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.
Wood Painted Gustavian Style Column Pedestal Statue Stand
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Bring a touch of classical architecture into your home with this impressive Roman vintage inspired pedestal painted in a Gustavian color of taupe/gray. This stand features intricate ...
Wood, Paint
Painted Wood Carved Pedestal Statue Corinthian Stand Gustavian Style
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Bring a touch of classical architecture into your home with this impressive vintage pedestal painted in a Gustavian color of taupe, featuring acanthus leaves and scroll accents. The ...
Wood, Paint
Tall Corinthian Column Wood Pedestal Stand
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Bring a touch of classical architecture into your home with this impressive Corinthian Column Pedestal. This classic column style stand features wood on all sides. Certainly makes a ...
Wood
Painted Wood Gustavian Style Fluted Column Pedestal Stand with Marble Top
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Bring a touch of classical architecture into your home with this tall impressive vintage column pedestal painted in a neutral Gustavian color and amazing patina. This classic column ...
Marble
Tall Corinthian Column Painted Plaster Gesso Pedestal Stand
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Bring a touch of classical architecture into your home with this impressive vintage Corinthian Column Pedestal. This classic column style stand is painted faux marbleized on all side...
Plaster, Gesso
19th Century Italian Carved Marble Column Capital
Located in Austin, TX
A stately and well carved marble Corinthian column capital, 19th century, Italy. Presented and displayed inverted, with a typical decorative motif of acanthus and volute. Perfect f...
Marble
Studio Irvine for F&C Fusto Concrete Pedestal h82 Chocolate Cement Handmade
Located in Rome, Lazio
Pedestal part of a collection of modular system in ultra high performing cement mortar. UHPC colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight different colors: Brick, silve...
Concrete
Antique & Monumental Hand Crafted Rouge Griotte Marble Columns Pedestal Stand
Located in Lisse, NL
Largest size, museum quality and great condition pedestal stand. If only the best and the rarest is good enough for you then this monumental and timeless antique marble pedestal cou...
Griotte Marble
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
Pompeian Style Marble Tapered Tripod Wood and Bronze Pedestal
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A classic painted wood marble and metal tri-pod pedestal modelled after an ancient pedestal discovered in Pompeii. Below the shaped green marble top are three metal grotesque masks w...
Marble, Metal
Blue Painted Gustavian Style Fluted Column Pedestal Stand
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Bring a touch of classical architecture into your home with this charming vintage column pedestal painted in a Gustavian color in blue and patina. This classic column pedestal makes...
Wood, Paint
Stylish, Late 1800s Handmade Italian, Alabaster Column, Pedestal or Stand
Located in Lisse, NL
Wonderful Roman column for displaying a work of art. This piece is composed of eight stacked segments, forming a beautifully twisted column inspired by ancient Roman and Baroque des...
Alabaster
Tall Wood Painted Carved Corkscrew Pedestal Statue Stand Gustavian Style
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Bring a touch of classical French architecture into your home with this large impressive vintage pedestal painted in a Gustavian color of taupe grey featuring a twist spiral pattern....
Wood, Paint
21st Century Studio Irvine Fusto Concrete Pedestal Powder Beige Cement Handmade
Located in Rome, Lazio
Pedestal part of a collection of modular system in ultra high performing cement mortar. UHPC colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight different colors: Brick, silve...
Concrete
$4,107Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Rare Large and Smaller Ceramic Pedestals in Classical Style by Mobach
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Set of two pedestals or coffee tables designed and made by Mobach. At first sight you don't think about the material these pedestals are made of, you just assume they consist of wood...
Ceramic
Fine Pair of Marble and Gilt Bronze Mounted Column Pedestals
Located in Dallas, TX
A Fine pair of Classical marble and gilt bronze mounted column designed pedestals.
Marble, Bronze
$2,127
H 41.34 in Dm 13 in
Tuscany 19th Century Renaissance Column Pedestal by Dini & Puccini in Walnut
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Tuscany original 19th century Renaissance column pedestal in walnut hand-crafted, by Dini & Puccini, polished to wax Measures cm: Height 105, diameter 33\25.
Walnut
19th Century Antique Walnut Pedestal Column with Rustic Turned Design
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A beautiful antique wooden pedestal column, its body carved into an impressive twist, and featuring nicely turned upper and lower sections beneath a square display tray. The column s...
Walnut
Chinese Carved Rosewood Plant Stand / Pedestal
Located in San Diego, CA
High quality vintage Chinese carved rosewood plant stand / pedestal, circa 1970s. The stand is in very good vintage condition and measures 11.5...
Rosewood
Hand Carved Chinese Rosewood Stand / Pedestal
Located in San Diego, CA
High quality vintage hand carved Chinese rosewood stand / pedestal, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good condition and measures 11.5" W x 11.5...
Rosewood
$2,718
H 46 in Dm 25.5 in
Classical Style and Hand-Painted Antique Wooden Display Stand Column Pedestal
Located in Lisse, NL
Large, impressive and all handcrafted, 19th century wooden column. Thanks to its classical and perfectly geometrical design, this column pedestal can be used and enjoyed in all kind...
Pine
19th Century French Hand Carved Pedestal
Located in London, GB
We are proud to offer an unusual example of a hand carved late 19th Century carved pedestal. This is a highly decorative and unusual example because of its hand carved studded detail...
Pine
French Style Round Wood Pedestal Table or Plant Stand, 1950s
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage French style pedestal table. Made of wood with a triangular base that supports turned columns and a round wooden top.
Walnut
Italian 19th Century Round Inlaid Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
A refined Italian round center table from the second half of the 19th century, showcasing the exceptional craftsmanship of the celebrated Rolo marquetry school of Reggio Emilia. The ...
Walnut
$1,850
H 25.25 in W 11.75 in D 11.75 in
Column Pedestal Plaster Stand or Drinks Table, Neoclassical Style, Late-20th C
Located in New York, NY
A glazed plaster Grecian Ionic order column pedestal stand or drinks table, in the Neoclassical design style, circa mid to late-20th century. Piece is an off-white glazed plaster. A ...
Plaster
$1,796
H 28.75 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Antique Swedish Rustic Gustavian Pedestal Table with Distressed Original Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish antique pedestal table from the early 1800s in gustavian style. The table has a square table top on a pedestal with three elongated legs. Made in solid pine in northern Swede...
Pine
Vintage Italian Fluted Pedestal Table with White Marble Top, 1950s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage fluted small painted pedestal / side table with white marble top.
Marble
Pair of tall marble column pedestals
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
A pair of tall classic marble pedestal stands. They look like a blend of polished marble and limestone, warm black with griege undertones and peachy-terracotta and burgundy hues. Not...
Marble
Tall Painted Wood Pedestal Statue Stand Gustavian Style
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Bring a touch of classical architecture into your home with this impressive vintage pedestal painted in a Gustavian color of taupe. The paint finish has been texturized. Certainly a ...
Wood, Paint
Tall Painted Wood Pedestal Statue Stand Gustavian Style
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Bring a touch of classical architecture into your home with this impressive vintage pedestal painted in a Gustavian color of grey. This Gustavian grey leans towards a green grey and ...
Wood, Paint
Painted Wood Column Pedestal Stand Gustavian Style
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Bring a touch of classical architecture into your home with this impressive vintage column pedestal painted in a Gustavian color of grey with white showing through. Certainly a very ...
Wood, Paint
Sold
H 34.75 in W 12.75 in D 12.5 in
19th Century Tall Painted Wood Column Pedestal Stand Gustavian Style
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Bring a touch of classical architecture into your home with this impressive vintage column pedestal painted in a Gustavian color of grey with white showing through. Certainly a very ...
Wood, Paint
Italian Burl Wood Tapered Pedestal Stand
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Impressive Italian Mid-Century Wood Pedestal or Plant Stand. This classic column style stand features wood on all sides. Certainly makes a wonderful addition to any home seeking a di...
Wood, Burl
A fine thick 19th century Rouge marble pedestal . Beautiful quality
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine 19th century Rouge hand carved solid and stout marble pedestal . Excellent condition
Griotte Marble
Sold
H 39.5 in W 10.6 in D 10.6 in
Stylish & Majestic Looking Antique, Green Onyx and Bronze Column Pedestal Stand
Located in Lisse, NL
Wonderful column pedestal with a rotating top for perfectly displaying a work of art or otherwise. This antique and classical design pedestal is perfect for showcasing an antique ...
Onyx, Bronze
Sold
H 41.5 in Dm 10.2 in
Stylish, Late 1800s Handmade Italian, Alabaster Column Pedestal or Plant Stand
Located in Lisse, NL
Wonderful Roman column for displaying a work of art. This antique, beautiful and classical pedestal is perfect for showcasing an antique sculpture or bust. The slight wear, the shap...
Alabaster
Sold
H 40 in W 16 in D 16 in
Fine Pair of Italian Rouge Marble Pedestals with Micromosaic Panel and Gilt
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine pair of 20th century Italian rouge marble pedestals with micromosaic panels and gilt bronze mounts.
Griotte Marble
Sold
H 30.12 in Dm 14.38 in
Mid 19th Century Italian Pompeii Style Sphinx Figure Bronze Table Guéridon
Located in Berlin, DE
Mid 19th Century Italian Empire Patinated Bronze Grand Tour Sphinx Figure Small Table Guéridon Small Tripod table standing three lizard paw feet...
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 42.9 in W 10 in D 10 in
Antique and Timeless Hand Carved Oak Pedestal Display Stand w. Great Patina 1920
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning display column with a warm and beautiful patina. If you are looking for an antique column pedestal for displaying a vase, a plant o...
Oak
Sold
H 42.5 in Dm 11.2 in
Stylish and Great Looking Antique, Ebonized Column Flower / Plant Pedestal Stand
Located in Lisse, NL
Wonderful column for displaying a work of art or otherwise. This antique and classical design pedestal is perfect for showcasing an antique sculpture, vase or bust. Most colors wi...
Wood