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.
Decortiche Continental Porcelain and Gilt Metal and Cherubs Compote Centerpiec
By Tiche, Porcelaine d'arte Milano
Located in Germantown, MD
Marked Decortiche (Tiche, Porcellane d’Arte). Roman Style Magnificent Centerpiece compote with oval bowl having a blue floral border and gilt metal rim on a bisque porcelain cherub f...
Metal
Large English antique oak kitchen cabinet / dresser from the 18th century
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This stunning, large antique cabinet is made of oak and dates from the 18th century. In our opinion, it is a must-have for any interior! It fits perfectly in both classic and modern ...
Wood, Oak
Unique antique English cabinet on stand made of oak from the 17th century
Located in Harderwijk, NL
A beautiful antique English cabinet made of oak. Thanks to its distinctive and unique appearance, it complements almost any interior and is a perfect addition for lovers of genuine E...
Wood, Oak
English antique archive cabinet with oak roll-up door from the 20th century
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This English antique oak filing cabinet with a tambour door dates from the early 20th century. Over the years, the oak has developed a beautiful patina, adding warmth and character t...
Wood, Oak
English 18th Century Oak Dresser Base Cabinet
Located in Atlanta, GA
English 18th Century Oak Dresser Base Cabinet
Oak
17th Century English Oak Aumbrey
Located in High Point, NC
17th century oak aubrey food cupboard from England. The top is simple and has pegged construction, following down to simply paneled sides and two wonderfully hand carved doors, which...
Oak
$3,995
H 63.5 in W 29 in D 16.5 in
Antique 17th Century Dutch Carved Ebonized Oak Credence Cabinet on Stand 1680
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique late 17th Century carved ebonized oak cabinet on stand, circa 1680. Such cabinets are commonly referred to as credence or chalice ...
Oak
$1,050Sale Price|83% Off
H 41 in W 50 in D 20 in
19th Century Antique French Provincial Two-Door Oak Cabinet from Pierre Deux
By Pierre Deux
Located in Chicago, IL
19th C. French Provincial antique two-door oak cabinet with two drawers. Original hardware, one interior shelf behind doors. Beautiful carvings and silhouette. Top of cabinet is slig...
Oak
17th Century English Oak Joined Chest or Trunk
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome English panel carved coffer or chest (trunk) of oak from the Jacobean period (King James II), featuring an iron-hinged, panel top, mounted t...
Iron
$48,950Sale Price|42% Off
H 55.25 in W 53.25 in D 14.5 in
Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze & Metal Mounted Rosewood Display Vitrine P.E. Guerin
By P. E. Guerin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine 19th century Louis XVI style gilt bronze and gilt metal mounted rosewood vitrine display cabinet with malachite tops, by Pierre E. Guerin (1843-1911), in the manner of François Linke (1855-1946). The slender single-glazed front door tri-level vitrine 'Meuble d'Appui' cabinet fitted with three sectional malachite veneer tops (later) and glazed beveled-glass panels on the sides, surmounted with gilt-bronze and gilt-metal ornamental mounts with playful Putti amongst vines and leaves, ribbons, musical instruments, flowers, torches, masks, wreaths and acanthus, all raised on six fluted and tapered legs with gilt-bronze ring fittings and sabots. The apron mounts with a polychromed Verde-green background. The mounts marked 'P.E. Guerin 527 and other numerals. The interior with two glass shelves and a recent green velvet paneling. Circa: New York, 1900-1920. The marks on the bronze of this cabinet are from Pierre E. Guerin (1843-1911), who established his New York foundry in 1864 providing mounts for renowned cabinet makers such as Leon Marcotte and Pottier and Stymus...
Malachite, Metal, Bronze
Painted English Dresser Kitchen Hutch Painted Cabinet Farmhouse 1920
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Charming English country house dresser or hutch in a soft pale blue painted finish Perfect for that cozy cottage / farmhouse look Fully restored and bought from a private house sale ...
Paint
$6,415Sale Price|20% Off
H 32.29 in W 46.86 in D 24.02 in
Antique 18th Century German Baroque Oak Cabinet with Black Panels
Located in Casteren, NL
A very handsome Baroque-style cabinet was made in Germany at the end of the 18th century. It has a detachable base with a drawer over bun feet. Above sits a compartment with two paneled doors flanked by barely twisted...
Steel
$1,692Sale Price|20% Off
H 68.12 in W 38.59 in D 16.93 in
Single-Door Beech Display Cabinet, Mid-20th Century
Located in Opole, PL
Single-Door Beech Display Cabinet, Mid-20th Century This elegant vintage display cabinet from the mid-20th century is a true embodiment of timeless craftsmanship and classic charm. ...
Brass
$3,860
H 66.875 in W 35.75 in D 19.375 in
17th Century Painted Oak Homme Debout Cabinet from Southwest France
Located in Dallas, TX
A Homme debout is a two-bodied cabinet with a drawer separating the sections. This handsome Homme debout from southwest France was hand carved from oak in the 1600s. The period Louis...
Wood, Paint
$1,556Sale Price|20% Off
H 48.82 in W 17.72 in D 20.28 in
Oak Art Nouveau File Cabinet with Roll Top Door, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and rare Art Nouveau file cabinet. Striking Dutch design from the 1900s. Solid oak base with original roll top door. Original patinated brass handle and lock plate. The lock...
Oak
Early 20th Century 4-Drawer Oak Filing Cabinet
Located in Germantown, MD
1920s oak panelized four drawer file cabinet. Heavy duty. Had been refinished and looks great with age patina. All drawers working smoothly. Deep enough for both legal and letter size file folders...
Iron
Neoclassical Style Fluted Marble Column Side Table/Cabinet
Located in Southampton, NJ
Vintage Italian classical fluted column pedestal style side table with two door cabinet, single removable shelf and striking black Portoro marble top. Suitable for use as a small bar...
Belgian Black Marble
Vintage Italian Classical Round Marble Top Fluted Column Cabinet Pedestal Stand
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Italian Classical Style Round Marble Top Fluted Column Cabinet Pedestal Stand. Item features round marble top, solid wood fluted column cabinet, 2 swing doors, original label...
Marble
Russian Neoclassical Commode with Marble Top
Located in Houston, TX
Available are two Russian neoclassical style commodes, sold individually. These cabinets are an outstanding example of a select group of pieces decorated with architectural views, ma...
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 82.88 in W 74.81 in D 16.74 in
Vintage Display Cabinet, English, Beech, Travertine, Breakfront, Classical
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage display cabinet. An English, beech and travertine, breakfront cabinet in the classical taste and dating to the late 20th cent...
Travertine
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
Sold
H 44 in W 28 in D 15 in
Antique French Boulle and Ormolu Figural Slate Top Display Cabinet, 20th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique French Boulle figural display cabinet features black lacquer finish with Boulle over tortoise shell face, glass front door, with ormolu trim includi...
Ormolu
Pair of Italian Continental Bombe Front Corner Cabinets
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of solid olive wood corner Italian Continental cabinets early 20th century, each has domed crest over two beveled glass doors open to shelving interior, atop a narrow frieze fit...