Classical Roman Decorative Art
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.
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Decorative Art
Ceramic, Majolica, Faience
1830s English Antique Classical Roman Decorative Art
Paper
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Art
Marble
1850s English Antique Classical Roman Decorative Art
Paper
1980s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Art
Plexiglass, Wood, Paint, Paper
1830s English Antique Classical Roman Decorative Art
Paper
1830s English Antique Classical Roman Decorative Art
Paper
1850s English Antique Classical Roman Decorative Art
Paper
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Art
Marble
1920s French Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Art
Paper
1790s English Antique Classical Roman Decorative Art
Paper
1790s English Antique Classical Roman Decorative Art
Paper
18th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Art
Oak
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Art
Silver
1850s Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Art
Wood, Paper
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Art
Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Art
Walnut, Paper, Glass
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Art
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Decorative Art
Wood
Mid-20th Century Classical Roman Decorative Art
Wood, Paper
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Classical Roman Decorative Art
Tapestry
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Art
Wood, Paper
Mid-19th Century Antique Classical Roman Decorative Art
Paper
1970s Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Art
Mirror, Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Art
Stone
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Decorative Art
Gold
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Art
Wood, Paper
Mid-20th Century Danish Classical Roman Decorative Art
Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay
Mid-20th Century Danish Classical Roman Decorative Art
Ceramic, Stoneware, Pottery
1920s French Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Art
Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Classical Roman Decorative Art
Glass, Wood, Paper
Late 19th Century Antique Classical Roman Decorative Art
Paint, Paper
Mid-20th Century Turkish Classical Roman Decorative Art
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Decorative Art
Ceramic, Majolica
1980s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Art
Ceramic
18th Century French Antique Classical Roman Decorative Art
Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Decorative Art
Ceramic, Majolica
Early 1900s European Antique Classical Roman Decorative Art
Stucco
Mid-20th Century French Classical Roman Decorative Art
Paper
1980s American Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Art
Wood, Paint
1780s English Antique Classical Roman Decorative Art
Paper
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Art
Siena Marble
1920s German Vintage Classical Roman Decorative Art
Pine
Mid-20th Century European Classical Roman Decorative Art
Stone, Cement, Iron
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Art
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Decorative Art
Porcelain, Wood