Classical Roman Busts
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 Classical Roman Busts
Composition
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Busts
Carrara Marble
Late 19th Century English Antique Classical Roman Busts
Ceramic
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Busts
Stone, Marble, Carrara Marble
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Busts
Alabaster
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Busts
Bronze
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Busts
Concrete
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Busts
Carrara Marble
1990s Italian Classical Roman Busts
Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Busts
Composition
15th Century and Earlier Antique Classical Roman Busts
Marble
Mid-20th Century French Classical Roman Busts
Marble
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Busts
Marble
1860s Italian Antique Classical Roman Busts
Alabaster
1960s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Busts
Terracotta
1960s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Busts
Terracotta
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Busts
Marble
1990s Classical Roman Busts
Carrara Marble
Mid-20th Century American Classical Roman Busts
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Busts
Marble
20th Century European Classical Roman Busts
Composition
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Classical Roman Busts
Marble
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Busts
Alabaster, Breccia Marble, Carrara Marble
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Busts
Terracotta
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Busts
Marble
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Busts
Marble
1940s French Vintage Classical Roman Busts
Marble
Late 19th Century European Antique Classical Roman Busts
Marble
Late 20th Century British Classical Roman Busts
Resin
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Busts
Marble
1990s Italian Classical Roman Busts
Marble, Carrara Marble
1950s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Busts
Resin
1980s English Vintage Classical Roman Busts
Plaster
2010s American Classical Roman Busts
Ceramic
Early 2000s Italian Classical Roman Busts
Marble
2010s Italian Classical Roman Busts
Ceramic
1990s Italian Classical Roman Busts
Marble
1950s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Busts
Stucco
Early 2000s European Classical Roman Busts
Marble
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Busts
Plaster
1910s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Busts
Ceramic
1990s Italian Classical Roman Busts
Marble
1960s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Busts
Fiberglass, Plaster
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Busts
Plaster
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Busts
Marble
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Busts
Marble
1990s Italian Classical Roman Busts
Marble
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Busts
Carrara Marble
1990s Italian Classical Roman Busts
Marble
1940s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Busts
Ceramic
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Busts
Marble, Carrara Marble
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Busts
Bronze
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Busts
Marble
Late 20th Century European Classical Roman Busts
Marble
Late 19th Century European Antique Classical Roman Busts
Marble
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Busts
Carrara Marble
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Busts
Marble
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Busts
Marble