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.
21st Century, Studio Irvine Fusto Console Table Mod.i Concrete Light Blue Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Console table part of a collection of modular system in ultra high performing cement mortar. UHPC shelves and abutment colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in three diff...
Concrete
21st Century Studio Irvine Fusto Side Console Table Mod. I Concrete Green Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Console table part of a collection of modular system in ultra high performing cement mortar. UHPC shelves and abutment colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in three diff...
Concrete
21st Century, Studio Irvine Fusto Console Table Mod, I Concrete Brick Red Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Console table part of a collection of modular system in ultra high performing cement mortar. UHPC shelves and abutment colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in three diff...
Concrete
21st Century Studio Irvine Fusto Side Console Table Mod.i Concrete Powder Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Console table part of a collection of modular system in ultra high performing cement mortar. UHPC shelves and abutment colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in three diff...
Concrete
21st Century, Studio Irvine Fusto Console Table Mod, I Concrete Brown Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Console table part of a collection of modular system in ultra high performing cement mortar. UHPC shelves and abutment colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in three diff...
Concrete
Italian Classical Style Console Table and Mirror Set
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Italian Classical Style Console Table and Mirror Set This is a very unusual piece it is finished in simulated marble and bronze and is designed to look like a Roman doorway The tab...
Resin
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.
Marble
Concrete Domestic Landscape Studio Irvine Fusto Console Ink Cement Grey
Located in Rome, Lazio
Console table part of a collection of modular system in ultra high performing cement mortar. UHPC shelves and abutment colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight diff...
Concrete
21st Century Studio Irvine Fusto Side Console Table Concrete Cement Green Fir
Located in Rome, Lazio
Console table part of a collection of modular system in ultra high performing cement mortar. UHPC shelves and abutment colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight diff...
Concrete
21st Century, Studio Irvine Fusto Console Table Mod, I Concrete Yellow Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Console table part of a collection of modular system in ultra high performing cement mortar. UHPC shelves and abutment colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in three diff...
Concrete
21st Century Studio Irvine Fusto Side Console Table Concrete Cement Powder Beige
Located in Rome, Lazio
Console table part of a collection of modular system in ultra high performing cement mortar. UHPC shelves and abutment colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight diff...
Concrete
Concrete Domestic Landscape Fusto Console Dark Chocolate Cement Grey
Located in Rome, Lazio
Console table part of a collection of modular system in ultra high performing cement mortar. UHPC shelves and abutment colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight diff...
Concrete
Concrete Domestic Landscape Fusto Console Yellow Cream Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Console table part of a collection of modular system in ultra high performing cement mortar. UHPC shelves and abutment colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight diff...
Concrete
Concrete Domestic Landscape Fusto Console Red Brick Cement 100%Handmade in Italy
Located in Rome, Lazio
Console table part of a collection of modular system in ultra high performing cement mortar. UHPC shelves and abutment colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight diff...
Concrete
21st Century Studio Irvine Fusto Side Console Table Concrete Cement Ink Grey
Located in Rome, Lazio
Console table part of a collection of modular system in ultra high performing cement mortar. UHPC shelves and abutment colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight diff...
Concrete
21st Century Studio Irvine Fusto Side Console Table Concrete Cement Yellow Cream
Located in Rome, Lazio
Console table part of a collection of modular system in ultra high performing cement mortar. UHPC shelves and abutment colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight diff...
Concrete
21st Century Studio Irvine Fusto Side Console Table Concrete Cement Ultramarine
Located in Rome, Lazio
Console table part of a collection of modular system in ultra high performing cement mortar. UHPC shelves and abutment colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight diff...
Concrete
$6,231
Romantic Console
By Villari
Located in Solagna, IT
The Romantic Console by Villari is a statement of refined luxury and timeless Italian artistry, created to captivate at first glance and leave a lasting impression. Entirely handmade...
Marble, Brass
21st Century Studio Irvine Fusto Side Console Table Concrete Cement Brown Color
Located in Rome, Lazio
Console table part of a collection of modular system in ultra high performing cement mortar. UHPC shelves and abutment colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight diff...
Concrete
21st Century Studio Irvine Fusto Side Console Table Concrete Cement Brick Red
Located in Rome, Lazio
Console table part of a collection of modular system in ultra high performing cement mortar. UHPC shelves and abutment colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight diff...
Concrete
21st Century Studio Irvine Fusto Side Console Table Concrete Cement Silver Grey
Located in Rome, Lazio
Console table part of a collection of modular system in ultra high performing cement mortar. UHPC shelves and abutment colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight diff...
Concrete
$1,212
H 32.68 in W 37.8 in D 13.98 in
VINTAGE ITALIAN CARVED STYLE CONSOLE TABLE WiTH GLASS MIRRORED TOP
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this decorative Italian Antique style console table with mirrored top Please note the delivery fee listed i...
Glass, Wood
Industrial Wabi Sabi Console Table, France, 21st Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
This one-of-a-kind atelier table pairs the quiet strength of reclaimed oak with the stark precision of blackened steel. Its top is crafted from reclaimed solid oak, richly textured a...
Steel
Italian Brass Mirror and Console, 1940s
Located in Vienna, AT
Italian brass mirror and console from the 1940-1950s. Very intricate design with elaborate brass decorations on the rim of the mirror ...
Brass
$3,495 / set
H 34 in W 64 in D 16 in
20th-C. Neo-Classical Style Faux Bronze And Cast Stone Console Tables - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of late 20th century cast stone and scrolled patinated metal console tables. These are a very heavy casting and in very good condition. They are unmarked, and the tops...
Cast Stone, Metal
$697Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 30 in W 32 in D 14 in
1980s Oriental Accent Hitchcock Style Console Table and Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
1980s Oriental Accent Hitchcock Style console table and mirror. Crackle lacquer Paint on console top. Hand painted flowers on top and sides. Banded gol...
Mirror, Hardwood, Lacquer, Paint
$4,500
H 30 in W 61 in D 18 in
Modern Elements Polished Stainless Steel T-Base Console Table, 21st Century
Located in Hamburg, PA
Sleek and architectural Modern Elements modern console table featuring a substantial polished stainless steel T-base (I-beam inspired design) paired with a thick black marble or gran...
Stainless Steel
$8,800 / item
H 30 in W 63 in D 17 in
Whorl Console Table in Matte Black Powder Coated Aluminum by Neal Aronowitz
Located in Portland, OR
An elegant and powerful sculptural statement. This is a console that is an unforgettable and dynamic presence in any room. The now iconic lyrical form of the award winning Whorl Table series is this time executed in powder coated aluminum. 1/4" thick aluminum is rolled and bent into the magical folds of the Whorl form, seemingly defying gravity! Displayed here in a rich matte black custom color. Easy to clean and very durable. Hand-crafted in Portland, Oregon USA by renowned designer/artist Neal Aronowitz. The Whorl Console...
Aluminum
Contemporary Brass Mirror and Console Set Murano Glass, Italy
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Contemporary wall mirror and console set, full brass and large pieces of green emerald Murano glass with relief diamond point. Small artisanal wor...
Brass
21st Century Diplopia Monochrome Cubic Marble Side Table
Located in Istanbul, TR
The Diplopia coffee table was conceived from the idea of creating an object that conveys an optical illusion. The stereographic effect is produced through combining different kinds o...
Marble
Whorl Console Table in Beige Powder Coated Aluminum by Neal Aronowitz
Located in Portland, OR
The iconic lyrical form of the award winning and internationally renowned Whorl Table series is now executed in powder coated aluminum. 1/4" thick aluminum is lovingly fabricated int...
Aluminum
Antique Walnut Console / Side Table
Located in London, GB
A beautiful and impressive antique console / side table in walnut. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1930’s period. It is of superb quality, with a stunning burr wa...
Walnut
$6,500
H 67 in W 45 in D 12 in
1940's Art-Deco Style Italian Hallway Console And Mirror Ico Parisi Style
By Ico Parisi
Located in New York, NY
Amazing 1940's Art-Deco style Italian hallway console with attached mirror in the style of Ico Parisi, fully restored with minor wear and patina due to age and use, the mirror is in ...
Mirror, Walnut
Vintage Karges Painted Console Table With Carved Base & Faux Stone Top
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A beautifully crafted vintage console table by Karges, showcasing the brand’s renowned attention to detail and classical craftsmanship. This elegant piece features a richly textured ...
Wood
Sold
H 41.34 in W 85.04 in D 15.75 in
Order #139683612 Fusto Side Console Table Brown Color + Fusto Fir Dining Table
Located in Rome, Lazio
Dining Table Custom-sized (W316D120H73 cm) as per drawings + Console table (W216D40H105 CM) part of a collection of modular system in ultra high performing cement mortar. UHPC shelv...
Concrete
Carved Limestone Corinthian Pilaster Capital Console Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-carved from solid limestone, this 20th-century American Corinthian pilaster capital is a stunning relic of classical design, rich with history and architectural romance. The vol...
Limestone
Imperial red Porphyry - Roman period
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Large polished Egyptian red porphyry piece Roman period 28,5 x 67 x 2 cm Large rectangular thin piece of Egyptian red porphyry. One side features ancient chisel marks, while the o...
Porphyry
Pair of Large Corinthian Capital Form Consoles in Classical Style
Located in Nashville, TN
Pair of large consoles of Corinthian capital form, probably inspired by The Grand Tour souvenirs of the Roman Forum. Strong presence due to size and design but well formed, deeply ca...
Plaster, Wood
Venetian Baroque Style Console, Italy, 20th Century
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Console in Venetian Baroque style entirely painted. Some nice details in the legs and top.
Wood
French 18th Century Console Table With Marble Top
Located in London, GB
This is an exceptional console table, made in France in the 18th century. The base has lovely carved detail and it has a lovely original thick fossil marble top.
Marble
Italian Granite Wrought Iron Console
Located in Pasadena, TX
Vintage granite wrought iron console. Measure: 6ft. Scrolled wrought iron base adorned with gilt leaf accents. Top is a rich black granite.
Granite, Wrought Iron
Original Marble Table with Inlays Carrara Tuscany
Located in Buggiano, IT
Antique original marble table made of three blocks, with a bird motif inlaid on the top. Parts in alabaster and small pieces of marble of various types are missing, the table is to ...
Carrara Marble
Sold
H 31.25 in W 37 in D 16.25 in
Michael Taylor Designs Faux Stone Spanish Capital Console Entry Table MTD-2014
Located in Dayton, OH
Michael Taylor designs faux stone Spanish capital console entry table MTD-2014 Michael Taylor designs Spanish capital console White stone f...
Cast Stone