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.
Handwoven Rattan Pedestal Pair, Classical Greek Design, Philippines
Located in Oxford, GB
Each pair is handwoven in the Rattanology workshop using premium natural rattan. The quality woven construction ensures durability while maintaining the organic warmth and texture th...
Wicker
$440Sale Price|20% Off
Classical Cast Hard Stone Balustrade Sculpture or Plant Pedestal 20thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
A classical balustrade pedestal offers cast hard stone construction in column form with square sculpture display, 20th century Measures - 23.25'' H x 7.75'' W x 7.75'' D. A classical...
Cast Stone
Hourglass-shaped Masonic Column in 1930s Wax-polished Walnut
Located in Vigonza, Padua
The meaning of this symbolic column is the eternal passage of time, the sand slips away until it is no longer there, it is a continuous reminder that life is finite and that, therefo...
Walnut
1970s Classic Greek Console Table with Cast Stone and Glass Top
Located in Den Haag, NL
unique Cast Stone console table, mythologies Greek manly figures carry a beveled Glass top, so very decorative. I had two sets but there is now only one in stock, So if you interes...
Cast Stone
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
$2,675
Vintage Italian Pedestal
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Faux Marble Doric Column Plaster Pedestal. Offered is a stunning Italian classical Greek style column plaster column in the Doric style hand decorated in a faux marble finish...
Plaster
Corinthian Capital Side Table, Plaster with Gold Finish, Dutch, 1970s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Add a classic touch to your decor with this cast Plaster Corinthian capital tables with a gold finish and fine Mirror top. The Mirror top can easily be removed should you wish to c...
Plaster
Coppia di Basi Per Tavolini Capitelli Intagliati a Foglia di Acanto Firenze 1900
Located in Milano, MI
Coppia di Capitelli Intagliati a Foglia di Acanto Firenze 1900, coppia di piedistalli fiorentini basi per tavoli in legno scolpito, decorate sui quattro lati da un profondo intaglio ...
Hardwood
$14,950Sale Price|21% Off
French 19th Century Renaissance Revival Style Gilt-Bronze & Walnut Coffee Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Fine and Rare French 19th Century Renaissance Revival Style Gilt-Bronze and Walnut coffee table with marble top. The assembled Corinthian gilt-bronze capital, now converted into a ...
Marble, Bronze
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
$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
$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
$2,440
H 43.2 in W 11.8 in D 11.8 in
Stylish and Great Antique, Ebonized Flower, Plant or Sculpture Stand / Pedestal
Located in Lisse, NL
Wonderful column for displaying a work of art or otherwise. This antique and attractive design pedestal is perfect for showcasing an antique sculpture, vase or bust. Most colors wil...
Wood, Beech, Paint
Solid Wood Column
Located in Paris, FR
Column Solid Wood or pedestal in solid polished and varnished wood. Exceptional and unique piece.
Wood
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
A pair of white Carrara marble columns, Italy 1930s.
Located in Milan, IT
A pair of columns in white Carrara marble. The columns are sculpted in three distinct elements of white Carrara marble, one for the base, the second for the shaft, the third for the ...
Carrara Marble
$2,672
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
Secession Plant Stand
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Secession plant stand with brass fittings. Professionally stained and repolished.
Brass
$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
Patio or Garden Dining Room Table in Wrought Iron with Glass Top
Located in Miami, FL
Patio or garden dining room table in wrought iron with glass top Indoor & Outdoor Structure measurements: Depth 27.5 in Width 47.24 in Height 29.52 in.
Wrought Iron
Vintage Mid- Century Italian Hexagon Travertine Pedestal Pillar
Located in Elkton, MD
A striking hexagonal travertine pedestal from Italy. This piece features a geometric form with clean lines and showcases the natural beauty of travertine stone, including its charact...
Travertine
$1,295
H 27 in W 45.5 in D 17.75 in
Lane Venture Rattan Wicker Console Sofa Table with Glass Top, circa 1970s
Located in Germantown, MD
Lane venture rattan wicker console sofa table with hardened glass top. Measures 45.5 inches in width , 17.75 inches in depth and stands 27 inches ...
Wicker, Rattan, Glass
Marc Bankowsky, Plaster Pedestal, France, 2008
Located in New York, NY
Freestanding contemporary polyester plaster pedestal by Marc Bankowsky. Marc studied at L’école Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs (ENSAD) and at The Ecole Nationale Supérieur...
Plaster
$3,247Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.73 in W 14.97 in D 14.97 in
Walnut Wood Square Tapered Column Pedestal Hidden Secret Storage Compartment
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish neoclassical carved wood column dedestal stand with secret compartment and paw Feet, Spain, 1930-1940. This square tapered pedestal stand is beautifully adorned by hand-carve...
Wood, Walnut
An antique Italian ring turned alabaster pedestal 19th century
Located in Den Haag, NL
An antique Italian ring turned alabaster pedestal, 19th century,… Very nice and elegant shaped . some small chips .
Alabaster
Vintage Coffee Table With Painted Metal Top in Classical Motif
Located in Locust Valley, NY
A vintage metal coffee table with a painted top in a classical Greco Roman motif with figures and medallions. The table features gracefully curved legs and the rectangular surface is...
Metal
Sold
H 40 in W 12 in D 12 in
Antique Classical Carved Corinthian Form Alabaster Sculpture Pedestal Circa 1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Ask About Discounted In-House Shipping*** An antique Classical sculpture pedestal offers alabaster construction with square display over carved Corinthian column having foliate an...
Alabaster
Sold
H 16 in W 19.5 in D 16 in
Landgrave Cast Classics Aluminum Leafy Scroll Green Garden Patio Side Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Landgrave Cast Classics Heavy Aluminum Leafy Scroll Green Garden Patio Side Table. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 16" H x 19.5" W x 16" D.
Aluminum
Pair of Classical Fluted Column Pedestals
Located in Chicago, IL
Indulge in the timeless allure of these 20th-century maple pedestals, meticulously crafted to pay homage to the enduring grace of Classical design. With their fluted columns rising f...
Maple, Burl
Vintage Bronze Mythical Cherub Creatures Coffee Table with Glass Top
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Bronze Mythical Cherub creatures coffee table with glass top Offered for sale is a vintage bronze coffee table depicting two mythical cherub...
Bronze
Beveled Glass Topped Ebonized Square Glass Coffee Table
Located in Malibu, CA
Large Square coffee table with beveled glass top over a curvaceous wood frame. A substantial piece, perfect for an eclectic interior. The ebonized ha...
Hardwood
Sold
H 35.5 in W 9 in D 9 in
Antique Classical Variegated Marble Sculpture Display Pedestal Circa 1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Classical sculpture pedestal offers highly variegated marble construction with clip-corner display over rope twist column havin...
Marble
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
Marble Center Circular Dining Table
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
Marble Center Circular Dining Table. 1970s Chrome and Marble circular table with Greek key swept in leg design set with a joining brass band sup...
Marble
Sold
H 32.25 in W 11 in D 11 in
Vintage Classical Corinthian Column 32" Cast Plaster Pedestal Stands - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Classical Style Corinthian Column 32" Cast Plaster Pedestal Stands - a Pair. Item features Reeded Corinthian column, distressed finish, great style and form, green paint deco...
Plaster
Antique Rouge Marble Doric Sculpture Display Pedestal, Circa 1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique sculpture pedestal offers rouge marble construction in Doric form with round display and stepped base, c1890 Measures- 38.25'...
Marble