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.
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Leather, Sheepskin
1950s Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Rattan
20th Century European Classical Roman Furniture
Plaster
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Carrara Marble, Bronze
1980s American Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Cast Stone
Early 1900s Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Copper, Wrought Iron
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Iron
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete, Metal
1960s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Fiberglass, Plaster
1980s English Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Plaster
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
19th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Wood
2010s American Classical Roman Furniture
Ceramic
1960s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Plaster, Boxwood
Mid-19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
Early 19th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century French Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
1980s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Earthenware
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Ceramic
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
1920s Swiss Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Brass, Enamel
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Leather, Sheepskin
Late 20th Century American Classical Roman Furniture
Paper
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Paper
1990s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Marble, Carrara Marble
Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Art Glass
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Alabaster, Bronze, Ormolu
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century American Classical Roman Furniture
Brass
1940s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Ceramic
1970s European Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Ceramic
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Terracotta, Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Plaster
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Leather, Sheepskin
Early 2000s European Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
19th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
1880s Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Carrara Marble
Early 1600s Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Terracotta
1970s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Paper
Late 20th Century British Classical Roman Furniture
Resin
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Leather, Sheepskin
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Leather, Sheepskin
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble, Bronze
1780s French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Elm, Oak
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Cowhide, Leather
1950s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Iron
1930s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Porcelain, Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Ceramic, Earthenware, Majolica
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Wood
1970s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Art Glass, Glass
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Gold