Classical Roman Furniture
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.
Mid-20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Composition
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Hardwood, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Composition
1870s French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Zinc
20th Century Indian Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze, Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Onyx, Marble
Late 20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Carrara Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Classical Roman Furniture
Carrara Marble
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Alabaster, Metal, Bronze, Brass
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Zinc
1940s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century European Classical Roman Furniture
Porcelain
1950s Unknown Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Cast Stone, Cement
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Slate, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Alabaster
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
21st Century and Contemporary Classical Roman Furniture
Carrara Marble
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Carrara Marble
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Gold
1950s Unknown Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete, Cement
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Stone, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Limestone
20th Century American Classical Roman Furniture
Limestone
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Hardwood, Giltwood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Majolica
1980s English Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Ceramic
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Silver
1930s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Stoneware
Late 19th Century English Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
1980s Spanish Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze, Iron
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Stone, Marble, Carrara Marble
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Wood
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Limestone
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Metal, Bronze
1860s Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble, Carrara Marble, Siena Marble, Bronze
19th Century Turkish Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Glass, Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Alabaster, Wire, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Carrara Marble
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze, Iron
Mid-18th Century Unknown Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Blown Glass
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Terracotta
Early 20th Century British Classical Roman Furniture
Brass, Wrought Iron
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
15th Century and Earlier European Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Onyx, Marble
Mid-20th Century American Classical Roman Furniture
Plaster, Gesso
15th Century and Earlier Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Stone
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Alabaster, Breccia Marble, Carrara Marble
1940s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Wood, Paint
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Leather, Paper
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Carrara Marble
1850s French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble, Bronze
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Glass
Early 20th Century European Classical Roman Furniture
Alabaster, Metal, Brass, Bronze, Wire
1830s English Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century European Classical Roman Furniture
Alabaster, Bronze