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.
Ancient Roman Marble Torso of Marsyas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This striking Roman Marble torso belongs most assuredly the Mythological Satyr Marsyas. The depiction is one that is frequently portrayed in greco-roman statuary, (originally as part...
Marble
Ancient Roman Marble Inscribed Panel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful and masterfully carved dedicatory plaque, this marble panel features an inscription executed on a piece of warm brown marble with touches of creme, tan, and caramel highl...
Marble
$69,185
Marble Head of Hermes
Located in London, GB
Roman head of the god Hermes in an archaising style, following a Greek model from the fourth century B.C.. Hermes is depicted in manner typically found on herms, with a full beard of...
Marble
Ancient Roman Marble Mosaic Panel of Eros
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This superb marble mosaic is a Roman original from the 3rd to 4th Century AD. It features a winged Eros, wearing a billowing cape, holding his bow in his outstretched right arm and ...
Marble
Ancient Roman Bronze Handle or Artifact
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An antique or ancient Roman bronze element. This piece was an element of a vase or possibly handle to something larger. It has the head of...
Bronze
A Roman gold pendant with portrait cameo
Located in UTRECHT, UT
The loop attached to an oval fitting with radiant decoration. The cameo made of agate, showing the profile of a female bust with hair pinned up. The portrait in the style of Faustina...
Gold
$88,165 / set
Corsican Bronze Hoard
Located in London, GB
Dagger L: 27.8 cm, Luniform bronze, possibly a belt buckle L: 10.8 cm, Shield-shaped bronze with a point Diam: 6.5 cm, Pommel Diam: 3.7 cm, Violin-bow brooch L: 17.5 cm, P-Shape...
Bronze
Roman Carved Marble Torso in Military Dress, circa 2nd-3rd Century
Located in Austin, TX
A well carved Roman marble figure of a male in military dress, late Roman Period, circa 2nd-3rd century. The figure portrayed dressed in military att...
Marble
Exquisite Roman Marble Foot, ex-Metropolitan Museum of Art Collection
Located in London, GB
This evocative Roman marble foot is a timeless remnant of the sculpture it was once part of. Sensitively carved and polished, it reveals the hand of a master sculptor, and hints at t...
Marble
Medallic Ancient Silver Coin (Tetradrachm) of Alexander the Great
Located in London, GB
A medallic and beautifully preserved ancient silver tetradrachm, bearing a particularly fine portrait of one of the greatest heroes from antiquity - Heracles. On the obverse, the hea...
Silver
$4,012
A Roman bronze foot
Located in UTRECHT, UT
With square fitting, hollow at the top for attachment to furniture, one large paw on round base sprouting into lion’s head with visible teeth. 9,5 cm (h) Ex German private property...
Bronze
$421,043
Head of Hadrian
Located in London, GB
A Roman marble bust of the Emperor Hadrian (76-138). Although the head has been weathered with age, it is still clearly identifiable as Hadrian. It features his thick curls, combed f...
Marble
France – Great-Britain. British Crimean War medal
Located in UTRECHT, UT
Oak leafed pin with inscription ”Sebastopol”, with original ribbon, attached to issue certificate of the French Ministery of War, dated 1856. Obverse: VICTORIA – REGINA -1854, cro...
Silver
Roman Marble Statue of Jupiter and Eagle from the Imperial Period
Located in London, GB
This exquisite Roman marble statuette depicts Jupiter, king of the gods, flanked by an eagle with outstretched wings, the symbol of his divine power. While only the feet and left leg...
Marble
Ancient Roman Marble Mosaic Panel Depicting a Deer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderfully charismatic and of imposing size, this ancient Roman mosaic depicts a deer with head erect and large antlers, galloping to the left mid-stride, with outstretched legs tha...
Marble
N.d. Charles V dedication medal on his crowning and the planned Imperial
Located in UTRECHT, UT
Obverse: crowned and armoured bust right with order chain of the Golden Fleece Reverse: blank After H. Krafft, after a design by A. Dürer OLD SILVER CAST EXTREMELY RARE Four ...
Silver
$12,950Sale Price|30% Off
Ancient Coptic Textile with Classical Figures
Located in Spring Valley, NY
Finely woven of wool and linen, this large, ancient, museum level Coptic textile depicts figures derived from classical antiquity, some playing musical ...
Wool, Linen
1900s, Gilt Framed Madonna of the Chair Painting Print on Wood
By (after) Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino)
Located in Germantown, MD
The Madonna Della Sedia commonly known as the Madonna of the chair is a painting by an Italian artist Raphael dating back to 1513 -1514. It is currently hou...
Hardwood, Giltwood
Roman Bronze Hand Mirror with Beautiful Patina, circa 1st Century
Located in Austin, TX
A simple and elegant Roman bronze hand mirror, late Republic Period, circa 1st century, Italy. The bronze mirror of simple form. The round face with a pierced border design. The openwork handle...
Bronze
AR Denarius Macrinus (217-218)
Located in UTRECHT, UT
Obverse: IMP CM OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust right Reverse: SECVRITAS TEMPORVM, Aequitas Securitas standing left, legs crossed, holding scepter in right hand an...
Silver
AR Denarius Caracalla (198-217)
Located in UTRECHT, UT
Obverse: ANTONINVS – PIVS AVG, laureate and draped bust right Reverse: FELICIT – AS AVG G, Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus in right hand and cornucopia in left Weight: 3.8...
Silver
AR Denarius Marc Antony with M. Iunius Silanus summer 32 BC
Located in UTRECHT, UT
Obverse: [ANTON AV]G IMP III COS DES III III V R P [C], bare head right Reverse: M SILANVS AV[G] / Q PRO COS RARE Artist signature P. concealed in hair behind ear Weight: 3.76 g...
Silver
AR Denarius Commodus (177-192)
Located in UTRECHT, UT
Obverse: M COMM ANTONINVS ANT P – FEL AVG BRIT, laureate head right Reverse: NOBILIT AVG P M TR P XI IMP VIII COS V P P, Nobilitas standing right, holding sceptre and statuette Weig...
Silver
AR Denarius Julia Paula, wife of Elagabalus (219-220)
Located in UTRECHT, UT
Obverse: IVLIA PAVLA AVG, draped bust right, showing later coiffure with small bun Reverse: CONCORDIA, Concordia seated left, holding patera, star in left field Beautifully detaile...
Silver
$7,671Sale Price|50% Off
Valuable White Marble Sculpture - "Orante Maiden" - Late 19th Century
Located in Manzano, IT
Splendid period white marble sculpture depicting a young maiden at prayer, from a historic stately villa in the Caserta area. The work is an excellent example of 19th-century devotio...
Marble
A Roman bronze applique in the shape of a theatre mask
Located in UTRECHT, UT
Mask of a bearded deity, short beard and hair braided in the characteristic high hairstyle, with layered ringlets on either side. 4 cm (h) Green patina ...
Bronze
Leonardo Da Vinci Hardcover Book by Patrice Boussel
By Leonardo da Vinci
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Leonardo Da Vinci Hardcover Book by Patrice Boussel. Discusses Leonardo the man and painter, provides an analysis of his thinking as revealed in his...
Paper
A Roman bronze head attachment of a youth
Located in UTRECHT, UT
A finely detailed appliqué with the face of a youth, wavy hair framing the circular face, with well defined eyes, pierced for inlays. 5.5 cm (h) Provenance: Ex Jean-Phillipe Mariaud de Serres...
Bronze
AR Denarius Geta (209-211)
Located in UTRECHT, UT
Obverse: P SEPT GETA – CAES PONT, draped an cuirassed bust with bare head of Geta right Reverse: FELICI – TAS PVBLICA, Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus in right hand and cor...
Silver
Southern Netherlands. Medal of the Holy Sacrament of the Miracle of Brussels
Located in UTRECHT, UT
Obverse: SACRAMENTVM . MI – RACVLOSVM . BRVXELLE, cross with the Holy Hosts, carried by God the Father Reverse: dito VERY RARE, only 2 known specimens (1 in the KBR in Brussels and ...
Silver
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