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.
1900s, Gilt Framed Madonna of the Chair Painting Print on Wood
By (after) Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino)
Located in Germantown, MD
The Madonna Della Sedia commonly known as the Madonna of the chair is a painting by an Italian artist Raphael dating back to 1513 -1514. It is currently hou...
Hardwood, Giltwood
Leonardo Da Vinci Hardcover Book by Patrice Boussel
By Leonardo da Vinci
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Leonardo Da Vinci Hardcover Book by Patrice Boussel. Discusses Leonardo the man and painter, provides an analysis of his thinking as revealed in his...
Paper
19th Century KPM porcelain plaque of the Battle of Corinth
Located in London, GB
19th Century KPM porcelain plaque of the Battle of Corinth German, 19th Century Frame: Height 37.5cm, width 44cm, depth 5cm Plaque: H...
Giltwood, Porcelain
Santa Rita Retablo
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This late 19th century Mexican Folk Art devotional painting depicts St. Rita of Casia, the patron saint of lost and improbable causes. Wishing to join an Augustinian convent ...
Tin
$150 / item
H 14.1 in W 10.2 in D 1.8 in
Sebastião Salgado's Amazônia: A Photography Book in Hardcover
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hardcover Photography book, 14.1 x 10.2 in., 9.21 lb, 528 pages. For six years Sebastião Salgado traveled the Brazilian Amazon and photographed th...
Paper
American Legion Baseball and Basketball Folk Art Paintings
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Pair of baseball and basketball paintings found in a Midwestern American Legion hall. These were proudly displayed behind the legion hall bar. Grea...
Large KPM Porcelain Plaque of 'Romeo and Juliet' 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality large 19th century KPM Porcelain plaque, depicting 'Romeo and Juliet' mounted in a carved giltwood frame.
Porcelain
$150 / item
H 14.7 in W 11 in D 2 in
Ferrari by Pino Allievi. Hardcover Book with Leatherette Binding.
By TASCHEN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Il Fascino Ferrari - A monument to Italy’s driving force. Few men, women or brand names have come to define a century. For seven decades and counting, the Italian powerhouse founded...
Foil
19th Century German Porcelain Kpm Berlin Hand Painted Double Salt
Located in Vero Beach, FL
This open salt was made in the 19th century in typical Rococo style. The interior of the salt basin and the stand is delicately painted with birds, flowers and insects. In the center...
Enamel
$450
H 31.5 in W 36.5 in D 1.5 in
The Old Berkshire Hunt Lithograph Engraved Framed Print Painting by John Goode
By John Goode & Sons
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The Old Berkshire Hunt Lithograph Engraved Framed Print Painting by John Goode. Item features a distressed gold finish wooden frame and glass front. Circa Early 20th Century. Measure...
Paper
$1,000
H 9.45 in W 6.97 in D 1.19 in
Trattato della Pittura di Lionardo da Vinci (Treatise on Leonardo Paintings )
Located in Middletown, NY
Vinci, Leonardo da & Carlo Amoretti Trattato della Pittura di Lionardo da Vinci (Treatise on Painting by Leonardo da Vinci) Milano: Società Tipografica de' Classici italiani, 18...
Leather, Paper
$395
H 14.75 in W 11.25 in D 1.5 in
Frida Kahlo: The Painter and Her Work by Helga Prignitz-Poda (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
Frida Kahlo is now regarded as one of the foremost artists of the 20th century. Her reputation grew late in her life and more so, posthumously. During her life she was more famous fo...
Paper
$4,950Sale Price|33% Off
H 13 in Dm 10.38 in
German 19th Century Berlin Porcelain Kpm Covered Bacchus Tureen Centerpiece
By Royal Porzellan Bavaria KPM Germany Handarbeit.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine German 19th century Berlin porcelain covered Tureen, the finial in form of an infant Bacchus on a domed cover with molded band and painted scenes divided by floral sprays...
Porcelain
KPM Porcelain Hand Painted Oval Bowl, 19th Century
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Antique 19th century hand painted porcelain with floral and gilt decoration. The bowl with center floral decoration with detailed hand gilt all around. The 19th century KPM mark...
Porcelain
The International Book of Lofts, Slesin & Cliff, Hardcover 1986
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The International Book of Lofts Hardcover – 1st Edition, 1986 – by Suzanne Slesin, Stafford Cliff, and Daniel Rozensztroch A visual feast of some of the most spectacular and inge...
Paper