Classical Roman Furniture
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.
1970s European Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
1990s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Wood, Paint
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Cotton
Early 1600s Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Terracotta
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
1970s Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Textile, Wood
1970s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Marble, Iron
18th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Wood
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Wicker, Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Hardwood
17th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Cotton
19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
Late 19th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Wood
1980s American Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Rock Crystal
Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
18th Century Unknown Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Wood
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Wood
16th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Paper, Parchment Paper
Late 18th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Wood, Fruitwood
1950s Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Rattan
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
18th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Wood
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete, Metal
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete, Metal
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete
20th Century English Classical Roman Furniture
Cast Stone
19th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Gesso, Plaster
Late 20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Resin
20th Century English Classical Roman Furniture
Sycamore
20th Century Dutch Classical Roman Furniture
Ceramic
Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
1980s Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Sterling Silver
18th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Unknown Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Paper
1950s German Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Gold
19th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Wood
1950s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Wood
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Classical Roman Furniture
Silk
Mid-20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Paper
2010s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Paper
1950s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Porcelain
1880s German Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Classical Roman Furniture
Leather, Sheepskin
Early 1900s Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Fruitwood
Early 20th Century English Classical Roman Furniture
Limestone
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Cotton
Late 18th Century Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century French Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze





