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.
1830s English Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Paper
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Terracotta
Early 20th Century European Classical Roman Furniture
Alabaster, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Glass
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Paper
1990s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Gesso, Softwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Paper
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
Early 1900s Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Alabaster
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete, Cement
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Wood
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Porphyry
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Brass, Steel
2010s Israeli Classical Roman Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Limestone
1940s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
18th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Wood, Nutwood
19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
1990s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century American Classical Roman Furniture
Hardwood, Walnut, Burl
Early 20th Century Dutch Classical Roman Furniture
Griotte Marble
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
1880s Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Terracotta
1980s American Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Resin
1980s Unknown Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Resin
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Stone, Sandstone
1960s Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Brass
15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Wool, Linen
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Stone
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
1880s French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Iron
Late 18th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Wood
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Onyx, Marble
20th Century European Classical Roman Furniture
Composition
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
Late 19th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Ceramic
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Carrara Marble, Statuary Marble, Steel
17th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Walnut
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Sterling Silver
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Danish Classical Roman Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century English Classical Roman Furniture
Cast Stone
Mid-20th Century French Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Leather, Sheepskin
1920s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Carrara Marble
1890s French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Stone
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Alabaster, Metal, Brass, Bronze