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
Mid-Century French Polished Iron Bust of Young "Bacchante" Female
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a shell or wine cellar with this elegant bust. Hand crafted in France circa 1970, and built of iron, the bust sits on an attached round base, and depicts a young female "Bac...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Iron
Large Victorian Framed Colour Print of the Daphnephoria
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large Victorian framed colour print of The Daphnephoria.
Large Victorian framed colour print of The Daphnephoria by Frederic Leighton (1830–1896), 1876, from Lady Lever Art Galler...
Category
19th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Paper
Italian Marble Sculpture of a Dog, Circa 1900
Located in Nantucket, MA
The antique sculpture portrays a mastiff, sitting upright in an attentive pose with ears cocked, head canted, and mouth open. Hand carved from a block of green marble, unsigned. The...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble
$1,706 Sale Price
25% Off
19th Century Ebonized Plaster Bust of Marcus Tulles Cicero
Located in Stamford, CT
A Bust of Marcus Tulles Cicero, Roman Consul in 63 B.C. completed in ebonized plaster, circa 1880.
Marcus Tullius Cicero was a Roman statesman, orator, lawyer and philosopher, who served as consul in the year 63 BC. He came from a wealthy municipal family of the Roman equestrian order, and is considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists. (Wikipedia)
Provenance:
Collection of Brigadier General Alfred Douglas Miller...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Plaster
18th Century Venetian Throne Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand-carved 18th Century giltwood newly-upholstered in Rubelli metal silk fabric.
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Eros on Dolphin Made with Compressed Marble Powder Medium Statue
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
Eros, who is considered the god of love in Greek mythology, also appears as a savior. It is not only a symbol of love, but also of everlasting creative reproduction. The original of ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble
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
Set of 2 wall sconces by Venini attr. to Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Klintehamn, SE
Set of 2 wall sconces from Venini in the form of torches. Opaline glass and brass holders. Original wiring. Design attributed to Fulvio Bianconi. Height: 38 cm Depth (from wall): 25 ...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Brass
A Large Patinated Bronze Figure of a Draped Religious Women Titled: Antifonh
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine 19th century French patinated bronze figure of a standing draped classical woman with a wreath to her hair holding an urn.
Titled: Antifonh
Measures:
Height 41.5" (105.4 cm)...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Midcentury Murano Revival Glass Lamped Vase
Located in London, GB
A twin handled murano glass vase in Roman blue, speckled with Venetian green and iridescent finish to surface, now mounted as a lamp.
Italian, Mid Twentieth Century
.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Blown Glass
Two Roman ‘Twelve Caesars’ paintings of Vespasian and Titus
Located in UTRECHT, UT
Italian school, after Peter Paul Rubens
Two portraits from the range of the ‘Twelve Caesars’. Three-quarter laureate portraits in oval. The name of the emperor below with Roman num...
Category
17th Century European Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Wood
Decorative Art Tile, Roger Capron for Marazzi, Italy c. 1980
By Roger Capron
Located in St Ouen, FR
Unique decoration on earthenware made to order by the Artist for the famous Italian decorative ceramics firm Marazzi.
We offer a total of 3 tiles from this series of extremely rare u...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
set of three Italian 19th century Roman Terra Cotta planters
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome set of three Italian 19th century Roman Terra Cotta planters. Each large scale oval shaped urn is raised by fine rectangular bases below the lightly curved socle shaped pe...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
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
$10,000 Sale Price
20% Off
"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
Decorative Ceramic Bowl, Alexandre Kostanda, France c. 1948
Located in St Ouen, FR
Massive bowl with polychrome glazes and antique decoration.
Born to Russian parents Alexandre Kostanda very quickly tried his hand at ceramics when his parents settled in Vallauris ...
Category
1940s French Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Terracotta Base for Vase or Statue or Lamp from Italy
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Tuscan terracotta base or little column with garland, suitable everywhere.
nr. 2048.
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Calvary XVIIth Century, Religious
Located in Madrid, ES
Calvary XVIIth century, religious
17th Century Calvary, religious Ancient Calvary from the 17th century carved in boxwood Boxwood is characterized by its hardness and difficult pruning. It has traces of polychromy and gold. Measure: 65x45...
Category
1670s European Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
$2,420 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of 19th Century Cast Iron Female Figures Holding Pestle and Mortar
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A pair of 19th century cast iron female figures holding pestle and mortar.
A lovely pair of figures, they are very heavy each of the figures is holding ...
Category
1860s Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Metal Side Italian Table With Tray
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Classical folding metal table with tray: elegant and useful. Faux briar painted, the tray has a small elegant railing that completes it and preven...
Category
1990s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Metal
$1,186 / set
Hand-Knotted Subtle Vintage Rug – 162 x 81 cm
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this hand-knotted, subtly patterned vintage rug featuring a refined color palette and beautiful details.
Measuring 162 x 81 cm, this rug is a charming addition to a...
Category
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Cotton
Original Flemish Armchair in Elm, 18th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Original Flemish armchair in elm, 18th century.
Category
18th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Elm
Column in red Pyrenean marble from the late 19th century
Located in Paris, FR
Marble column with a cylindrical shaft in red Pyrenean marble resting on a square base in grey Sainte Anne marble, on a black marble base. The swivel top is also in gray Sainte Anne ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble
Salviati Miniature Glass Tazza
Located in New York, NY
In 19th-century Venice, glassmaking studios were pokey little family affairs. The craft was passed on from father to son, and conducted in a studio, with an assistant or two, and per...
Category
1880s Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Glass
Pair of 20th Century Vintage Christopher Wray, Lamps Depicting Roman Women
Located in Southall, GB
Pair of 20th century vintage Christopher Wray plaster figural lamps depicting Roman women, signed by artist. M. Osman.
Category
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Plaster
$4,947 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Bronze sculpture Marcus Aurelius
Located in Rome, IT
Description
Bronze sculpture Marcus Aurelius. ADDITIONAL PHOTOS, INFORMATION OF THE LOT AND SHIPPING INFORMATION CAN BE REQUEST BY SENDING AN EMAIL.
Indicative shipping costs in Ital...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Bust of Carrera Marble and Honey Onyx
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Bust Roman Emperor, carrara marble and honey onyx.
Category
20th Century European Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Marble
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...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Wood
18th Century Roman Giltwood Marble Top Console
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Finely carved Italian console in excellent condition for its age. Not sure if marble top is original. Has a scagliola inlay of a pearl necklace in the marble.
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique English Oil/Canvas of a Young Girl Holding a Rose After William Hammer
By Hammer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique English Oil/Canvas of a Young Girl holding a Rose after William Hammer, within a gilt frame, ready to be hung.
Category
19th Century English Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Canvas
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.
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Canvas
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
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...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble
Round "Dorico" Table in Classic Travertine Open Porous
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The Dorigo round table can be customizable in different sizes and stones.
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Travertine
$14,375 / item
Eros on Dolphin Made with Compressed Marble Powder, 'Medium', Museum Replica
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
Eros, who is considered the god of love in Greek mythology, also appears as a savior. It is not only a symbol of love, but also of everlasting creative reproduction. The original of the Eros bust is exhibited in the Ephesus Museum.
The most important sculptures in world history are brought to your living spaces by lagu's special selection, using the best materials.
Decorative sculpture is suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
Sculptures, busts, columns and reliefs, the originals of which are in various museums, are made with the technique of casting under vacuum with marble powder from the mold in accordance with the original.
*The deformation and aging found in the original works are directly transferred to the works.
*The Ephesus Museum is a museum located in the Ancient City of Ephesus and exhibits Ancient Greek and Roman artifacts. The museum was established in the ancient city of Ephesus in Izmir, with the aim of preserving the historical and cultural heritage of the ancient city. The Ephesus Museum displays artifacts from various periods, including Ancient Greek and Roman artifacts, ancient marble statues...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble
Marble Bust by William Theed the Younger
Located in London, GB
Portrait bust in statuary marble. Ex Browne-Swinburne, Capheaton Hall, Northumberland.
Signed and dated, 1830
William Theed, t...
Signed and dated, 1830
William Theed, t...
Category
19th Century British Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Statuary Marble
Carved Painted and Gilt Wood Column Display Pedestal
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Carved painted and gilt wood column display pedestal
The column is set on a square base, the central column is deeply reeded and supports a square platform top
The column is in t...
Category
Mid-20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Paint
Decorative Art Tile, Roger Capron for Marazzi, Italy c. 1980
By Roger Capron
Located in St Ouen, FR
Unique decoration on earthenware made to order by the Artist for the famous Italian decorative ceramics firm Marazzi.
We offer a total of 3 tiles from this series of extremely rare u...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
Pair of French Urns Set on Classical Column Pedestals
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A pair of French Urns set on Classical column pedestals
This is an imposing pair of Classical tall lidded urns, they have the mask of a g...
Category
Mid-20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Iron
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.