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Classical Roman Prints

CLASSICAL ROMAN STYLE

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.

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Style: Classical Roman
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.
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1850s English Antique Classical Roman Prints

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Paper

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.
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1830s English Antique Classical Roman Prints

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Paper

Set of 12 Large Scale Original Antique Grand Tour Prints. Rome, 1776
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful set of 12 Grand Tour Prints. Classical Roman busts Copper-plate engravings Published by Monaldini, Rome, 1776 Good quality wove paper Free shipping  
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1770s Italian Antique Classical Roman Prints

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Plaster

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...
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Late 18th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Prints

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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...
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17th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Prints

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Paper

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. .
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1830s English Antique Classical Roman Prints

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Paper

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. .
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1830s English Antique Classical Roman Prints

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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...
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Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Prints

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Paper

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.
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1850s English Antique Classical Roman Prints

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Paper

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 ...
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1810s Italian Antique Classical Roman Prints

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Paper

2 Giovanni Battista Piranesi Reproduction Roman Architecture Prints
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of late 20th century reproduction plate prints of work of Roman Architecture / columns by Giovanni Battista Piranesi – arches and columns from ...
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Late 20th Century Classical Roman Prints

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Paper

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...
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1810s Italian Antique Classical Roman Prints

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Paper

Vintage Mataloni Giovanni Large Art Print of Mary Jesus Lamb Angels
By Giovanni Mataloni
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Mataloni Giovanni Large Art Print of Mary Jesus Lamb Angels. item features a vintage "Giovanni" print of Mary, Jesus, the Lamb, and various cherubs/...
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Early 20th Century Classical Roman Prints

Materials

Glass, Wood

Set of 4 Large Scale Original Antique Architectural Prints, Circa 1790
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful set of 4 architectural prints. Copper-plate engravings by J.Newton after designs by Vetruvius Published C.1790 Unframe...
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1790s English Antique Classical Roman Prints

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Paper

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.
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1790s English Antique Classical Roman Prints

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Paper

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...
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1790s English Antique Classical Roman Prints

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Paper

Large Victorian Framed Colour Print of the Daphnephoria
Located in Chillerton, 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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19th Century Antique Classical Roman Prints

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Paper

"Photograph of a Grecian Bust" 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".
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20th Century American Classical Roman Prints

Antique 1876 Chromo Lithograph Porcelain Wine Cooler Clay Cosack & Co
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 1876 chromolithograph print - “Wine Cooler, Porcelain. Royal Porcelain Works, Berlin, Germany” produced by Clay, Cosack & CO of Buffalo, New York. Measure: 19".
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1870s Antique Classical Roman Prints

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Paper

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...
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Early 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Prints

Materials

Walnut, Paper, Glass

Antique 1876 Chromo Lithograph Meerschaum Pipe Smoking Hookah Clay Cosack
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 1876 chromolithograph print – “Meerschau, Pipe. F.J. Kaldenberg, New York” produced by Clay, Cosack & CO of Buffalo, New York. Measure: 19".
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1870s Antique Classical Roman Prints

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Paper

Framed Engraving of a Candelabrum by Francisco Piranesi
Located in Essex, MA
Nicely framed and matted with a wonderful classical engraving with notations and title.
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18th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Prints

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Paper

Pair of Italian Engravings Signed Gio Ma Calsini in Gilt Frames
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Italian engravings signed Gio Ma Calsini each in a gilt gold frame under glass.
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Mid-20th Century Classical Roman Prints

Materials

Wood, Paper

Carlo Lasinio Etching of the Loggia Del Vaticano by Raffaello D'urbino. Set/4
By Carlo Lasinio
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 4 Colored etchings by Carlo Lasinio (1759-1838) of the Logia del Vaticano by Raffaello d'Urbino (1483-1520). Carlo Lasinio was one of the first printers in Florence to produce...
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1790s Italian Antique Classical Roman Prints

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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...
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Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Prints

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Wood, 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...
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Late 18th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Prints

Materials

Giltwood, Paper, Glass

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19th Century Botanical Engraving After Jane Webb Loudon
Located in London, GB
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17th Century "Diana's Deer and Boar Hunt" Etching by Antonio Tempesta
Located in Cagliari, IT
A fine mythological etching by the great Italian engraver Antonio Tempesta (Florence, 1555 – Rome, 5 August 1630) printed by François L'Anglois or Langlois (12 May 1589 (baptised) – 13 January 1647),also called F. L. D. Ciartres (" Francois Langlois from Chartres"). Beautiful sheet , very sharp . The dimensions below are inclusive of the frame, the print without the frame measures 27x19 cm Antonio Tempesta, also called il Tempestino (1555 – 5 August 1630), was an Italian painter and engraver, whose art acted as a point of connection between Baroque Rome and the culture of Antwerp. Much of his work depicts major battles and historical figures. He was born and trained in Florence and painted in a variety of styles, influenced to some degree by "Counter-Maniera" or Counter-Mannerism. He enrolled in the Florentine Accademia delle Arti del Disegno in 1576. He was a pupil of Santi di Tito, then of the Flemish painter Joannes Stradanus. He was part of the large team of artists working under Giorgio Vasari on the interior decoration of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. His favourite subjects were battles, cavalcades, and processions. He relocated to Rome, where he associated with artists from the Habsburg Netherlands, which may have led to his facility with landscape painting. Among his followers was Marzio di Colantonio. Tempesta and the Flemish painter Matthijs Bril were commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII to paint wide panoramas of the Procession to Transfer the Relics of St. Gregory of Nazianzus (1572) for the loggias on the third floor of the Vatican Palace. He completed frescoes in the Palazzina Gambara at the Villa Lante in Bagnaia (1578-1609). From 1579–83, Tempesta participated in the decoration of the Villa Farnese in Caprarola, notably of this villa's Scala Regia. He is also known to have collaborated on frescoes in the Villa d'Este at Tivoli and the Palazzina Gamara at Villa Lante, Bagnaia. He painted a series of turbulent and crowded battle scenes for the Medici. He also completed a series of engravings on outdoor courtly hunting scenes. Tempesta painted frescoes for the Palazzos Colonna, the Doria Pamphilj, and for the Marchese Giustiniani in his Roman palace, where Tempesta collaborated with Paul Bril, and at Bassano di Sutri. He painted a Massacre of the Innocents for the church of Santo Stefano Rotondo in Rome. Tempesta is now best known as a printmaker in etching and engraving. He also left numerous etchings, among them: Plates from the Old Testament; twenty-four plates from the Life of St. Anthony; a set of 150 prints from Ovid’s Metamorphoses; 13 plates on The Labours of Hercules and four plates on respectively The ages of man; The entry of Alexander into Babylon; Diana and Actaon, and The crucifixion (1612). In 1612 he engraved a series of plates under the title "Batavorum cum Romanis Bellum" after designs of the Netherlandish artist Otto van Veen, also known as Vaenius (1556-1629) and court painter to Alessandro Farnese. Van Veen was influenced by the Italian mannerists but had developed his own style anticipating the Flemish baroque of his pupil Peter Paul Rubens. The series consists of 36 numbered engraved plates and illustrates the armed struggle between the ancient Dutch tribes and their Roman oppressors as narrated in Tacitus' Histories. Each plate bears at the bottom an engraved legend in Flemish and in Latin while a detailed explanation is printed on the otherwise blank verso. Plate I, signed 'Ant.Tempesta f. Anno 1611', shows 'Roma' and 'Batavia' in battle dress with respective scenic backgrounds, symbolizing the two nations. Fifteen other plates bear Tempesta's monogram. The plates depict heroic events, sieges, and battle scenes. This historicist work was very popular in its time. Tempesta also drew many designs for tapestries. François L’Anglois or Langlois (12 May 1589 (baptised) – 13 January 1647), also called F. L. D. Ciartres ("François Langlois from Chartres"), was a French print publisher, print seller, engraver, bookseller, art dealer, and painter. He is widely considered to have been the first important print publisher in France and to have contributed significantly to spreading awareness of contemporary artists' work throughout Europe. François L’Anglois was born in Chartres and baptised there on 12 May 1589. He visited Italy on several occasions: Rome in 1613 and 1614 and Genoa, Florence, and Rome again in 1621. On these trips he met Anthony van Dyck and Claude Vignon, who both painted his portrait. He also became acquainted with the engravers Stefano della Bella and François Collignon. It was probably around this time that he acquired the nickname of Chartres (Ciartres in Italian). In 1624–1625 he was associated with Vignon as an art dealer (paintings) and acted as a print collector for Thomas Howard, 14th Earl of Arundel, and Charles I of England...
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Set of Six 18th Century Hand-Colored Botanical Prints, P.J. Buchoz, 1776
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Set of 9 Antique Costume Prints, Turkey, Albania, Anatolia, 'c.1840'
Located in Langweer, NL
Set of nine antique costume prints including costumes of Turkey, Albania, Anatolia and others. Source unknown, to be determined. Published circa 1840.
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Colored Engraving of the Ancient Ruins of Persepolis in Persia (Iran), 1782
Located in Langweer, NL
This print is titled "RUINS OF PERSEPOLIS" and it showcases a detailed and colored engraving of the ancient ruins of Persepolis in Persia (modern-day Iran). The image portrays a se...
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1780s Antique Classical Roman Prints

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Late 19th Century Grand Tour Oil Print
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A late 19th century oil print in shadowbox frame, a Grand Tour souvenir. Orientalist scene with camel & pyramids, in gilt inner frame. Incredibly decorative & fun - made as a souveni...
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Late 19th Century Grand Tour Oil Print
Late 19th Century Grand Tour Oil Print
H 14.75 in W 17.5 in D 3.5 in
Antique Print of an Inhabitant of Mount Lebanon by Wahlen, 1843
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique costume print titled 'Habitant du Mont Liban (Asie)'. Original antique print of an inhabitant of Mount Lebanon. This print originates from 'Moeur...
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Antique Print of a Hound Dog by Pittman, 'circa 1835'
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17th Century Francesco Curti "Vendor of Shoes" Etching
By Giuseppe Maria Mitelli, Francesco Curti
Located in Cagliari, IT
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18th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Prints

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Classical Roman prints for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Classical Roman prints 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 prints created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with paper, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Classical Roman prints made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original prints, popular names associated with this style include Carlo Lasinio, John Dugdale, Giovanni Battista Piranesi, and Giovanni Mataloni. 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 prints differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $30 and tops out at $8,000 while the average work can sell for $350.

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