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.
Vintage Neo-classical Style Needlepoint Upholstered Curule Bench
Located in Sheffield, MA
Vintage neoclassical style curule bench covered in multi toned floral needlepoint upholstery and nailheads. Bench, needlepoint bench, ottoman, footstool, floral bench...
Upholstery, Walnut
Signed Antique English Oak Joint Stool / Stool from the 17th Century
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here this charming and versatile signed antique English oak joint stool / stool / side table from the 17th century. This delightful antique English joint stool / stool / sid...
Wood
Antique English Oak Joint Stool / Stool from the 17th Century
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here this timeless and elegant antique English oak joint stool / stool / side table from the 17th century with beautiful colors. This timeless antique English stool / joint ...
Wood, Oak
Antique English drop-leaf joint stool made of oak from the 18th century
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This charming and timeless English antique side table / joint stool comes from the 18th century and is made of oak. This subtle antique item has a beautiful patina and can be easily ...
Wood, Oak
Antique English Stool / Joint Stool / Side Table from the 18th Century
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This charming and timeless antique English stool / joint stool / side table from the 18th century with elegant legs. This classic 18th-century En...
Wood
$12,961
Kedleston Hall Stool
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A finely carved and decorated stool from a design by John Linnell, inspired by Roman designs. Carved wood with aged paint and gilt decoration and hand painted circular armorial end p...
Mahogany
Italian gilt bronze stool from the 1960s in the Lombard style
By Mice di rugiano domenico e c. s.n.c.
Located in Cantù, IT
Italian gilded bronze stool from the 1960s in the Lombard style
Bronze
Antique English Windsor stool from the 18th century with a great patina
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This charming and subtle antique English Windsor stool from the 18th century is an elegant addition to almost any interior. In addition to serving as a seat, it can also be easily us...
Wood
21st Century Studio Irvine Betti Concrete Stool in Brick Red Cement Handmade
Located in Rome, Lazio
Surrealism, primitivism, metaphysics and brutalism. Art together with architecture and design build a scenario of inspirations and continuous references through which the material ri...
Concrete, Metal
21st Century Studio Irvine Betti Concrete Stool in Fir Green Cement Handmade
Located in Rome, Lazio
Surrealism, primitivism, metaphysics and brutalism. Art together with architecture and design build a scenario of inspirations and continuous references through which the material ri...
Concrete, Metal
Antique English oak joint stool from the 18th century
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This timeless antique English stool / joint stool / side table from the 18th century combines charm and functionality. Due to its age and years of use, it has acquired a beautiful pa...
Wood, Oak
English antique Windsor stool from the 18th century with character
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This charming and subtle antique English Windsor stool from the 18th century is an elegant addition to almost any interior. In addition to serving as a seat, it can also be easily us...
Wood
$1,800 / item
H 17.52 in W 16.34 in D 13.19 in
21st Century Studio Irvine Betti Concrete Stool in Brick Red Cement Handmade
Located in Rome, Lazio
Surrealism, primitivism, metaphysics and brutalism. Art together with architecture and design build a scenario of inspirations and continuous references through which the material ri...
Concrete, Metal
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool This White Oak Chile Counter Stool is beautifully constructed from solid wood...
Wood, Oak
$2,647 / item
H 19.69 in W 17.92 in D 10.63 in
Stunning 18th Century circa 1760 English Oak Jointed Stool or Side End Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning 18th century circa 1760 oak jointed stool or side table with original wood nail dowels A nicely made genuine 260+ year old piece,...
Oak
Perriand Style Tripod Stool
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic wood stool from France in the style of Charlotte Perriand. Made in the 1960s with three legs. No hardware. Good vintage condition.
Wood
Late 18th Century English Oak Joint Stool
Located in High Point, NC
Late 18th century George III period oak joint stool from England. The top is made from a single board and has a beveled edge. This follows down to carved decorated aprons on the fr...
Oak
17th Century English Oak Joint Stool / Bench
Located in San Francisco, CA
17th century English oak joint stool / bench Jacobean style stool / bench Hand crafted English oak Measures: 18" wide x 12" deep x 16" high. The oak shows some distress...
Oak
17th Century Style Joint Stool
Located in Westwood, NJ
An antiqued wood ‘Joynt’ stool, with a serpentine apron on pegged splay legs joined by a stretcher. The original 17th century. Dimensions: 22" W x 12" D x 18" H.
Wood
Small Oak Stool “Toad-Stool”
Located in Doylestown, PA
Small custom-made “toad-stool” in antique reclaimed oak, handmade. Wax finish. Can also be used as a small table.
Oak
Leopard Vintage Stool, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful soft velvet leopard print upholstery. The stool consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, cha...
Velvet
Leopard Vintage Stool, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful soft velvet leopard print upholstery. The stool consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, cha...
Velvet, Beech
Vintage Foot Stool Upholstered with Antique Suzani Textile
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Elegant foot stool made of hand carved wood, upholstered with beautiful antique hand embroidery Suzani textile, beautiful trimming. Newly uphol...
Cotton, Silk, Wood
$2,036
H 20.08 in W 29.14 in D 29.14 in
Fully Restored George III Style Hand Carved Bench Stool with Lion Hairy Paw Feet
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this fully restored absolutely sublime George III style vintage hand carved mahogany bench stool A very well presented hand carved stool, each leg starts at the top with a lions main then flows downwards with elegant cabriolet legs and finishes with Lions hairy paw feet The timber has all been stripped back, stained and French polished, its in perfect order This piece is designed as a large dressing table...
Upholstery, Hardwood
Large folding stool, vintage - rosewood and leather
Located in Schwerin, MV
Rare seating: Large folding stool made of solid rosewood with a 2 mm thick leather seat. This type of stool has been in use for a very long time, including in ancient Rome. Due to it...
Metal
Ancient Curved Granite Stool
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Original hand carved Ancient Curved Granite stool. Very nice stool carved out of one solid piece of Granite. The beautifully curved seat is supported by three sturdy legs. Very decor...
Granite
Sold
H 24 in W 31.75 in D 19.5 in
Bleached French Oak Curule Bench with Lion Heads and Iron Rings, Circa 1920
Located in Dallas, TX
This antique French stool frame, known as a curule or savonarola, is made of bleached oak and is ready for a leather/fabric upholstery of your cho...
Metal, Iron
19th Century Italian Carved Capital Stool with Linen Upholstery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century Italian carved wood capital stool with oatmeal colored washed Belgium linen upholstery. The linen seat is detailed with antique brass colored nailhead trim.
Wood
Leather and Wood Carved Capital Stool
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carved wood capital that has been upholstered with black leather transforming it into a wonderful place to sit or put's ones feet on. Great accent piece to tuck under table or console.
Walnut
Antique Walnut Wood Curule Seat from France, circa 1880
Located in Dallas, TX
This curule seat dates to the late 1800s and is made out of French walnut wood, covered in needlepoint and velvet. It is known as a curule seat, based on designs by the ancient Romans. Often meant for Royalty only...
Velvet, Walnut
Vintage French Stool
Located in Calgary, Alberta
Vintage French Curule 'X' base stool with turned stretcher and red velvet seat.
Wood