Classical Greek Urns
CLASSICAL GREEK STYLE
There is rare surviving furniture from ancient Greece, yet this classical style has informed design for centuries. Interiors of houses in antiquity were minimal, with much of a room’s color coming from frescoes on the walls and mosaics on the floors. Classical Greek furniture was sparing but finely crafted and influenced by Egyptian furniture design through Mediterranean trade.
Furnishings of the period were usually made from local wood like cypress, cedar, oak and willow from ancient Greece’s plentiful forests, although some pieces were carved from marble, such as a 300–200 B.C. throne with lion legs and a curved back now at the Getty Villa. Comfort and clean lines characterized designs during the Classical era, the symmetry and thoughtful proportions reflecting the architecture of Greek temples.
Some pieces of ancient Greek furniture were simple, rectangular platforms like the klinē, a multipurpose ancestor of today’s couches or daybeds that held cushions stuffed with wool, dry grass or down. These structures were used for both sleeping and dining, which wealthy Greeks did while reclining. At night, oil lamps illuminated rooms that frequently surrounded a garden courtyard.
Most of what scholars have learned about Greek furniture design owes to its representations in art like vases and stelae. The portable diphros stool, with its backless design and four turned legs, was one of the more common types of seating in daily Greek life — it appears as such for the gods on the Parthenon frieze. Stools without backs have been found in early Roman tombs, while benches were also common Greek seating furniture created for use in theaters. In houses of the Hellenistic period, benches seemingly functioned as tables, too.
Some designs evolved through adaptations by the Romans, including the klismos chair. After prominent archaeological excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum, the klismos chair — with its four saber legs and the elegant curves that define its back — was a source of inspiration for aesthetics in eras ranging from 18th-century neoclassicism to 20th-century Art Deco.
Find a collection of Classical Greek decorative objects, wall decorations and building and garden elements on 1stDibs.
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Style: Classical Greek
Ancient Greek Style Hand Painted Kantharos, Drinking Cup With High Handles
Located in Stamford, CT
Ancient Greek style "kantharos", a drinking cup with handles. In the Apulian style of southern Italy. Quite elegant with a fine painting of a seated, robed sculptor on the front, and...
Category
Mid-20th Century Greek Classical Greek Urns
Materials
Copper
Large Antique Carved White Marble Medici Vase Garden Urn
Located in London, GB
Large antique carved white marble Medici vase garden urn
Continental, 20th Century
Height 73cm, diameter 55cm
Crafted in the 20th century, this ra...
Category
20th Century European Classical Greek Urns
Materials
Marble
Pair of 19th Century, Classical Style Urns
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Grand pair of late 19th century, terracotta urns featuring reliefs of Neptune / Poseidon amidst the waves flanked by a hippocampus and a sea serpent. Stamped “Galloway Pottery, Phila...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Classical Greek Urns
Materials
Terracotta
Pair of Large Cast Iron Garden Urns, Garden Planters
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Pair of Large Cast Iron Garden Urns, Garden Planters
This is a superb and unusually large pair of cast iron urns
The urns are in...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Classical Greek Urns
Materials
Iron
Mid 20th Century Italian Scavo Glass Roman Style Vase
Located in Elkhart, IN
A mid 20th century Roman style pink Scavo glass vase. Scavo glass was created in the mid 20th century by using a technique involving the application, to the surface of an object, of ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Greek Urns
Materials
Glass
Vases Art Deco Period in Grecian Style in Painted Spelter on Marble Bases, Pair
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of Grecian Art Deco spelter vases on marble bases recall the glory days of the ancient Greeks before the roman conquest, and feature embossed patterns...
Category
1920s French Vintage Classical Greek Urns
Materials
Marble, Spelter
Pair of Ferdinand Barbedienne Low Handled Bronze Borghese Urns
Located in Hastings, GB
Glorious and incredibly rare pair of 19th century gilt bronze low handled urns modelled after the original Borghese vase by Giovanni Zoffoli (c1785-1845) cast by Barbedienne in the ...
Category
1870s French Antique Classical Greek Urns
Materials
Bronze
circa 1930s Bronze Urn / Jardinere with a Sculptural Hermaphrodite Handle
Located in San Francisco, CA
Offered here is a wonderful bronze jardinere or urn.
Has a sculptural hermaphrodite handle, that starts with a cherub holding a goose, then with the...
Category
1930s Unknown Vintage Classical Greek Urns
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Neo-Greek Classical Bronze Lamp by Henry Cahieux
Located in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
A 19th century French Neo-Greek Classical bronze lamp by Henry Cahieux probably cast by the Barbedienne foundry, Paris and inscribed Hy Cahieux, 21.5cm...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Greek Urns
Materials
Bronze
Pair classical 19th Century Ormolu urns. after Balling for Versailles
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive pair of Classical 19th Century French gilded ormolu urns.
Each with two-headed Janus finials, the sides with boar's masks and bands of shells, oak leaves and Greek ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Classical Greek Urns
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Related Items
Large Italian Black Marble Bulbous Urn Or Garden Vase With Ormolu Gilding
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
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Early 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Greek Urns
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Anna Weatherley Designs Hand-Painted Footed Porcelain Cachepot Handles
Located in Toronto, ON
A beautiful hand painted footed cachepot / planter with handles, by Anna Weatherley Designs. Featuring hand painted butterflies, insect and floral motifs. Anna Weatherley has been de...
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2010s American Classical Greek Urns
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Cast iron Medici Vase on base - Garden decoration
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Cast iron Medici Vase on base - Garden decoration
Garden Antique - Decoration
Measures : Ø50cm Total H:70cm
Wear Consistent with age and use
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20th Century Classical Greek Urns
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20th Century Italian Murano Glass Vase
Located in Antwerp, BE
An Italian Murano glass vase manufactured in the 1960s.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Greek Urns
Materials
Murano Glass, Glass
Pair of Antique French Petite Cast Iron Urns Planters
Located in Pearland, TX
A charming petite pair of antique early 20th-Century French neoclassical style cast iron garden urns or planters with the original surface and patina. These beautiful jardinieres are...
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Early 20th Century French Classical Greek Urns
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Saint Louis Large Crystal Medicis Vase
By Saint Louis
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A classic cut crystal Medici-style vase by Saint Louis, its lower section cut in large-faceted diamond points, its upper section elegantly fluted. The vase stands on a substantial sq...
Category
20th Century French Classical Greek Urns
Materials
Crystal
19th Century Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Cornucopia Vases on Marble Bases, Pair
By Baccarat
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This pair of neoclassical rython form garnitures are well detailed and finely cut.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Classical Greek Urns
Materials
Bronze
H 8.25 in W 10.5 in D 5.75 in
19th Century Neoclassical Bronze Dore Urn Signed F. Levillain
Located in Savannah, GA
19th century neoclassical signed bronze doré urn with handles and adorned with elaborate roman scenes. Signed stamped F. Levillain. Ferdinand Levillain...
Category
19th Century French Antique Classical Greek Urns
Materials
Bronze
R Lalique Esterel Vase in Grey Patina, Art Deco Period
By René Lalique
Located in Sarasota, FL
Rene Lalique 1923 design Esterel vase in grey patina. Factory polished mouth and molded signature on the base.
Category
Early 20th Century French Classical Greek Urns
Materials
Art Glass
Murano Archimede Seguso Scavo Vase Roman Amphora Style Italian Art Glass
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Vintage Single-Handled Art Glass Jug Vase in Ancient Roman Style - Timeless Beauty from Murano
This single-handled art glass jug vase is another impre...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Classical Greek Urns
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Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Pair of French Gray Painted Cast Iron Garden Urns
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of French gray-painted cast iron garden urns circa 1910. They feature an unusual, whimsical shape, beautifully decorative rims and a rich patina. Sold together and priced $4,400...
Category
1910s French Vintage Classical Greek Urns
Materials
Iron
Vintage Bohemian Ruby Glass Vase, Mid-20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Bohemian ruby glass vase is an original decorative object realized in the mid-20th century by Czech manufacture.
This artwork is decorated with...
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Classical Greek Urns
Materials
Glass
Previously Available Items
Pair of Grand Tour Classical Patinated Bronze Urns on Marble Bases
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of Late 19th/Early 20th Century Patinated Bronze Urns on Sienna Marble Bases. Classical figure and intricate handles. Grand Tour
Would make incredible lamps
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Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Greek Urns
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Marble, Bronze
Greek Terra Cotta Kalyx-Kraters
Located in Houston, TX
Mid 20th century Attica terra cotta kalyx-kraters featuring gods and goddesses in early Classical Greek scenes. Two handle bowls were made for mixing wine and water and named after t...
Category
Mid-20th Century Greek Classical Greek Urns
Materials
Terracotta
Oversized Antique Cast Iron Garden Urn by Walbridge & Co, Painted, Circa 1890
By Walbridge & Co.
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique oversized garden urn by Walbridge & Co. offers cast iron construction with embossed maker name, more recently painted, c1890
Measures...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Classical Greek Urns
Materials
Iron
H 26.5 in W 27.5 in D 27.5 in
Pair of Amphorae, III Century A.D., Greece
Located in Girona, Spain
Pair of Amphorae.
Ceramic
Very Decorative.
Visual Restorations.
With Certificate of Authenticity.
Provenance: Belgian Collection before 1970
III Century A.D., Greece.
Good Condition....
Category
15th Century and Earlier Greek Antique Classical Greek Urns
Materials
Terracotta
Maitland Smith Marble Cornucopia Vase
Located in London, GB
A tessellated Cornucopia in Emperador Marble by Maitland Smith. A large vase/urn. A Tessellation (or Tiling) is when we cover a surface with a pattern of flat shapes so that there ar...
Category
Late 20th Century North American Classical Greek Urns
Materials
Marble
Pair of Carved Pink Stone Urns, 20th Century
Located in Faversham, GB
A pair of decoratively carved pink stone urns. Perfect for garden or home alike. Price is for the pair.
English, 20th century.
Additional information:
H 36 cm (H 29.1 inches)
...
Category
20th Century British Classical Greek Urns
Materials
Stone
Antique English Minton Classical Hand Painted & Gilt Porcelain Covered Urn 19thC
By Minton
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique English Minton covered urn offers Classical hand-painted reserves with a woman drawing water and, en verso, a cherub, on swirled pink strip groun...
Category
19th Century English Antique Classical Greek Urns
Materials
Porcelain, Paint
H 11.75 in W 6.25 in D 4.5 in
Pair Cast Iron Handled Grecian Urns on Floral Embossed Plinths 20th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
A pair of Grecian cast iron garden urns offer foliate embossed bowls with flanking scroll form handles having central mask, raised on floral embossed plinths, 20th century
Measures-...
Category
20th Century Classical Greek Urns
Materials
Iron
Antique Austrian Royal Vienna Hand Painted & Enamel Decorated Portrait Urn c1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Austrian Royal Vienna covered urn offers highly decorated porcelain construction with portrait reserve having Classical Greek woman...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Classical Greek Urns
Materials
Enamel
H 15.75 in W 6 in D 6 in
Solid Silver Lidded Goblet With Mythological Scenery, France, Around 1870
Located in Vienna, AT
Solid silver goblet, widening conically upwards, on a separate base with acanthus leaf decoration, supported by acanthus leaf chapter and three vol...
Category
1870s French Antique Classical Greek Urns
Materials
Silver
H 11.03 in W 8.08 in D 5.52 in
Pair Greek Terra Cotta Kalyx-Kraters
Located in Houston, TX
Mid 20th century Attica terra cotta kalyx-kraters featuring gods and goddesses in early Classical Greek scenes. These two handle bowls were made for...
Category
Mid-20th Century Greek Classical Greek Urns
Materials
Terracotta
Vintage Pair of Cast Iron Classical Garden Urns, 20th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
A vintage pair of Classical garden planters offer urn form with egg and dart rim and mellon base, raised on plinth with square base, 20th century.
Measures- 24.5" height x 18.5" d...
Category
20th Century American Classical Greek Urns
Materials
Iron
Classical Greek urns for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Classical Greek urns for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage urns created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, building and garden elements, lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Classical Greek urns made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original urns, popular names associated with this style include Galloway Pottery, Henry Cahieux and Ferdinand Barbedienne, Maitland Smith, and Walbridge & Co.. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for urns differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $509 and tops out at $15,000 while the average work can sell for $2,215.