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
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.
Category
1830s English Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Paper
Roman Mosaic, 5th Century, Italy
Located in Girona, Spain
DESCRIPTION: Roman mosaic made with marble. Very decorative piece.
Provenance: Private Swiss collection, since 1950.
CONDITION: Very good vintage condition.
DIMENSIONS: Height: 240...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble
Italian Bronze Wall Lamp with Old Mirror
Located in Buggiano, IT
Original 1940s Italian bronze wall lamp with old mirror.
In working condition.
Equipped with original 20th century European wiring.
We recommend buyer consu...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique Italian Pompeii Grand Tour Bronze Statue Narcissus Michele Amodio 1862
By Michele Amodio
Located in Portland, OR
Antique bronze statue of Narcissus by Michele Amodio (1817-1913) Italy, 1862.
Amodio was an Italian artist and foundry owner active in the mid to late 19th century. This Neapolitan ...
Category
1860s Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Bronze sculpture Marcus Aurelius
Located in Rome, IT
Description
Bronze sculpture Marcus Aurelius. ADDITIONAL PHOTOS, INFORMATION OF THE LOT AND SHIPPING INFORMATION CAN BE REQUEST BY SENDING AN EMAIL.
Indicative shipping costs in Ital...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Bronze
AR Denarius Gordian III (238-244)
Located in UTRECHT, UT
Obverse: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Reverse: SALVS AVGVSTI, Salus feeding snake on her arm from patera
Gewicht: 3.41 g
Kwaliteit: Prachti...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Silver
Mid century vintage hand-painted Italian pottery urn with lid.
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid century vintage hand painted pottery urn with lid. This hand painted classical Italian urn has beautiful tones of chocolate brown, Amber and cream. This urn with lid wa...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Pottery
AR Denarius Vespasian (69-79)
Located in UTRECHT, UT
Obverse: IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS V TR P P P, laureate head right
Reverse: AVGVSTAE – PACI, Victory standing right, holding shouldered palm frond with her left hand and a wreath in ...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Greek Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Silver
AR Denarius F. Fabius Labeo INCUSE
Located in UTRECHT, UT
Obverse: helmeted head of Roma right; X (mark of value) below chin
Reverse: incuse
Weight: 3.84 g
Grade: Very Fine
Mint: Rome
Reference: Crawford 273/1; Sydenham 532
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Silver
Roman travertine cup classic style -made in Italy
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Travertine cup, antique classical cup, sculpture, marble, marble furniture, marble fruit holder, white marble cup, marble cup , Roman travertine cup ,Carrara, classical cup.
Classica...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Travertine
France – Great-Britain. British Crimean War medal
Located in UTRECHT, UT
Oak leafed pin with inscription ”Sebastopol”, with original ribbon, attached to issue certificate of the French Ministery of War, dated 1856.
Obverse: VICTORIA – REGINA -1854, cro...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Silver
AR Denarius P. Clodius M.f. Turrinus
Located in UTRECHT, UT
Obverse: P CLODIVS / M F., laureate head of Apollo right; lyre to left
Reverse: Diana Lucifera standing right, bow and quiver over her shoulder, holding torches
BEAUTIFUL TONING
W...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Silver
AR Denarius Julia Paula, wife of Elagabalus (219-220)
Located in UTRECHT, UT
Obverse: IVLIA PAVLA AVG, draped bust right, showing later coiffure with small bun
Reverse: CONCORDIA, Concordia seated left, holding patera, star in left field
Beautifully detaile...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Silver
Southern Netherlands. Medal of the Holy Sacrament of the Miracle of Brussels
Located in UTRECHT, UT
Obverse: SACRAMENTVM . MI – RACVLOSVM . BRVXELLE, cross with the Holy Hosts, carried by God the Father
Reverse: dito
VERY RARE, only 2 known specimens (1 in the KBR in Brussels and ...
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Silver
N.d. Charles V dedication medal on his crowning and the planned Imperial
Located in UTRECHT, UT
Obverse: crowned and armoured bust right with order chain of the Golden Fleece
Reverse: blank
After H. Krafft, after a design by A. Dürer
OLD SILVER CAST
EXTREMELY RARE
Four ...
Category
16th Century German Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Silver
Mid-century vintage plaster figural wall sculpture
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid century vintage plaster figural wall sculpture. This wall sculpture is made of plaster with a venetian finish the surface of the p...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Plaster
1960s Cenedese Attributable White Scavo Murano Glass Big Amphora Vase
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This vase is a valuable and sought-after piece among collectors of Murano glass. Cenedese is a well-known and respected glassmaker in Murano, Italy, famous for its high-quality glass...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Murano Glass
A fine pair of 19th c Classical bronzes by Henry Bonnard Bronze Co 1889
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine and rare pair of 19th century Classical Roman bronze heads of Ajax and Minerva. Done by famed American company Henry Bonnard Bronze Co . This com...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Busto di faraone egizio, (memento- vanitas ) scolpito su marmo bianco di Carrara
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Scultura, Vanitas, memento, busto egiziano, busto antico, busto faraone, egizio vanitas , arte romana, arte classica, arte greca, busto, marmo bianco Carrara, scultura classica, scul...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair of Bronze and Iron X Scissor Armchairs, by David Marshall
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of bronze and iron Dante curule armchairs, by David Marshall
X or scissors Roman inspired chair in iron and bronze, not foldable
Seat is slightly curved made of thick and robust...
Category
1980s Spanish Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Iron
Romano-Egyptian cartonnage mummy mask depicting a female head
Located in EL CAMPELLO, ES
ITEM: Romano-Egyptian cartonnage mummy mask depicting a female head
MATERIAL: Linen and Gesso
CULTURE: Egyptian, Roman period
PERIOD: 1st Century B.C – 1st Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 20...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Gesso, Linen
A Warwick Jug - A rare Victorian sterling silver example - London 1853 R Hennell
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1853 by Robert Hennell III, this stunning, Victorian, Antique Sterling Silver Jug, is a very rare example modelled ...
Category
1850s English Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
19th Century Framed Relief Sculpture, Inspired by the style of Clodion
Located in NICE, FR
This large plaster relief was inspired by Claude Michel Clodion's fresco and was crafted in the workshops of the Louvre Museum in Paris in the lat...
Category
19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Plaster
Arte Italica New vintage-style 1795 Pedestal Bowl with Handles - Made in Italy
Located in Leesburg, VA
A new all'antica style pedestal bowl with handles. Made to appear like a true Grand Tour creation, dated 1795, each vintage-style piece produced by Arte Italica is a marriage of the ...
Category
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Pewter
Set of 4 Sterling Silver Traprain Dishes or Tastevins, Brook & Son, 1937
Located in Glasgow, GB
A set of four sterling silver Traprain Dishes or Tastevins, replicated from a design found in the Roman silver hoard at Traprain Law, Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1919. The dishes have an...
Category
1930s British Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Pair of Large Cast Gate Post Finials Sculptures
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Pair of Large Cast Gate Post Finials Sculptures
A pair of large gate pier finials
This is a superb large pair of Globe Gate Post finials in good used condition
The finials are 19...
Category
1960s Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Vase made of marble Breccia Princess h 60 cm with lid
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Vase, Urn , Medicean Vase , Marble Urn , Furnishing Vase, Chalice , cup, Classic Vase, Roman Vase, Cinerary Urn.
Lathe-turned Breccia Marble Princess vase complete with lid and drill...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble
A Roman bronze head attachment of a youth
Located in UTRECHT, UT
A finely detailed appliqué with the face of a youth, wavy hair framing the circular face, with well defined eyes, pierced for inlays.
5.5 cm (h)
Provenance:
Ex Jean-Phillipe Mari...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Screen of Paintings of Saint Peter's Square in Rome, 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Screen of Paintings of Saint Peter's Square in Rome, 20th Century.
Screen with six oil on canvas paintings of Saint Peter's Square in Rome, 20th cen...
Category
20th Century European Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Wood
A Roman gold pendant with portrait cameo
Located in UTRECHT, UT
The loop attached to an oval fitting with radiant decoration. The cameo made of agate, showing the profile of a female bust with hair pinned up. The portrait in the style of Faustina...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Gold
Two Roman ‘Twelve Caesars’ paintings of Vespasian and Titus
Located in UTRECHT, UT
Italian school, after Peter Paul Rubens
Two portraits from the range of the ‘Twelve Caesars’. Three-quarter laureate portraits in oval. The name of the emperor below with Roman num...
Category
17th Century European Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Wood
Busto di Ottaviano Augusto in breccia pernice e marmo bianco Carrara -made Italy
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Augusto, Ottaviano Augusto busto, Scultura, busto imperatore, Busto Ottaviano, busto Augusto, busto romano antico, arte romana, arte classica, arte greca, busto, marmo bianco Carrara...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble
A Roman bronze applique in the shape of a theatre mask
Located in UTRECHT, UT
Mask of a bearded deity, short beard and hair braided in the characteristic high hairstyle, with layered ringlets on either side.
4 cm (h)
Green patina
...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Busto di Antonino Pio in marmo giallo Siena e marmo bianco Carrara -made Italy
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Antonino Pio, Antonino Pio busto, Scultura, busto imperatore, Busto Antonino, busto romano antico, arte romana, arte classica, arte greca, busto, marmo bianco Carrara, scultura , bus...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble
A Roman terracotta red slip ware oil lamp with theatre masks
Located in UTRECHT, UT
Round body with plain nozzle, the discus decorated with three theatre masks, air hole in centre, the base with work shop mark in the form of a foot print
Loeschcke Typ VIII, Schulte...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
A Roman bronze foot
Located in UTRECHT, UT
With square fitting, hollow at the top for attachment to furniture, one large paw on round base sprouting into lion’s head with visible teeth.
9,5 cm (h)
Ex German private property...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Male Roman Style Carrara Marble Bust
Located in Southall, GB
A stunning marble decorative male bust on a attractive marble plinth base. Skilled craftsmanship is evident in the hand carved features and garments. A imposing piece that would look...
Category
Late 20th Century European Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
Classic antique style cup -turned in white Carrara marble -made Italy
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Marble bowl, antique classical bowl, sculpture, marble, marble furniture, marble fruit bowl, white marble bowl, Carrara marble bowl, classical bowl.
Classical-style cup hand-turned o...
Category
1990s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
Vintage Souvenir Roman Sun Dial 200 AD Fan Shaped Lions Head Made in Italy 12"
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid 20th century sounvenir reproduction of an ancient Roman sun dial. Fan shaped metal dial plate, decoratively aged, with etched / gilded rays and Roman numerals indicating the hour...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Metal
Torso maschile classico in marmo bianco di Carrara
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Scultura, Torso maschile, arte classica, arte greca, Torso, marmo bianco Carrara, scultura classica, torso antico
Torso maschile scolpito su bellissimo ...
Category
1990s European Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble
Two Colour Marble Male Roman Style Bust On Black Marble Stand
Located in Southall, GB
A highly decorative two colour marble Roman style bust on a black marble stand. Skilfully carved with clear features, detailing the ruffled hair and beard together with the smooth dr...
Category
Late 20th Century European Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble
Bust of Egyptian pharaoh carved on white Carrara marble
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Sculpture, Egyptian bust, ancient bust, pharaoh bust, Roman art, classical art, Greek art, bust, white Carrara marble, classical sculpture, ancient sculpture, ancient bust, made in I...
Category
Early 2000s European Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble
Marble Bust of The Roman God Janus
Located in Southall, GB
A detailed and beautifully carved marble bust of the Roman God Janus. The God of beginnings, endings, time, duality and boundaries, the openings of doorways, gates and passages. The two faces portray this duality. They are both expressively carved with different detail to the curled horns. The features are clearly carved in a expression of contemplation framed...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble
Large Pair of Hand-Carved Medici Style Marble Urns
Located in Southall, GB
A highly decorative and imposing pair of marble hand-carved urns. Depicting a classical scene including dogs and winged figures which make up the middle section of the urn, with exqu...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble
Small Antique 1900s Solid Brass Apothecary Mortars and Pestles - Set of 2
Located in Chicago, IL
Set of 2 very cool heavy brass (?) antique mortar and pestles. Actually one may be brass and one copper, judging from the green aging tinge inside. They are not a matched set but ver...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Brass
Sanguine on Paper by Jean Robert Ango (1710-1773), XVIIIth Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sanguine on Paper by Jean Robert Ango (1710-1773), XVIIIth Century.
Sanguine, drawing of a woman with a bouquet of flowers, on framed paper from the 18th century by Jean Robert Ango...
Category
18th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paper
Roman Style Marble Torso On A Black Marble Base
Located in Southall, GB
A handsomely carved male marble torso on a black marble base. The carving is detailed and realistic, clearly depicting the contours and muscles. The marble...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
Altorilievo (frammento), di battaglia romana su marmo bianco di Carrara
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Scultura, altorilievo, bassorilievo, busto romano antico, arte romana, altorilievo battaglia, arte classica, arte greca, busto, marmo bianco Carrara, scultura classica, altorilievo s...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
An 18th century or earlier statuary marble head of Venus
Located in London, GB
A large 18th century or earlier statuary marble head of Venus, goddess of Love. Life-size and beautifully carved with superb detail to her hair & face. Probably Italian and an early ...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble
Bronze French Surtout de Table Circa 1890
Located in London, GB
This superb large bronze surtout de table was made in France circa 1890. Please have a look at all our pictures to see the intricate grape vine and flower detail around the edge mor...
Category
1890s French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Limestone Garden Figure of Standing Neptune, Denmark circa 1930-50
Located in Round Top, TX
Limestone garden figure of Neptune with weathered patina.
Pitting, nicks, small cracks, lichen/stains all signs of wear from weather and outd...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Limestone
Roman Bust With Helmet
Located in Southall, GB
Exquisitely detailed carving of a Roman Bust with Helmet. The Males features are intricately carved with attention given to the shape of the nose and furrowed brow as he prepares to ...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble
Piero Fornasetti Italian Cocktail Drinks Coasters or Wall Art, Set of 6
By Fornasetti
Located in New York, NY
A set of six (6) Italian Piero Fornasetti cocktail drinks coasters 'Cavalieri', Classical Roman style, circa mid-20th century, 1960s, Italy. A set of six in black and white edged in ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
European Life Size Cast Iron Garden Statue of the Goddess Aphrodite
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine European Life Size Cast Iron Garden Statue of the Goddess Aphrodite modeled after the Aphrodite Napels Frejus now at the Louvre Mus...
Category
1850s French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Iron
Roman Style Marble Head
Located in Southall, GB
A richly weathered marble Roman style head with skilfully carved features and full lips. The piece would have been part of a larger statue or carving. The marble has a lovely warm pa...
Category
15th Century and Earlier European Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble
Tables Pair 99cm 39" Square Center Side Writing Gaming Elm 19Century Classical
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Rare to find a pair of elm tables of classical form this size
The simplicity of the classical form creates fluid lines and focusing the eye into the...
Category
1860s English Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Elm
Deep Olive Green Marble Pedestal
Located in Miami, FL
Marble pedestal .The middle part is made of 9 marble columns.
The square base is surlined with a golden bronze frame.
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Marble
Roman Glass Urn
Located in Newport Beach, CA
A Roman glass, Grand Tour style handled urn. Late 19th/early 20th century.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Materials
Glass
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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