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.
Very Large Mechanical Tapestry Decorated with Undergrowth and Castles
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Very large mechanical tapestry decorated with undergrowth and castles, made in France circa 1930. very beautiful colors, very fresh. 2 Tapestry are available.
Cotton
$301Sale Price|20% Off
Tapestry with frame early 20th century
Located in Premariacco, IT
Embroidered tapestry with frame and double back iron for hanging on the wall. Early 20th century period.
Fabric, Wood
Bacchus and Ariadne, early 18th Century mythological tapestry
Located in London, GB
Bacchus and Ariadne, early 18th Century mythological tapestry Flemish, early 18th Century Width 428cm, depth 276cm, height 2cm The tapestry is rec...
Tapestry
$12,950Sale Price|30% Off
Ancient Coptic Textile with Classical Figures
Located in Spring Valley, NY
Finely woven of wool and linen, this large, ancient, museum level Coptic textile depicts figures derived from classical antiquity, some playing musical ...
Wool, Linen
Large Tapestry, circa 1930
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Large tapestry circa 1930 Scenery of an animated undergrowth.
Cotton
Nice modern French Aubusson Tapestry
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Vintage 20th-century wall aubusson tapestry featuring a striking modernist design with birds in flight above stylized ocean waves.A bold and dynamic composition with vibrant contrast...
Wool, Cotton
$25,995Sale Price|42% Off
H 132 in W 96 in D 0.05 in
17th Century French Aubusson Mythological Tapestry
Located in New York, NY
A French Aubusson mythological tapestry from the 17th century, depicting the Spartan king, Menelaus, seated at left, sending his brother...
Wool
$54,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 90 in W 146 in D 0.05 in
Antique 18th Century Franco-Flemish Mythological Tapestry, with Diana & Callisto
Located in New York, NY
An antique Franco-Flemish mythological tapestry from the 18th century, featuring the goddess of the hunt, Diana with her attendant, Callisto. In this sultry scene, Diana reposes on a...
Wool, Silk
$35,000
H 107 in W 97 in D 1 in
Antique 18th Century French Aubusson Verdure Landscape Tapestry with Birds
Located in New York, NY
French, 18th century Verdure Aubusson tapestry handwoven in wool with silk highlights set within a complete floral border. Two birds wade a...
Wool, Silk, Tapestry
$38,450Sale Price|48% Off
H 128 in W 130 in D 0.25 in
Franco-Flemish 18th Century Figural Tapestry Allegorical to "Triumph & Love"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine baroque Franco-Flemish 18th century figural tapestry allegorical to triumph and love, depicting three maidens within a verdure backgro...
Wool
$5,625
H 15 in W 13 in D 1 in
Pre-Columbian Chancay Coca Leaf Bag with Shamans and Zoomorphic Figures, Peru
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Brown Chancay coca bag with shamans and zoomorphic figures depicted in the centre on a in various colors on a red background. This piece is accompanied by ...
Textile
Pre-Columbian Inca Mantle with 16 Figures, Peru, 1476-1534 AD
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Inca Mantle with 16 figures in cubist form with multi-color fringes. This pieces with a Certificat de Bien Culturel from France. For the Incas finely worked and highly decorativ...
Textile
Tapestry of the 20th Century - N° 766
By Royal Manufacture of Aubusson
Located in Paris, FR
Modern tapestry of the 20th century in perfect condition of conservation. Negotiable price and free delivery. Dimension: 150 cm x 78 cm.
Wool
$3,250
H 42.5 in W 40 in D 1.5 in
Antique Early 20th Century Japanese Hand Stitched Silk Framed Tapestry
Located in Lambertville, NJ
All hand work framed silk Japanese tapestry with embroidered boarder. A deep custom black lacquered frame. Originaly sold from Newman Galleries....
Silk, Glass, Lacquer
$695
H 32 in W 56 in D 1 in
French 19th Century Framed Needlepoint Tapestry with Ribbon and Floral Décor
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French framed needlepoint tapestry from the 19th century, with ribbon and floral motifs. Set inside a simple yet elegant gilded frame with matting and gilt rim, this lovely horizon...
Giltwood, Tapestry
French Tapestry Aubusson Style, 1880
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Original French tapestry Aubusson style, France, 1880. Wall decoration (machine) woven, no print. good vintage condition. Free shipping quote with...
Tapestry
17th Century Brussels Mythological Tapestry
Located in New York, NY
A Brussels mythological tapestry from the first half of the 17th century, woven by Peter van den Berghen, depicting an interior scene from the st...
Wool
Large Tapestry, circa 1930
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large tapestry circa 1930 Scenery of an animated undergrowth.
Cotton
Mid-18th Century French Handwoven Aubusson Tapestry in Carved Frame
By Royal Manufacture of Aubusson
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate an entry wall or a staircase with this elegant antique tapestry panel. Handwoven in the Royal Manufacture of Aubusson, France, circa 17...
Wood, Tapestry
Sold
H 86 in W 90.5 in D 0.5 in
Mid-Century Flemish Handwoven Biblical Tapestry with Esther and Ahasuerus
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a wall or a staircase with this colorful large antique biblical tapestry. Handwoven in Belgium, circa 1950, the colorful wall piec...
Tapestry, Canvas
Mid-18th Century French Handwoven Mythological Aubusson Tapestry
By Royal Manufacture of Aubusson
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a wall or a staircase with this antique tapestry fragment with Classical Roman scene. Handwoven in the Royal Manufacture of Aubusson, France, circa 1740, the colorful wall p...
Tapestry
17th Century Belgian Tapestry
Located in New Orleans, LA
This extraordinary Belgian tapestry bears the hallmarks of superior workmanship that are synonymous with the tapestries of Antwerp. The scene it dep...
Fabric, Thread
Large 17th Century Flanders Tapestry Depicting a Roman Scene
Located in Dallas, TX
The details on this tapestry are absolutely superb. It was woven in Flanders in the 1600s. The village in the background for instance, is so finely woven you can see the architectura...
Wool, Silk
Antique Handwoven Authentic Tapestry, 19th Century
Located in Sofia, BG
Beautiful authentic tapestry See the photos on the back Romantic scene.
Tapestry
Sold
H 66.5 in W 63.5 in D 0.25 in
18th Century French Aubusson Mythological and Scenic Tapestry Composition
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a wall or a staircase with this antique tapestry fragment. Almost square and hand woven in Aubusson, France, circa 1740, the colorful wall piece features a mythological scen...
Tapestry
17th Century Wool Tapestry from Flanders
Located in Dallas, TX
This silk and wool tapestry from Flanders was woven during the period of time when Flanders was known for weaving some of the finest tapestries. Tapestries were originally designed to protect from the damp and cold conditions of medieval castle walls. As tapestry weaving developed in Bruges and Brussels, the tapestries became very large, complex, and generally displayed ones power or wealth. The first thing you notice about the tapestry seen below, is its large personages and blue and beige colors. It depicts a meeting of different warriors outside of their tented area. The head person is seated in an ornate chair...
Wool
Large 17th Century Flanders Tapestry Depicting a Roman Scene
Located in Dallas, TX
The details on this tapestry are absolutely superb. It was woven in Flanders in the 1600s. The village in the background for instance, is so finely woven you can see the architectura...
Silk, Wool
Rare Antique Italian Tapestry Depicting Roman Emperor Julius Caesar
Located in New York, NY
Here is a beautiful antique tapestry: a late nineteenth century Italian piece, composed with the standards of classical beauty as a guiding light. Harkening back to the preferred aes...
Wool
Early Coptic Egyptian Textile
Located in New York, NY
Created in Egypt, this early Coptic textile depicts a primitive portrait with perspective flattening and a spirited style that is alluring and whimsical...
Cotton, Wool