Classical Roman Sideboards

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 Sideboard/ Counter from the Early 19th Century in Pine Wood

$3,558

Antique English Sideboard/ Counter from the Early 19th Century in Pine Wood

Located in Harderwijk, NL

Offered here is this stunning antique English sideboard / console table / counter / kitchen island from the early 19th century, made of natural pine wood. This characterful antique E...

Category

19th Century Antique Classical Roman Sideboards

Materials

Wood, Pine

Spanish antique sideboard with 3 drawers from the 18th century

$2,469

Spanish antique sideboard with 3 drawers from the 18th century

Located in Harderwijk, NL

This beautiful antique Spanish sideboard dates from the 18th century and features three drawers for storing your belongings. It has a beautif...

Category

18th Century Antique Classical Roman Sideboards

Materials

Wood

18th-Century English Antique Sideboard / Mule Chest

$3,528

18th-Century English Antique Sideboard / Mule Chest

Located in Harderwijk, NL

Offered here is this stunning, characterful 18th-century English antique sideboard, also known as a “mule chest.” This exceptional 18th-century English piece is a true mule chest—a...

Category

18th Century Antique Classical Roman Sideboards

Materials

Wood

Antique English sideboard from the early 18th century made of oak

$4,413

Antique English sideboard from the early 18th century made of oak

Located in Harderwijk, NL

This sideboard is a true showpiece for any lover of genuine antique items! Dating back to the 18th century, it can easily be placed in both classic and modern interiors. It is made o...

Category

Early 18th Century Antique Classical Roman Sideboards

Materials

Wood, Oak

Antique English sideboard from the 18th century made of oak

$2,469

Antique English sideboard from the 18th century made of oak

Located in Harderwijk, NL

This sideboard is a true showpiece for any lover of genuine antique items! Dating from the 18th century, it can be easily placed in both classic and modern interiors. It is made of ...

Category

18th Century Antique Classical Roman Sideboards

Materials

Wood, Oak

Early 19th Century Credenza Sideboard of Church, Larch, Restored Polished to Wax

$6,937

Early 19th Century Credenza Sideboard of Church, Larch, Restored Polished to Wax

Located in Vigonza, Padua

Sculptural sideboard in solid larch from the early 19th century. With two doors with musical organ decoration, squared and side slabs, with an internal s...

Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Sideboards

Materials

Walnut

Large antique English oak sideboard from the 18th century with elegant legs

$3,217

Large antique English oak sideboard from the 18th century with elegant legs

Located in Harderwijk, NL

This beautiful English oak dresser/side table dates from the 18th century and features elegant gold-colored details. It has three smoothly running drawers, offering ample storage spa...

Category

18th Century Antique Classical Roman Sideboards

Materials

Wood, Oak

Art Deco design sideboard in good condition

$4,036

Art Deco design sideboard in good condition

Located in Harderwijk, NL

This beautiful Art Deco cabinet is from the renowned Dutch brand Schuitema and comes from the Decoforma series. It features the stunning and distinctive details we have come to expec...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Classical Roman Sideboards

Materials

Wood

Early 19th Century mahogany bowfront sideboard

$2,719Sale Price|31% Off

H 36 in W 59.75 in D 24.5 in

Early 19th Century mahogany bowfront sideboard

Located in Martlesham, GB

A superb quality early 19th Century mahogany inlaid bowfront sideboard, having a lovely figured top above a central drawer and two deep drawers either side, all drawers are oak lined...

Category

1810s British Antique Classical Roman Sideboards

Materials

Mahogany

Large Early 19th Century Ebonized Sideboard

$8,372

H 49.02 in W 99.22 in D 25.4 in

Large Early 19th Century Ebonized Sideboard

Located in Dusseldorf, DE

Large sideboard from a shop fitting. Around 1900, made of solid pine wood. Restored ready for everyday use. Straight-lined pitch pine wooden body standing on a rectangular base in f...

Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Classical Roman Sideboards

Materials

Pine

18th Century George III Mahogany Sideboard

$3,808

H 37 in W 65.75 in D 23.5 in

18th Century George III Mahogany Sideboard

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

For sale is a good quality George III mahogany sideboard. The sideboard has three drawers across the top, each with ring handles. These are above to bowed cupboards, one opening to r...

Category

Late 18th Century English Antique Classical Roman Sideboards

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Early Victorian Pollard Oak Sideboard Chiffonier 19th Century

$10,059

H 86.62 in W 87.01 in D 29.53 in

Antique Early Victorian Pollard Oak Sideboard Chiffonier 19th Century

Located in London, GB

An impressive large and rear early Victorian carved pollard oak mirror back sideboard, Circa 1850 in date. The inverse breakfront sideboard features a shaped mirror back with supe...

Category

1850s English Antique Classical Roman Sideboards

Materials

Mirror, Oak

19th Century English Pine Sideboard

$2,495

H 29.88 in W 59.25 in D 24.75 in

19th Century English Pine Sideboard

Located in High Point, NC

19th century pine sideboard from England with a two plank top over simple sides and three drawers in the front. There is a scalloped apron beneath the drawers and the piece is raised...

Category

19th Century English Antique Classical Roman Sideboards

Materials

Pine

19th Century Danish Pine Sideboard Cabinet

$1,650

H 36 in W 46.5 in D 20.25 in

19th Century Danish Pine Sideboard Cabinet

Located in Round Top, TX

Danish pine sideboard with clean lines; two drawers over two doors, one interior shelf. Restored and waxed, this cabinet is stable, strong and ready for use. Brass pulls on each func...

Category

Late 19th Century Danish Antique Classical Roman Sideboards

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century Sideboard in Gustavian Style from Sweden with Rustic Patina

Sold|~~$3,659~~

H 46.46 in W 46.86 in D 19.3 in

Early 19th Century Sideboard in Gustavian Style from Sweden with Rustic Patina

Located in Kramfors, SE

Early 19th century sideboard in gustavian style. Made in northern Sweden from solid pine around 1820. The sideboard has double doors with ribbed diamonds and classic straight corners...

Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Classical Roman Sideboards

Materials

Pine

18th Century George II Inlaid Oak Sideboard

$14,999

H 37 in W 80.75 in D 20 in

18th Century George II Inlaid Oak Sideboard

Located in Solebury, PA

An exquisite 18th-century George II inlaid sideboard, embellished with six diminutive upper drawers—possibly serving as spice drawers—is positioned atop the piece. Crafted from fine,...

Category

Mid-18th Century English Antique Classical Roman Sideboards

Materials

Oak

Early 19th Century French Bleached Oak Sideboard Buffet

$4,650

H 41.5 in W 56.25 in D 19.75 in

Early 19th Century French Bleached Oak Sideboard Buffet

Located in Round Top, TX

Early 19th century French sideboard crafted in oak and finished with a bleached surface, giving the wood a lighter appearance suited for modern interiors. The cabinet features carved...

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Sideboards

Materials

Metal

Sideboard from Shanxi Province, Late 18th Century

$4,186

H 37.8 in W 89.77 in D 21.66 in

Sideboard from Shanxi Province, Late 18th Century

Located in Kastrup, DK

Sideboard crafted from walnut, featuring four drawers and a pair of double doors. The sides are adorned with carved scroll details. Expertly crafted, the piece retains traces of its ...

Category

Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Classical Roman Sideboards

Materials

Elm

19th Century Country English Provincial Pine Sideboard Server

$3,500

H 26 in W 44.75 in D 19.5 in

19th Century Country English Provincial Pine Sideboard Server

Located in Rio Vista, CA

Diminutive 19th century country English provincial sideboard server, buffet, or cupboard crafted from pine. Perfectly sized chest of drawers that is very versatile with small enough ...

Category

19th Century English Antique Classical Roman Sideboards

Materials

Brass

Late 17th–Early 18th Century Northern Italian Walnut Sideboard

$3,950

H 37 in W 39.25 in D 16.5 in

Late 17th–Early 18th Century Northern Italian Walnut Sideboard

Located in Atlanta, GA

A rare small sideboard from Northern Italy, dating from the late 17th to early 18th century, crafted entirely in solid walnut. This charming piece showcases the simplicity and elegan...

Category

Late 17th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Sideboards

Materials

Walnut

Classical Roman sideboards for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Classical Roman sideboards for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage sideboards created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with walnut, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Classical Roman sideboards made in a specific country, there are Europe, and Italy pieces 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. Prices for sideboards differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $6,443 and tops out at $6,443 while the average work can sell for $6,443.