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.
UNIQUE EXQUISITE VISCOUNT DAVID LINLEY ROMAN LOOKiNG SYCAMORE CHEST OF DRAWERS
By David Linley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely exquisite original Viscount David Linley very large chest of drawers custom made for Gary Ba...
Oak, Sycamore
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...
French 19th Century Clock Set with Roman Centurion and Candelabra
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th century French gilded ormolu and green marble clock garniture. Having a pair of four branch candelabra with classical busts to t...
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century Bronze Bust of Young Emperor in Classical Roman Style
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
Bacchus, Plaster Statue, France, circa 1930
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful old plaster statue, in the neoclassical spirit, representing young Bacchus. France, National Museums molding workshop, circa 1930.
Plaster
Red & White Byzantium Ceramic Vase Hand Painted Majolica Italy Contemporary
Located in London, GB
Bottega Vignoli, Byzantium vase, 2022, hand-painted maiolica fired in full-fire reduction firing 17cm x 37cm height. Unique piece. Bottega Vignoli, based in Faenza—the historic ...
Ceramic, Majolica
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
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
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
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
$960Sale Price|20% Off
Antique North African Red Slip Ware Vase
Located in Katonah, NY
Antique handmade African red slip ware vase. Circa 300-600 CE (AD), this beautiful handmade piece red slip ware pottery was handmade in North Africa. This pi...
Clay
Timney Fowler Vintage Velvet Scraps, Black & White Prints, 1988
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Seven pieces of the famous Timney Fowler black velvet with white prints. Different sizes: cm. 250 x width 50 - cm. 155 x 55 + central part cm. 40x60 - cm. 150 x 115 (tissue h...
Velvet
$3,368 / set
20th Century Ionic Columns
Located in GB
A pair of 20th century gold gilded ionic columns with winged cherubs and fish scaled plinths. These classical columns are from the three orders beginning ...
Resin
Luxury Sheep Leather Armchair with a Timeless Look
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This luxury armchair is made of sheepskin leather and features a beautiful warm dark color. It is equipped with a loose seat cushion and has a refined finish with matching piping. Th...
Leather, Sheepskin
$3,942
A Roman bronze foot
Located in UTRECHT, UT
With square fitting, hollow at the top for attachment to furniture, one large paw on round base sprouting into lion’s head with visible teeth. 9,5 cm (h) Ex German private property...
Bronze
Characterful sheep leather armchair with a beautiful deep colour
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This comfortable armchair is made of sheepskin leather and has a luxurious and characterful appearance. It comes with a loose seat cushion and is finished with decorative studs. The ...
Leather, Sheepskin
Rustic Italian Wall Mirror with Reverse Painted Classical Vases and Urns
Located in Stamford, CT
Rustic Italian wall mirror. Large wall mirror. Timber frame with reverse painted and mirrored glass. Brass trim. 1HH.
Mirror, 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 th...
Marble
Bust of Egyptian pharaoh carved on white Carrara marble
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Sculpture, Egyptian bust, ancient bust, pharaoh bust, Roman art, classical art, Greek art, bust, white Carrara marble, classical sculpture, ancient sculpture, ancient bust, made in I...
Marble
Princess Margot Chandelier 1 light
By Villari
Located in Solagna, IT
The Princess Magrot Pendant Light by Villari embodies the brand’s mastery of Italian porcelain art. Each piece is shaped, carved, and hand-painted by skilled artisans, giving the pen...
Brass
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
Pair of Patinated Bronze Models of the Townley Vase Cast by Delafontaine
By AUGUST MAXIMILIEN DELAFONTAINE
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine pair of patinated bronze models of the townley vase, cast after the antique, by Auguste-Maximilien Delafontaine. The bronze stamped to the under...
Bronze
Pair of 20th Century Vintage Christopher Wray, Lamps Depicting Roman Women
Located in GB
Pair of 20th century vintage Christopher Wray plaster figural lamps depicting Roman women, signed by artist. M. Osman.
Plaster
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
$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