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.
Rose Sculpture Table Lamp 13 Roses Hand Carved Pink Onyx Block, Linen Lampshade
Located in Ancona, Marche
"Roma Imperiale II" is not just a table lamp or sculpture, imagine it as a memory, the memory of a nobility now dissolved, a suspended memory, forgotten in a secret garden, of those ...
Onyx, Marble
Classical Hand-Carved Vintage Marble Table Lamp – Wired for USA (No Shade)
Located in IT
This beautiful classical hand-carved vintage marble table lamp is a stunning addition to any decor. Crafted with intricate detail, the lamp ...
Marble
Pair of Stylishly Elongated and Midcentury Made Alabaster Table or Desk Lamps
Located in Lisse, NL
Great pair of midcentury made alabaster table or desk lamps in a timeless classical style. If you are looking for a great shape and practical Size pair of table lamps to grace you...
Alabaster
Antique French Sèvres Blue Cobalt Porcelain, Gilt Bronze Candlestick Centerpiece
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Early XIX Century French candlestick , Sèvres blue cobalt porcelain, gilt bronze centerpiece Candle holders immersed in a bouquet of flowers. Bronze...
Bronze
Large White Marble Corinthian Column Table Lamp
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Tall white marble Corinthian column table lamp This is heavy piece it is made in solid marble, the lamp has a single fluted marble corinthi...
Marble
Carved White Alabaster Lamps Modelled After Roman Temple Ruins
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A pair of carved alabaster lamps representing ancient ‘Roman’ architecture; each having three tall fluted columns with Corinthian capitals supporting a stepped top and resting on a r...
Alabaster
C. 1920-30s French Tole Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1920-30s French tole bouillotte lamp. Charmingly hand painted in burnt orange & gilded in the Classical taste. Marked Made in France. Ring finial & arrow feather end motif adju...
Metal
Charming Vintage Green Ceramic French Lamp with Gold Accents
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Charming Vintage Green Ceramic French Lamp with Gold Accents This lovely green vintage French ceramic lamp from around 1960 is a fantastic decorative piece for almost any interior....
Ceramic
Late 19th century grand tour Italian bronze candelabra
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a late 19th century Italian grand tour bronze candelabra. This elegant candelabra has a female classical figure in the center standing on an ornate plinth. The candelabra has...
Bronze
$650Sale Price|59% Off
Tall Classical Alabaster Column Lamp w/ Gilded Base
Located in San Francisco, CA
A gorgeous, polished, alabaster lamp in the form of a column with an acanthus leaf adorned capital. With an elevated, square, gilt base and neck. Measures: 30” height x 6” x 6.25.”.
Alabaster, Brass
$386Sale Price|35% Off
Tall Black Metal Candlestick Lamp on Tripod Base
Located in Malibu, CA
Elegant candlestick lamp sits on a triangular base featuring lions' paws at the base of the classical column. The metal has been lacquered in black. finish. Overall height is 30, wi...
Brass
Pair of Ornate 19th Century Italian Giltwood Candlestick Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 19th century Italian giltwood candlesticks wired into working lamps. The pair of candlesticks are highly ornate, featuring carved details that resemble fluted columns with a...
Giltwood
Neoclassical Terracotta Figure of Hera / Juno as a Table Lamp, Grand Tour Style
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Neoclassical Terracotta Figure of Hera/Juno as a Table Lamp, Grand Tour Style, 36” High A dignified neoclassical table lamp featuring a terracotta sculpture of Hera, known to the Ro...
Metal
Italian Cast Metal Figural Table Lamps, 1930s Classical Style
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These unique lamps feature cast metal plaques as their central decorative elements, giving them a sculptural and historic appearance. The plaques are rectangular and are bas-relief c...
Metal
Vintage Clear Marbro Amphora Murano Table Lamp
Located in North Miami, FL
Extraordinary example of Marbro lamps in urn design mounted on square chrome base. Two sockets. Shade NOT included.
Chrome
Carved Marble Table Lamp with Cupid Figures Made in Italy signed Corsi
Located in New York, NY
Finely carved marble table lamp having two cupid figures, playing around a center pole. The lamp is in very good original, clean and working condition, showing only light cosmetic we...
Marble
A fine pair of 19th century classical bronze and gilt bronze urn lamps
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine a pair of French 19th century bronze and gilt bronze urn lamps . Fine casting . These are a large and fine pair .
Bronze
Large Brass Horse Head Lamp "Caballinus"
Located in Norwalk, CT
Superb quality lamp featuring a heavy cast brass sculpture of a Roman-style horse head. Brass plaque attached to wooden base is engraved with the word CABALLINUS, horse in latin. Ver...
Brass
A fine pair of large 19th c Classical figural silver dore and gilt bronze lamps
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine pair of large 19th century Classical figural lamps . Silver dore over bronze with gilt bronze details. Fine quality and impressive in detail and size.
Bronze
Large Brass Corinthian Column Table Lamp This is a very attractive piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large Brass Corinthian Column Table Lamp This is a very attractive piece, the lamp has a single fluted column set on a very attractive stepped base This is an attractive piece with...
Brass
Classical Alabaster Column Lamp
Located in Sheffield, MA
Monumental neoclassical carved Italian alabaster lamp in the shape of a column. Price for lamp with or without shade. Measures: Lamp shade top 4.75" Lamp shade bottom 23" Lamp sha...
Alabaster
Early 20th Century Capodimonte Porcelain Double Socket Table Lamp
Located in San Francisco, CA
Early 20th century capodimonte porcelain double socket table lamp Beautiful hand painted mythological Roman scenes featuring Romulus and Re...
Porcelain
Murano Scavo Corroso Lamp, II
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a remarkable example of a late 20th century Scavo Corroso* Vase, attributed to Seguso/Karl Springer, that has been beautifully detailed with a br...
Brass
Corinthian Column Table Lamp
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Corinthian column table lamp This is a very attractive piece the column is decorated with swags and acanthus leaves and is set on a stepped and scroll footed base, the lamp has a crackle patinated finish which resembles old brass This is a very attractive piece and very heavy, it has a faux suede lamp shade...
Paint
Large Marble Corinthian Column Table Lamp
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Very Tall Marble Corinthian Column Table Lamp This is very heavy piece it is made in solid marble and brass, the lamp has a single fluted mar...
Marble
Midcentury Murano Revival Glass Lamped Vase
Located in London, England
A twin handled murano glass vase in Roman blue, speckled with Venetian green and iridescent finish to surface, now mounted as a lamp. Italian, Mid Twentieth Century .
Blown Glass
Brass Table Lamp with Italian Classical Mask and Mounts to the Base
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Brass Table Lamp with Italian Classical Mask and Mounts to the Base This lamp is made in brass and it has a shaped bulbous column with classical Italian chased decorative mounts The...
Brass
$1,230 / set
Good Pair Brass Corinthian Column Lamps
Located in Swadlincote, GB
A very nice pair of brass column lamps with marble bases, rewired and ready to use. In overall very good condition. 26" high 6.5" square 35" high with shades Free Delivery To UK Ma...
Marble, Brass
Well-Carved Pair of Italian Romanesque Style Gray Painted Wooden Masks now Lamps
Located in San Francisco, CA
A well-carved and stylized pair of Italian Romanesque style gray painted wooden masks now mounted as lamps; each bearded face surrounded by thick curl...
$4,850 / set
Pair of 1920s Hand Wrought Iron Candlestick Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand wrought iron candlesticks converted into table lamps. Custom hand-painted parchment shade. Newly wired. Fine details throughout.
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Single Column French Brass Table Lamp
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Single Column French Brass Table Lamp This unusual Lamp is set on a stepped base and comes with its original tall hand made lampshade. The lamp i...
Brass
$1,267Sale Price|20% Off
Italian Terracotta Table Lamp
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Italian terracotta table lamp, elegant in its essential simplicity. It can be shipped anywhere from Italy, without the pulk of the hat which You can do as You want. ref. nr. 2050 -
Terracotta