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.
Pair Of 19th Century Italian Iron And Leather Benches
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 19th century Italian iron and leather benches. Offered is a handsome pair of Italian wrought iron curule benches or ottomans with beautifully distressed leather seats. These ...
Iron, Wrought Iron
William lV Mahogany Hall bench in the manner of Gillows
Located in Sherborne, GB
Large bold William lV mahogany hall bench in the manner of Gillows with a single piece double moulded top flanked by raised fluted bolster ends faced with turned roundels sitting on ...
Mahogany
19th Century Antique French Hall Bench, Hand-Crafted Wood, Roman Style
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered is this stylish antique French hall bench / dining bench with a timeless appearance. Lovers of a charming and warm interior have known it for years: a bench is always a beau...
Wood
Antique oak church bench in Gothic style with beautiful wood carving
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This amazing antique freestanding oak church pew in Gothic style is a fantastic addition for collectors and lovers of fine furniture. It is beautifully carved and features original a...
Wood, Oak
$2,520Sale Price|28% Off
Antique Carved Wood Curule-Form Bench, Europe, Early 20th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant and sculptural antique curule-form bench, crafted in Europe in the early 20th century and inspired by classical Roman and Renaissance seating forms. The bench is distingui...
Silver Leaf
Late 19th Century French Gothic Style Hand Carved Oak Coffer Bench
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This late nineteenth century French Gothic style oak coffer bench features ten hand carved panels in the lower apron and seat back, each with alternating Gothic motifs. Gothic column...
Iron
19th Century Bench
Located in New York, NY
Early 19th century Chinese bench. A special black lacquered antique Elm wood bench circa 1800. A waisted (refers to specific Chinese furniture construction & joinery) raised top set on frame with hump back stretchers and struts. A most sensational patina of black lacquer worn through to the wood showcases the benches elegant presence and raw beauty. This is an original piece with a 200 plus year history. The raw top is worn silk like smooth from age and use. The reaming black lacquer is thick having an alligatored rustic patina. The construction is solid and strong. Feet having scroll key detail carved to faces with wear prevalent to the bottom of the feet. The humpback struts show ware from one side being more evident then on the other side, more lacquer remains covering one strut. A very significant Antique Chinese Bench...
Elm
19th Century French Bench
Located in Nashville, TN
This is a 19th century French farm table bench, beautiful patina at age these are great for tables but so many times they're used in mudroom or hallways. DIMENSIONS 83ʺW × 9ʺD × 17ʺH
Hardwood
$2,106Sale Price|20% Off
H 59.26 in W 61.42 in D 18.51 in
Gothic Revival Oak High Back Hall Bench, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and ultra rare Gothic Revival high back hall bench. Striking Dutch design from the 1900s. Solid oak frame with original hand-carved elements in the back and the sides! Un...
Wrought Iron
English Mahogany Hall Bench, circa 1830
Located in Kinderhook, NY
An English circa 1830 George IV, William IV regency style solid mahogany hall bench or window seat of long and narrow rectangular form with exquisite patina having top with turned cy...
Mahogany
$4,090
H 47.5 in W 77 in D 22 in
Antique Oak Mission Arts and Crafts Gothic Style Bench Settee c. 1900/1930's
By Gustav Stickley, Charles Limbert
Located in New York, NY
Incredible Mission, Gothic, Arts and Crafts style settee, bench, constructed of quarter sawn oak, and oak veneer. The bench features back supports with pyramid form capitals, a drama...
Oak
$1,925
H 18 in W 28 in D 19.5 in
Pair of Continental Painted and Parcel Gilt Curule-Form Tabourets, 20th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
Pair of Continental Painted and Parcel Gilt Curule-Form Tabourets, 20th Century
Paint
$11,469 / set
H 36.62 in W 59.85 in D 25.2 in
Pair of Iron Garden Benches England, 19th Century European White
Located in Epfach, DE
Pair of iron garden benches England, 19th century European white Pair of English strap iron garden seats, white painted, benches are very decorative and comfortable.
Iron
Steelcase Bench in the manner of Florence Knoll
Located in Highland, IN
A handsome and useful piece by Steelcase, this bench is very similar to the design by Florence Knoll. It features a chromed steel base supporting two upholstered seats. Newly restore...
Steel
$3,645
H 19.69 in W 53.94 in D 20.08 in
Large Sculptural Black Lacquered Bench in the Manner of Carlo Mollino
Located in Kent, Dover
A large Italian Mid-Century bench of sculptural design in the manner of Carlo Mollino. Black lacquered and newly upholstered in bubble-gum pink velvet with cream detailing.
Beech
$1,500
H 16.5 in W 47 in D 15.75 in
Early 20th Century French Walnut and Antique Linen Upholstered Bench
Located in Burton, TX
Found in the South of France, this Early 20th Century French Walnut and Antique Linen Upholstered Bench was crafted in the early 1900's. The piece features an antique French linen up...
Linen, Walnut
Early 19th Century Antique Carved Wood Storage Bench
Located in Stamford, CT
Fabulous early 19th century hand carved bench with lift top seat for storage. This is a great piece with beautiful carvings on the seat back and front panels. Built by hand and made ...
Wood
Antique Hall Bench / Dining Bench
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this stylish antique hall bench, also ideal as a dining bench, featuring a timeless appearance. For those who appreciate a charming and warm interior, a bench has lon...
Wood
Antique Hall Bench / Dining Bench
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this antique hall bench, also perfect as a dining bench, with a stylish and timeless look. For lovers of a warm and charming interior, a bench has long been a beautif...
Wood
Luxurious Antique Hall Bench / Dining Bench from France
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this luxurious antique hall bench / dining bench from France, featuring beautiful original details. For years, lovers of a charming and warm interior have known: a ...
Wood
Pair Italian paint decorated Roman style wood benches C 1940
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A pair pf Italian paint decorated Roman style wood benches C 1940, a variation of the curule form, each with curved seats painted with flowers within gilt cartouches supported by 4 l...
Wood, Paint
Antique English Mahogany Hall Bench
By Marsh and Tatham
Located in Sherborne, GB
19th century mahogany hall bench circa 1850 with bold turned raised bolster ends resting on a light honey coloured thumb moulded seAt, seating on elegant finely tuned legs, retaining...
Mahogany
Sold
H 24 in W 31.75 in D 19.5 in
Bleached French Oak Curule Bench with Lion Heads and Iron Rings, Circa 1920
Located in Dallas, TX
This antique French stool frame, known as a curule or savonarola, is made of bleached oak and is ready for a leather/fabric upholstery of your cho...
Metal, Iron
Large Wide Patio Garden Painted Iron Seat Bench, Circa 1930-1950
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large Wide Italian Painted Iron Garden Bench. Bench has its original fantastic patina. The seat is in good sturdy condition with great wear and tear. We can offer to arrange and cus...
Iron
Chased Wrought Iron Folding Curule Bench
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Hand-Forged Iron with Stitched Saddle leather makes this Curule Stool a Classic Roman Form! Curule Stools have been re-imagined and embellished since the Romans first introduced this Classic Form. This Folding Stool with Rosettes on both sides is probably Italian or French from the Turn of the Century. Beautiful wear to the leather. Waxed metal...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 22.5 in W 30.5 in D 20 in
20th Century Carved Giltwood Classical Curule Style Upholstered Bench
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Carved in the classical fashion this Italian giltwood Curule style bench is upholstered and covered with a tasteful fabric. It likely dates to the late 20...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Italian Painted and Giltwood Bench, circa 1920
Located in Houston, TX
Gorgeous antique Italian painted and giltwood neoclassical style bench, circa 1920. This versatile Roman giltwood bench is in great structural condition and can be used in a variety ...
Wood
Pair of Italian Savonarola Curule Bench Seat Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Great pair of folding Italian Savonarola Curule bench seat chairs. Both are in very Fine original condition, with exception of seats, which have later...
Brass, Wrought Iron
Sold
H 28 in W 28 in D 18.5 in
Pair of Classical Style steel patinated Curule' Chairs with a Modern Twist
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Graced by new mint condition subdued blue cushions these chairs or benches feature the basic elements of the classical curule chair originating in old Rome, but with a less decorated...
Steel