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.
Antique set of 4 English Windsor lowback chairs with character
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This fantastic set of 4 antique lowback Windsor dining chairs has developed a wonderful patina over the years. These chairs feature a spindle backrest, a beautifully shaped seat, and...
Wood
Thonet-Style Bistro Chair, Hand-Crafted Wood, 20th Century Design
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This charming and very elegant bistro chair in the style of Thonet, featuring beautiful carved details in the seat. This stunning Thonet-style dining/bistro chair, with its charming ...
Wood
Set of 4 Antique Spanish Country Chairs with Woven Rattan Seats
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered: this unique set of 4 antique Spanish country chairs with woven rattan seats and beautiful wood carvings. This charming set of 4 antique Spanish country chairs is not only vi...
Rattan, Wood
Set of 4 antique Jacob and Josef Kohn chairs from the early 20th century
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This amazing set of 4 original antique Jacob and Josef Kohn chairs comes from the early 20th century and features beautiful drawings/motifs in the wood. They fit well in both classic...
Wood
Set of 6 antique beautiful English Windsor chairs with a beautiful patina
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This fantastic set of six antique lowback Windsor dining chairs has developed a wonderful patina over the years. These chairs feature a spindle backrest, a beautifully shaped seat, a...
Wood
Set of Eight Italian Savonarola Armchairs, Brass & Steel, Mid-Century
By Dante Savonarola
Located in Stamford, CT
Set of 8 mid-20th century Italian Savonarola curule brass and steel armchairs with leather seat and back rest. They can be purchased as pairs for $4000. Each chair has four brass bal...
Brass, Steel
Set of 2 Antique Spanish Country Chairs with Woven Rush Seats
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here this charming and unique set of 2 antique Spanish country chairs with woven rush seats and beautiful wood carving. This distinctive set of 2 antique Spanish country chai...
Rush, Wood
Unique and Characterful Set of 6 Original Antique Dutch Leather Dining Chairs
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This set of 6 fantastic antique Dutch dining chairs boasts a striking character and is truly a statement piece. Dating from the late 18th to early 19th century, these chairs retain t...
Leather, Wood
Set of 4 luxury black leather Art Deco dining chairs with armrests
Located in Harderwijk, NL
These luxurious, comfortable, and elegant chairs are from the renowned Dutch brand Schuitema, known for its quality, designs, and use of materials. These chairs also feature the dist...
Cowhide, Leather, Wood
Set of four antique oak dining chairs in Art Nouveau style
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This wonderful antique set of Art Nouveau dining chairs can fit into almost any interior thanks to their timeless appearance. These chairs also combine beautifully with a modern dini...
Cowhide, Leather, Wood, Oak
Set of 4 beautiful sheepskin dining chairs with character
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This wonderful set of 4 sheepskin leather dining chairs features beautiful, warm tones. They suit almost any interior and pair well with both modern and antique dining tables. With p...
Leather, Sheepskin
Set of 4 vintage bistro chairs Jacob & Josef Kohn Wien with a wicker seat
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This nice set of 4 chairs is by Jacob & Josef Kohn Wien and features an elegantly curved wooden frame, a wicker seat, and a decorative backrest, giving them a timeless and cosy look....
Wicker, Wood
Set of 2 wooden vintage bistro chairs Jacob & Josef Kohn Wien
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This nice set of 2 chairs is from Jacob & Josef Kohn Wien and features an elegantly curved wooden frame, a wicker seat, and a decorative backrest, giving them a timeless and cozy loo...
Wicker, Wood
Vintage white bistro chair with armrests in Thonet style
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This vintage bistro chair features an elegantly curved wooden frame and a cane seat and backrest. The design of the armrests makes it a real eye-catcher in almost any interior. Perfe...
Wood
Art Nouveau design dining chair/side chair with red fabric upholstery
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This luxurious chair is by the renowned Dutch brand Schuitema, known for its quality, design, and use of materials. This chair also features the distinctive details we have come to e...
Fabric, Wood
Set of two Art Nouveau design dining chairs with red fabric upholstery
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This luxurious set of two chairs is by the renowned Dutch brand Schuitema, known for its quality, design, and use of materials. These chairs also feature the distinctive details we h...
Fabric, Wood
Set of 4 Hand-Crafted Sheepskin Leather Dining Chairs in Roman Style
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is a timeless set of 4 stately and comfortable dining chairs in sheep leather, featuring a refined decorative nail trim. With their elegant, timeless look and beautiful...
Leather, Sheepskin
Antique Jacob and Josef Kohn Thonet Chair from the Early 20th Century
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this original antique Jacob and Josef Kohn Thonet chair from the early 20th century, featuring beautiful carving. This stunning original antique chair by Jacob and ...
Wood
Unavailable|$3,750 / set
H 33.75 in W 25.25 in D 17.5 in
Vintage Palecek Woven Rattan “ Jordan” Dining Chairs - Set of 8
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stunning set of eight vintage Palecek dining armchairs exemplifies the timeless appeal of organic modernism. Crafted with sturdy bent rattan frames and meticulously hand-woven w...
Wicker, Rattan
$4,000 / set
H 40 in W 20.75 in D 32 in
Blended Set of 8 Complimentary Semi Antique Hardwood Windsor Armchairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An exceptional blended set of 8 Hardwood Windsor Armchairs with fine traditional form and particularly well-grained seats. In a Natural tone with classic hoop backs with spindles and...
Hardwood
$2,950 / set
H 34.65 in W 17.33 in D 20.08 in
Set of Beech Dining Chairs by Josef Hoffmann for Jacob & Josef Kohn
By Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Budapest, HU
Set of Two Beech Dining Chairs by Josef Hoffmann for Jacob & Josef Kohn This refined set of two dining chairs was designed by Josef Hoffmann for the renowned Austrian firm Jacob & J...
Leather, Beech
Set of Six English Windsor Chairs
Located in Antwerp, BE
Six unusual and wonderful aged, worn patina chairs are in good condition.They look fantastic together as a set. The seat height of all seats is 18.5 in. (47 cm) The height of the armrest is 26.77 in. (68 cm) The two high back chairs are 37.79 in. (96 cm) high x 22.04 in. (56 cm) wide and seat height 18.50 in. (47 cm) x 22.04 in. (56 cm) deep. The other four Windsor chairs...
Wood
Set of Eight Mid Century Italian Dining Chairs
Located in London, London
This elegant set of eight 1960s Italian dining chairs showcases refined mid-century craftsmanship and beautifully balanced proportions. The frames are crafted in richly grained teak,...
Teak
Antique French Country Walnut Rush Seat Arm Chairs
Located in Southampton, NJ
Sweet pair of Antique Country French hand carved walnut rush seat armchairs with custom green velvet down filled cushions. Marvelously festive, solid reinforced joinery, ready for us...
Velvet, Rush, Walnut, Down
Rare Set of 6 Metal Windsor Chairs
Located in East Hampton, NY
A rare and interesting set of 6 chairs from the Philadelphia Public Library reading rooms circa 1929.
Metal
$10,300 / set
H 37.5 in W 25.5 in D 22.25 in
Set of 8 Antique English Mahogany Dining Room Chair, Circa 1890's.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Set of 8 antique English mahogany dining room chairs, circa 1890's.
Mahogany
$125
H 32 in W 10 in D 16 in
Vienna Secessionist Bentwood Cafe Bistro Dining Chair att. to Thonet c 1910/20's
By Thonet
Located in New York, NY
Vienna Secessionist Cafe, Bistro style dining chair constructed of beech using the signature steam bent technique. This example was made in Austria, circa 1910/20's attributed to Th...
Wood, Beech
$6,500 / set
H 33.86 in W 24.41 in D 24.41 in
Set of 4 Italian Vintage Armchairs in Wicker & Birch, Mid-Century Modern, 1950
Located in Odense, DK
A truly beautiful set of 4 armchairs with hand woven wicker seats and back. Arms in a veneered birch attached to a metal frame, an unusual detail that we have never seen before. Made...
Metal
$4,350 / set
H 42.5 in W 19.75 in D 21.25 in
Set of 6 Antique 19th Century English Mahogany Dining Chairs
Located in Round Top, TX
This set of 6 antique English dining chairs are made from mahogany and come with upholstered seats. The choice of wood, expensive for the period, and the carved back rail, splat and ...
Iron
Unavailable|$12,747
H 30.71 in W 20.87 in D 17.33 in
Original Josef Hoffmann/Gebrüder J&J Kohn Chair, Early 20th Century, Jugendstil
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
A rare and so far undocumented armchair by Josef Hoffmann, original leather upholstery, branding iron J&J Kohn. An identical chair with a different upholstery is available as well.
Leather, Beech
Set of Eight Italian Regency Lyre Back Classical Form Dining Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Collapsible steel frame chairs, with brass swan head "finials" and brass feet. Interesting mechanical furniture concept foreshadowing the Industrial Furniture Movement.
Steel, Brass