Century German Antique Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

Magnificent Austrian Pair of Seven-Light Sterling Silver Candelabra, Hollowware
Located in Big Bend, WI
Magnificent Austrian succession sterling silver massive candelabrum pair of seven-light figural museum. Each candelabra features a Grecian style ma...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Sterling Silver

Fine Royal Vienna Porcelain 18-Piece Dessert Service
Located in London, GB
Comprising 12 dessert plates, four low tazzas and two high tazzas, painted with mythological armorous scenes by Kreyser, with a richly gilt cobalt blue border, with beehive mark. Me...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Classical Roman Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

Classical Roman serveware, ceramics, silver and glass for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Classical Roman serveware, ceramics, silver and glass 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 serveware, ceramics, silver and glass created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, porcelain and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Classical Roman serveware, ceramics, silver and glass made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Germany pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, popular names associated with this style include Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti, and Rosenthal. 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 serveware, ceramics, silver and glass differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $595 and tops out at $3,785 while the average work can sell for $2,200.

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