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.
19th Century Italian Micro Mosaic Round Center Table with Ebonized Carved Base
Located in Milford, NH
An exceptional 19th century Italian micro mosaic round center table featuring architectural scenes from Rome including a central scene of Saint Peter’s Basilica with a brick red marb...
Stone, Marble
$1,920Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-19th Century Italian Sorrento Center Table
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
The circular top with striking geometric inlay in three different woods creating an almost optical illusion of depth. The top rests on a turned inlaid column terminating in three spl...
Walnut
18th Century Swedish Blyberg Porphyry Centre Table Top
Located in London, by appointment only
One of the rarest & most majestic porphyric stones you could ever see. A museum quality masterpiece. Akin to distant stars against a cosmic backdrop Amongst the finest of its type ...
Porphyry
Tables Pair 99cm 39" Square Center Side Writing Gaming Elm 19Century Classical
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Rare to find a pair of elm tables of classical form this size The simplicity of the classical form creates fluid lines and focusing the eye into the...
Elm
$9,012Sale Price|20% Off
Tavolo Marmo Bianco Ottagonale Intarsio Greca Giallo Oro Fatto a Mano da Cupioli
Located in Rimini, IT
White Marble Table Octagonal top and Lacquered Wooden Central Base . Imposing and enriched with refined accents, this extraordinary dining table creates a luxurious ambiance in a modern and classic dining room. This octagonal table has been manufactured using s very beatiful and selected kind of White pure marble...
Statuary Marble
Italian Marble Pedestal Table, Porto Guaro Rosso
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exquisite Marble Table that detaches in three pieces, the table top, the stand and the base. Italian marble artisan from the Porto Guaro Rosso di Levenza aria .
Marble
Marble coffee table inlaid with floral motifs, Florence, 1970s
By Mice di rugiano domenico e c. s.n.c.
Located in Cantù, IT
Elegant coffee table with finely inlaid black marble top, decorated with fine polychrome floral motifs and visually striking symmetrical designs. The top features a rich interlacing ...
Stone, Marble, Wrought Iron
Massive Scale Carved Wood Lion Monopodia Hall Table
Located in London, GB
Massive scale carved wood lion monopodia hall table in the Ancient Roman taste. The finely carved lions in Scotts pine, with restored steel frame and later faux marble painted top. ...
Steel
$16,208
H 30.32 in Dm 43.12 in
Important 19th Century Gilt Brass Dolphin Italian Carrara Marble Centre Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this important 19th century gilt brass Dolphin base French marble centre table A truly sublime table, the base is oak with solid gilt brass Dol...
Carrara Marble, Brass
Italian 19th Century Marquetry Inlay Round Center Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Italian 19th century inlaid walnut and birch center table with geometric marquetry decorating the top in concentric circles of mesmerizing patterns around a central medallion of thre...
Birch, Walnut
$41,810Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.71 in W 43.71 in D 43.71 in
Tavolo attribuito a Guglielmo Ulrich per Arca
Located in Lugo, IT
Tavolo teca attribuito a Guglielmo Ulrich per Arca. La parte superiore in vetro si apre ed e possibile inserire fiori o altro all'interno. Nella parte superiore il legno si e mosso c...
Glass, Wood
19th century carved walnut marquetry center table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century carved walnut center table with inlay circa 1870. We are pleased to offer this stunning center table of generous proportions. Circular top with scalloped moulded edge....
Walnut
Gustavian Period 18th Century Swedish Painted Center Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An exceptional Swedish Gustavian period painted pine center table from circa 1790. There are many layers of paint washing the frame, blending ethereal aquamarine over red in that tac...
Pine, Paint
Tavolo rettangolare Novecento con foglia d'oro
Located in Firenze, FI
Il tavolo rettangolare è l'epitome dell'eleganza e della raffinatezza per il tuo spazio pranzo. Caratterizzato da una struttura robusta in ferro ch...
Iron
19th Century Swedish Center Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant 19th-century Swedish center table is a beautiful example of Gustavian design, showcasing refined craftsmanship and timeless appeal. The table features a round top with c...
Pine
19th Century Neo-Classical Round Center Table
Located in Miami, FL
This was acquired in Italy at a private estate sale. The burled walnut wood table sits on a tripod base and makes an elegant center table for an entrance or foyer, or for a cozy corn...
Wood, Walnut, Burl
Dutch 19th Century Octagonal Ebonized & Burl Maple Center Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Dutch, 19th century Empire-style octagonal center table that features ebonized detail around burled maple surface. The expansive table top is near-seamlessly matched for continuity w...
Brass
$37,165
H 30.12 in W 31.11 in D 21.46 in
German Rococo 18th Century Glass Bead Decorated Centre Table with Exotic Parrot
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very rare 18th century German Rococo table. Oak and pinewood with historical paint in black and decoration in gold color. The rounded rect...
Glass, Oak, Pine, Beads
Italian Empire Period Center Table Early 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
The round top a white marble, crisply edged and set above a beautifully grained mahogany or rosewood veneered apron. The base features a fluted black column rising from a triangular ...
Marble
Mid 20th Century Italian Inlaid Sorrento Table
Located in Dallas, TX
The Mid 20th Century Italian Inlaid Sorrento Table is a luxurious and stylish piece of furniture. The intricate inlaid details give it a unique and timeless appeal. This table is sur...
Walnut
Sold
H 29.5 in W 184 in D 72.75 in
Table Marble Specimen Classical Roman Strapwork 6ft3/4" long, 3ft5" wide
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Striking table in the Roman classical style inset with beautiful earth palette marble specimens around a lapis lazulli centre Suitable for everyday use either outside or in an interi...
Marble
Late Roman Tiger Mosaic Table
Located in Chicago, IL
A rich composition of pink, cream, umber, and grey tesserae, this fragment of a late Roman mosaic looks as exquisite today as it did when it was laid in the 5th century. Masterfully ...
Stone, Cement
Etruscan Revival Specimen Marble Table
Located in Essex, MA
Circular top with geometric inlay over a base section with finely inlaid figural decoration ending on four acanthus carved legs and paw feet.
Other
Circa 1900 Italian Faux Marble Top Center or Dining Table
Located in Southampton, NY
Circa 1900, 1900 Italian Faux Marble Top Center or Dining Table