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.
19th Century Roman Obelisks Red and Green Marble
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century Roman Obelisks Red and Green Marble Unique piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Marble
Pair of Italian Capodimonte Painted Porcelain Plaques
By Capodimonte
Located in London, GB
Each Capodimonte porcelain plaque in this pair portrays a famous episode from Roman history: The Rape of the Sabines. The scene on each pl...
Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century Young Emperor Bust
Located in Roma, IT
19th century bronze bust of young emperor. This object is shipped from Italy. Under existing legislation, any object in Italy created over 70 years ago by an artist who has died re...
Bronze
$4,150Sale Price|40% Off
Large Bronze and Iron Urn Fire Grate
Located in London, GB
Large bronze and iron urn grate, Mid-20th century, the rim of the urn shaped basket with bronze bead detail and scrolled handles to either side, the plinth base with applied ram's he...
Iron
$12,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Classical Roman Style Male Female Wall Sculptures
Located in Asheville, NC
Pair of male and female Classical Roman style sculptures made to look ancient, beautifully crafted in bas relief signed by artist.
4er Set Neobarock Stühle Historismus Leder antik Stuhl Gründerzeit
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes antikes 4er Set Esszimmerstühle aus der Gründerzeit zum Verkauf an. Die Stühle verfügen über aufwendige Schnitzereien und sind mit hellem Leder bezogen. ...
Leather, Wood
Handmade Artistic Marble Mosaic Rug Dimension and Colors Customizable
By sicis
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...
Marble
Gilt Bronze Model of Ceres
Located in London, GB
A gilt bronze model of Ceres, Roman goddess of agriculture, modeled seated holding torch aloft in one hand and with a sheaf of wheat in the other, on plin...
"Photograph of a Grecian Bust" by John Dugdale
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".
Antique Carved Wood Classical Sculpture
Located in London, GB
A beautiful and very unusual antique sculpture, carved from solid wood. This looks like it is most likely Italian, it depicts an intimate scene from biblical times. It is hard to dat...
Wood
Roman Painted and Gilded Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant, Roman, hand carved, painted and gilded framed mirror with faux marble finish. Original mirror glass has age-appropriate spotting and light loss of silvering to plate.
Mirror, Wood, Paint
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...
Giltwood, Porcelain
Roman travertine cup classic style -made in Italy
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Travertine cup, antique classical cup, sculpture, marble, marble furniture, marble fruit holder, white marble cup, marble cup , Roman travertine cup ,Carrara, classical cup. Classica...
Travertine
Handmade Artistic Marble Mosaic Rug Dimension and Colors Customizable
By sicis
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 th...
Marble
Pair of Antique Decorative Bronze Roman Busts on Columns
Located in London, GB
A Pair of Miniature Bronzes of Roman Busts On Marmore Nero Columns In the Manner of Georges Servant After the original models exhibited at the Paris ex...
Marble, Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Antique French Brass Table Lamp, Roman Style, 1920, Good Condition
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Single Column French Brass Table Lamp This unusual Lamp is set on a stepped base and comes with its original tall hand made lampshade. The lamp i...
Brass
$3,835Sale Price|35% Off
Antique English Oil/Canvas of a Young Girl Holding a Rose After William Hammer
By Hammer
Located in Tarzana, CA
Antique English Oil/Canvas of a Young Girl holding a Rose after William Hammer, within a gilt frame, ready to be hung.
Canvas
Carved Italian Alabaster Sculpture of a Maiden at the Well, circa 1900
Located in Tarzana, CA
Carved Italian Alabaster sculpture of a maiden at the water fountain Italy, circa 1900. Depicting a young maiden leaning on a decora...
Alabaster
Tables Pair 99cm 39" Square Center Side Writing Gaming Elm 19Century Classical
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Rare to find a pair of elm tables of classical form this size The simplicity of the classical form creates fluid lines and focusing the eye into the...
Elm
Hand-Knotted Oriental Rug, 20th Century, 232x139 cm, Roman Style
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered: this beautiful hand-knotted Oriental rug with refined patterns and stunning colors, measuring 232x139 cm. Let your home shine with this gorgeous rug. It features beautiful c...
Textile
Rug with patterns and colors – 234x141cm
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered: this beautiful Oriental rug with elegant patterns and stunning colors, measuring 234x141 cm. Let your home shine with this gorgeous rug. It features lovely colors and exquis...
Cotton
Square Decorative Rug in Predominantly Red and Blue – 105x98 cm
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this square decorative rug in oriental style, featuring refined patterns in predominantly red and blue tones, measuring 105x98 cm. Brighten up your home with this bea...
Cotton
Hand-Crafted Persian Rug, Blue and White, 20th Century, 181x90 cm
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this subtle oriental rug in mainly blue and white tones with clean patterns, measuring 181x90 cm. Brighten up your home with this beautiful rug. It features lovely co...
Cotton
17th-Century Hand-Crafted Antique Side Table in Classical Roman Style
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered is this stunning and unique early 17th-century antique drop-leaf / side table with a beautiful patina. This rare and highly original early 17th-century table has developed a...
Wood
Hand-Knotted Dark Blue Wool Rug, Classical Roman Style, 20th Century
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Let your home shine with this beautiful rug. It features lovely colors and stunning details. These types of rugs are not only a sought-after item for the living room but also a great...
Wool
$1,262Sale Price|20% Off
Hand-Crafted Italian Terracotta Table Lamp in Classical Roman Style
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Italian terracotta table lamp, elegant in its essential simplicity. It can be shipped anywhere from Italy, without the pulk of the hat which You can do as You want. ref. nr. 2050 -
Terracotta
18th Century Italian Painting of a Soldier, Fragement from a Larger Painting
Located in Buchanan, MI
Very handsome Italian portrait of a soldier, in ebonized frame with silver detail. Measurements include frame.
Canvas