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.
Italian Savonarola Dante Or Curule Folding Chair
Located in Sheffield, MA
Stunning Italian iron Savonarola Dante chair also known as x chairs or Curule chairs. Featuring an iron frame that folds in a Campaign style with bronze-mounted finials. A sling back...
Iron
$1,995
H 22.5 in W 28.25 in D 14.5 in
Gilded Wrought Iron Curule or Savonarola Italian Hollywood Regency Vanity Stool
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful, gilded wrought iron Italian Hollywood Regency vanity stool with twisted rope and tassels detail in a Curule or Savonarola sty...
Wrought Iron
$1,800
H 38 in W 24.25 in D 20.25 in
Antique Italian Savonarola Dante Chair Carved Oak Renaissance Lion Shield
Located in Tyler, TX
Antique Italian Renaissance Revival Oak "Savonarola" or "Dante" Chair~~early 20th Century These chairs, often called scissor or "X" chairs, are typically supported by two crossed or curved supports at the sides or back and front~~these chairs were given the name Savonarola in the 19th century after Girolamo Savonarola, an Italian priest in Florence from 1494-1498~~the design comes from an ancient Roman "X" shaped chair that was popular in medieval Italy...
Oak
$5,429
H 31.5 in W 70.87 in D 32.29 in
French 19th Century Napoleon III Button-Back Salon Canapé or Settee
Located in London, GB
A French salon canapé dating from the Napoleon III period, with a curved, buttoned back and integrated arms, designed for comfort and balance within Second Empire interiors. The ful...
Textile, Upholstery, Wood, Hardwood, Beech, Softwood, Pine
$4,640Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 33.5 in W 24 in D 19 in
Pair Arte De Mexico Iron Leather Savonarola Dante or Curule Chairs
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stunning pair of Arte De Mexico iron Savonarola Dante chairs also known as X chairs or Curule chairs. Featuring a wrought iron frame in a Campaign sty...
Iron
$4,098
H 34.26 in W 55.12 in D 22.45 in
Baroque Sofa or Canape with Tapestry Seat Fabric Canapé in Louis XV
Located in Berlin, DE
Baroque sofa with tapestry seat fabric canapé in Louis XV style XV style. dainty French, sofa in the Louis XV style XV style. Curved rising, braided backrest framing with rocaille...
Beech
Italian Design Vico Magistretti, Maralunga Lounge Chair, 1980s
Located in Renens, CH
Model 675 Maralunga lounge chair, by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, early 1980s. Upholstered in original cognac coloured leather with a good patina. The backrest features an integrat...
Leather
$6,187 / set
H 25.6 in W 35.44 in D 33.47 in
Stunning Mantilla lounge chair by Kazuhide Takahama for Simon Gavina Italy
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Mantilla Lounge Chair by Kazuhide Takahama for Simon Gavina, Italy, 1960s Removable Green Chenille Upholstery on Sculpted Padded Core Designed in the 1960s for Simon Gavina, the Man...
Velvet
Italian Sofa Bed, 1950s
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This Italian sofa bed was designed in the 1950s. The shapes lend elegance and modernity to the otherwise quite minimalist design. The seat is foldable...
Iron
$3,000
H 53.5 in W 24 in D 26 in
Antique Italian Renaissance Revival Walnut Curule Savonarola Lion Throne Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
Exceptional mid 19th century Italian Renaissance Revival Savonarola Curule Arm Chair. Features a meticulously carved walnut frame with leather seat. The back is showcased by a winged...
Leather, Walnut
Set of 6 Brass and Velvet Curule Savonarola Chairs
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of six 1980’s Curule Armchairs. Extremely comfortable and well proportioned, these chairs would fit in a dining room setting or as accent chairs. In very good condition with brow...
Brass
Italian Renaissance Style Walnut Savonarola Folding Chair circa 1900
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian Renaissance style walnut Savonarola folding chair from circa 1900 with lion paw feet. This Italian Renaissance style Savonarola chair, dating back to circa 1900, is a sple...
Walnut
Antique Italian Savonarola Chair
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1900 Italian carved chair with leather seat and back. Measurements: Height: 34" Width: 27.5" Depth: 18.5"
Leather, Wood