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 English oak buffet/bookcase from 19th century with original glass
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This antique display cabinet/bookcase with its original glass is made of oak, features warm wood tones, and dates from the 19th century. The cabinet has four doors, two drawers, and ...
Wood, Oak
Antique English buffet cabinet from the 18th century with original glass
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This antique English dresser from the 18th century is made of oak and features a beautiful, timeless design. The cabinet consists of two separ...
Wood, Oak
19th Century English Oak Sideboard
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak sideboard from England with a beveled edge around the top, following down to paneled sides and two drawers in the front with raised geometric panels, flanked by hand...
Oak
Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Buffet Cabinet in Cherrywood
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A beautiful 18th century French buffet/ sideboard in cherry wood with rounded bevel-edged, rectangular top resting on a base with two drawers over two cabinet doors. This graceful bu...
Steel
19th Century French Carved Oak Buffet
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak buffet from France with a beautifully molded and hand carved lunette decorated edge around the top, following down to lovely and simple hand paneled sides and two dr...
Oak
19th Century French Carved Oak Buffet
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak buffet from France with a beveled edge around the top with nice hand carved details on the corners and front, following down to raised paneled sides which have carve...
Oak
19th Century French Oak Buffet
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak buffet from France. The top is banded and has a beveled and hand carved decorated edge, following down to paneled sides, which...
Oak
Early 18th Century English Geometric Buffet
Located in High Point, NC
Period Jacobean oak buffet with exquisite geometric paneled detail. The top is nicely grained and has banded ends and a molded edge. The sides are beautifully paneled, for a lovely...
Oak
Sold|$5,595
H 42.3 in W 43.3 in D 20.9 in
French Provençal Oak Buffet in Original Patina, France, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
This oak piece dates to 19th Century and originates from France. Its form as a french provençal oak buffet in original patina reflects both a clear practical purpose and the visual l...
Oak
19th Century French Oak Dessert Buffet
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak dessert buffet from France with a beveled and carved decorated edge around the top, over two drawers with hand carved decorated drawer fronts along with hand carved ...
Oak
19th Century Walnut Buffet From France
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Lovely 2-door two-drawer walnut buffet from the 19th century from France Beautiful molding work on the door and drawers Very beautiful top with a beautiful patina Superb patina and i...
Walnut
$5,045
H 46.46 in W 47.25 in D 21.26 in
19th Century Swedish antique Gustavian buffet with original paint
Located in Boden, SE
Early 19th century Swedish Antique Rustic Gustavian buffet from Umeå Northern Sweden. Beautiful genuine buffet in original condition. These doors open to reveal inner shelves offer...
Pine
19th Century Welsh Oak Inlaid Buffet
Located in High Point, NC
19th Century English oak buffet which is unusual due to the inlaid designs. It has three shelves, which are separated by hand-turned and carved shelf supports in the front and hand-carved flat back supports. This piece has unusual aprons...
Walnut, Oak, Satinwood
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Buffet or Cabinet in Oak
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A French Louis XV buffet from Normandy in oak with hand-pegged and mortise and tenon construction, and with original rich patina. Base rests on carved apron with cabriole feet. Two d...
Oak
Sold
H 34.26 in W 47.25 in D 15.75 in
Italian Bassano Midcentury Cabinet Credenza Serpentine Blond Walnut with Inlaid
Located in Vigonza, Padua
1940s Italian Bassano entrance cabinet , curved credenza , in solid blond walnut and walnut slab with thread inlay in light maple wood, finished to wax Shaped sideboard in the shape ...
Walnut