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.
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 six cowhide dining chairs with a comfortable seat and high back
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This nice and comfortable set of 6 genuine leather dining chairs can easily be placed in almost any interior. They look perfect at both an antique and a modern dining table. Not only...
Cowhide, Leather
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
Vintage set of 4 dining chairs made of sheepskin leather with a high back
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This set of four vintage dining chairs is made of high-quality sheepskin leather. The chairs feature high backs and are finely finished with stylish decorative studs, giving them a c...
Leather, Sheepskin, 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 $3500. Each chair has four brass bal...
Brass, Steel
Set of 6 cognac-coloured cow leather Chesterfield dining chairs
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This set of 6 comfortable cognac colored leather Chesterfield dining chairs is executed in an English style. A dining chair is more...
Cowhide, Leather
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
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 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 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
Set of four cowhide dining chairs with a comfortable seat and high back
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This nice and comfortable set of 4 genuine leather dining chairs can easily be placed in almost any interior. They look perfect at both an antique and a modern dining table. Not only...
Cowhide, Leather
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 2 original vintage Thonet design chairs model Long John with armrests
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This set of two original vintage Thonet Long John design chairs combines an elegant high back and a gracefully curved wooden frame with armrests and a characterful webbing seat and b...
Wood, Webbing
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
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 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 4 original vintage Thonet design webbing chairs model Long John
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This set of 4 original vintage Thonet Long John design chairs features an elegant high back a gracefully curved frame and a characterful webbing seat. Due to their handmade nature th...
Wood, Webbing
Set of 4 fabric dining chairs with armrests in good condition
Located in Harderwijk, NL
These stunning Art Deco design dining chairs are from the renowned Dutch brand Schuitema and can be easily placed in almost any interior. In our opinion, they should not be missing f...
Fabric, Wood
Cow leather dining/side/desk chair with comfortable seat and a high back
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This nice and comfortable genuine leather dining / occasional / desk chair can easily be placed in almost any interior. It fits perfectly in both classic and modern interiors, in the...
Cowhide, Leather, 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
$8,016Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 31.7 in W 25.6 in D 22.64 in
Set of 6 Contemporary Dining Chairs With Upholstered Seat and Back
Located in New York, NY
This exceptionally versatile dining Chair adapts seamlessly to any setting, from homes to offices. Its bold architectural design features a wooden frame with striking angular-cut leg...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Michael Thonet N. 14 Bistro Dining Chair, Austria
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Michael Thonet
Located in Miami, FL
Iconic N. 14 Bistro dining chair or side chair designed by Michael Thonet, rendered in black painted beech bentwood frame with a woven wicker cain...
Wicker, Wood, Beech, Bentwood, Paint
$165
H 34 in W 17 in D 16 in
Vienna Secesionist Bentwood Cafe Bistro Dining Chair by Fischel after Thonet
Classic Vienna Secessionist bentwood cafe, bistro, dining chair, circa 1900/1930's, marked Fischel Checoslov. This example is in good, original, clean and ready to use condition, sh...
Beech
$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
Michael Thonet N. 14 Bistro Dining Chair, Austria
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Michael Thonet
Located in Miami, FL
Iconic N. 14 Bistro dining chair or side chair designed by Michael Thonet, rendered in black painted beech bentwood frame with a woven wicker cain...
Wicker, Wood, Beech, Bentwood, Paint
Mid-Century Set of High Back Dining Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish set of four matching dining chairs offer a shapely vinyl covered seat, with comfortable high backs. Hardwood walnut frames with tapered legs and clean modern lines add t...
Wood
$9,800 / set
H 34.65 in W 19.3 in D 21.26 in
Jørgen Christensens Set of Eight Dining Chairs in Cognac Leather and Oak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jørgen Christensen, set of eight dining chairs, leather, oak, brass, Denmark, 1950s Exclusive set of eight dining chairs designed by Danish designer and cabinetmaker Jørgen Christe...
Brass
$6,889 / set
H 31.11 in W 23.63 in D 22.05 in
Set of 6 Matteo Grassi Dining Room Chairs in Cognac Leather, Italy 1970s
By Matteo Grassi, Marcel Breuer
Located in Wien, AT
A striking set of six Bauhaus-style cantilever chairs by Matteo Grassi, combing architectural simplicity with exceptional craftsmanship. The elegant tubular stell frame are finished ...
Metal, Chrome
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
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
Pr. French Bistro Cafe Style Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pr. charming French Bistro, Cafe style arm chairs, one in pink, one in blue. The chairs have metal faux bamboo frames, with woven seats and back rests. Both are in very good original...
Metal
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
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