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.
$4,500 / set
A Pair of Classic Alabaster Wall Sconces
Located in New York, NY
The tall and thin waisted alabaster curves upward and outward as it rises from a demi sphere radiating soft light through the ancient alabaster. Mineralization is present throughout ...
Alabaster
$894Sale Price / set|57% Off
Classic Pair of Curved Wall Lamps in Silk and Brass Parts 1970s Italy
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Classic pair of curved wall lamps in fabric and brass parts 1970s Italy.
Brass
$169Sale Price|20% Off
Italian Bronze Wall Lamp with Old Mirror
Located in Buggiano, IT
Original 1940s Italian bronze wall lamp with old mirror. In working condition. Equipped with original 20th century European wiring. We recommend buyer consu...
Bronze
Ribbon & Reed Horn Double Arm Sconce in Polished Nickel
Located in New York, NY
The Harrison Single Arm Sconce with Frosted Tube embodies timeless sophistication and tailored design. A distinguished piece from our Classic Collection, it reflects Sherle Wagner In...
Brass, Bronze
$132Sale Price|34% Off
Italian Wall Lamp in White Porcelain, with Glass Shade
Located in Buggiano, IT
Italian wall lamp in white porcelain, with glass shade, original from 1930s In working condition. Equipped with original 20th century European wiring. We recommend buyer consults an ...
Porcelain, Glass
Wall Light BLOC, Cast Bronze with Selenite/Alabaster, Cinabre Gallery
Located in PARIS, FR
The BLOC wall light is composed as a vertical axis of mineral clarity held in tension by a dense bronze element. A faceted selenite volume, cut with geometric precision, is encircled...
Bronze
Lady Chatterley Chandelier 6 lights
By Villari
Located in Solagna, IT
Lady Chatterley – Classic Porcelain Chandelier by Villari The Lady Chatterley chandelier embodies timeless elegance and refined Italian artistry. Inspired by classic interiors and n...
Brass
Set of 2 wall sconces by Venini attr. to Fulvio Bianconi
By Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini
Located in Klintehamn, SE
Set of 2 wall sconces from Venini in the form of torches. Opaline glass and brass holders. Original wiring. Design attributed to Fulvio Bianconi. Height: 38 cm Depth (from wall): 25 ...
Brass
$18,000 / set
H 19 in W 10.25 in D 5.25 in
Pair of Venetian Bronze & Decorative Etched Mirrored Wall Sconces, C. 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Venetian two-arm bronze mirrored wall sconces with etched decorative floral, bird, and butterfly motif. Sconces retain the origina...
Bronze
$5,089 / set
H 17.72 in W 7.88 in D 3.94 in
Pair of Contemporary Italian wall sconce "Tile" in alabaster and bronze
Located in Milano, IT
The Tile wall light, with its clean and simple lines, has a very contemporary flavor that is in strong contrast with the more traditional materials that make it up, such as veined al...
Alabaster, Brass
Arteluce "Triana" Italian Wall Lamp or Sconce
By Arteluce
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This lamp is a fine example of Arteluce's ”Triana” wall lamp featuring two sets of interchangeable Murano glass. One set is white while the other features lined white strips over tra...
Steel
$5,300 / set
H 28.75 in W 10 in D 5 in
Contemporary Italian Wall Lights in Brass White Blue Gray Layered Murano Glass
Located in New York, NY
A very elegant and refined Italian Mediterranean design in blown Murano glass worked with the technique scavo: the frosted glass has a finish similar to archaeological ancient Roman ...
Brass
$3,480Sale Price|20% Off
H 6 in W 7 in D 28 in
Serge Mouille - 1 Arm Sconce with Double Swivel in White - IN STOCK!
Located in Stratford, CT
The one straight arm, two swivels, is a perfect solution for smaller spaces as it offers a variety of lighting options. This sconce is highly adjustable, with brass swivels, on the b...
Aluminum, Steel
Italian Mid-Century Modern Curved Glass and Brass Wall Lamp, 1950s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern curved glass and brass wall lamp, 1950s Curved wall lamp with light green background, double central line pattern in brass,...
Brass
Pair of brass wall lamps, 1970s
Located in SAN PIETRO MOSEZZO, NO
Pair of 1970s brass wall lamps in timeless design. Wall sconces have movable arms and are ideal as supplementary lighting next to the bed or around the sofa. The elegant and timel...
Brass
Pair of French Art Deco Alabaster Brass Wall Sconces, 1930s
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A pair of Art Deco alabaster and brass wall sconces, France 1930s. White alabaster with beautiful black veins, brass with side black painted accents. Both pieces in very good vintage...
Alabaster, Brass
Pair of glass wall sconces - 6 alabaster gold disks
By Vistosi
Located in Gaiarine Frazione Francenigo (TV), IT
Pair of Vintage Italian Murano appliques in Vistosi style. Wall lights have 6 glass for each, gold alabaster glasses. Golden painted/bronze metal frames. Period: late 20th century D...
Art Glass
Quantum Wall Lamp Bronze and Selenite
Located in Paris, FR
Wall lamp Quantum in solid forged bronze and in solid selenite lampshade. Exceptional piece, each piece is unique.
Bronze
Globe Sconce by Research.Lighting, Polished Nickel, 3in Glass, In Stock
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This listing is for 1x Globe Sconce in polished nickel designed and manufactured by Research.Lighting. Materials: Brass, Steel & Glass Finish: Polished Nickel Electronics: 1x G...
Brass, Steel
$5,300 / set
H 28.75 in W 10 in D 5 in
Contemporary Italian Wall Lights in Brass White Blue Gray Layered Murano Glass
By Cosulich Interiors & Antiques
Located in New York, NY
A very elegant and refined Italian Mediterranean design in blown Murano glass worked with the technique scavo: the frosted glass has a finish similar to archaeological ancient Roman ...
Brass
Pair of 19th Century Italian Painted 9-Light Sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 19th century Italian painted 9-light sconces. The sconces were originally meant to hold candles. The urns are hand carved and painted in a soft French blue/gray coloration. W...
Wood, Paint
Sold
H 15.75 in W 9 in D 4.4 in
Large Pair of Handmade Classical Design Alabaster Wall Sconces / Wall Lights
Located in Lisse, NL
Very decorative wall sconces with a marvellous 'cloud pattern' in the stunning alabaster shades. This Italian pair of alabaster sconces is beautiful in shape and large in size. Hand...
Alabaster, Composition
Sold
H 15 in W 16 in D 8.5 in
Pair of Electric Classical Foliate Form 3-Candle Rock Crystal Wall Sconces
Located in Big Flats, NY
A vintage pair of classical wall sconces feature foliate form frame each with three candle lights and highlighted with cut rock crystals, 20th century ***DELIVERY NOTICE – Due to C...
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Metal
Sold
H 19 in W 9 in D 6 in
Pair of Antique Classical Urn & Acanthus Form Gilt Sconce, Wedgwood Porcelain
Located in Big Flats, NY
Pair of antique Classical three-light electric wall sconces feature gilt cast acanthus and urn form base and central Wedgwood porcelain plaque reserves with flanking graduated invert...
Metal
Sold
H 11 in W 12 in D 4.5 in
Pair Belgian Iron Sconces with Medallion Backplate and Two Arms, circa 1940
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of iron sconces with decorative red medallion back plate, resembling a wax stamped seal. Scene features a figure on horseback with writing around the edge. Newly wired with all ...
Iron