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.
Artistic Long And Narrow Size Antique Greek Embroidery Textile 1'8" x 10'9"
Located in New York, NY
Gorgeous 17th Century Antique Italian Silk Embroidery Textile, Country of Origin: Italy, Circa Date: 17th Century
Wool
New Modern Turkish Oushak Rug with Traditional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
76891 New Modern Azure Turkish Oushak Rug, 09'02 x 12'11. Awash in the serenity of sunlit skies and ancient sands, this hand knotted wool modern Turkish Oushak rug carries the whispe...
Wool
$7,784Sale Price|20% Off
New Modern Colorful Light Blue Oushak Carpet with Transitional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
80921 New Modern Colorful Oushak Rug, 10'00 x 13'08. This hand-knotted wool modern Oushak rug is a painter’s reverie in textile form—a serene landscape where color drifts like mornin...
Wool
1900s Blue Medallion Antique Chinese Peking Rug 9'x11' 4'' Handwoven Wool Carpet
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese Peking rug, Size: 9' 0'' x11' 4''. Antique Peking Chinese Medallion Blue 1900s Blue Rug, Circa Date: 1900s. This exemplary Peking rug, woven during the early 20th ce...
Wool
New Modern Turkish Oushak Carpet with Transitional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
53515 New Modern Turkish Oushak Rug,09'00 x 11'08. Bathed in the hush of clouded skies and the hush of Anatolian twilight, this hand-knotted wool modern Turkish Oushak rug conjures a...
Wool
Rare Long And Narrow Antique Geek Embroidered Textile 2'2" x 9'7"
Located in New York, NY
A Rare Long And Narrow Antique Geek Embroidered Textile, Circa: 19th Century, Origin: Anafi, Cyclades- Greece
Wool
1930s Yellow Shabby Chic Chinese Gallery Carpet 9'2"x25'6" Knotted Wool Rug
Located in New York, NY
1930s Chinese Gallery Carpet ( 9'2" x 25'6" - 279 x 777 ) Antique Oversized Chinese Chinese Knotted Rug, Country of Origin: China, Circa Date: 1930s. This exceptional piece exemplif...
Wool
1900s Brown Medallion Antique Chinese Mongolian Rug 5' 9''x7' 10'' Wool Carpet
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese - Mongolian Rug 5' 9''x7' 10'' Antique Chinese - Mongolian Small Scatter Size Wool Brown Rug, Circa Date: 1900s. This exceptional piece represents the unique weaving...
Wool
1920s Navy Floral Birds Medallion Antique Chinese Peking Knotted Wool Carpet Rug
Located in New York, NY
1920 Chinese Peking Rug 3' 1" x4' 11" This antique rug is a classic Chinese Peking piece from circa 1920, notable for its rich color and traditional craftsmanship. The rug features...
Wool
$1,800Sale Price|20% Off
Turkish Ghiordes Rug
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite Turkish ghiordes weave. Ivory field with splashes of raspberry and celadon green.
Wool
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
Ivory Antique Turkish Ghiordes Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th-century antique Turkish Ghiordes rug. 4' x 5'9''
Wool
New Contemporary Blue Turkish Oushak Carpet with Modern Transitional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
52905 New Modern Blue Turkish Oushak Rug, 09'11 x 14'00. Bathed in the tranquil hues of a twilight sky, this hand-knotted wool modern Turkish Oushak rug invites the gaze to wander ac...
Wool
New Modern Turkish Oushak Carpet with Traditional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
53969 New Modern Sky Blue Turkish Oushak Rug Runner, 02'10 x 14'09. This hand-knotted wool modern Turkish Oushak rug runner radiates a serene and ethereal charm, effortlessly blendin...
Wool
New Modern Turkish Oushak Carpet with Transitional Style, Whispers of Anatolia
Located in Dallas, TX
52801 New Modern Oushak Turkish Rug, 10'04 x 14'05. This hand-knotted wool modern Turkish Oushak rug blossoms with an ancient soul wrapped in a refreshed palette—its sea salt colored...
Wool
New Colorful Modern Turkish Oushak Carpet with Transitional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
53607 New Modern Colorful Oushak Turkish Rug, 09'02 x 12'01. Awash in a dreamlike palette of sunrise hues and meadow blooms, this hand-knotted wool modern Turkish Oushak rug sings wi...
Wool
Rugs On Net Antique Chinese Peking Carpet
Located in New York, NY
1920s Chinese Peking Carpet ( 9'' x 12' - 275 x 365 ) Antique Yellow / Gold Orange Rectangle Wool 1920s Hand Knotted Pile Rug, Circa Date: 1920s. This exceptional Chinese Peking car...
Wool
1920s Navy Vase Floral Antique Chinese Baotou Scholars Carpet 4'x 5'10" Wool Rug
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th Century Chinese Baotou Scholars Carpet ( 4' x 5'10" - 122 x 178 ) Antique Chinese – Baotou Blue 1920s Rug, Circa Date: 1920s. This exceptional example of early 20th-centu...
Wool
1920s Beige Geometric Antique Indian Cotton Dhurrie Carpet 3'8"x6'3" Flatweave
Located in New York, NY
The tan-gold field displays a three column quasi-Turkmen gul design delineated in medium blue with lesser cruciform minor guls. Beige and tan square wave b...
Cotton
1900s Blue Medallion Greek Antique Chinese Peking Rug 6' 2" x 8' 7" Wool Carpet
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese Peking rug, size: 6'2" x 8'7". Antique Floral Medallion Wool Hand Knotted Pile Blue 1900s Rug, Circa Date: 1900s. This exquisite example of antique rugs features a p...
Wool
1920s Blue Geometric Antique India Cotton Dhurrie Carpet 16'x23'6" Flatweave Rug
Located in New York, NY
This mansion-sized all cotton flat-weave shows a light blue field divided into a hexagon lattice with individual cells each containing a flower. Straw yellow accents. Squared wave border. This antique Indian piece...
Cotton
1920s Black Greek Key Indian Cotton Dhurrie Carpet 8'3"X12'9" Flatwoven Wool Rug
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th Century Indian Cotton Dhurrie Carpet ( 8'3" X 12'9" - 252 X 388 ) Black, or in this case, charcoal, Dhurries, are uncommon. The broad rose and grahite nested square wave f...
Wool
Modern Greek Key Hand Knotted Rug in Beige and Brown Color
By Nasiri
Located in New York, NY
Our "Olympia" Greek Key decorative rug is hand-knotted, and made with the finest hand-spun wool. The Classic Greek Key motif takes on a modern look in this low pile rug. Custom sizes...
Wool
New Modern Earth-Tone Turkish Oushak Carpet with Transitional Tribal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
53603 New Modern Earth-Tone Turkish Oushak Rug, 10'07 x 13'02. Soft as desert wind and radiant with the warmth of sun-kissed clay, this hand-knotted wool modern Turkish Oushak rug un...
Wool
New Contemporary Silver Mist Turkish Oushak Carpet with Modern Coastal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
53491 New Modern Oushak Turkish Rug, 09'02 x 12'05. This hand-knotted wool modern Turkish Oushak rug evokes the serenity of an Anatolian dawn, where sky and earth quietly mingle befo...
Wool
1920s Beige Medallion Floral Antique Chinese Carpet 9'6"x11'2" Knotted Wool Rug
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th Century Chinese Carpet ( 9'6" x 11'2" - 290 x 340 ) Antique Chinese Room Size Wool Camel, Red Rug, Circa Date: 1920s. This exceptional example of early 20th-century Chine...
Wool
1900s Orange Medallion Antique Chinese BaoTou Rug 4'4"x7'2" Knotted Wool Carpet
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese - Bao Tou rug, size: 4'4" x 7'2". Antique Chinese - Baotou Ivory 1900s Rug, Country of Origin: China, Circa Date: 1900s. This exceptional exam...
Wool
1920s Navy Cranes Cloud Bands Antique Chinese Peking Carpet 3'2"x11'8" Wool Rug
Located in New York, NY
1920s Chinese Peking Carpet ( 3'2" x 11'8" - 97 x 357 ) On the rich navy ground, a two story pavilion rises on a wisp of cloud from a layered mountain, while birds wheel above among ...
Wool
$1,500
H 90 in W 10.5 in D 0.25 in
18th Century Hand-Embroidered Silk Textile Panel, Gilt Threads, Europe
Located in Barrington, IL
Discover a rare and exquisite piece of European artistry with this Exceptional 18th Century Hand-Embroidered Silk and Gilt Thread Textile Panel. This magnificent piece was artistically crafted by repurposing fragments of what was once a grand hand-embroidered robe or a sacred vestment shawl, giving it a unique history and renewed purpose as a stunning decorative panel. Created in the 18th century, this textile marvel, even after three centuries, retains its remarkable beauty. The beautiful and brilliant colors of the silk threads endure, showcasing the enduring quality of 18th-century dyes and embroidery. The delicate gilt threads woven throughout the design continue to shine exquisitely under the right light, adding a luminous and regal dimension to the piece. Display it as a magnificent tapestry wall art to celebrate its intricate details and historical narrative, or utilize it as a luxurious table runner to imbue your dining or console space with unparalleled elegance and historical charm. Dimensions: 10.5" x 90" Date of Manufacture: Early 1700s Place of Origin: Europe Material: Silk embroidery with gilt threads Condition: Wear consistent with age and use The Persian Knot Gallery, SKU: 1374 Vintage Handwoven Tapestries, French Aubusson Tapestry, Aubusson Tapestry Pillows, French Tapestry Pillows, Antique Rug Pillows, European Embroidery,18th Century Antique French Tapestry...
Gold
Vintage Embroidered Suzani Textile
Located in Chicago, IL
This vintage late 20th-century Suzani textile bursts with color, symbolism, and intricate craftsmanship. Hand-embroidered medallions depict baskets brimming with large-scale flowers ...
Cotton
Bobyrug’s Rare Antique Ottoman Silk and Metal Embroidery
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Beautiful late 19th century Turkish ottoman embroidery with nice design and green field color, entirely hand embroidered with golden metal on silk foundation. ✨✨✨ "Experience the ep...
Silk
Vintage Turkish Oushak Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Turkish Oushak carpet from the second quarter of the 20th century. Measures: 7' 3" x 8' 8"
Wool
Contemporary French Hand-Embroidered Pierre Frey Textile Panel
Located in LEGNY, FR
Elegant and refined, this fabric by the renowned French house Pierre Frey showcases the excellence of French craftsmanship. Entitled "Farrah", it features entirely handmade embroider...
Fabric, Canvas
Beautiful antique silk Japanese Embroidery « the tigers »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Nice antique Japanese embroidery with beautiful design with tigers, and with nice natural colours in hues of yellow, green, brown and black , entirely...
Silk
Ottoman Style Silk Embroidered Textile Hanging or Spread
Located in Milan, IT
A highly refined embroidery ornated by an infinite repeat of stylized palmettes and leafs typical of 16th century ottoman court workshops. It belongs to a group of weavings commissioned by a British interior designer and no longer in production. It is therefore a one off, displaying the art of ottoman silk embroidery...
Silk
Antique Turkish Oushak Rug
Located in WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA
A divine antique Turkish Oushak rug. This piece encompasses a tasteful geometric design. Neutral tones and an antique red gives the piece just the right amount of color. Oushak rugs ...
Wool
$975
H 99 in W 81 in D 0.1 in
Indian Beaded & Embroidered Shisa Mosaic Textile Wall Hanging 8 Feet Long
Located in Rochester, NY
Colorful Indian metallic thread abstract wall hanging or shisha . Enormous amount of hand work. Excellent quality. Shisheh or abhla bharat embroidery (Persian شيشه, abhala bharat; ...
Metallic Thread
Late 19th Century Uzbekistan Nurata Suzani Textile, Embroidered Wall Tapestry
Located in Dallas, TX
78198 Rare Late 19th Century Antique Uzbek Nurata Suzani Tapestry, 03'06 x 05'01. Immerse yourself in the rarefied elegance of this Late 19th Century Antique Uzbek Nurata Suzani Tape...
Cotton, Silk
$7,000Sale Price|30% Off
W 111 in L 139 in
1900s Antique Handmade Chinese Peking Wool Rug In Blue with Traditional Design
Located in Norwalk, CT
This exquisite antique Chinese Art Deco rug is carefully hand-knotted with high-quality wool. It features a deep blue background, accented by an elegant earthy tones traditional patt...
Wool
$6,322Sale Price|20% Off
H 98.04 in W 62.21 in D 0.48 in
1870 Antique French Tapestry Wool & Silk Tapestry Beige Handmade Tapestry
Located in New York, NY
This is a very fine Authentic Antique French Tapestry in Wool & Silk. This piece is truly a magnificent work of art featuring a lady feeding birds while a dog watches nearby. It is a...
Silk
New Contemporary Turkish Oushak Rug with Traditional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
51617 New Modern Turkish Oushak Rug, 10'01 x 12'03. Like the first breath of dawn brushing the Anatolian plains, this hand-knotted wool modern Turkish Oushak rug whispers serenity wi...
Wool
Vintage French Aesopian Tapestry
Located in New York, NY
A vintage French tapestry from the mid-20th century. This tells the story of Aesop's fable, “The Fox and the Stork,” both of which are depicted along with a tall, narrow vase. Only the stork can drink from it and the fox leaves in defeat. The creatures inhabit a dense wood with leafy trees, and foreground ferns and mushrooms. The colors are restrained with light browns and greens predominating. This listing is solely for "The Fox and the Stork" tapestry. Please contact us for its pair, "The Wolf and the...
Wool
Vintage French Aesopian Tapestry
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Fresh tapestry from the mid-20th century. A lamb is greedily eyed by a hungry wolf and we know what will happen next. This panel depicts an Aesopian fable, “The Wolf and the Lamb...
Wool
Antique Khotan Runner
Located in New York, NY
Small worn Khotan runner with a pomegranate design surrounded by a intricate border.
Wool
Antique Kazak Caucasian Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century Caucasian rug.
Wool
Antique Turkish Anatolian Rug
Located in New York, NY
Eclectic best describes this colorful Turkish Anatolian rug.
Wool
Vintage Turkish Anatolian
Located in New York, NY
Quirky Mid Century One of a kind Turkish Anatolian Rug.
Wool