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 2 Cowhide Leather Wingback Chairs in English Style
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered: this luxurious set of two comfortable burgundy leather wingback armchairs in English style, featuring a stunning patina. Made from high-quality cowhide leather and finished ...
Cowhide, Leather
Hand-Crafted Brown Cowhide Leather Chesterfield Wingback Chair
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered: this luxurious, warm-toned brown cowhide leather Chesterfield wingback armchair with unique details. This large, classic Chesterfield wingback armchair offers a true sense o...
Cowhide, Leather
Cowhide Leather Wingback Armchair, Hand-Crafted, Classical Roman Style
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this classic and unique leather wingback armchair, beautifully finished with decorative studs and fine detailing. Thanks to its timeless yet elegant design, this fant...
Cowhide, Leather
Vintage Sheepskin Leather Wingback Chair, Hand-Crafted, 20th Century
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered: this wonderful, characterful vintage sheepskin leather wingback armchair with a beautiful patina. This stunning sheepskin leather wingback chair is the perfect addition for ...
Leather, Sheepskin
Comfortable wingback chair in English style made of cowhide leather
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This cowhide leather wingback chair is a timeless eye-catcher that, in our opinion, should not be missing from any interior. Thanks to its colours and sleek finish with matching pipi...
Cowhide, Leather
Elegant smooth English cowhide leather Chesterfield wingback armchair
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This stylish English Chesterfield wingback armchair, crafted from cow leather, offers comfortable and supportive seating and is fitted with a loose seat cushion. It features a classi...
Cowhide, Leather
Very beautiful wing chair made of cowhide leather in English style
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This cowhide leather wing chair is a timeless eye-catcher that, in our opinion, should not be missing from any interior. Thanks to its colours and sleek finish with matching piping, ...
Leather, Sheepskin
Bordeaux Red Cowhide Wingback Chair in English Style
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This charming and comfortable bordeaux red cowhide wingback armchair in English style, featuring a beautiful patina. This luxurious and comfortable armchair is crafted from high-qual...
Cowhide, Leather
Large and comfortable sheepskin leather wingback chair with black piping
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This wonderful, luxurious sheepskin wingback armchair in a beautiful large size is a stylish and comfortable addition to almost any interior. The refined finish with black piping and...
Leather, Sheepskin
Charming sheepskin leather wingback chair with warm colours
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This sheepskin leather wingback armchair is the perfect addition for lovers of timeless English charm. It can be easily placed in almost any interior in the room of your choice. This...
Leather, Sheepskin
Bordeaux Red Cowhide Leather Wingback Chair in English Style
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered for sale is this beautiful and comfortable Bordeaux red wingback chair in English style, boasting a stunning patina. This luxurious and comfortable wingback chair is crafted ...
Cowhide, Leather
Hand-Crafted Wingback Chair in Cowhide Leather, Good Condition
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered is this unique and comfortable wingback armchair, crafted from cowhide leather and finished with decorative nails and beautiful detailing. Thanks to its timeless yet stylish ...
Cowhide, Leather
Set of two light cowhide wingback armchairs with a timeless English look
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This set of two beautiful light leather wingback armchairs has a timeless English look and offers excellent seating comfort. They feature a fixed seat cushion and are finished with d...
Cowhide, Leather
Comfortable cowhide wingback armchair in English style
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This comfortable cowhide leather wingback armchair in an English style has a beautiful warm colour palette and a characterful appearance. It is finished with decorative studs, a loos...
Cowhide, Leather
Cognac-coloured wingback armchair in English style made of cowhide leather
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This fantastic cow leather wingback armchair can be effortlessly incorporated into nearly any interior thanks to its timeless yet stylish design. The chair features a beautiful warm ...
Cowhide, Leather
Vintage Sheepskin Wingback Chair, Hand-Crafted, 20th Century Style
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Are you looking for a comfortable sheepskin wingback chair with warm colors, beautifully finished with decorative nail trim, and featuring a loose seat cushion? If so, you may have f...
Leather, Sheepskin
Vintage sheepskin wingback armchair with a timeless English look
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This elegant vintage sheepskin leather wingback armchair with a timeless English appearance and decorative nailhead trim adds a touch of charm to any chosen space. It has a beautiful...
Leather, Sheepskin
Black cowhide wingback armchair in classic English style
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This black cow leather wingback armchair in a classic English style features a deep black colour, a loose seat cushion, and is finished with decorative nailhead trim and matching sti...
Cowhide, Leather
Comfortable Vintage Sheepskin Wingback Chair with a Beautiful Color
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This amazing sheepskin wingback armchair is a true eye-catcher that should not be missing from any interior. It embodies timeless style and elegance. The armchair features a beautif...
Leather, Sheepskin
Cognac-coloured cow leather wingback armchair in English style
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This comfortable cognac-colored cowhide leather wingback armchair in English style, with its warm appearance, is finished with decorative nailhead trim and features a loose seat cush...
Cowhide, Leather
Cognac-Colored Cowhide Leather Wingback Chair in English Style
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this stylish and well-maintained cognac-colored cowhide leather wingback armchair in classic English style with decorative studs. This beautiful armchair features a...
Cowhide, Leather
Cowhide Leather Wingback Chair in Light Cognac Color
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Looking for a charming and stylish place to relax? Then this full-grain leather wingback armchair is a fantastic addition to your home! Its light cognac color and matching piping giv...
Cowhide, Leather
$4,026 / set
H 43.71 in W 30.12 in D 32.68 in
NiCE DECORATIVE PAIR OF CHESTERFIELD VINTAGE OXBLOOD LEATHER WINGBACK ARMCHAIRS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely exquisite pair of lightly restored Wingback armchairs in Bordeaux Oxblood which are Chester...
Leather
$5,119
H 42.13 in W 30.71 in D 30.71 in
Fully Restored Vintage Chesterfield Porters Wingback Armchair Brown Leather
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning vintage Porters barrel back armchair in whisky brown leather This chair a real tour de force, is has absolutely everything going ...
Leather
Ralph Lauren Style Cigar Leather Wingback Writers Chair
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Perfectly aged and weathered cigar leather wing back reclining writers chair made in the manner, style, and size of Ralph Lauren by Restoration Hardware. The iconic chair features a ...
Brass
$3,412
H 43.31 in W 33.86 in D 31.89 in
COMFORTABLE ViNTAGE RESTORED BROWN LEATHER TUFTED CHESTERFIELD WINGBACK ARMCHAIR
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning fully restored vintage Chesterfield tufted Cigar brown leather wingback armchair. Please note...
Leather
Pair of Georgian Style Wingback Chairs Upholstered in Linen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Wing Back Chairs in the Style of Georgian. Newly upholstered in Linen with a cord welt to the cushions. A wonderful pair and very c...
Linen, Upholstery, Cord, Wood
$960Sale Price|20% Off
H 45 in W 32.25 in D 32 in
Queen Anne Mahogany Fireside Upholstered Wingback Chair, 20th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
A Queen Anne style fireside wingback chair offers upholstered chair with scroll form arms and raised on mahogany cabriole legs terminating in pad feet, 20th Century. Measures- 45''H...
Mahogany, Upholstery
19th Century Georgian Style Wingback Chairs
Located in Pomona, CA
Antique Georgian circa 1850 Wingback armchairs with ornately carved cabriole legs and William Morris style flat top arms. The chairs have been recovered in a green mohair fabric. Th...
Mohair, Wood
Georgian Style Tufted Cigar Leather Wingback Chair and Ottoman
By Schafer Brothers
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsomely aged Georgian tufted wingback chair and matching ottoman crafted by Schafer Bros. The large armchair features a mahogany hardwood frame with fully developed wings and a ge...
Brass
$1,895
H 50.75 in W 36.5 in D 36 in
Large Scale Victorian English Ralph Lauren Style Tufted Wingback Chair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a charming Victorian style tufted wingback chair with that special Ralph Lauren flare. It is unmarked, and it has nice turned maple feet on casters. The fabric feels like a p...
Upholstery, Maple
Leather Wingback Chair
Located in Delft, NL
A leather wingback chair A late 19th Century wingback chair in raw leather upholstery with dark oak Queen Anne front legs and straight oak rear legs. The bottom of the chair is we...
Leather, Oak
$2,480Sale Price|20% Off
H 45 in W 28 in D 29 in
French Louis XV Style Walnut Wingback Bergere Chair, Early 20th Century
Located in Vero Beach, FL
French Louis XV style walnut wingback Bergere chair, early 20th century Large and well proportioned finely carved walnut wingback bergere armchair. The sturdy frame is decorated wit...
Walnut
20th Century Tall Wing Back Vintage Leather Armchair from Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
20th century tall wing back armchair from Denmark, upholstered in vintage caramel leather. The chair features a classic wing back form with nail head trim accenting the wings, front,...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 40.56 in W 31.89 in D 35.83 in
Set of 2 Cowhide Leather Wingback Chairs + Ottoman in English Style
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered: this luxurious set of two comfortable burgundy leather wingback armchairs with matching ottoman in English style, featuring a stunning patina. Made from high-quality cowhide...
Cowhide, Leather
English Chesterfield Wingback Chair in Cowhide Leather
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered: this elegant, smooth, and comfortable English Chesterfield wingback armchair made of cowhide leather, with graceful legs. This stylish English Chesterfield wingback chair of...
Cowhide, Leather
Sold
H 37.41 in W 30.71 in D 34.65 in
Comfortable Vintage English-Style Sheepskin Leather Wingback Armchair
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Who could possibly resist such a beautifully warm-colored sheepskin leather wingback armchair? We certainly can't! This fantastic vintage wingback chair boasts timeless English charm...
Leather, Sheepskin