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.
Art Deco Hand-Knotted Rug, Fabric, 346x252cm, Classical Roman Style
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Let your home shine with this beautiful rug. It features lovely colors and intricate details. Rugs like this are not only a popular choice for the living room, but also work wonderfu...
Fabric
$62,020Sale Price|30% Off
1870s Multi Geometric French Needlepoint Carpet 17'6"x19' Flatweave Wool Rug
Located in New York, NY
This mosaic floor pattern wool needlepoint carpet was clearly a special commission for a high-level Roman Catholic ecclesiastic, bishop and then archbishop / cardinal as indicated by the hats with tassels in the corners, each surmounting a shield of arms...
Wool
Hand-Crafted Vintage Oriental Rug, Cotton, Roman Style, 20th Century
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Let your home shine with this beautiful rug. It features lovely colors and stunning details. These types of rugs are not only a sought-after item for living rooms, but also consider ...
Cotton
Hand-Crafted Persian Rug, Cotton, Roman Style, 38x30 cm, 20th Century
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered: this very small, charming Oriental decorative rug with a lovely pattern, measuring 38x30 cm. Let your home shine with this beautiful rug. It features lovely colors and stunn...
Cotton
Hand-Crafted Persian Rug, Wool, Pink and Red, 345x250 cm, 20th Century
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this large, luxurious Oriental rug made of wool in mainly pink and red tones, measuring 345x250 cm. Let your home shine with this elegant and vibrant piece. It feat...
Wool
Large Oriental Rug with Red and Pink Tones – 345x250 cm
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this large and colorful Oriental rug with predominantly red and pink tones, measuring 345x250 cm. Brighten up your home with this stunning rug. It features beautifu...
Cotton
Rug with patterns and colors – 234x141cm
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered: this beautiful Oriental rug with elegant patterns and stunning colors, measuring 234x141 cm. Let your home shine with this gorgeous rug. It features lovely colors and exquis...
Cotton
Rug with Pink and Blue Tones – 302x208 cm
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this Oriental-style rug featuring beautiful colors, including pink and blue, measuring 302x208 cm. Let your home shine with this stunning piece. It showcases vibrant ...
Cotton
Zabihi Collection Turkish Antique Oushak Carpet
Located in New York, NY
A truly divine antique Oushak masterpiece. Two identical scrolls in between an irregular set of palmettes running through coral ground with a delightful s...
Wool
Hand-Knotted Oriental Rug, 20th Century, 232x139 cm, Roman Style
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered: this beautiful hand-knotted Oriental rug with refined patterns and stunning colors, measuring 232x139 cm. Let your home shine with this gorgeous rug. It features beautiful c...
Textile
$20,000Sale Price|23% Off
19th Century Antique Persian Tabriz
By Hadji Jalili
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite finely woven late 19th century Persian Tabriz. 7'8'' x 11'1'' Since the middle of the 19th century, Tabriz has lead a resurgence in Persian carpet-weaving both for domest...
Wool
Vintage oriental rug with vibrant colours and motifs 342x249cm
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Let your home shine with this beautiful rug. It features lovely colors and stunning details. Rugs like this are not only highly desirable for the living room, but also perfect for th...
Fabric, Textile
Rug with beautiful patterns in mainly red and yellow colours 296x203cm
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Let your home shine with this beautiful rug. It features lovely colors and intricate details. Rugs like this are not only a popular choice for the living room, but also work wonderfu...
Fabric
Hand-Crafted Persian Rug, Cotton, Classical Roman Style, 283x200 cm
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here this beautiful oriental style rug/carpet featuring many intricate patterns, measuring 283x200 cm. Bring warmth and character to your home with this stunning piece. It ...
Cotton
Large oriental rug with beautiful patterns and stunning colours 303x200cm
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Let your home shine with this beautiful rug It features lovely colors and intricate details Rugs like this are not only a popular choice for the living room, but also work wonderfull...
Fabric
Contemporary Silk Rug with Ancient Byzantine Mosaic Pattern
By Alberto Levi
Located in Milan, IT
An extremely finely knotted carpet woven completely in pure silk, with a design taken from the floor mosaics of the Byzantine period. The aging effect is obtained by weaving the patt...
Silk
Vintage Hand-Crafted Oriental Runner Rug, Blue Cotton, 6m Long
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered is this stunning, large, and thick 6-meter long vintage Oriental runner in predominantly blue with a beautiful pattern. Let your home shine with this magnificent rug. It feat...
Cotton
Hand-Knotted Square Rug with Red Tones – 63x61 cm
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this hand-knotted, square oriental decorative rug in beautiful shades of red, measuring 63x61 cm. Brighten up your home with this stunning piece, featuring vibrant co...
Cotton
Hand-Crafted Persian Rug, Cotton, Classical Roman Style, 20th Century
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here this colorful oriental style rug/carpet with beautiful colors, measuring 281x196 cm. Let your home shine with this stunning rug. It features rich colors and intricate ...
Cotton
20th Century White and Brown Roman Coptic Design North Africa Rug, circa 1900s
Located in Firenze, IT
Carpet in natural knotted wool with symmetrical knot, handicraft production of North Africa. The design of this rug reproduces a late Roman (Coptic) fabric. The drawing refers to ve...
Wool
Large Vintage Rug/Carpet with Dark Blue and Pink Tones 328x238 cm
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this large vintage Kirman rug/carpet featuring predominantly dark blue and pink tones with beautiful patterns, measuring 328x238 cm. Bring warmth and charm to your ...
Cotton
Rug/Carpet with Pink and Red – 298x201 cm
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here this charming oriental style rug/carpet featuring beautiful shades of dusty pink and red, measuring 298x201 cm. Brighten up your home with this stunning piece. It boas...
Cotton
Large rug with beautiful patterns in mainly red and yellow tones 295x200cm
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Let your home shine with this beautiful rug It features lovely colors and intricate details Rugs like this are not only a popular choice for the living room, but also look great in t...
Fabric
Unique and old hand-knotted oriental rug with pink details 312x220cm
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Let your home shine with this beautiful rug It features lovely colors and intricate details Rugs like this are not only a popular choice for the living room, but also work wonderfull...
Fabric
Hand-Knotted Rug / Tablecloth in Dark Blue and Red – 47x46 cm
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this hand-knotted decorative rug or tablecloth, featuring a fine pattern in dark blue and red tones, measuring 47x46 cm. Bring a touch of charm and elegance into your...
Cotton
Hand-Crafted Oriental Runner Rug, Cotton, Blue Tones, 148x40cm
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this subtle, soft, and elegant Oriental-style runner/rug in predominantly blue tones, measuring 148x40cm. Brighten up your home with this beautiful piece. It features...
Cotton
Subtle Decorative Rug / Runner in Blue and Beige Tones – 67x30cm
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this subtle decorative rug / runner in beautiful blue and beige tones, measuring 67x30cm. Let your home shine with the charm of this elegant piece. With its lovely co...
Cotton
Large Vintage Hand-Crafted Wool Rug, Oriental Style, 350x250 cm
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this large vintage wool rug in an Oriental style, featuring calm, muted colors, measuring 350x250 cm. Let your home shine with the charm of this beautiful piece. It...
Wool
Charming, Subtle Decorative Rug/Runner in Blue and Beige Tones – 71x32 cm
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered is this charming and subtle decorative rug/runner in beautiful blue and beige tones, measuring 71x32 cm. Brighten up your home with this lovely piece! It features attractive...
Cotton
Dark Blue Runner – 283x105cm
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered is this primarily dark blue Oriental runner measuring 283x105cm, featuring stunning colors and intricate patterns. Brighten up your home with this beautiful rug. It display...
Cotton
Large Wool Rug with Beige, Brown, Yellow, and Red Tones – 403x298cm
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this large and luxurious wool rug with predominantly beige, brown, yellow, and red tones, measuring 403x298 cm. Brighten up your home with this stunning rug featuri...
Wool
Subtle Colorful Rug with Beautiful Patterns – 124x74cm
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Let your home shine with this stunning rug. It features lovely colors and exquisite details. These types of rugs are not only a sought-after item for the living room but also a great...
Cotton
Large Rug with Fine Pattern and Beautiful Colors – 291x199 cm
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this large Oriental-style rug with a fine pattern and beautiful colors, measuring 291x199 cm. Let your home shine with this stunning rug. It features elegant colors ...
Cotton
Beautiful Rug with Mainly Red Tones and Elegant Patterns – 217 x 128 cm
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Let your home shine with this stunning rug. It features rich colors and intricate details. Rugs like this are not only highly sought-after for living rooms, but also make a stylish a...
Cotton
Rug in Pink and Dark Blue with a Stunning Pattern – 240x170 cm
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here this beautiful rug in mainly pink and dark blue with a stunning pattern, measuring 240x170 cm. Let your home shine with this gorgeous rug! It features lovely colors and...
Cotton
Hand-Knotted Subtle Colorful Rug with Beautiful Pattern – 108x50 cm
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Let your home shine with this beautiful rug. It features lovely colors and stunning details. These types of rugs are not only a sought-after item for the living room but also a great...
Cotton
Hand-Knotted Dark Blue Wool Rug, Classical Roman Style, 20th Century
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Let your home shine with this beautiful rug. It features lovely colors and stunning details. These types of rugs are not only a sought-after item for the living room but also a great...
Wool
Square Decorative Rug in Predominantly Red and Blue – 105x98 cm
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this square decorative rug in oriental style, featuring refined patterns in predominantly red and blue tones, measuring 105x98 cm. Brighten up your home with this bea...
Cotton
Hand-Crafted Persian Rug, Blue and White, 20th Century, 181x90 cm
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this subtle oriental rug in mainly blue and white tones with clean patterns, measuring 181x90 cm. Brighten up your home with this beautiful rug. It features lovely co...
Cotton
Hand-Knotted Vintage Rug, Cotton, Classical Roman Style, 162 x 81 cm
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this hand-knotted, subtly patterned vintage rug featuring a refined color palette and beautiful details. Measuring 162 x 81 cm, this rug is a charming addition to a...
Cotton