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.
Pair of Italian Neoclassical Style Griffons Table Pedestals
Located in Sheffield, MA
Two grand and very impressive cast concrete neoclassical style pedestal dining table bases with finely detailed winged griffins. Will support a large stone, marble or glass table top. Can be used indoors or outdoors - sun porch...
Concrete
Pair of Italian Neoclassical Style Griffons Table Pedestals
Located in Sheffield, MA
Two grand and very impressive cast concrete neoclassical style pedestal dining table bases with finely detailed winged griffins. Will support a large stone, marble or glass table top...
Concrete
$2,997Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 31.75 in W 17.5 in D 20.75 in
Salterini Style Art Deco / Modern Gold Painted Gilt Metal Glass Top Dinette Set
By John Salterini, Russell Woodard
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Art Deco, Hollywood Regency and Mid-Century Modern design elements have combined to create what is arguably the most sublime patio dinette set ever. Gilt gold and black glam of this ...
Metal
$850
H 37 in W 11 in D 11 in
Florence Style Italian Glazed Ceramic Pedestal Plant Stand Vintage, Italy, 1980s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
20th century glazed ceramic pedestal plant stand and flower pot seat. Handmade of ceramic. Nice addition to your home, patio or garden. This is in used condition, with signs of wear ...
Ceramic
Midcentury Italian Majolica Neoclassical Style Garden Seat Stool
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Whimsical Mid-Century Modern Italian Majolica garden seat stool made in the neoclassical taste. The square stool features a Tromp l'oeil verde green tassel...
Majolica, Pottery
$1,895 / set
H 33 in W 28 in D 23 in
Midcentury Outdoor Dining Iron 8 Piece Set John Salterini Large Glass Top Table
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous 8 piece set consisting of a large dining table from the early 50s, heavy decorative iron with a large beveled glass top. 6 armchairs from the late...
Steel, Iron
Pair of Neoclassical Style Steel Curule Garden Armchairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous pair of Italian polished steel patio and garden dining armchairs featuring neoclassical style curule legs. Hand-crafted from thick steel with an open design and dramatic pro...
Steel
Neoclassical Style Iron Curule Leg Garden Dining Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Mid-Century Modern painted iron patio and garden table featuring neoclassical style Curule legs. The top of the rectangular garden table has ...
Wrought Iron
1970s German Beer Garden Folding Table and Benches, Green Wood
Located in Stamford, CT
German beer garden green painted wood folding table with two wood folding benches. Sturdy and well made wood surfaces and metal folding legs. Folding mech...
Metal
Set of Four Brown Jordan-Style Neoclassical Garden Armchairs
By Brown Jordan
Located in Rio Vista, CA
An elegant set of four cast aluminum garden armchairs crafted in the manner and style of Brown Jordan. Each chair features an ornate neoclassical swag design on the back. The arms wi...
Aluminum
$4,200Sale Price|30% Off
H 28.5 in W 62 in D 36 in
French Neoclassical Style Iron Curule Leg Garden Dining Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare, patinated French iron patio or garden dining table crafted from iron. The table features a slatted rectangular top supported by a trestle style sculptural base having curule legs...
Iron
Art Deco Garden Patio Dining Set in the Style of Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Nice Art Deco garden, Patio dining set having a glass top table with four matching armless chairs. This set shows significant rust, peeling paint and surface wear, as shown. In the s...
Wrought Iron
$3,400
H 36.22 in W 23.62 in D 19.68 in
Set of Wrought Iron Dining Table and Armchairs, Garden or Patio Furniture
Located in Miami, FL
Set of dining table and armchairs. Garden or patio furniture. Indoor and outdoor Includes: 1 round white creamtable with werzalit top ( very resistant for outdoor) Top 35.43in d...
Iron
$3,880Sale Price|20% Off
H 23.5 in W 24 in D 22 in
Pair of Neoclassical Style Metal Indoor-Outdoor Side Tables
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Pair of Neoclassical Style Metal Indoor-Outdoor Side Tables with Faux Bois Technique wand verdigris detailing. We know it’s hard to find one-of-a-kind pieces! Shop our listings for...
Metal
Five-Piece Decorated Cast Stone Garden Dining Set
Located in Sheffield, MA
The five pieces include a dining table (two pedestal bases and top), two long benches (two pedestal bases and seat each) and two short benches (two pedestal bases and seat each). The...
Concrete