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.
Sofa Settee 3-Seater Crimson Cut Velvet Italian Toni Facella Sensi Della Penna
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
An opulent, cut-velvet, three seater sofa, by Italian architect & designer Toni Facella Sensi della Penna This sofa epitomises elegance, opulence and com...
Velvet
Guglielmo Ulrich Art Deco Italian Velvet Sofa, 1940s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
A large Italian sculptural sofa designed by Guglielmo Ulrich, very comfortable. Recently upholstered in light blue velvet with a light gray velvet border, in a minimalist way, which ...
Velvet, Beech
Italian Mohair Settee Sofa, Brown, 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful mohair upholstered curved sofa with wooden legs. Perfect shape and size. In excellent condition, 1950s, Italy. Same era as: Ch...
Mohair, Wood
$4,784Sale Price|20% Off
H 37.8 in W 76.38 in D 23.23 in
18th Century Italian Louis XVI Walnut and Velvet Antique Settee
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Italian antique settee of the period Louis XVI. Made of fine walnut wood and velvet covering, characterized by a simple and essential but very elegant line. We recommend replacing th...
Walnut
$4,950
H 26 in W 79 in D 31 in
Mid-Century Modern Curved Sofa / Settee, Adrian Pearsall Style, Three-Seater
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid-Century Modern Curved Sofa / Settee, Adrian Pearsall Style, Three-Seater Curvaceous three seater mid-century modern sofa in the manner of American designer, Adrian Pearsall. Ha...
Fabric, Wood
$6,730Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 28.75 in W 78.75 in D 33.47 in
Contemporary Channeled Fleure 3 seater Sofa in Denim Blue Velvet and Brass Legs.
By Stuart Scott
Located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire
The Award winning Fleure Signature Edition is our latest revival of the award winning Fleure 3 Seater Sofa, reimagined in this premium cotton velvet upholstery. This signature piece...
Brass
Italian 1950's Scalloped Shaped Channeled Velvet Settee or Sofa
Located in New York, NY
A decadently designed Italian 1950's settee with a scalloped or petal shaped form and luxuriously upholstered channeled back tufting. The settee has been fully restored and newly reu...
Brass
$5,927Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 28.75 in W 66.93 in D 33.47 in
Contemporary Scalloped 2-Seater Fleure Sofa in Pink Cotton Velvet and Brass Legs
By Stuart Scott
Located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire
The Special Edition Fleure Two-Seater Sofa is a beautiful adaptation of the award-winning Fleure design. The Fleure range combines traditional style cues with a contemporary feel. The fluting on both seat and back offer an eye-catching effect, especially in the shown luxurious cotton velvet upholstery. Shown here upholstered in a chic Cameo pink cotton velvet...
Brass
$6,730Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 28.75 in W 78.75 in D 33.47 in
Contemporary Channeled Fleure 3 seater Sofa in Emerald Green Velvet Brass Legs.
By Stuart Scott
Located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire
The Award winning Fleure Signature Edition is our latest revival of the award winning Fleure 3 Seater Sofa, reimagined in this premium cotton velvet upholstery. This signature piece...
Brass
$3,506Sale Price|25% Off
H 33.86 in W 66.93 in D 31.5 in
Romantic Three-Seat Sofa in Brass and Fabric, Italy, 1960s
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Italian sofa from the 1960s with a refined organic silhouette and deep red upholstery. The gently curved backrest and armrests give the piece a soft, elegant presence, while the tape...
Brass
Dust Sofa 2-Seat
Located in Lisbon, PT
Dust sofa is a tribute to comfort and discreet elegance. With a comfy structure and available in many color and texture options, dust makes a strong impressi...
Velvet, Wood
$4,772 / item
H 37.41 in W 55.12 in D 32.29 in
Art Nouveau style mustard velvet walnut Na Pali 2 seat sofa by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
Na Pali means “the cliffs” and is a breathtaking landscape located on Kauai, a volcanic island resulting from the rain and the blasts of winter waves against t...
Wood, Fabric, Walnut, Velvet
Croix Settee Three-Seat
Located in Lisbon, PT
Delicate seaming in diagonal shapes throughout Croix upholstered back contrast with the smooth seating. Stylish and elegant, this settee is extremely comfortable in its’ perfect fini...
Metal
An Italian Walnut Classical Sofa
Located in New York, NY
An Italian walnut Classical sofa with hand-carved frame, the triple arched back and seat upholstered in 18th Century needlework with detailed petit-point depicting the celebration of...
Walnut