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.
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Cowhide, Leather
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Leather, Sheepskin, Wood
1880s German Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble, Bronze
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Leather, Sheepskin
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Leather, Sheepskin
1940s French Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
20th Century American Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Leather, Sheepskin
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Cotton
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Leather, Sheepskin
1920s Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Cowhide, Leather
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Silver
18th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Wood, Paper
1920s Japanese Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Brass, Enamel
1930s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Brass
Mid-19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century Danish Classical Roman Furniture
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Classical Roman Furniture
Silk
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Ironstone
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Cowhide, Leather
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Terracotta
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Silver
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Leather, Sheepskin
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Alabaster
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Cowhide, Leather
17th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble, Stone
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Cowhide, Leather, Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Serpentine, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Cotton
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Silver
19th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Gesso, Plaster
1990s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Wood, Paint
1960s Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Brass
15th Century and Earlier Syrian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Agate, Gold
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Alabaster
19th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Wood
1970s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Murano Glass
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Leather, Sheepskin
1980s American Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Lacquer, Giltwood
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Alabaster
1810s Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century North African Classical Roman Furniture
Wool
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Cowhide, Leather
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Carrara Marble
19th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Wood
18th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Wood
19th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Wood, Elm
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Leather, Sheepskin