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.
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Terracotta
Early 1900s Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
19th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Wood
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
1980s American Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Lacquer, Giltwood
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Ironstone
17th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble, Stone
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Alabaster
1970s American Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Brass
18th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Wood
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Cowhide, Leather
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Leather, Sheepskin
19th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Wood
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Leather, Sheepskin
Early 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete, Metal
1950s German Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Gold
19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
15th Century and Earlier Syrian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Agate, Gold
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Cowhide, Leather
Early 20th Century North African Classical Roman Furniture
Wool
19th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Wood
19th Century European Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Plaster
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
1980s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Plexiglass, Wood, Paint, Paper
1810s Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Paper
19th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Wood, Elm
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Cotton
1960s Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Brass
1970s Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Leather
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
1970s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Brass
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Cowhide, Leather
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Leather, Sheepskin
20th Century French Classical Roman Furniture
Paper
19th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Wood
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Travertine
1860s Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Carrara Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Carrara Marble
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Leather, Sheepskin
1990s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Carrara Marble
1820s Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Cowhide, Leather
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Leather, Sheepskin
20th Century Unknown Classical Roman Furniture
Granite
19th Century German Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
16th Century German Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Silver
1990s American Classical Roman Furniture
Canvas, Acrylic, Teak
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Leather
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Leather, Sheepskin
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Unknown Classical Roman Furniture
Cement