Classical Roman Buffets

CLASSICAL ROMAN STYLE

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.

Style: Classical Roman

Antique English Buffet / Bookcase from the Early 19th Century

$3,905

Antique English Buffet / Bookcase from the Early 19th Century

Located in Harderwijk, NL

Offered here is this excellent antique English buffet / bookcase from the early 19th century. This beautiful cabinet, originating from England or Wales, dates back to the early 180...

Category

Early 19th Century Antique Classical Roman Buffets

Materials

Glass, Wood

Antique English buffet cabinet from the 19th century made of pine wood

$2,396

Antique English buffet cabinet from the 19th century made of pine wood

Located in Harderwijk, NL

This antique English kitchen cabinet / storage cabinet dates from the 19th century and is made of pine wood. A characterful piece with a warm and authentic appearance. It can easily ...

Category

19th Century Antique Classical Roman Buffets

Materials

Wood, Pine

Flame Mahogany Sideboard Buffet from Scotland, 19th Century

$5,250Sale Price|30% Off

H 48 in W 68 in D 23 in

Flame Mahogany Sideboard Buffet from Scotland, 19th Century

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

Scottish Flame mahogany sideboard. Exquisite sideboard acquired from the estate of the Ex Commissioner General of New Foundland and Labrador, this flame mahogany buffet exudes elegan...

Category

Late 19th Century Antique Classical Roman Buffets

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century French Provencal Bleached Oak Buffet Cabinet

$3,600

H 37.01 in W 51.19 in D 23.23 in

19th Century French Provencal Bleached Oak Buffet Cabinet

Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija

French Provincial Painted Oak Buffet, France, 19th Century Folk ornament and gentle patina — a poetic fragment of rural French life. This charming painted oak buffet captures the sp...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Buffets

Materials

Oak

19th Century Swedish Buffet (Pine, Elegant Design)

$3,775

H 49.22 in W 35.63 in D 16.34 in

19th Century Swedish Buffet (Pine, Elegant Design)

Located in Kvidinge, SE

A simple and elegant light grey Swedish antique buffet. A decorative strip with serrated edges sits beneath the top. Two columns run along each side. Each door is adorned with a wrea...

Category

1880s Swedish Antique Classical Roman Buffets

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Provencal Bleached Oak Buffet Cabinet

$3,800

H 43.9 in W 55.91 in D 23.63 in

19th Century French Provencal Bleached Oak Buffet Cabinet

Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija

Folk ornament and gentle patina — a poetic fragment of rural French life. This charming painted oak buffet captures the spirit of French provincial craftsmanship, where everyday fur...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Buffets

Materials

Oak

Early 19th Century French Walnut Buffet with Marquetry From the Dordogne Region

$3,200

H 36 in W 57 in D 24 in

Early 19th Century French Walnut Buffet with Marquetry From the Dordogne Region

Located in Fayetteville, AR

From the Dordogne region of France, this early nineteenth century walnut buffet features marquetry detailing of an urn with flowers on the lower apron and inset borders in a twisted ...

Category

Early 1800s French Antique Classical Roman Buffets

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Provencal Bleached Oak Buffet Cabinet

$4,000

H 38.59 in W 59.45 in D 22.45 in

19th Century French Provencal Bleached Oak Buffet Cabinet

Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija

French Provincial Painted Oak Buffet, France, 19th Century Folk ornament and gentle patina — a poetic fragment of rural French life. This charming painted oak buffet captures the sp...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Buffets

Materials

Oak

19th Century Walnut Buffet From France

$3,550

H 37.8 in W 54.73 in D 20.48 in

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...

Category

19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Buffets

Materials

Walnut

French 19th Century Buffet

$2,350

H 37 in W 35.5 in D 17 in

French 19th Century Buffet

Located in Stockbridge, GA

This charming small buffet is made of walnut with a drawer and 2 doors. Easy to place anywhere.

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Buffets

Materials

Walnut

English 19th Century Pine Buffet-Dresser

$4,800

H 37 in W 60 in D 18.63 in

English 19th Century Pine Buffet-Dresser

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

A gorgeous pine buffet from 19th century England, the restrained construction highlights the glowing effect of the blonde wood for eyecatching storage in any room. The top surface is...

Category

19th Century English Antique Classical Roman Buffets

Materials

Brass

English 19th Century Buffet

$3,110

H 39.5 in W 42.25 in D 20 in

English 19th Century Buffet

Located in Stockbridge, GA

This wonderful buffet is made of mahogany and a large drawer.

Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Classical Roman Buffets

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century English Mahogany Dessert Buffet

$4,575

H 64.5 in W 52.38 in D 25 in

19th Century English Mahogany Dessert Buffet

Located in High Point, NC

19th century English dessert buffet made from mahogany. It has three shelves, all supported by central columns with brackets. The base is shaped and is raised on hand-turned feet.

Category

19th Century English Antique Classical Roman Buffets

Materials

Mahogany

Early 19th century French Carved Walnut Buffet

$5,800

H 38.25 in W 51.25 in D 22.5 in

Early 19th century French Carved Walnut Buffet

Located in Charleston, SC

Magnificent French early 19th century carved walnut Provençal buffet with one long drawer and two cabinet doors with a chapeau de gendarme form, carved apron, bronze escutcheons, hi...

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Buffets

Materials

Bronze, Iron

Previously Available Items

Italian Bassano Midcentury Cabinet Credenza Serpentine Blond Walnut with Inlaid

Sold

H 34.26 in W 47.25 in D 15.75 in

Italian Bassano Midcentury Cabinet Credenza Serpentine Blond Walnut with Inlaid

By Bassano's Ebanisteria

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 ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Buffets

Materials

Walnut

Classical Roman buffets for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Classical Roman buffets for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee.