Classical Roman Furniture
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
Early 19th Century Roman Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Early 19th Century Roman Stone Sculpture. Sculpture without the base measures 25 inches in height.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Stone
Antique and Stunning Gilt Bronze and Large Alabaster Shade Pendant / Chandelier
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning eight light chandelier with gilt bronze arms and bell shape shades.
If you are looking for a large size, truly stylish, well proportioned and top quality made chandelier then this early 1900s work of lighting art could be gracing your home soon. It will look marvelous in the entry hall of a stately home or above the dining table in any other type of home that can do with an interior quality upgrade...
Category
Early 20th Century French Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Alabaster, Brass, Bronze
Bronze Three Arm Whale Oil Chandelier
Located in Canton, MA
In the style of ancient Roman lamps with a central base and three lighted arms. Faces with classical braided hair. Made in the early 20th century.
Materi...
Category
Early 20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Italian Neoclassical Style Specimen Marble Busts of Caesars
Located in Charleston, SC
Incredible hand carved 19th century Italian specimen marble busts of Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony.
The life like faces are impeccably carved in...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble
18th-19th Century Neoclassical Multi-Marble Bust of Roman Emperor Titus Domitian
Located in New York, NY
A striking late 18th-early 19th century bust of the Roman Emperor Titus Domitian. The head is made from hand carved white Carrara marble, the tunic and t...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Alabaster, Breccia Marble, Carrara Marble
Ancient Roman Bronze Leg or Artifact / Element
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Ancient Roman bronze element.
It appears to be a leg or support for a larger structure.
The leg has a hoofed foot that supports a li...
Category
15th Century and Earlier European Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Salviati Miniature Glass Tazza
Located in New York, NY
In 19th-century Venice, glassmaking studios were pokey little family affairs. The craft was passed on from father to son, and conducted in a studio, with an assistant or two, and per...
Category
1880s Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Glass
Large Classical Bronze 'By the Sword and Plow', by Boisseau
Located in Brighton, Sussex
Emile Andre Boisseau (1842-1923, France) bronze sculpture of a man wearing a fur loin cloth, he holds a sword in one hand and leans beside a farmer’s plow;...
Category
1880s French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Marble Statue
Located in Tyrone, Northern Ireland
A large (almost life-sized) antique Carrara marble statue of a Roman legionary. Dressed in typical Roman soldier costume and with sword and shield in ...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
Unique Large Cameo Enameled Opaline Glass Pendant Light w Dancing Nymphs Figures
Located in Lisse, NL
Antique and stunning Italian work of lighting art, 1920.
If you are passionate about early 20th century decorative art then you will love this on...
Category
Early 20th Century European Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Pair of Octagonal Framed 'Pompeiian Red' Pottery Roman Medallions
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Octagonal framed 'Pompeiian Red' pottery Roman Medallions
Each one a well executed glazed pottery male profile portrait medallion, with a vin...
Category
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Pottery, Velvet, Wood
21st Century Studio Irvine Fusto Side Console Table Concrete Cement Ultramarine
Located in Rome, Lazio
Console table part of a collection of modular system in ultra high performing cement mortar. UHPC shelves and abutment colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight diff...
Category
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Tall Classical Alabaster Column Lamp w/ Gilded Base
Located in San Francisco, CA
A gorgeous, polished, alabaster lamp in the form of a column with an acanthus leaf adorned capital. With an elevated, square, gilt base and neck. Measures: 30” height x 6” x 6.25.”.
Category
Early 20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Wonderful Midcentury Made Art Deco Style Carved Alabaster Column Pedestal Stand
Located in Lisse, NL
Wonderfully stylish and perfectly hand carved alabaster column for displaying a work of art.
This beautiful and classical pedestal on its oc...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Alabaster
Ceramic Vase by Bottega Vignoli Hand-Painted Italian Majolica Contemporary
Located in London, GB
Roma vase, full-fire reduction faience earthenware (majolica) 40cm height 20cm diameter, unique piece, 2020.
Bottega Vignoli is a brand of artistic ceramics based in Faenza, one of ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Life Size Horse Head in Plaster on Pedestal
Located in Tilburg, NL
Wonderful large horse head in plaster. Big scale and great details and patina. The white plaster creates a beautiful interplay of light and shadows.
Shows great movement in the way the head is depicted. Reminiscent of equivalent plaster casts of horse heads from the Parthenon frieze...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Plaster, Boxwood
English Classic Tufted Club Chair
Located in Westwood, NJ
An English Classic tufted club chair. This chair has a Classic Silhouette and features all-over tufting. It has a tight tufted seat a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Upholstery
Vintage Lion Mosaic and Brass Drum Coffee Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
The vintage coffee, side or end table is composed of a brass drum base and a round mosaic tile top. The standing lion is encircled by a classical rope pattern. The tile colors are ch...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Stone
Large Murano Scavo Vase Attributed to Seguso, Italy
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
Large and heavy handmade vase in burnt orange and deep blue with the typical "sandy" mixture giving the piece a bit of a rough texture. The technique was developed for giving glass t...
Category
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Murano Glass
Puer Mingens, Charming Garden Sculpture in Vicenza Stone, 1960
Located in Budapest, HU
Beautiful garden sculpture in original Vicenza stone carved by one of the most appreciated artists of the genre.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Stone
Early 20th Century Life-Size Plaster Statue Attributed to Jean Rene Gauguin
Located in Essex, MA
Attributed to Jean Rene Gauguin (French-danish, 1881-1961), the discus thrower Copenhagen, Circa 1926-1927
A lifesize sculpted and painted plaster ...
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Plaster
21century Studio Irvine Betti Mod.II Coffee Side Table in Concrete Green Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Surrealism, primitivism, metaphysics and brutalism. Art together with architecture and design build a scenario of inspirations and continuous references through which the material ri...
Category
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Concrete, Metal
Large Weathered Iron Garden Statue of Mercury 'Hermes' the Winged Messenger
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large weathered iron garden statue of mercury (Hermes) the winged messenger
The statue is very heavy it is almost 4ft tall and made in Iron, it has been outside for many years it ...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Iron
Pair of Sculpted Stone Lion Garden Statues
Located in Sheffield, MA
The charmingly hand-sculpted antique reclining lions face each other and have furry manes encircling their heads, as well as tails overlapping their back legs. Having an impressive s...
Category
19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Stone
Richard Ginori Italian White & Gold Coffee or Tea Cup, circa 1960s, 8 Avail
Located in New York, NY
Very beautiful vintage Italian white porcelain with gold gilt coffee or tea cup(s) by designer Richard Ginori, Italy, circa mid-20th century, circa 1960s. Colors include: gold gilt a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Gold
Carved Painted and Gilt Wood Column Display Pedestal
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Carved painted and gilt wood column display pedestal
The column is set on a square base, the central column is deeply reeded and supports a square platform top
The column is in t...
Category
Mid-20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Paint
Pair Garden Vases in Vicenza Stone, 1960
Located in Budapest, HU
Beautiful pair garden vases in original Vicenza stone carved by one of the most appreciated artists of the genre.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Stone
Marble Sculpture of a Centaur
Located in New Haven, CT
This rare Italian marble sculpture of a centaur is a copy of one of the life-size originals from “Hadrian’s Villa”.
The originals where found in 17...
Category
20th Century Greek Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique Knight Saint Carved Statue Figure St. George Soldier Medieval Armor Oak
Located in Tyler, TX
Rare Tall Carved Oak Statue Figure~~Medieval Knight or Saint with Armor~~St. George~~c. late 18th or early 19th century
HIGHLY CARVED~~notice the details~~St. George, a Christian saint who was a soldier in the Roman army...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Oak
Italian Roman Sculpture of the 'David'
Located in New York, NY
A Classic Italian Roman statue of the 'David' by sculptor G. Ruggeri, circa mid-20th century, Italy. With maker's mark's and marked 'Italy' as show in im...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Resin
Sotheby's Antiquities Catalog Benzina Collection of Ancient Glass July 1994
Located in Stamford, CT
Sotheby's auction catalog of the exceptional Benzian Collection of Ancient and Islamic Glass. An invaluable reference for the collector, scholar or anyone interested in the most delicate and beautiful of antiquities, ancient glass...
Category
20th Century English Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Paper
Bronze Equestrian Sculpter with Caesar on Marble Base, Early 20th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
Bronze Equestrian sculpter with Caesar on marble base, early 20th century.
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Italian 17th Century Pair Decorative Torchères Hand-Carved Walnut Giltwood
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Italian precious original 17th century pair of decorative columns , Torchères, hand-carved walnut gold leaf covered, on a tripod base.
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Sculpture Bust Roman Emperor White and Red Marble
Located in Tivoli Terme, Roma
The sculpture realized by a Roman sculptor as from the Roman academy tradition, is carved with two marbles.
Gaius Iulius Caesare formally known as Cesare was a Roman general and statesman who played a critical role in the events that led to the demise of the Roman Republic...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique Bronze Bell with Original Clapper
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Italian antique bronze bell: may be a Nautical Bell or a Church bell because it was recovered in the Mediterranean sea in front of Genoa many years ago. ...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Roman Carved Marble Torso in Military Dress, circa 2nd-3rd Century
Located in Austin, TX
A well carved Roman marble figure of a male in military dress, late Roman Period, circa 2nd-3rd century.
The figure portrayed dressed in military att...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble
Cristina Vergano Painting "Francoise" Oil on Wood, 2009
Located in New York, NY
Cristina Vergano Painting "Francoise" Oil on Wood, 2009.
Dimensions: W 30" x H 30" x D 2"
Cristina Vergano is known for her paintings that blend a classical style with fantastica...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Anton Pieck 'Roman' Pencil Drawing
Located in Tilburg, NL
Pencil drawing of a Roman man by Anton Pieck (1895-1987).
When viewed up close the craftsmanship of Anton Pieck is obvious. He was a highly skilled arti...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Glass, Walnut, Paper
English Garden Stone Urn or Planter Pot on Plinth Base in the Classical Style
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English garden urn (or planter pot) on plinth of composition stone in the Classical style, featuring an urn with semi-lobed body on raised square base, set upon a square plint...
Category
20th Century English Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Cast Stone
Marble Sculpture Bust Of Emperor Julius Caesar After The Antique Grand Tour
Located in Tivoli Terme, Roma
The sculpture realized by a Roman sculptor as from the Roman academy tradition, is carved with white marble.
The sculpture represents the face of a young Julius Caesar, Julius Caesar formally known as Caesar was a Roman general and statesman who played a critical role in the events that led to the demise of the Roman Republic...
Category
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble
21st Century Studio Irvine Betti Mod.II Coffee Side Table in Concrete Red Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Surrealism, primitivism, metaphysics and brutalism. Art together with architecture and design build a scenario of inspirations and continuous references through which the material ri...
Category
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Concrete, Metal
19th Century Italian Micro Mosaic Round Center Table with Ebonized Carved Base
Located in Milford, NH
An exceptional 19th century Italian micro mosaic round center table featuring architectural scenes from Rome including a central scene of Saint Peter’s Basilica with a brick red marble band, surrounded by smaller oval scenes of the Colosseum, The Forum, The Pantheon, and the Temple of Hercules...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble
Classic Italian Roman 'David' Statue
Located in New York, NY
A small Classic Italian Roman statue of the 'David' made of white resin or composite material. A great piece for shelf, cocktails table, desk, etc. Sculp...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Composition
Michael Taylor Designs Faux Stone Spanish Capital Console Entry Table MTD-2014
Located in Dayton, OH
Michael Taylor designs faux stone Spanish capital console entry table MTD-2014
Michael Taylor designs
Spanish capital console
White stone f...
Category
Late 20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Cast Stone
20th Century Ionic Columns
Located in Southall, GB
A pair of 20th century gold gilded ionic columns with winged cherubs and fish scaled plinths. These classical columns are from the three orders beginning ...
Category
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Resin
Cristina Vergano Painting "The Best of All Possible Worlds" Oil on Wood, 1990
Located in New York, NY
Cristina Vergano painting "The Best of All Possible Worlds" oil on wood, 1990.
Dimensions: Diam: 42"
Cristina Vergano is known for her paintings that blend a classical style with...
Category
1990s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Fine Large 19th Century Continental Bronze Bust Depicting a Roman Dignitary
Located in Dallas, TX
Fine Continental Roman style bronze bust, late 19th century, depicting a curly haired and bearded young man wearing classical drapery pinned on his l...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Thomas H. Dyer, Fresco of Bacchus and Faun, 1867
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
A real photograph from Thomas H. Dyer's Ruins of Pompeii collection, 1867.
Albumen print, tipped in. Mounted on card.
The actual photograph measures: 6.5 x 5 inches (17 x 12 cm).
Category
1860s English Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Paper
21st Century Studio Irvine Fusto Side Console Table Concrete Cement Brown Color
Located in Rome, Lazio
Console table part of a collection of modular system in ultra high performing cement mortar. UHPC shelves and abutment colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight diff...
Category
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Pair of Classical Bronzed Roman Style Table Lamps
Located in Sheffield, MA
The pair of small classical Greco Roman-style lamps have column shafts set on three-legged and footed bases decorated with acanthus leaves and placed on platforms. The lamps are topp...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Metal
Large Roman Style Bronze Figural Architectural Element
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Roman style bronze figural architectural element, depicting a goddess holding on her head an acanthus column with a bronze urn cascading with ...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Bronze
21st Century Studio Irvine Fusto Bookcase Mod.I Concrete Bookshelf Blue Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Bookcase part of a collection of modular system in ultra-high performing cement mortar. UHPC tabletop and base colored in the mixture and sandblasted. Available in eight different co...
Category
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Bacchus, Plaster Statue, France, circa 1930
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful old plaster statue, in the neoclassical spirit, representing young Bacchus.
France, National Museums molding workshop, circa 1930.
Category
1930s French Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Plaster
Late 19th Century Bronze Bust of Ariadne F Barbedienne
Located in London, by appointment only
A French patinated bronze bust of Ariadne by F. Barbedienne foundry after the antique.
The fine 'reduction a colis' is after a model by Bertel Thorvaldsen (circa 1805-1810). This sole bust is often paired with a famous antique...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Sèvres Blue Cobalt Porcelain, Gilt Bronze Candlestick Centerpiece
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Early XIX Century French candlestick , Sèvres blue cobalt porcelain, gilt bronze centerpiece
Candle holders immersed in a bouquet of flowers. Bronze...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Rare Antique Classical Roman Bronze & Glass Inkstand with Crystal Glass Inkwell
Located in Lisse, NL
Stylish, rare and mint condition bronze, brass and glass desk piece.
This completely original inkstand dates from the late 19th century and it has a large number of striking Roman...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Bronze
21st Century Studio Irvine Betti Coffee Side Table Mod.I in Concrete red Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Surrealism, primitivism, metaphysics and brutalism. Art together with architecture and design build a scenario of inspirations and continuous references through which the material ri...
Category
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Concrete, Metal
Tall 19th Century Carved Mahogany Pedestal
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Tall 19th century carved mahogany pedestal
The column has an intricate tulip and acanthus leaf carvings top and bottom with a faceted section between
The Torchere is very sturdy...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Classical Roman furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Classical Roman furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, building and garden elements, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with stone, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Classical Roman furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Luca Scacchetti, LAGU, and Richard Ginori. 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 furniture 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 $150,000 while the average work can sell for $2,914.
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