Classical Roman Vases
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 Italian Classical Roman Vases
Murano Glass
Early 20th Century Unknown Classical Roman Vases
Brass
1970s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Vases
Murano Glass
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Vases
Terracotta
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Vases
Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Vases
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Classical Roman Vases
Ceramic, Porcelain
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Vases
Terracotta
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Vases
Terracotta
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Vases
Terracotta
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Vases
Terracotta
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Vases
Terracotta
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Vases
Terracotta
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Vases
Terracotta
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Vases
Terracotta
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Vases
Terracotta
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Vases
Terracotta
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Vases
Ceramic, Majolica
Mid-19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Vases
Iron
Mid-19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Vases
Iron
15th Century and Earlier North African Antique Classical Roman Vases
Clay
Mid-19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Vases
Iron
2010s Classical Roman Vases
Ceramic, Pottery, Clay
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Vases
Ceramic, Majolica
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Vases
Blown Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Vases
Ceramic, Majolica
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Vases
Murano Glass
1880s Italian Antique Classical Roman Vases
Glass
Early 20th Century French Classical Roman Vases
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Swedish Classical Roman Vases
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Vases
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Vases
Bronze
2010s Classical Roman Vases
Resin
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Vases
Art Glass
1870s French Antique Classical Roman Vases
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Vases
Glass
Early 19th Century European Antique Classical Roman Vases
Ironstone
Italian Classical Roman Vases
Art Glass
1970s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Vases
Art Glass, Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Vases
Onyx, Marble