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.
$5,873 / item
Egg & Dart Large Ceiling Light in Gold Plate finish
Located in New York, NY
The Egg & Dart Large Ceiling Light embodies timeless elegance through classical ornamentation and refined craftsmanship. A distinguished design from our Heritage Collection, it f...
Brass, Bronze
$5,315 / item
Knurled Ceiling Light in Gold Plate
Located in New York, NY
The Knurled Ceiling Light embodies timeless elegance and masterful craftsmanship. A distinguished design from our Heritage Collection, it showcases the iconic knurled detailing—a hal...
Brass, Bronze
Round Crystal Beaded Large Ceiling Light in French Gold
Located in New York, NY
The Round Crystal Beaded Large Ceiling Light exudes timeless elegance and radiant artistry. A distinguished design from our Heritage Collection, it showcases intricate hand-beaded cr...
Brass, Bronze
$2,289 / item
Crystal Dome Ceiling Light in Florentine Silver
Located in New York, NY
The Crystal Dome Ceiling Light embodies refined grandeur and timeless craftsmanship. A luminous statement from our Heritage Collection, it features a gracefully domed form adorned wi...
Brass, Bronze
Knurled Crystal Prism Ceiling Light in Polished Nickel
Located in New York, NY
The Knurled Crystal Prism Ceiling Light reflects the perfect harmony of precision craftsmanship and radiant beauty. A distinguished design from our Heritage Collection, it features t...
Brass, Bronze
$4,465 / item
Egg & Dart Draped Ceiling Light in Polished Nickel
Located in New York, NY
The Egg & Dart Draped Ceiling Light captures the essence of classical ornamentation and timeless luxury. A distinguished design from our Heritage Collection, it combines the icon...
Brass, Bronze
Large Wavey Murano Ceiling/ Wall Light
Located in Westport, CT
One textured clear blown Murano wavy sconce with silver hardware, comprised of six lights up to 60 watts each, can be displayed horizontally or vertically ...
Glass
Large Murano Glass Ceiling Light 1970'
Located in Rome, IT
Realized in pure murano glass consists of an incredible number of leaves. The frame is gilt-metal. 9 E 27 lights spread a magical light. The price is \item Available also a pair ...
Blown Glass
Custom Italian Ceiling Light
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom Italian Ceiling Light (IT, 1960s) Wooden hexagon paired with a lucite bottom diffuser. Black and cream colored enameled finish on the wood elements. The lamping consists of f...
Brass, Steel
French 1950's Large Scale Wall or Ceiling Light by Lunel
By Arlus
Located in Hanover, MA
Another addition to our collection of what we call "elbow form" wall or ceiling mounted fixtures by Lunel Lumiere, France 1950's. This one is notable for its dark walnut embelli...
Brass, Steel
Capiz Ceiling Light Fixture
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1960's French semi-flush mounted capiz shell ceiling fixture with four interior candelabra lights. Measurements: Diameter: 16" Drop: 12"
Shell
Vica Light Polished Nickel
Located in New York, NY
The Vica Light is a rectangular cast metal escutcheon plate with a beveled edge design and porcelain socket. The fixture can be wall or ceiling mount...
Metal
Brass Dome Ceiling Pendant
By Orange
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Beautiful polished brass dome ceiling pendant produced by Orange. Available in multiple finishes and sizes. 18" - $3,800 24" - $3,800 30...
Brass
'Nina' Perforated Dome Ceiling Lamp in White by Alvaro Benitez
By Alvaro Benitez, Stilnovo, Arteluce
Located in Glendale, CA
'Nina' perforated dome ceiling lamp in white by Alvaro Benitez. Hand-fabricated by Los Angeles based designer and lighting professional Alvaro Benitez...
Brass, Metal
$3,457Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.88 in Dm 19.69 in
Sunburst Crown Ceiling Ceiling Light Fixture in Carved Giltwood, Spain 1930s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching Crown sunburst flush mount, giltwood, gold leaf, Spain, 1930s-1940s. Gorgeous baroque style carved gold leaf giltwood crown sunburst light fixture with frosted glass dif...
Gold Leaf
$880 / set
H 6.25 in Dm 18 in
Pair of Florentine Style Murano Glass Flush Mount Ceiling Light, Italy, 1980s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful pair of Murano glass flush mount. Made by an Italian Company in the 1980s. Gorgeous textured glass flush mount with metal fixture. Each Fixture requires two European E27 ...
Metal
Scalloped Flower Ceiling Light Fixture in Gilt Iron, France 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Scalloped Flower Shaped Flush Mount Light Fixture in Wrought Gilt Iron France, 1930s-1940s. Sculptural ceiling light fixture with scalloped dome spherical plate, gilt iron, gold leaf. __________________________________________________________________________ This exquisite flower or shell style handmade flush mount light was crafted from iron. This stunning ceiling flush mount was nicely constructed featuring a shell like gilt iron semi-sphere finished in gold leaf. The central sphere is heavily hand-hammered with stripes and it shows its original gold leaf gilding with a dramatic aged patina. This piece was entirely made by hand and shows a nice hand-crafted metalwork. The central panel is heavily adorned by the hammer marks. Its design combines Art Deco inspiration and Hollywood Regency accents. It can be placed as a flush mount or as a pendant hanging from a chain at the desired height. Designed to blend timeless elegance with artisanal craftsmanship. The shell or flower like design reflects soft ambient light beautifully, making it perfect for living room, dining room, hallways or bedrooms. It will be a nice addition wherever you install it. Newly wired. Overall Measures: 31 cm diameter x 8 cm H Shell Dome Light Fixture...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
Florian Schulz Large Flush Mount Light Sela in polished Nickel, 1970s
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Florian Schulz Large Flush Mount Light Sela in polished Nickel, 1970s Magnificent, large version of flush-mount light or wall sconce made of plated and polished shiny nickel by Flor...
Brass, Nickel