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 Rectangular Cement Table Concrete Powder Color
Located in Rome, Lazio
Rectangular shape dining table part of a collection of modular system in ultra-high performing cement mortar. UHPC tabletop and base colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available...
Concrete
21st Century Studio Irvine Concrete Circular Dining Table Green Cement handmade
Located in Rome, Lazio
Rounded shape dining table part of a collection of modular system in ultra-high performing cement mortar. UHPC tabletop and base colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in ...
Concrete
1910s Imperial Grand Rapids Carved Solid Walnut Trestle Table
Located in Germantown, MD
Very Rare 1910s Imperial Grand Rapids trestle table in fine carved walnut wood. Top made out of Banded and bookmatched dark walnut veneer. Table ...
Hardwood, Walnut, Burl
English oak early 19th century XXL farmhouse dining table
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This exceptional English XXL farmhouse dining table is made of oak in beautiful deep, warm tones and dates from the early 19th century. The characterful table features 2 drawers and ...
Wood, Oak
21St Century Studio Irvine Fusto Concrete Rectangular Dining Table Green Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Rectangular shape dining table part of a collection of modular system in ultra-high performing cement mortar. UHPC tabletop and base colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available...
Concrete
Antique French farmhouse dining table made of fruitwood from 18th century
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This large antique French farmhouse dining table is crafted from fruitwood and dates from the late 18th century. It features beautiful, original details that reflect its authentic ch...
Wood, Fruitwood
21St Century Studio Irvine Fusto Rectangular Dining Table Ink Cement Color
Located in Rome, Lazio
Rectangular shape dining table part of a collection of modular system in ultra-high performing cement mortar. UHPC tabletop and base colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available...
Concrete
21st Century Studio Irvine Fusto Rectangular Dining Table Brown Cement Color
Located in Rome, Lazio
Rectangular shape dining table part of a collection of modular system in ultra-high performing cement mortar. UHPC tabletop and base colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available...
Concrete
Antique French Country Chestnut Dining Table, Early 19th Century
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here this beautiful and original antique French country dining table made of chestnut wood, dating from the early 19th century. The table is fitted with two practical drawers...
Wood, Chestnut
Italian Dinning Room Table in in style of Fratino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian antique table is refinished and can be extended for 10 - 12 people .The side of the table is inline intarzziato wood work Table seats 6 people comfortably when is as is Co...
Wood, Walnut
Early 19th-Century French Oak Dining Table with One Drawer
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered is this sturdy early 19th-century French dining table made of oak, featuring one drawer. This stunning antique French table has a bold, rustic look and fits effortlessly in...
Wood, Oak
Antique Spanish table from the early 18th century with a cast iron base
Located in Harderwijk, NL
How fantastic is this antique Spanish side table / dining table? This unique table from the early 18th century has a base made of cast iron with elegantly curved shapes. Over the yea...
Iron
Aura - Round classical dining table in Marquina Black marble
Located in Cologna Veneta, IT
An icon of timeless elegance. This round table is made entirely of Nero Marquina marble, a precious Spanish natural stone with a deep black background and bold white veins that enhan...
Marble
Authentic Italian dining table from the 16th century made of walnut
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This beautiful authentic Italian dining table dates back to the 16th century and is crafted from walnut wood. A true eye-catcher for lovers of genuine antiques and interiors full of ...
Wood, Nutwood
Art Deco design dining table for 4 to 6 people
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This stunning Art Deco design dining table is by the renowned Dutch brand Schuitema and can easily be placed in almost any interior. As far as we’re concerned, it’s a piece that shou...
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century English 6-Person Dining Table with Walnut Top
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here this timeless antique early 19th century English 6-person dining table with a beautiful walnut top and three drawers. This characterful antique English dining table dat...
Wood, Walnut
English Antique Extendable Dining Table in Elm and Cherry Wood
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this functional and beautiful English antique extendable dining table made of elm and cherry wood. A wonderful antique dining table crafted from striking elm combin...
Wood, Cherry, Elm
Antique Swiss extendable dining table made of oak from the mid-19th century
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This rare antique Swiss oak dining table is extendable in various ways, making it unique. It is not only functional but also a real eye-catcher in almost any interior. The tops and a...
Wood, Oak
19th Century Hand-Crafted Elm Square Dining Table in Roman Style
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here this characterful, beautiful, and practical square antique dining table made of elm wood. A wonderful antique piece crafted from fine elm, featuring a stunning patina—...
Wood, Elm
Subtle round rustic wooden dining table with a beautiful appearance
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This beautiful, subtle round country-style wooden dining table features an elegant decorative base, a beautiful appearance and a stunning patina. The dining table is the heart of a ...
Wood
Aura - Round classical dining table in Arabescato Grigio Orobico marble
Located in Cologna Veneta, IT
A piece of furniture that combines sculpture and functionality. This round table is made of Arabescato Grigio Orobico marble, a famous Italian natural stone quarried in the Bergamo v...
Marble
18th century French farmhouse dining table made of oak and fruitwood
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This beautiful and characterful French farmhouse dining table dates from the 18th century and is made of oak and fruitwood. It is suitable for 4 to 6 people, features a drawer and ha...
Wood, Fruitwood, Oak
French dining table from the 18th century with a fruitwood top and oak base
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This antique French dining table has a fruitwood top and an oak base and dates from the 18th century. The characterful table features 3 working drawers, warm colours and seating for ...
Wood, Fruitwood, Oak
21st Century Concrete Oval Shape Table Powder Cement Color Handmade in Italy
Located in Rome, Lazio
A new addition to the Fusto Line: oval shaped dining table part of a collection of modular system in ultra-high performing cement mortar. UHPC tabletop and base colored in the mixtur...
Concrete
21st Century Studio Irvine Concrete Circular Dining Table Red Cement Handmade
Located in Rome, Lazio
Rounded shape dining table part of a collection of modular system in ultra-high performing cement mortar. UHPC tabletop and base colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in ...
Concrete
21st Century Studio Irvine Concrete Circular Dining Table Powder Cement Handmade
Located in Rome, Lazio
Rounded shape dining table part of a collection of modular system in ultra-high performing cement mortar. UHPC tabletop and base colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in ...
Concrete
Antique oak dining table from the late 18th century with extendable leaves
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This original antique dining table with extending leaves is made of oak and dates from the late 18th century. The table features two extendable leaves, creating a unique size and pro...
Wood, Oak
21st Century Studio Irvine Concrete Circular Dining Table Powder Cement D123 cm
Located in Rome, Lazio
Rounded shape dining table part of a collection of modular system in ultra-high performing cement mortar. UHPC tabletop and base colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in ...
Concrete
21st Century Studio Irvine Fusto Rectangular Dining Table Cream Cement Color
Located in Rome, Lazio
Rectangular shape dining table part of a collection of modular system in ultra-high performing cement mortar. UHPC tabletop and base colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available...
Concrete
21St Century Studio Irvine Fusto Rectangular Dining Table Red Brick Cement Color
Located in Rome, Lazio
Rectangular shape dining table part of a collection of modular system in ultra-high performing cement mortar. UHPC tabletop and base colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available...
Concrete
Paloma Editions Raffaella Dining Table I Cippolino Marble
Located in BONDI JUNCTION, AU
The Raffaella Dining Table by Paloma Editions is handmade in Italy. Sculpted from solid Italian natural stone. Our workshop on site the quarries near Rome and Carrara draw on generat...
Marble
Antique French farmhouse dining table for 4/ 6 people from the 18th century
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This beautiful antique French farmhouse dining table dates from the 18th century and comfortably seats 4 to 6 people. Crafted from solid oak, it has developed a wonderful patina over...
Wood, Oak
21st Century Studio Irvine Concrete Circular Dining Table Ultramarine Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Rounded shape dining table part of a collection of modular system in ultra-high performing cement mortar. UHPC tabletop and base colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in ...
Concrete
Antique French oak dining table for 6 to 8 people with a baguette drawer
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This beautiful antique French weathered oak dining table is suitable for 6 to 8 people and features a unique baguette drawer and a beautiful patina. The dining table is the heart of...
Wood, Oak
21st Century Studio Irvine Concrete Circular Dining Table Silver Cement Handmade
Located in Rome, Lazio
Rounded shape dining table part of a collection of modular system in ultra-high performing cement mortar. UHPC tabletop and base colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in ...
Concrete
Aura - Round classical dining table in Calacatta marble
Located in Cologna Veneta, IT
A sculptural table, made entirely of premium Calacatta marble, a symbol of timeless luxury and elegance. The cylindrical base features refined vertical grooves, crafted with extreme ...
Marble, Carrara Marble
DAVID LINLEY FOR GARY BARLOW SYCAMORE DiNING TABLE ORIGINAL WATERCOLOUR PAINTING
By David Linley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning, original Viscount David Linley dining table with the original, very rare watercolo...
Sycamore