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 octagonal open free standing bookcase in partridge wood
Located in Sherborne, GB
William 4th open free standing bookcase in octagonal form made from partridge wood veneer with cross grain moulded top resting on a cevetto moulding with applied brass decoration the...
Cedar
Large Antique Wooden English Book Carousel with Cast Iron Base
Located in Harderwijk, NL
A fantastic addition for every book and interior enthusiast! This large and luxurious antique English book carousel features a cast iron base and is moun...
Iron
21st Century Studioirvine Fusto Bookcase Concrete Bookshelves Ultramarine Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Bookcase part of a collection of modular system in ultra-high performing cement mortar. UHPC tabletop and base colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight different co...
Concrete
21st Century Studio Irvine Fusto Bookcase Mod.I Concrete Bookshelf Cream Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Bookcase part of a collection of modular system in ultra-high performing cement mortar. UHPC tabletop and base colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight different co...
Concrete
21st Century Studio Irvine Fusto Bookcase Mod.I Concrete Bookshelf Beige Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Bookcase part of a collection of modular system in ultra-high performing cement mortar. UHPC tabletop and base colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight different co...
Concrete
21st Century Studio Irvine Fusto Bookcase Concrete Bookshelves Yellow Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Fusto Bookshelf II is part of a collection of modular system in ultra high performing cement mortar. UHPC tabletop and base colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Each item is hand treated and is protected with water repellent products to reduce the absorption of oily substances and to minimise the making of stains. Fusto is the series that introduces the new design approach. As in classical architecture, Fusto is the column that holds tables, consoles, bookcases and pedestals. Volumes and proportions are integrated in a timeless geometry, enriched with facets that make the colour vibrate in a game of lights and shadows. Fusto is eternal architecture. Designer: Marialaura Rossiello, Studio Irvine...
Concrete
21st Century, Studio Irvine Fusto Bookcase Mod.i Concrete Bookshelf Brown Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Bookcase part of a collection of modular system in ultra-high performing cement mortar. UHPC tabletop and base colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight different co...
Concrete
21st Century Studio Irvine Fusto Bookcase Concrete Bookshelves Ink Grey Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Bookcase part of a collection of modular system in ultra-high performing cement mortar. UHPC tabletop and base colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight different co...
Concrete
21st Century, Studio Irvine Fusto Bookcase Mod.i Concrete Bookshelf Ink Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Bookcase part of a collection of modular system in ultra-high performing cement mortar. UHPC tabletop and base colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight different co...
Concrete
21st Century, Studio Irvine Fusto Bookcase Concrete Bookshelves Brown Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Bookcase part of a collection of modular system in ultra-high performing cement mortar. UHPC tabletop and base colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight different co...
Concrete
21st Century Studio Irvine Fusto Bookcase Concrete Bookshelves Silver Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Bookcase part of a collection of modular system in ultra-high performing cement mortar. UHPC tabletop and base colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight different co...
Concrete
21st Century Studio Irvine Fusto Bookcase Concrete Bookshelves Powder Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Bookcase part of a collection of modular system in ultra-high performing cement mortar. UHPC tabletop and base colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight different co...
Concrete
21st Century Studio Irvine Fusto Bookcase Concrete Bookshelves Fir Green Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Bookcase part of a collection of modular system in ultra-high performing cement mortar. UHPC tabletop and base colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight different co...
Concrete
21st Century Studio Irvine Fusto Bookcase Mod.I Concrete Bookshelf Blue Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Bookcase part of a collection of modular system in ultra-high performing cement mortar. UHPC tabletop and base colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight different co...
Concrete
21st Century Studio Irvine Fusto Bookcase Mod.I Concrete Bookshelf Grey Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Bookcase part of a collection of modular system in ultra-high performing cement mortar. UHPC tabletop and base colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight different co...
Concrete
21st Century Studio Irvine Fusto Bookcase Concrete Bookshelves Brick Red Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Bookcase part of a collection of modular system in ultra-high performing cement mortar. UHPC tabletop and base colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight different co...
Concrete
21st Century Studio Irvine Fusto Bookcase Mod.I Concrete Bookshelf Green Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Bookcase part of a collection of modular system in ultra-high performing cement mortar. UHPC tabletop and base colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight different co...
Concrete
21st Century Studio Irvine Fusto Bookcase Mod.I Concrete Bookshelf Red Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Bookcase part of a collection of modular system in ultra-high performing cement mortar. UHPC tabletop and base colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight different co...
Concrete
$17,000
H 52 in W 34.5 in D 31 in
American Mahogany and Cast Iron Copying Press with Paw Feet, Charleston, SC 1830
Located in Charleston, SC
American cast iron and mahogany two-drawer copying press with a turned bulbous cork screw handle, floral decorative pressure plate, flanking fluted decorati...
Brass, Iron
Willy Guhl Concrete Octagonal Vase
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete vase by Willy Guhl. Made of fiber cement. 8 sided with small base. Great vintage condition. Great oversized vase.
Cement
$3,826
H 112.01 in W 64.77 in D 15.56 in
Italian Teak, Black Metal and Brass Midcentury Bookshelves Roomdivider
By Poggi, Franco Albini and Franca Helg
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This bookshelves was produced in Italy by SELEX in the 1960s. Thanks to its adjustable height ( 278 - 284,5 /285 cm max) it can be placed against a wall or anywhere in a room, used ...
Brass, Metal
Pair Regency Open Bookcases in Walnut Open Front Bookcase
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous pair of Regency Sheraton style open front bookcase in burl walnut Tall and thin so elegant design to this piece We can also split the pair up if you are looking for a single...
Walnut
$2,300
H 37.41 in W 31.5 in D 12.6 in
Art Deco Mid-Century Modern Bookshelf Bookcase Walnut Turned Restored Shellac
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Art Deco Mid-Century Modern bookshelf bookcase in walnut turned and restored and shellac polished Measures console cm: H 95, W 80, D 32.
Walnut
$5,380
H 79.53 in W 100.79 in D 16.93 in
Vintage Italian Wood & Brass Mid-Century Modern Free-Standing Bookcase
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This bookcase was produced in Italy around the 1960s. It consists of 2 main wooden units with shelves and containers, joined together by a central chest of drawers and shelves. Remai...
Brass
$2,070
H 36.82 in W 33.47 in D 12.8 in
Sheraton Revival Burr Elm Walnut Inlay Dwarf Library Open Bookcase Bookshelf
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for this lovely Burr Elm, Walnut inlaid, Sheraton Revival style dwarf open library bookcase A very good looking well made and decorative piece, the shelf is height adjustable and or removable so it can be adjusted to take any size books/ Each piece is in light mahogany with lovely walnut Sheraton inlay...
Elm, Walnut
$3,074
H 42.72 in W 36.62 in D 11.62 in
Antique Display Bookcase, English, Glazed Book Cabinet, Home Library, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique display bookcase. An English, mahogany glazed two-door book cabinet, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. A pleasing example of period craftsmanship,...
Glass, Mahogany
Vintage 1920/30’s open fronted free-standing bookcase
Located in London, GB
A free-standing open fronted vintage bookcase with 4 shelves. The two end supports taper towards the top. Made from dark stained solid pine. Size Width 92cm Depth at base 24cm Dept...
Pine
Modular Storage 'KOU' Made of Concrete
By Bentu Design
Located in Paris, IDF
'KOU' is a modular storage made of concrete by Bentu Design [Blocks sold individually] Dimension of one block: 36 x 36 x 26cm Bentu Design's furnitu...
Concrete
$4,348
H 61.03 in W 51.97 in D 11.42 in
Antique English Regency Rosewood Waterfall Bookcase with Drawers
Located in Glasgow, GB
Furnish your home with timeless elegance – introducing our antique Regency rosewood waterfall bookcase, made in England circa 1820. Crafted with exq...
Rosewood
Teak Standing Bookcase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This mid-century bookcase features warm teak wood veneer and simple design. Two adjustable shelves can be raised or lowered. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Teak
Sold
H 33.86 in W 20.87 in D 20.48 in
Luxurious Antique English Wooden Book Carousel on Wheels – Late 19th Century
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This charming English antique book carousel fits seamlessly into almost any interior, whether at home or in an office setting. It offers the perfect styl...
Wood
Sold
H 41.34 in W 21.26 in D 20.08 in
Very Beautiful Large Antique English Oak Book Carousel on Original Wheels
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This stunning antique English book carousel is made of oak and is the perfect addition for any book and interior enthusiast! It fits seamlessly into almo...
Wood
Sold
H 64.57 in W 13 in D 13.19 in
1987 Babele Glass Shelves by Massimo Morozzi, Fiam Italia Bookcase Large Piece
By FIAM, Massimo Morozzi
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely 1987 Babele glass shelf designed by Massimo Morozzi for Fiam Italia. Babele is a classic tower display unit in 10 mm-thick curved gl...
Glass