There is rare surviving furniture from ancient Greece, yet this classical style has informed design for centuries. Interiors of houses in antiquity were minimal, with much of a room’s color coming from frescoes on the walls and mosaics on the floors. Classical Greek furniture was sparing but finely crafted and influenced by Egyptian furniture design through Mediterranean trade.
Furnishings of the period were usually made from local wood like cypress, cedar, oak and willow from ancient Greece’s plentiful forests, although some pieces were carved from marble, such as a 300–200 B.C. throne with lion legs and a curved back now at the Getty Villa. Comfort and clean lines characterized designs during the Classical era, the symmetry and thoughtful proportions reflecting the architecture of Greek temples.
Some pieces of ancient Greek furniture were simple, rectangular platforms like the klinē, a multipurpose ancestor of today’s couches or daybeds that held cushions stuffed with wool, dry grass or down. These structures were used for both sleeping and dining, which wealthy Greeks did while reclining. At night, oil lamps illuminated rooms that frequently surrounded a garden courtyard.
Most of what scholars have learned about Greek furniture design owes to its representations in art like vases and stelae. The portable diphros stool, with its backless design and four turned legs, was one of the more common types of seating in daily Greek life — it appears as such for the gods on the Parthenon frieze. Stools without backs have been found in early Roman tombs, while benches were also common Greek seating furniture created for use in theaters. In houses of the Hellenistic period, benches seemingly functioned as tables, too.
Some designs evolved through adaptations by the Romans, including the klismos chair. After prominent archaeological excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum, the klismos chair — with its four saber legs and the elegant curves that define its back — was a source of inspiration for aesthetics in eras ranging from 18th-century neoclassicism to 20th-century Art Deco.
Find a collection of Classical Greek decorative objects, wall decorations and building and garden elements on 1stDibs.
$9,837 / item
Modern Classical Extension Dining Table, Mahogany
Located in Westwood, NJ
Modern Classical extension dining table with a mocha finish mahogany veneer on brass castors with one self-storing extensions leaf. One self-storing extension leaf Dimensions: Open -...
Wood
Vintage Boho Patinated Iron Dining Table With Etched Glass Top
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Command attention in your dining space with this breathtakingly beautiful vintage dining table. The sculptural base is a true work of art, masterfully crafted from patinated iron to ...
Iron
$10,497 / item
Modern Classical Extension Dining Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Modern classical extension dining table with a swirl mahogany veneer on brass castors with one self-storing extensions leaf. Open dimensions: 88" W x 42" D x 30" H Closed: 64" W x ...
Wood
Nickel-Plated Iron Pedestal Base--Base Only
Located in Sheffield, MA
Classical urn shape pedestal base in nickel plated finish. Can be used indoor or outdoor as dining table or breakfast table with a top of your choice. Listing does not include stone...
Iron
Mid Century Modern Walnut Extension Dining Room Table
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Simple and elegant black walnut dining table attributed to the Founders Furniture Company. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear, it was well taken care of. Two large leav...
Walnut
Vintage Bamboo and Leather with Glass Top Dining Table by McGuire
By McGuire
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Organic Modern Bamboo and Leather with Glass Top Dining Table by McGuire The Vintage Organic Modern Bamboo and Leather with Glass Top Hexagonal Dining Table by McGuire exemp...
Leather, Bamboo
Silvio Coppola Midcentury Italian Modern Extension Dining Table
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Mid-Century Modern extension table with two fold out leaves resting on four wide legs connected with an x-shaped stretcher.(SILVIO COPPOLA).
Wood
$8,500
H 29 in W 108 in D 38 in
Paul McCobb Mid-Century Modern Extension Dining Table, Newly Refinished
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern boat-shaped extension dining table By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture USA, 1950s Beautiful book-matched walnut,...
Brass
French 1940s Wrought-Iron and Marble-Top Table
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
French 1940s dining or center table. The wrought-iron base has a dark green finish. Original marble top, white with dark grey veins. Can be used indoors or outdoors.
Mid century Rosewood Danish Modern Extension Dining Table 2 Leaves
By Arne Vodder, H. Sigh & Søns Møbelfabrik AS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Rosewood Rectangle Danish Modern extension dining table with (2) nesting pull out leaves. This table has Solid rosewood round tapered legs. This table is in good vintage ...
Birch, Rosewood
$2,560Sale Price|20% Off
H 29 in W 53 in D 53 in
French Bistro Style Patinated Iron Brass Garden Dining Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive French iron and brass dining table suitable for patio or garden. The round table features a pastry table style iron base crafted from four gracefully curved legs ending w...
Brass, Iron
$17,076 / item
H 30 in W 108 in D 60 in
James de Wulf Vue Concrete Ping Pong Table, Powder Coated Steel Base - Standard
Located in Paia, HI
Contemporary concrete ping pong table with carbon fiber reinforcement and powder coated steel base. Regulation size with acid stained center l...
Concrete, Steel
$4,995
H 29 in W 84 in D 36 in
Paul McCobb Mid-Century Modern Extension Dining Table, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern extension dining table By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Maple, with black lacquered finish. Measures: 5...
Maple, Lacquer
$5,995
H 29.75 in W 97.5 in D 41.75 in
Drexel Georgian Mahogany Double Pedestal Extension Dining Table, Refinished
By Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Georgian or Regency style double pedestal extension dining table By Drexel USA, Circa 1950s Gorgeous mahogany, with carved mahogany pedestals, and brass-capped feet...
Brass
$4,995
H 29.13 in W 96.75 in D 42.13 in
Henredon Georgian Carved Mahogany Extension Dining Table, Newly Refinished
By Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Georgian or Chippendale style extension dining table By Henredon USA, Circa 1980s Gorgeous book-matched banded mahogany top, with fretwork carved banding and legs. ...
Mahogany
$6,500
H 28 in W 104 in D 39.5 in
Skovby Danish Modern Sculpted Rosewood Extension Dining Table, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish mid-century Danish Modern sculpted rosewood extension dining table By Skovby Møbelfabrik Denmark, Circa 1970s Measures: 65"W x 39.5"D x 28"H. Extends up to 104...
Rosewood
Sold
H 29.5 in W 48 in D 48 in
Antique Quervelle School Classical Flame Mahogany Sunburst Dining Table, c1840
By Anthony Quervelle
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique dining table in the manner of Quervelle offers flame mahogany construction with round top having sunburst design over deep skirt raised on faceted urn form column with scr...
Mahogany
Monumental Glass Top Dining Table on Cast Stone Corinthian Pedestals
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Expansive dining table suitable for indoor or outdoor use. This grand table consists of Corinthian pedestals which come in two parts and are stacke...
Cast Stone
Classical Mahogany Corinthian Column Glass Top Dining Table, 20th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
Classical glass top dining table features carved Corinthian column base, 20th century Measures: 32" height x 47" diameter overall, 13.5" d...
Glass, Mahogany
Sold
H 28.5 in W 84.5 in D 36.63 in
French Neoclassical Antique Painted Iron Patio Dining Table, Early 20th Century
Located in Shippensburg, PA
The extremely worn crackled teal paint has simply the most magnetic effect when viewing this table - the table has a certain elegance that juxtaposes the rustic nature of the surface...
Iron