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.
Original Antique Print of The Temple of Baalbek, Lebanon. C.1850
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful image of The Temple of Baalbek Fine steel engraving after W.H Bartlett Published by Jackson C.1850 Unframed. Free shipping
Paper
Large Scale Original Antique Grand Tour Print- Alexander The Great, 1776
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful image of a bust of Alexander The Great Copper-plate engravings Published by Monaldini, Rome, 1776 Good quality wove paper Free shipping
Plaster
Original Antique Print of Roman Temple of Artemis, Jerash, Jordan, C.1840
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful image of The Temple of Artemis Fine steel engraving Published Circa 1840 Unframed. .
Paper
Original Antique Print of the Temple of Baalbek, Lebanon. Dated 1834
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful image of The Temple of Baalbek. Fine steel engraving after J.W Callcott Published by Murray, Dated 1834 Unframed.
Paper
Set of Three Framed Prints Depicting Greek Apulian Red-Figure Pottery
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Set of three framed prints depicting Greek glassical red-figure pottery. Left print: Marked: T.XV. - "In Miis. Vaticano - Depicting Apulian Red-Figure bell krater...
Wood, Paper
Aurora Engraving after Guido Reni Fresco by R.S. Morghen, c.1787
Located in Savannah, GA
Raffaello Sanzio Morghen (Italian, 1758-1833) Apollo in his Chariot preceded by Aurora, engraving after Guido Reni, c.1787. A rare original engraving with most examples being housed in museum collections. Apollo on his chariot bringing light to Aurora, surrounded by maidens or the Hours. Phosphorus in putto form personifying the morning star holds a torch lighting...
Paper
$700 / set
Cosimo Colombini Engravings, c.1760s
Located in Savannah, GA
Cosimo Colombini engravings of antique gems with hand-coloring, circa 1760s. sight: 6 ¾ by 9 ¾ inches frame: 12 ½ by 15 ½ inches
Glass, Wood, Paper
Large Scale Original Antique Grand Tour Print- Grotesque Masks. Rome, 1776
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful image of classical Roman masks Copper-plate engravings Published by Monaldini, Rome, 1776 Good quality wove paper Free shipping
Plaster
Large Scale Original Antique Grand Tour Prints- Masks. Rome, 1776
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful images of classical Roman masks Copper-plate engravings Published by Monaldini, Rome, 1776 Good quality wove paper Free shipping
Plaster
Large Scale Original Antique Grand Tour Prints-Relief Carvings. Rome, 1776
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful images of Relief Carvings Copper-plate engravings Published by Monaldini, Rome, 1776 Good quality wove paper Free shipping
Plaster
Pair of Large Scale Original Antique Architectural Prints, Circa 1790
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful pair of architectural prints. Copper-plate engravings by J.Newton after designs by Vetruvius Published C.1790 Unframed and not matted.
Paper
Étienne Dupérac Etchings of Ancient Roman Ruins, 17th Century - A Pair
Located in Savannah, GA
Étienne Dupérac (French, 1535-1604) A pair of etchings from I vestigi dell'antichita di Roma raccolti et ritratti in perspettiva depicting ruins of Ancient Rome, including the Temp...
Paper
$360Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Fine Engravings of City of Rome, Italy, Matted, Printed in 1816
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A pair of rare and quite beautiful pair of engravings of the city of Rome, printed in 1816. Both are printed from original copper plate. Custom handmade French mat in the 18th centu...
Paper
Early 20C Medici Print of Putti Under a Vine
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING A GLORIOUS & RARE Early 20C Medici Print of ‘Putti Under a Vine’. From the very early 20th Century, circa 1911. Framed and sold by Foster Bro...
Paper
$3,596Sale Price / set|20% Off
19th Century Framed Italian Prints of Pisa by Engraver Antonio Verico
By Raffaello Morghen
Located in Savannah, GA
Three detailed colored prints by Antonio Verico. Born in 1775, he was a master of chalcography, the art of engraving on copper plates. He worked in Rome and Florence, carving on drawings by various authors, with a technique close to that of Raffaello Morghen...
Glass, Walnut, Paper
Copper Plate Engravings by Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Located in San Francisco, CA
G. B. Piranesi in his fifties was interested in archaeology and studied in Southern Italy where he produced drawings of Greek architecture. Medium: Etching on laid paper. Year: circa...
Glass, Giltwood, Paper
Large Victorian Framed Colour Print of the Daphnephoria
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large Victorian framed colour print of The Daphnephoria. Large Victorian framed colour print of The Daphnephoria by Frederic Leighton (1830–1896), 1876, from Lady Lever Art Galler...
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four French prints, "Winged Cupids" Engraver Castel, publisher Jean - Paris
Located in Vicenza, IT
Elegant group of four stipple engravings (stipple) depicting winged cherubs in various sentimental and playful poses, suspended in the clouds. Each print bears a title in French that...
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Gallery-Scale Framed Classical Horsemen Paneled Mural
Located in Dallas, TX
Make a dramatic statement with this stunning oversized artwork, featuring a striking black-on-ivory depiction of classical horsemen inspired by ancient friezes. Likely produced in th...
Textile, Wood
"Photograph of a Grecian Bust" by John Dugdale
By John Dugdale
Located in NYC, NY
"Photograph of a Grecian bust" is a cyanotype print by John Dugdale, edition 2/6. The print is 16" x 20" matted and framed to 24" x 27.5".
$875
H 21.25 in W 18.25 in D 0.2 in
Three 18th Century Colored Engravings of Herculaneum Frescos by Nicola Fiorillo
Located in Rochester, NY
Set ancient Roman frescos from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", an original etching on paper by Nicola Fiorillo in the 18th Century. Three hand colored copper engravings of classical roman. Each print is matted in a custom made silk mat that matches the clothing. Engraving with two figures measures 21.25" x 18.25". The other two prints measure 20.5" x 16.5". Size includes mat. # greek Pompeii Grand tour
Silk, Paper
Antique Map of the East Indies by Bonne '1776'
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'Indes IVe Feuille'. Very decorative original antique map of the East Indies. Covbers from the Gulf of Siam (Gulf of Thailand) and Malacca (Malaysia) eastward to i...
Paper
Antique Portrait of Fernando Alvarez by P. Duflos, 1787
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Don Fernando Alvares'. Fernando Álvarez de Toledo y Pimentel, 3rd Duke of Alba, GE, KOGF, GR (29 October 1507 – 11 December 1582), known as the Grand Duke of Alba in Spain and the Iron Duke in the Netherlands, was a Spanish noble...
Paper
Antique Print of Cangue or Tcha Punishment in China, '1834'
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'La Cangué - Pieds de Dames - Le Tcha'. Three views on one sheet depicting cangue or tcha punishment and feet of Chinese ladies. Th...
Paper
$421
H 11.42 in W 7.49 in D 0.02 in
Antique Print of the Death Mask of Napoléon Bonaparte by Sichling 'c.1850'
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Napoleon'. Original antique print of the death mask of Napoléon Bonaparte. Engraved by Sichling. Published circa 1850.
Paper
$327Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.63 in W 16.34 in D 0 in
Antique Print of French Garden Design by Le Rouge, 1776
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Jardins de la Maison de Neuilly'. Copper engraving showing the design of a garden in France. This print originates from 'Jardins Anglo-Chinois à la Mode' by...
Paper
$57Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.12 in W 8.08 in D 0.02 in
Antique Print of the Porcelain Tower of Nanjing, circa 1840
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Der Porzellanthurm bey Nanking'. Small print of the Porcelain Tower of Nanjing, China. Source unknown, to be determined.
Paper
George Washington Engraving by H. B. Hall, after William Birch
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a handsome engraved portrait of George Washington by artist H. B. Hall. This engraving was published in New York, in a limited edition of 125 impressions. The engraving is based on a painting by William Birch Gilbert Stuart, a small miniature in enamel, completed in 1796. Birch painted Washington from life in his office in Philadelphia, by the request of I. G. Van Staphorst, Esqr. of Amsterdam. In the small portrait, Washington is depicted in a head and shoulders pose, facing right. He wears a dark coat and vest and a white shirt and ruffled cravat. The father of our country, George Washington was the commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War (1775-83) and served two terms as the first United States president...
Paper
Antique Print of Greek Ceramics 'Amphora' by Genick, 1883
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Amphora'. Color-printed large lithograph by Ernst Wasmuth depicting a Greek Amphora. This print originates from 'Griechische Keramik' by A. Genick. Albert Genick...
Paper
$96Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.86 in W 12.6 in D 0.02 in
Antique Print of Cows in the Meadow by Brandard 'c.1850'
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'The Meadow'. Original antique print of cows in the meadow, from The Picture in The Vernon Gallery. Engraved by R. Brandard, circa 1850.
Paper
$1,250
H 13.25 in W 11.25 in D 0.88 in
"G. Washington" Engraving by T. Johnson, after James Wright, 1890
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a handsome profile portrait of George Washington. Washington is depicted in a head and shoulders pose, looking to the right and body also depicted in profile. He wears h...
Paper
$327Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.34 in W 10.63 in D 0 in
Antique Print of the Garden of Historic Hôtel Du Tillet in Paris, France, 1776
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Jardin du Tillet'. Copper engraving showing the garden of Hôtel du Tillet de la Bussière. Hôtel du Tillet de la Bussière is a historic hôtel particulier in ...
Paper
Large Scale Original Antique Grand Tour Prints- Statues. Rome, 1776
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful images of classical Roman statues-Minerva and Mercury Copper-plate engravings Published by Monaldini, Rome, 1776 Good quality wove paper Free shipping
Plaster
Sold
H 8.25 in W 10.75 in D 0.07 in
Original Antique Print of The Temple of Baalbek, Lebanon. Dated 1838
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful image of The Temple of Baalbek Fine steel engraving after W.H Bartlett Published by Fisher. Dated 1838 Unframed. Free shipping
Paper
Original Antique Print of the Temple of Baalbek, Lebanon. C.1850
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful image of The Temple of Baalbek. Fine steel engraving after J.W Callcott Published by Fullarton C.1850 Unframed.
Paper
Sold
H 17.25 in W 11 in D 0.07 in
Set of 10 Large Scale Original Antique Grand Tour Prints. Rome, 1776
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful set of 10 Grand Tour Prints. Classical Roman busts Copper-plate engravings Published by Monaldini, Rome, 1776 Good quality wove paper F...
Plaster
Set of 9 Large Scale Original Antique Grand Tour Prints. Rome, 1776
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful set of 9 Grand Tour Prints. Classical Roman busts Copper-plate engravings Published by Monaldini, Rome, 1776 Good quality wove paper Fr...
Plaster
Sold
H 6 in W 9 in D 0.07 in
Original Antique Print of the Temple of Baalbek Gate, Lebanon. Dated 1835
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful image of The Temple of Baalbek gate Fine steel engraving by Finden after C.Stanfield Published by Murray. Dated 1835 Unframed.
Paper
Sold
H 8 in W 10.5 in D 0.07 in
Original Antique Print of The Roman Amphitheatre of El Jem, Tunisia. C.1840
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful image of The Amphitheatre of El Jem Fine steel engraving after Sir Grenville Temple Published by Fisher Circa 1840 Unframed. .
Paper
Sold
H 16 in W 18 in D 0.25 in
City of Rome Fine Architectural Engraving Printed in Italy, 1816, Matted
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A third image from a trio of engravings purchased from a Palm Springs Estate of noted collector of engravings and etchings, Gerhardt Felgemaker. This beautiful engraving, printed in ...
Paper
Sold
H 12.75 in W 9 in D 0.07 in
Original Antique Print of Burgos Cathedral, Spain. After David Roberts. C.1850
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful image of The Interior of Burgos Cathedral Fine steel engraving after David Roberts Published circa 1850 Unframed.
Paper
Sold
H 25.5 in W 40 in D 1 in
Hand Colored Engraving Print of Roman Architecture Nudes by Petrus Aquila
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique 18c Hand Colored Engraving Roman Architecture Nudes by Petrus Aquila Additional information: Materials: Engraving Color: Black Period: 18th Century Place of Origin: I...
Paper
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H 11.25 in W 9 in D 0.07 in
Set of 7 Original Antique Prints of Portraits From Classical Rome. C.1790
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Glorious set of 7 portrait prints. Important figures, male and female from ancient Rome. On beautiful laid paper. Copper-plate engravings Published C.1790 Unframed. T...
Paper
Contemporary Decorative Double Sided 4-Panel Grisaille Screen
Located in Washington, DC
A limited Edition of a decorative double sided 4-panel Grisaille screen reproduced from original antique Grisaille panel in an Italian private collect...
Paper