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.
Mid-20th Century American Classical Roman Furniture
Plaster, Gesso
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Brass
1940s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century American Classical Roman Furniture
Plaster
Late 20th Century British Classical Roman Furniture
Resin
20th Century Indonesian Classical Roman Furniture
Wood
1950s Unknown Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Concrete, Cement
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Ceramic
1940s French Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Classical Roman Furniture
Marble, Bronze
1920s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
1950s French Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Plaster
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Leather, Sheepskin
1990s Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
1940s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Unknown Classical Roman Furniture
Yarn
1920s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Plaster
Early 20th Century French Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century British Classical Roman Furniture
Brass, Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Hardwood, Giltwood
20th Century French Classical Roman Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Classical Roman Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Plaster
1930s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Ceramic
1950s German Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Cast Stone
Mid-20th Century Unknown Classical Roman Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century American Classical Roman Furniture
Mirror, Mahogany, Giltwood, Paint
Early 20th Century American Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
20th Century English Classical Roman Furniture
Cast Stone
Early 20th Century American Classical Roman Furniture
Metal, Iron
Early 20th Century French Classical Roman Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Unknown Classical Roman Furniture
Iron
1910s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Ceramic
1960s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Plaster, Boxwood
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Ceramic
1920s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Murano Glass
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Upholstery, Walnut
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Brass, Steel
1960s German Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Early 1900s German Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
20th Century European Classical Roman Furniture
Stone, Bronze
20th Century English Classical Roman Furniture
Cast Stone
Early 1900s Italian Antique Classical Roman Furniture
Copper, Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century European Classical Roman Furniture
Stone
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Carrara Marble
1980s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Velvet
Early 20th Century American Classical Roman Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Scagliola
Early 20th Century Unknown Classical Roman Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Furniture
Alabaster
20th Century Classical Roman Furniture
Leather, Sheepskin
1970s Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Metal, Iron
1940s American Vintage Classical Roman Furniture
Iron





