Classical Roman Furniture
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.
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze, Wrought Iron
1870s French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
19th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Gesso, Plaster
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete, Cement
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete, Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Alabaster
1790s English Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Paper
1790s English Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Paper
1790s English Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Paper
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Porphyry, Bronze
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Carrara Marble
20th Century English Classical Roman Furniture
Cast Stone
1940s English Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Leather
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Carrara Marble
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
15th Century and Earlier Israeli Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Clay
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete, Metal
1850s English Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Paper
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Carrara Marble
Late 17th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Terracotta
1920s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Terracotta
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
1870s German Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Classical Roman Furniture
Spelter
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Marble, Carrara Marble
1850s English Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Paper
Early 1900s French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Plaster
Mid-20th Century French Classical Roman Furniture
Plaster
Mid-20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Plaster
1950s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Onyx, Brass
Early 1900s Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Brass
16th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Paint
1960s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Plaster
1850s English Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Paper
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete, Cement
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Carrara Marble, Brass
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Wood
20th Century European Classical Roman Furniture
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
1980s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Silver Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Carrara Marble