Classical Greek Paintings
CLASSICAL GREEK STYLE
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.
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Style: Classical Greek
Large Original Oil on Canvas Painting of Zeus and Hera, Italy circa 1700's
Located in Round Top, TX
The colors remain vivid in this 4' tall original oil on canvas painting of Greek gods Zeus and Hera. Unsigned.
This portrayal of the love of the gods includes Zeus, king of the gods ...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Classical Greek Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
"Royal Vienna” Plaque Painted with 4 Ladies with Flower Baskets on Their Heads
Located in Boston, MA
I am offering you this spectacular large "Royal Vienna" Porcelain plaque, which is artist signed Forster. The plaque is entitled "Herse opfert der Minerva" on its back. Herse was the...
Category
1890s Austrian Antique Classical Greek Paintings
Materials
Porcelain
Set of Nine, Large Early 18th Century Oil on Canvas Paintings of Various Sibyls
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A wonderful and rare collection of nine, oil on canvas paintings of the Sibyls, early 18th century, French school, Libyan, Cumean, Lampusian, Hellespontine, Erythraean, Delphic, Pers...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Classical Greek Paintings
Materials
Canvas
18th Century, French School Portrait of a Young Philip V, the King of Spain
Located in Atlanta, GA
French School, 18th century. Oil on Canvas painting set in an antique giltwood frame. Unsigned.
An 18th century portrait painting of a young Philip V or at this time Duke of Anjou....
Category
18th Century French Antique Classical Greek Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
Antique Icon St George Miracle Worker with Oklad
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Antique 19 th c orthodox icon tempera on gold leaf on wood in polychrome enamel embossed brass oklad. Saint George The Miracle Worker defeating the dragon. Great level of master work...
Category
1850s Russian Antique Classical Greek Paintings
Materials
Brass
Very fine and large KPM porcelain plaque of The Three Fates
Located in London, GB
Very fine and large KPM porcelain plaque of The Three Fates
German, c.1908
Frame: height 90cm, width 77cm, depth 9cm
Plaques: height 53cm, width 43cm, ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Classical Greek Paintings
Materials
Porcelain, Wood
American 19th Century Portrait of a Royal Lady by R. Hinckley
By William Jaquet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very well painted American 19th century portrait of a royal lady, by R. Hinckley, signed bottom left, within an antique gilt wood frame.
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Classical Greek Paintings
Materials
Canvas
Antique Engraving of Cupid and Psyche
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Daughter of the king, Psyche was wooed anonymously by Cupid at the behest of his mother, Venus, who was jealous of her beauty. When Psyche discovered who her lover was, Cupid fled. B...
Category
Mid-19th Century European Antique Classical Greek Paintings
Materials
Paper
Very Handsome, Framed Engraving of Cupid
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Daughter of a King, Psyche was wooed anonymously by cupid at the behest of his mother, Venus, who was jealous of her beauty. When Psyche discovered who her lover was, cupid fled. But having fallen in love, they reunited after many hardships, and Psyche was made a goddess.
Musee de Louvre...
Category
Mid-19th Century European Antique Classical Greek Paintings
Materials
Paper
Minoan Style Painted Canvas by Heather Wilson
Located in Asheville, NC
Painted canvas floor cloth or wall hanging featuring Minoan style maidens carrying vessels of olive oil or wine as an offering to the Gods who's faces appe...
Category
Late 20th Century North American Classical Greek Paintings
Materials
Canvas
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Located in Berlin, DE
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Late 19th Century Pastel Painting of Artémis / Diana by Joseph Wencker
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Royal Vienna Pair of Splendour Plates with Bacchant Scenes, circa 1880
Located in Vienna, AT
Two large, splendid porcelain plates with elaborate painting: cobalt blue flag with dense, scattered flower painting in gold, delimited by Fine and wider gold rims, collar in pink wi...
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Trompe D 'Euille Flower Still Live, Italy
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Classical Greek paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Classical Greek paintings for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage paintings created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with canvas, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Classical Greek paintings made in a specific country, there are Europe, Austria, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original paintings, popular names associated with this style include KPM Porcelain, Palladio, and Royal Vienna Porcelain. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for paintings differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $431 and tops out at $185,812 while the average work can sell for $3,086.