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.
$3,100 / item
Hand Carved Pediment Wooden Mirror with Lacquer
By Loyzaga
Located in Mexico, Ciudad de México
This mirror is made from rosewood and hand carved by mexican artisans. The inspiration for this piece is the Greek pediment, which is the triangular gable forming the end of the roof...
Wood, Lacquer, Rosewood
$4,400Sale Price|20% Off
Early 20th C. English Brass Step Framed Mirror
Located in North Miami, FL
Tiered and intricate step molding style brass frame mirror from England. It has a wonderful patina which is age appropriate. THIS ITEM IS LOCATED AND WILL SHIP FROM OUR EAST HAMPTON...
Brass
Monumental Classical Wall Mirror, 260cm(102") high
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A monumental classical wall mirror, having classical carved foliage, ribbons, birds and a bow and arrows, surrounding a water colour painting depicting 'The Rape of Europa...
Mahogany
Custom Oversized Rectangular Green Greek Key Mirror
Located in Locust Valley, NY
This custom oversized rectangular mirror features a striking green frame adorned with a classic Greek key pattern, symbolizing timeless elegance and geometric precision. The bold, in...
Mirror
Mid-20th Century Rattan Inlay Brass Framed Wall Mirror
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
This stunning Mid-20th Century mirror showcases an intricate brass frame adorned with meticulously arranged rattan inlays, creating a geometric, layered design reminiscent of Gabriel...
Brass
$1,350
H 41.5 in W 32.5 in D 1.8 in
Carvers' Guild Newport Trumeau Gilt Wood Wall Mirror. Neo-Classical
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An elegant Neo-classic design of the late 18th Century. This looking glass is notable for its fluted architrave set off by rosettes. The frame is finished in antique gold leaf and co...
Wood, Giltwood
French Jansen Style Distressed Mirrors with Eglomise Greek Key Border
Located in Dallas, TX
Fabulous French Jansen style distressed mirrors with eglomise Greek Key borders. Notice the divided glass on these and the beautiful patina! Makes a very stylish statement. Note pric...
Mirror
Elegant Greek Key Mirror circa 1940's
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant Greek Key Mirror, circa 1940's. Simple, clean lines with wonderful original patina to the mirror.
Mirror, Wood
Classical Bronze Wood Mirror
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1920s classical bronze wood mirror.
Early 20th Century Italian Brass Wall Mirror
Located in Burton, TX
Found in Italy this Early 20th Century Italian Wall Mirror features a beautiful fluted narrow brass frame. Rectangular is shape, the mirror presents a smart and distinctive minimalis...
Brass
Pair of 1950s Gilt Wood Greek Key Mirrors
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Pair of gilt-wood framed Greek key mirrors.
Wood
$1,347Sale Price|20% Off
H 47.25 in W 33.86 in D 1.97 in
Lacquered and gilded wooden mirror, carved, Italy
Located in Cuneo, Italy (CN)
Antique mirror in lacquered and gilded wood, richly carved both in the frame and in the upper arch, It has sculptures and a face moulding. Original from the 19th century and of Itali...
Mirror
Monumental Adams Style Carved Giltwood Wall Mirror.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Monumental Adams Style Carved Giltwood Wall Mirror. Luxurious, carved, gilded and beveled wall mirror of impressive proportions. This decorative mirror is made of wood and gesso wit...
Mirror, Giltwood
$6,760Sale Price|20% Off
H 84 in W 72 in D 7 in
Monumental Gilded French Louis XV Carved Mantel Buffet Wall Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This monumental French Louis XV gilded wall mirror is a breathtaking example of Rococo artistry and grandeur. Exquisitely carved with elaborate scrollwork, floral garlands, and acant...
Walnut
$2,169
H 28.75 in W 17.33 in D 0.99 in
Antique French Mirror In Light Oak With Carved Pediment, circa 1950
Located in Paris, FR
Antique French mirror from the 1950s in light oak with carved pediment. Antique frame width: 5 cm / 1.96 in. Modern glass mirror. Wood back.
Mirror, Wood, Oak
George III Giltwood Monumental Wall Mirror Hand-Carved
Located in Miami, FL
Magnificent giltwood mirror. In the Chinese Chippendale Style. Adorned with acanthus leaves, elegant, scrolled carvings. Crowned with a Pagoda style pavilion surmounted in a 'floatin...
Giltwood, Mirror
Pair of Classical Style Architectural Mirrors
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of large mirrors constructed from a pair of 19th century painted door surrounds. The mirrors have distressed wooden frames with a weathered, rustic finish, adding to their anti...
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century American Greek Key Giltwood Framed Mirror
Located in Chicago, IL
This mid-20th century American round mirror boasts a gilt wood frame intricately carved with a timeless Greek Key pattern. The Greek Key motif, derived from ancient Greek architectur...
Mirror, Giltwood
Large Antique French Classical Giltwood Wall Mirror, circa 1900
Located in Big Flats, NY
A large antique French Classical wall mirror offer giltwood frame with urn form crest having palmette, scroll and foliate elements flanked by inverted bellflowers and having beaded b...
Mirror, Giltwood
Vintage Classical Giltwood Triptych over Mantle Mirror, 20th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
A vintage classical triptych over mantel mirror offers giltwood construction with three arched mirrors seated in reeded, foliate and acanthus decorated frame, 20th century Measure...
Mirror, Giltwood
Sold
H 12.75 in W 10.25 in D 4.75 in
Antique German Dresden Porcelain Figural Cherub Wall Mirror, 19th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique German Dresden figural wall mirror features porcelain construction with playful Classical cherubs at crest and flowers throughout, 19th centu...
Porcelain, Mirror
Sold
H 34.25 in W 24 in D 1.5 in
Vintage French Classical Greek Key Giltwood Wall Mirror, 20th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
A vintage French Classical wall mirror offers giltwood frame having Greek Key crest over rope and tassel with flanking acanthus elements, rosette cornering, 20th century. ***DELIVER...
Mirror, Giltwood
Sold
H 40 in W 28.5 in L 40 in
Antique Large French Fleur-de-Lis Parcel Gilt Carved Mahogany Wall Mirror
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Classical French wall mirror offers carved mahogany frame with pierced palmette fleur de lis crest with flanking draped garland and foliate elements, frame interior with g...
Mirror, Giltwood, Mahogany
Sold
H 98 in W 49 in D 3 in
Antique French Classical Baroque Style Figural Giltwood Pier Mirror, circa 1880
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique French Baroque style figural pier mirror offers giltwood surround with pierced scroll and foliate crest having central classical female bust flanked by Cherubs and Panier ...
Giltwood, Mirror
Sold
H 74.75 in W 15.5 in D 1 in
Pair of 19th Century Grecian Style Pier or Trumeau Wall / Console Mirrors
Located in Manhasset, NY
Pair of Grecian style pier or trumeau wall/console mirrors. Each in a fine gilt carved frame with ebony lions masks on each corner. The long sleek rectangu...
Mirror, Wood
Classic Venetian Style Mirror with Bonnet Crest
Located in Atlanta, GA
The Classic Venetian style mirror. This mirror entitled the Classic features a bonnet type crest. The mirror curves on each side to join the more rectangular frame. This handmade, ha...
Mirror
Sold
H 17 in W 13 in D 10 in
Antique Figural Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Cherub Decorated Dresser Mirror, 19th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
Classical antique gilt bronze dresser mirror features Classical Greek/Roman scene with Putti, 19th century.
Bronze
Antique French Mirror
Located in Calgary, Alberta
Beautiful antique silvered French mirror in the classical Greek design with a female head set in the pediment and various classical friezes around...
Mirror, Wood