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.
$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
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
$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
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
LUfo Ceiling Light
Located in Inglewood, CA
LUFO perforated brass dome ceiling light by Lumfardo Luminaires. Part of our contemporary collection the LUFO ceiling light is in a darkened patina ...
Brass
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
Florentine Style Alabaster Murano Glass Flush Mount Ceiling Light, 1980s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful Murano glass flush mount produced by Massive Leuchten, Germany, in the 1980s. This elegant light features a stunning textured glass shade with a soft, marbled appearance ...
Metal
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", 24" - $5,500 30", 36" - ...
Brass
Italian Florentine Gold Gilt Wood Ceiling Crown Lights
Located in Hastings, GB
Splendid carved Florentine ceiling lights, gilt metal upon wood, Italian 1950’s. The lights have a single E27 (large screw in) bulb fitting and a hanging hook to the back. Price is...
Metal
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
$4,660
H 5.52 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Large Ceiling Sunburst Light Fixture / Flush Mount in Gilt Iron, France 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Sunburst Flush Mount Light Fixture in Wrought Gilt Iron France, 1950 Sculptural ceiling light fixture with sunburst frame surrounding a central spherical plate, gilt iron, gold leaf....
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
LU 3 Ceiling Light
Located in Inglewood, CA
LU 3 Ceiling Fixture is an all perforated brass ceiling fixture inspired by classical mid century Italian design. This stunning fixture has 3 beauti...
Brass
$819 / item
H 7.88 in W 3.75 in D 3.75 in
Marz Designs, "Attalos Ceiling Light with Slim Base Adapter", Ceiling Light
By Marz Designs
Located in BYRON BAY, NSW
The Attalos Ceiling Light, Slim Base Junction Box Adapter is part of Marz Designs’ Attalos range and in keeping with its stablemates, it retains a classic, sculptural aesthetic echoi...
Aluminum, Brass
Kinkeldey Austrian Crystal 1960s Flush Ceiling Light
By Kinkeldey
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful 1960s Austrian hand-cut crystal and polish chrome flush ceiling light by Kinkeldey. Newly rewired.
Crystal, Chrome
Perla Flushmount Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Brass Finish
By Gaspare & Vittorio Asaro, form A
Located in New York, NY
The Perla flushmount features an organic brass shell nestling our Sfera glass handblown in Tuscany. The first images show the fixture with a satin brass interior and polished brass e...
Brass
$420
H 4.75 in Dm 14 in
Vintage 1970s Florentine Flush Mount Ceiling Light in Cream & Autumn color Metal
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful flush mount light by an Italian manufacturer. This charming fixture is designed in an elegant Florentine style, featuring delicately formed metal elements finished in sof...
Metal
Zenith Double Glass Wall/Ceiling Light in Gold
Located in Westport, CT
Gold Thermoformed glass (also available in Silver) mounted on a base available in lacquered black metal or solid oak. Can be used as a wall or ceiling light. Made by hand in Europe.
Metal