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.
Early 20th Century Dutch Classical Roman Furniture
Griotte Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Scagliola
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Wood
1860s French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Carrara Marble
Early 20th Century American Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Limestone
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
Late 18th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Wood
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
21st Century and Contemporary English Classical Roman Furniture
Gesso, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Porcelain
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
1860s Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Alabaster
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Alabaster
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century Danish Classical Roman Furniture
Brass
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Walnut
19th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Copper
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Resin, Wood, Parchment Paper
18th Century English Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Porcelain
1830s English Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Paper
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Composition
Early 20th Century French Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
15th Century and Earlier European Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Limestone
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Alabaster, Bronze
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Ceramic
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Silver
15th Century and Earlier German Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Sandstone
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
20th Century Unknown Classical Roman Furniture
Yarn
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Glass
17th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Paper
15th Century and Earlier Israeli Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Glass
1940s French Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
1790s English Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Paper
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
Early 18th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
20th Century English Classical Roman Furniture
Cast Stone
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Cotton
1930s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Murano Glass
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century European Classical Roman Furniture
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Swedish Classical Roman Furniture
Alabaster
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
2010s European Classical Roman Furniture
Stone, Travertine, Marble
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Plaster
2010s Classical Roman Furniture
Resin
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Cowhide, Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
1960s Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Paint
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Stone, Marble