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 Oak Wainscot Chair / Side Chair from the 17th Century
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here this beautiful and stately antique oak Wainscot chair / side chair from the 17th century with a warm finish. This magnificent ant...
Wood, Oak
18th Century Venetian Throne Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand-carved 18th Century giltwood newly-upholstered in Rubelli metal silk fabric.
Giltwood
French antique Lorraine chair from the 18th century made of oak
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This elegant and subtle antique French Lorraine chair from the 18th century is crafted from oak and can be effortlessly placed in almost any interior. ...
Wood, Oak
English Georgian 18th Century Hall Chair
Located in New York, NY
English Georgian 18th Century Hall Chair. Overall great condition with age appropriate wear. Measures approximately 38.75" in overall height. Seat meas...
Wood
Italian Carved 18th Century Tall Back Caned Chair
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautiful antique very early caned tall backed Italian chair. Bought in the South of France. Caning has a small hole on the back but in great s...
Cane, Walnut
$2,641Sale Price|30% Off
H 44.89 in W 25.2 in D 25.2 in
Fine & Rare Original 18th Century 1720 Wainscot Armchair Northern England Oak
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this rare original 18th century Northern English hand carved from solid oak Wainscot armchair circa 1720 A highly decorative and original piece ...
Oak
$2,000 / item
H 34.45 in W 18.51 in D 20.87 in
18th Century Hand Painted Venetian Azure Indigo Dining Chair with Foliage
By Porte Italia
Located in Ronchi dei Legionari, IT
From our hand-painted Furniture Collection, we are pleased to introduce you to our Indigo Chair with upholstered seat. By introducing this chair to our ...
Wood
Pair of 18th Century Antique Elm Side Chairs
Located in Martlesham, GB
A pair of mid 18th Century elm side chairs from the Georgian period, having a shaped rail above a decorative shaped splat with turned side supports, wonderfully figured plank seat wi...
Elm
Set of Twelve Portuguese 18th Century Dining Chairs
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality set of twelve 18th century Portuguese dining chairs, each with carved and fretted gilded foliate decoration, stuff over embo...
Walnut
$2,695
H 50.75 in W 24.5 in D 25.5 in
Antique 17th Century English Charles II Oak Carved Wainscot Armchair 1680
Located in Portland, OR
A good carved antique oak open wainscot carved armchair, from the Charles II period, Yorkshire, circa 1680. The chair with a carved crest rail to the top with stylized twin dolphins...
Oak
English 17th Century Oak Wainscot Armchair
Located in Delft, NL
An English 17th Century Oak Wainscot armchair Ca 1680 English oak armchair with a carved panel backrest. The armrests have a beautiful patina,...
Oak
Fine 18th Century Scandinavian Gustavian Chair
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine antique 18th century Gustavian chair in great original condition. This type of chair is called the Swedish model. This particular ex...
Wood
Swedish 18th Century Rococo Painted Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
These rococo chairs were made in Sweden around 1770 and have been scraped back to their original paint and newly upholstered in linen. The rococo style, with its curved lines and sha...
Linen, Wood
$2,400Sale Price / set|64% Off
H 33.5 in W 18 in D 17 in
Pair of 18th Century French "Chauffeuse" Chairs, Georges Jacob Attributed
By Georges Jacob
Located in Doylestown, PA
An important pair of Louis XVI Period "Chauffeuse" or low fireside chairs, in original grey painted finish, with lyre backs and upholstered seats, on fluted legs. Provenance: From the Estate of noted collector, Paul W. Doll, who purchased the chairs in 1952 at Park-Bernet Auction from the estate of Mrs. Theodore Havemeyer. (see photo of catalog). Attributed to Georges Jacob, circa 1780. Georges Jacob (6 July 1739-5 July 1814) was one of the two most prominent Parisian master menuisiers. He produced carved, painted and gilded beds...
Beech
Late 18th Century Shield Back Hall Chair
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fine George III mahogany hall chair, the shield back bear painted heraldic crests commemorating the union of the original owners: one half lions rampant and...
Mahogany
Sold
H 37.41 in W 23.23 in D 21.66 in
Antique English oak chair / wainscot chair from the 17th century
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This exceptionally beautiful antique English oak wainscot chair dates from the 17th century and features stunning wood carvings and exquisite details. It is in good condition and sur...
Wood, Oak
18th Century Style Roman Giltwood Designer Trestle Chairs, a Pair
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
18th century style roman giltwood designer trestle chairs - a pair.
Mahogany, Giltwood
Sold
H 37.5 in W 16 in D 18.25 in
Set of Four Early 20th Century Roman-Style Painted Wrought-Iron Side Chairs
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This elegant suite of four verdigris-painted wrought iron side chairs, of the Classic Curule-form, are from France, circa 1900. The X-form chair-backs echo the Curule-style legs. Sin...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 37.5 in W 16 in D 18.25 in
Set of Four Early 20th Century Roman-Style Painted Wrought-Iron Side Chairs
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This elegant suite of four verdigris-painted wrought iron side chairs, of the Classic Curule-form, are from France, circa 1900. The X-form chair-backs echo the Curule-style legs. Sin...
Wrought Iron