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Classical Roman Furniture

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.

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Style: Classical Roman
21st Century Studio Irvine Concrete Coffee Side Table Red Cement Mod.I
Located in Rome, Lazio
Surrealism, primitivism, metaphysics and brutalism. Art together with architecture and design build a scenario of inspirations and continuous references through which the material ri...
Category

2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Fine Large 19th Century Continental Bronze Bust Depicting a Roman Dignitary
Located in Dallas, TX
Fine Continental Roman style bronze bust, late 19th century, depicting a curly haired and bearded young man wearing classical drapery pinned on his l...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Handmade Artistic Marble Mosaic Rug Dimension and Colors Customizable
Located in London, GB
Making artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass Mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Marble

Set of 2 Antique French Hall Benches / Dining Benches
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered is this beautiful set of 2 antique French hall benches, perfect for use at the dining table, with a stunning patina. For lovers of a charming and warm interior, it’s no sec...
Category

19th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Wood

Ceramic Vase by Bottega Vignoli Hand-Painted Italian Majolica Contemporary
Located in London, GB
Roma vase, full-fire reduction faience earthenware (majolica) 40cm height 20cm diameter, unique piece, 2020. Bottega Vignoli is a brand of artistic ceramics based in Faenza, one of ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic

Antique Italian Micromosaic Plaque Depicting the Capitoline Doves
Located in London, GB
This Fine, circular micromosaic plaque shows four doves drinking water from a golden bowl, upon which they perch. The Classical design for the mosaic is taken from one found in the Roman Emperor Hadrian's villa in the 2nd century AD. Hadrian's mosaic, which was on the floor as is traditional, was probably based on a design by Sosus of Pergamon, a Greek master artist. Known as the Capitoline Doves...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Glass

A Roman yellow glass unguentarium
Located in UTRECHT, UT
Belly-shaped with cylindrical neck and with folded down collar rim, the unguentarium with twisted glass decoration with white intertwining the main yellow colour 4.5 cm (h) Intact Ex. German private collection H.G., collected between 1970s-1990s Roman glass was used primarily for the production of vessels. It developed from Hellenistic technical traditions, initially concentrating on the production of intensely coloured cast glass vessels...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Glass

Antique Oak Secretary Desk / Chest of Drawers – Late 18th Century
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here this beautiful large antique oak secretary desk / chest of drawers / bureau with burl walnut veneer from the late 18th century....
Category

Late 18th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Wood, Oak, Walnut

Antique Patinated Bronze Figure of Roman Emperor by Mathurin Moreau
Located in London, GB
This fine, full length figure is modelled in the contrapposto pose, a position originating from ancient Greek Classical sculpture. The visual arts uses the term 'contrapposto' to des...
Category

19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Tall Fluted Gustavian Painted Wood Corner Columns
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Pair of Tall Early 1900's Fluted and Gustavian Painted Corner Columns in Wood. Bring classic architecture into your home with these impressive vintage column corner columns painted...
Category

Early 20th Century European Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Pair of Italian Cast Metal Figural Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These unique lamps feature cast metal plaques as their central decorative elements, giving them a sculptural and historic appearance. The plaques are rectangular and are bas-relief c...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Metal

Unglazed Roman Style Clay Pot with Handles, Decorative Pots
Located in Miami, FL
This charming clay pot is an excellent representation of Roman pottery, echoing the craftsmanship and aesthetic of ancient times. With its classic form and earthy clay composition, i...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Earthenware, Clay

Large Antique Dining Table with Drawer
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered by ByThijs is this charming and large antique dining table featuring a drawer and beautiful original details. This stunning and characterful antique table is a unique piece...
Category

19th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique English Display Cabinet with Lighting – Late 19th Century
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this beautiful and rare antique English display cabinet/shop display with built-in lighting, dating from the late 19th century. A perfect addition for any antique e...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

Large Honey Coloured Marble Column This is a very heavy piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large Honey Coloured Marble Column This is a very heavy piece it is made in solid marble, the column comes into 3 for ease of transportation but never the less all the parts are hea...
Category

19th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Siena Marble

Italian White Glazed Porcelain Urn Vase Glased Porcelain by Bassano, circa 1930
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Italian White Glazed Porcelain Urn Vessel or Vase Glased Porcelain by Bassano, circa 1930.
Category

20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

"Photograph of a Grecian Bust" by John Dugdale
Located in NYC, NY
"Photograph of a Grecian bust" is a cyanotype print by John Dugdale, edition 2/6. The print is 16" x 20" matted and framed to 24" x 27.5".
Category

20th Century American Classical Roman Furniture

"Sari" Pedestal Sink made of Almond Travertine
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The "Sari" pedestal sink made of almond travertine by the Italian company, Piba Marmi, is a sculptural masterpiece that seamlessly blends classic and contemporary design. Crafted fro...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Travertine

Sculpture Bust Roman Emperor White and Red Marble
Located in Tivoli Terme, Roma
The sculpture realized by a Roman sculptor as from the Roman academy tradition, is carved with two marbles. Gaius Iulius Caesare formally known as Cesare was a Roman general and statesman who played a critical role in the events that led to the demise of the Roman Republic...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Marble

Italian Classical Style Console Table and Mirror Set
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Italian Classical Style Console Table and Mirror Set This is a very unusual piece it is finished in simulated marble and bronze and is designed to look like a Roman doorway The tab...
Category

Late 20th Century Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Resin

A Large Terracotta Statue of Discobolus, 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Large Terracotta Statue of Discobolus, 19th Century A Terracotta statue of the classical Greek 'Discobolus" by Myron. This particular figure is modelled after the 2nd century Roma...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Antique Handcrafted Terracotta Pitcher, Rustic Amphora Roman Style Clay Vessel
Located in Miami, FL
This charming clay pot is an excellent representation of Roman pottery, echoing the craftsmanship and aesthetic of ancient times. With its classic form and earthy clay composition, i...
Category

Early 20th Century French Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Clay

Set of 6 Vintage Wooden Windsor Spindle Chairs from the 1970s
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Set of 6 Vintage Wooden Windsor Spindle Chairs from the 1970s in English Style These fantastic vintage wooden spindle chairs from the 1970s in English style are not only perfect for...
Category

20th Century Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Wood

21st Century Concrete Oval Shape Table Powder Cement Color Handmade in Italy
Located in Rome, Lazio
A new addition to the Fusto Line: oval shaped dining table part of a collection of modular system in ultra-high performing cement mortar. UHPC tabletop and base colored in the mixtur...
Category

2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Matching Pair of Handcarved Italian Alabaster Horses
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a lovely matching pair of handcarved Italian Alabaster horses. Mid 20th century circa 1960. Pair of hand-carved horses that look like ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Alabaster

Concrete Domestic Landscape Fusto Console Red Brick Cement 100%Handmade in Italy
Located in Rome, Lazio
Console table part of a collection of modular system in ultra high performing cement mortar. UHPC shelves and abutment colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight diff...
Category

2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Set of 3 French Rattan Vintage Design Armchairs from the 1950s
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered is this set of 3 luxurious French rattan vintage design armchairs from the 1950s. This stunning set of vintage rattan chairs is a true eye-catcher, in our opinion. They are...
Category

20th Century Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Rattan

Original Antique Print of the Temple of Baalbek, Lebanon. Dated 1834
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful image of The Temple of Baalbek. Fine steel engraving after J.W Callcott Published by Murray, Dated 1834 Unframed.
Category

1850s English Antique Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Paper

Late 18th Century German Parcel-Gilt Silver Torah Pointer
Located in New York, NY
A late 18th century continental parcel-gilt silver Torah pointer made in Germany. This magnificent torah pointer is shaped in a tapered spiral form. At one end of the pointer, a beautifully designed gilt hand, while at the other a small dome engraved “Philip Salomons Esqr." The dome tip has a linked chain, facilitating its grip. The ring of the pointer is marked with maker's mark VM, and an illegible town mark. Provenance Philip Salomons (1796-1867), sold at his death to Reuben David Sassoon...
Category

Late 18th Century German Antique Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Silver

Naples Capodimonte Porcelain Lidded Tankard, Italian Early 19th Century
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a Naples (Capodimonte) Porcelain Lidded Tankard with deep relief body, which we date to the early 19th Century and made in Naples, Italy. The tankard is hand made with deep ...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Early 20th Century Bronze Roman-Style Urns
Located in Chicago, IL
A phenomenal pair of early 20th century French cast bronze Roman-style urns with volute handles decorated with goose heads, and a frieze in low-relief depic...
Category

Early 20th Century French Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Mid century vintage hand-painted Italian pottery urn with lid.
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid century vintage hand painted pottery urn with lid. This hand painted classical Italian urn has beautiful tones of chocolate brown, Amber and cream. This urn with lid wa...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Pair of Neo-Renaissance Armchairs, circa 1900
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of neo-Renaissance armchairs, circa 1900. Oak and leather.
Category

Early 1900s Belgian Antique Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Oak

Weathered Brass Garden Sundial This sundial is made in Cast Brass
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Weathered Brass Garden Sundial This sundial is made in Cast Brass, it is a heavy piece, the numerals are Roman and there are also the astrological signs around the bottom A very att...
Category

1960s Vintage Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Brass

1990s Bust of Roman Hand Carved in Carrara White and Alicante Red Marble
Located in Marbella, ES
1990s bust of a Roman, hand carved by craftsmen using Carrara white marble for the head and Alicante red on the toga, where the white veins give movement and realism to the cloth. Si...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Marble

Pair of Porcelain Blue Cachepots by Vieux Paris, 19th Century Classical Motif
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is an unusual pair of 19th century decorative hand-painted porcelain cachepots with hand-painted classical bust decoration made by Vieux Paris / Old Paris. Molded "Bamboo" faux ...
Category

1870s French Antique Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century French Bronze Tazza Dish by Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A Roman-classical style decorative bowl, cast in bronze, brown patinated finish. This antique coupe is signed by Ferdinand Barbedienne (France, 1810-1892). In the center a depiction ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Roman Cross – 4th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
An extraordinary Roman cross dating from around the 4th century AD, corresponding to the period of the late Roman Empire and the beginnings of official Christianity after the Edict o...
Category

15th Century and Earlier European Antique Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Bust Eleonora Duse Attributable Sculptor Arrigo Minerbi Villa Callas Sirmione
By Arrigo Minerbi
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Bust of Eleonora Duse attributable to the sculptor Arrigo Minerbi, from Villa Callas Sirmione of Giovanni Battista Meneghini. Bust obtained from stone o...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Stone

24" Syroco Ornamental Italian Style Giltwood Wall Shelf
Located in Germantown, MD
A large 23.25" Syroco Ornamental Italian Style Giltwood Wall Shelf. Good vintage condition. Measures 23.25" in width, 10" in depth and 9" in height.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Hardwood, Giltwood

Set of Four Mid-19th Century French Weathered Painted Iron Medici Vases
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant set of four 19th-century Medici vases were crafted in France circa 1860 and reflect the timeless grandeur of classical garden design. Made from cast iron, each vessel fe...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Iron

Ancient Roman Bronze Leg or Artifact / Element
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Ancient Roman bronze element. It appears to be a leg or support for a larger structure. The leg has a hoofed foot that supports a li...
Category

15th Century and Earlier European Antique Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Petite Bronze Etruscan Reproduction Sculpture 1970s Italy
Located in San Diego, CA
A small Etruscan bronze statue circa the 1970s made in Italy mounted in a black stone base the base shows a crack and repair it can easily be replaced...
Category

20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Stone, Bronze

Two cylindrical colored marble specimens
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Two cylindrical specimens in Breccia Skyros Marble or Settebassi Those two cylindrical specimens are perfect to serve as bookends or to presents works o...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Breccia Marble

Two cylindrical colored marble specimens
Two cylindrical colored marble specimens
$2,498 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Concrete Domestic Landscape Fusto Console Yellow Cream Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Console table part of a collection of modular system in ultra high performing cement mortar. UHPC shelves and abutment colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight diff...
Category

2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Concrete

19th Century KPM porcelain plaque of the Battle of Corinth
Located in London, GB
19th Century KPM porcelain plaque of the Battle of Corinth German, 19th Century Frame: Height 37.5cm, width 44cm, depth 5cm Plaque: H...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Giltwood, Porcelain

Tavolo Marmo Bianco Ottagonale Intarsio Greca Giallo Oro Fatto a Mano da Cupioli
Located in Rimini, IT
White Marble Table Octagonal top and Lacquered Wooden Central Base . Imposing and enriched with refined accents, this extraordinary dining table creates a luxurious ambiance in a modern and classic dining room. This octagonal table has been manufactured using s very beatiful and selected kind of White pure marble...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Statuary Marble

17th Century Italian Carrara Marble Bust of Classical Roman
Located in Houston, TX
17th century Italian carrara marble bust of a Classical Roman. Finely carved Classical Roman Carrara marble bust sculpture from the 17th ce...
Category

17th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Marble

Antique Repro of Ancient Roman Bronze Oil Lamp, Annum Novum Faustum Felicem
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Antique reproduction of ancient oil lamp. Manufactured in Italy during the mid-late 19th century. Its composed of patinated bronze with great detailin...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Italian Alabaster Group of Children Pushing a Cart
Located in Brighton, Sussex
This enchanting 19th century Italian carved Alabaster group of four putti playing whilst pushing and pulling a wooden cart, entitled; 'From the harvest' By Prof; A. Petrill, Firenze....
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Alabaster

21st Century Studio Irvine Fusto Side Console Table Concrete Cement Green Fir
Located in Rome, Lazio
Console table part of a collection of modular system in ultra high performing cement mortar. UHPC shelves and abutment colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight diff...
Category

2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Luxurious Antique Hall Bench / Dining Bench from France
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this luxurious antique hall bench / dining bench from France, featuring beautiful original details. For years, lovers of a charming and warm interior have known: a ...
Category

19th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Wood

21st Century Studio Irvine Fusto Bookcase Mod.I Concrete Bookshelf Grey Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Bookcase part of a collection of modular system in ultra-high performing cement mortar. UHPC tabletop and base colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight different co...
Category

2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Timeless and Characterful Antique French Dining Table
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this timeless and characterful antique French dining table, comfortably seating at least 6 people. A timeless addition to nearly any interior, where you can enjoy l...
Category

19th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mid-century vintage cobalt blue and gold Italian porcelain jars
Located in Allentown, PA
Presenting a pair of exceptional Italian porcelain jars with lids. This pair of jars have a deep cobalt blue glaze with cream and gold accents. This fine pair of porcelain jars were ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique French Hall Bench / Dining Bench
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this stunning antique French hall bench / dining bench with a beautiful patina. For lovers of a charming and warm interior, it's long been known that a bench is alw...
Category

19th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Wood

Carved Italian Alabaster Sculpture of a Maiden at the Well, circa 1900
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carved Italian Alabaster sculpture of a maiden at the water fountain Italy, circa 1900. Depicting a young maiden leaning on a decora...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Alabaster

Three-Dimensional Continental Majolica Charger of Minerva, Late 19th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Three-Dimensional Continental Majolica Charger of Minerva, Late 19th Century A large and exquisitely modeled Continental majolica charger depicting Minerva, Roman goddess of wisdom ...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Antique Persian Tabriz
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite finely woven late 19th century Persian Tabriz. 7'8'' x 11'1'' Since the middle of the 19th century, Tabriz has lead a resurgence in Persian carpet-weaving both for domest...
Category

Late 19th Century Persian Antique Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Wool

19th Century Antique Persian Tabriz
19th Century Antique Persian Tabriz
$20,000 Sale Price
23% Off
19th Century Framed Italian Prints of Pisa by Engraver Antonio Verico
By Raffaello Morghen
Located in Savannah, GA
Three detailed colored prints by Antonio Verico. Born in 1775, he was a master of chalcography, the art of engraving on copper plates. He worked in Rome and Florence, carving on drawings by various authors, with a technique close to that of Raffaello Morghen...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture

Materials

Glass, Walnut, Paper

Classical Roman furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Classical Roman furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, building and garden elements, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with stone, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Classical Roman furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Luca Scacchetti, LAGU, and Richard Ginori. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $30 and tops out at $150,000 while the average work can sell for $2,914.

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