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Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

CLASSICAL GREEK STYLE

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.

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Style: Classical Greek
Museum Replica Fragment of a Marble Votive Relief from the Acropolis of Athens
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Offered is a reproduction of a relief piece made from a cast of the original marble relief and hand finished by skilled artisans to ensure its accuracy and authenticity. It is a beautiful representation of the original and gives an insight into the culture of ancient Greece. The Certificate of Authenticity certifies that the marble votive...
Category

1960s Greek Vintage Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plaster

L'Art Des Cyclades. Du Debut a La Fin De L'age Du Bronze HB Book
By Christian Zervos
Located in Bridgeport, CT
L' Art des Cyclandes du Debut a La Fin de L' Age du Bronze, 2500 - 1100 Avant Notre Ere, hardbound book with dust jacket covered with Bodart cover. Published by Editions Cahiers D' ...
Category

20th Century French Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique Collection of Italian Grand Tour Plaster Intaglios
Located in London, GB
Antique collection of Italian Grand Tour plaster intaglios Italian, Early 19th Century Height 39.5cm, width 27cm, depth 5cm Consisting o...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plaster

'Build You Myth' solid brass dumbbells
Located in Athens, GR
A set of power-building, Herculean dumbbells cast in solid brass. Borrowing the kitsch visual language of the souvenirs sold in touristy Athens. Sold as a pair of two 1,5 kg bumbbel...
Category

Early 2000s Greek Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Vintage 18k Yellow Gold 585 Geometric Greek Key Mens Jewelry Cuff Links 15g
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of vintage 18K yellow gold men’s cufflinks in the shape of a Greek Key pattern with cross hatched surface texture.
Category

20th Century Unknown Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

Athenian Red Figure Vases, the Archaic Period
Located in Bradenton, FL
Athenian red figure vases, the Archaic Period by John Boardman. Paperback book, published in 1985 by Thames and Hudson. Printed and bound in Spain, il...
Category

1980s Spanish Vintage Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Pair of 20th Century Carved Wood Obelisks
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 20th century carved wood Obelisks. Pair of 20th century Neoclassical style black and brown carved wood obelisks.
Category

1960s Unknown Vintage Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Antique French Brass Helmet Recreated as Lamp
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Well made in a ceremonial fashion in the manner of an ancient Classical helmet. Mounted on a carved and black painted wood base. The helmet inscribed, “Srs. POMPIERS De AVERNES” abov...
Category

19th Century French Antique Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Greek Style Engraved and Chased Gold Tone Metal Large Pyxis
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Greek style engraved and chased gold tone metal large Pyxis ( a cylindrical vessel/box with a lid that can be made of wood, ivory or metal). In the ancient times, it was mo...
Category

20th Century Greek Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Ancient Hellenistic Glass Finger Ring
Located in London, GB
This beautifully preserved ring was cast from light green transparent glass. Its large size and shape are typical of Hellenistic finger rings, and its now ...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Antique Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass

Demosthenis Selectae Orationes by Richard Mounteney 1791 7th Edition
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a fabulously rare antiquarian book from 1791, namely, Demosthenis Selectae Orationes by Richard Mounteney 1791 7th Edition. Leather Spine in very good condition. Leathe...
Category

18th Century English Antique Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Paper

Greek Bronze Illyrian Helmet, Archaic Period
Located in New York, NY
Greek bronze Illyrian Helmet Archaic period, circa 500-500 BC. Hammered from sheet-bronze, of domed form, with two parallel ribs to the bowl, a straig...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Greek Antique Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Ancient Macedonian Alexander the Great Coin Set in 22 kt Gold & Emerald Pendant
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Authentic Greek (Macedonian) Alexander the Great Tetradrachm Coin, 336-323 BC, set in a 22-karat gold bezel and Bail with an Emerald...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Macedonian Antique Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Gold

Impressive Trojan Theatrical Armour from Los Angeles Music Center
Located in Tetbury, GB
A helmet and body armour from the theatrical production of “Les Troyens” at the Los Angeles Music Center Opera. Inside the armour there’s 2 labels stati...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Brass

Estate 14k Yellow Gold & Lapis Lazuli Greek-Key Choker Necklace
Located in Shippensburg, PA
14K YELLOW GOLD GRADUATED GREEK-KEY LINK AND LAPIS LAZULI CHOKER NECKLACE Item # C104270 A delightful vintage choker necklace with Greek-Key individually cast graduated links executed entirely in 14 karat yellow gd that build up to a centermost blue Lapis Lazi...
Category

20th Century Greek Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

Related Items
Gods Delight, the Human Figure in Classical Bronze, First Edition
By Arielle P. Kozloff, David Gordon Mitten
Located in valatie, NY
The Gods delight, the Human figure in Classical bronze. Cleveland: The Cleveland Museum of Art and Indiana University Press, 1988. First edition paper back. 373 pp. An extensive cata...
Category

20th Century American Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Inside Paris Discovering the Period Interiors of Paris Hardcover Joseph Friedman
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Inside Paris: Discovering the Period Interiors of Paris Hardcover Book by Joseph Friedman. Rizzoli, Phaidon 1989 - Historic buildings - 128 pages. 1st Edition. This is a photographic...
Category

Late 20th Century Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Model of the Pantheon, Grand Tour
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Architectural Grand Tour model of the Pantheon in Rome. In yellow and white alabaster.
Category

1820s Italian Antique Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Alabaster

Model of the Pantheon, Grand Tour
Model of the Pantheon, Grand Tour
H 5.91 in W 5.52 in D 7.09 in
Grand Tour Specimen Marbles Plaque, Italy, circa 1850
Located in Kinderhook, NY
Italian Grand Tour marble specimen plaque in original silver-giltwood frame consisting of 20 different rare and ancient marbles, including Porphyry and Jasper, inlaid into a black an...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble

A Set of Renaissance Classical 19th Century Grand Tour Italian Plaster Intaglios
Located in High Wycombe, GB
A Small Set of 8 Renaissance Classical Grand Tour Medallions. Possibly Have Been Put on A Modern Backing At Some Point Grand Tour Cameos Intagli...
Category

Early 19th Century Greek Antique Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plaster

Black Marble Dumbbell Set
Located in New York, NY
A pair of exercise dumbbells, handcrafted in smooth, polished black marble. Small white inclusions throughout the stone. At approximately 5 lbs. each, they can actually be used for exercising, in a very elegant way to workout. They also make excellent decor items...
Category

2010s Italian Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble

Kieselstein Cord Diamond 18k Yellow Gold 3D Alligator Cuff Bracelet
Located in Dallas, TX
This authentic Barry Kieselstein-Cord bracelet is finely crafted from 18k yellow gold featuring an intricate and detailed 3D sculpted full figure alligator, from the larger part with...
Category

1980s American Vintage Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold Leaf

Ruhlmann Un Genie De L'Art Deco Editions D'Art, Ruhlmann: Genius of Art Deco
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Ruhlmann Un Genie De L'Art Deco by Emmanuel Breon et Rosalind Pepall.(Commissaires). 2004 Ruhlmann: Genius of Art Deco. French Text. Published by Somogy Ed...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

19th Italian Century Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture of Nude Narcissus
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century Italian Grand Tour bronze of Narcissus standing and gazing at his reflection after the ancient Roman original excavated at Pompeii in 1862, now at the Archaeological Mus...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Continental Grand Tour Brass Statue of Napoleon Bonaparte
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A nice quality continental Grand Tour brass figure of Napoleon Bonaparte standing on a column and dating from the 19th century. Made from solid brass the renowned French Military Lea...
Category

19th Century French Antique Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Continental Grand Tour Brass Statue of Napoleon Bonaparte
Continental Grand Tour Brass Statue of Napoleon Bonaparte
Free Shipping
H 4.93 in W 1.97 in D 1.97 in
English 1920s George V Period Gaff Cutter Pond Yacht with Red Sails
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English George V period Gaff Cutter pond yacht from circa 1920 with red sails on custom base. This elegant English George V period Gaff Cutter pond yacht, dating back to circa 192...
Category

Early 20th Century English Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Canvas, Wood

Solid Brass Ships Porthole
Located in Norwell, MA
Highly polished ships porthole with hinged door and four dog bolts. Meticulously polished and lacquered. The tempered glass has some imperfections from y...
Category

1930s European Vintage Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Previously Available Items
Impressive Trojan Theatrical Armour from Los Angeles Music Center
Located in Tetbury, GB
A helmet and body armour from the theatrical production of “Les Troyens” at the Los Angeles Music Center Opera. Inside the armour there’s 2 labels stati...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Brass

Impressive Trojan Theatrical Armour from Los Angeles Music Center
Impressive Trojan Theatrical Armour from Los Angeles Music Center
Free Shipping
H 17.72 in W 17.72 in D 9.45 in
Pair of 19th Century Medici Bronze Urns UpLighters Greek Revival Grand Tour
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A fantastic pair of patinated and gilt bronze campana vases, after the Medici and Borghese models. Classic egg and dart overhanging rim, above a waisted body cast in relief with a co...
Category

Mid-19th Century European Antique Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Estate 14k Yellow Gold & Lapis Lazuli Greek-Key Choker Necklace
Located in Shippensburg, PA
14K YELLOW GOLD GRADUATED GREEK-KEY LINK AND LAPIS LAZULI CHOKER NECKLACE Item # C104270 A delightful vintage choker necklace with Greek-Key individually cast graduated links executed entirely in 14 karat yellow gd that build up to a centermost blue Lapis Lazi...
Category

20th Century Greek Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

Pair of Classical Greek Figures Busts, Menelaos & Helena
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of classical Greek figure busts, 21 cm high. King Menelaus of Sparta and his wife Helena. Cast metal on bronze columns gilt in reddish marble. Made at H. Gladenbeck & Soh...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Metal, Bronze

Pair of Classical Greek Figures Busts, Menelaos & Helena
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of classical Greek figure busts, 21 cm high. King Menelaus of Sparta and his wife Helena. Cast metal on bronze columns gilt in reddish ...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Metal, Bronze

Italian Alabaster Marble Base Column Bookends, a Pair
Located in Germantown, MD
A very good pair of architectural inspired bookends, both carved in the form of ancient ruins of reeded columns, raised on stepped bases. Dimensions noted are those shown facing front individually. The Ancient Egyptians were the first known civilization to revere alabaster for its translucency and beauty. The mineral is not a hard stone and lends itself perfectly to the intricate carving. As alabaster is a natural product, please be aware that there will always be variations in veining and color. This is to be expected and makes every alabaster product...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Alabaster, Marble

Silver Tetradrachm, Danubian Celts, Philip II, circa 330 BC
Located in Sofia, BG
Laureate head of Zeus and youth on horseback holding a palm. Authencity guaranteed.
Category

15th Century and Earlier Greek Antique Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

Vintage Large Ancient Greek Temple Ruins Architectural Model or Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large and substantial architectural model of an Ancient Greek temple is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in Italy in circa 1960 in a realistic style. This model or sculpture is composed of thick plaster built over a frame of wood and wire mesh and has been cold painted to resemble the actual marble temple...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plaster

Greek Beauty Vintage Book by Assouline
Located in Oakland Park, FL
Greek beauty vintage book by Assouline. 80 pages Measures: 6 x 9 x 0.25 USA, 2003.
Category

Early 2000s North American Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Pair of Architectural Greek Column Brass Lamps
Located in London, GB
An impressive pair of Greek Revival gilded metal table lamps, fashioned as Ionic columns, 20th century. Why we like them Ultimately classical, timeless design inspired by ancien...
Category

20th Century English Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Rare Lead-Glazed Oinochoe Roman 1st or 4th Century A.D.
Located in Sofia, BG
Roman 1st or 4th cent. A.D. Clay, yellow and brown lead glaze. Measures: H. 17.5 cm The unusual vessel combines lead-glaze, a technique, which was partic...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Greek Antique Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ceramic

Goddess Fortuna Carnelian Roman Ring, Imperial Era, 1st-2nd c AD, Provenance
Located in Sofia, BG
Ring with the Goddess Fortuna Roman art, beginning of the imperial era (1st-2nd century AD) Carnelian Measure: D 2.35 cm The ring, almost circular in shape at the bottom, has an ...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Greek Antique Classical Greek Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

Classical Greek collectibles and curiosities for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Classical Greek collectibles and curiosities for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for collectibles and curiosities differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $95 and tops out at $32,000 while the average work can sell for $1,500.

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