Classical Roman Lighting
CLASSICAL ROMAN STYLE
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.
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Style: Classical Roman
Large Antique Grand Tour Alabaster Chandelier w. Italian Landmark Carvings Rome
Located in Lisse, NL
Custom made antique chandelier with a stunning alabaster shade of almost 20 inches in diameter.
If you are looking for truly remarkable antiques that have to do with Italy in genera...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Metal, Brass, Bronze, Wire
Mint & Marble-Like Antique Alabaster Pendant Light with Original Canopy & Rope
Located in Lisse, NL
Exceptional antique alabaster chandelier for an entry hall, bedroom or any other room.
With these alabaster pendants being one of our specialities, we always enjoy finding the best of the best and this amazing specimen totally fits that bill. So if only the best is good enough for you(r client) then this should be the light to go for. This shade is fit for a museum, because it is both carved and polished to perfection and it is in mint condition. So much so that this shade literally rings like a gong when you strike it, that is how structurally sound it is. This good size mineral stone light fixture...
Category
Early 20th Century European Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze, Metal, Brass
Smallest, Beautiful Design & Great Colors Alabaster Pendant Light / Flush Mount
Located in Lisse, NL
Truly one of a kind light fixture with a small and stunning alabaster shade.
Antique light fixtures in general and alabaster ones in particular are our number one speciality. We h...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Metal, Brass, Bronze
Pair of Stylishly Elongated and Midcentury Made Alabaster Table or Desk Lamps
Located in Lisse, NL
Great pair of midcentury made alabaster table or desk lamps in a timeless classical style.
If you are looking for a great shape and practical Size pair of table lamps to grace you...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Alabaster
Perfect Antique White & Black Alabaster Pendant Flush Mount w. Greek Key Pattern
Located in Lisse, NL
Top class and exceptional antique alabaster chandelier for an entry hall, bedroom or any other room.
Thanks to its unique design, aesthetic beauty, perfect size and great condition ...
Category
Early 20th Century European Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Metal, Brass, Bronze, Wire
Top Quality & Good Size, Timeless Design Alabaster Pendant Light with Rope Chain
Located in Lisse, NL
Top class light fixture with a stunning alabaster shade.
Thanks to its unique design, its good size and its truly excellent condition this alabaster chandelier will light up both yo...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Wire, Brass
Antique Italian Florentine Hand-Carved & Gilt Finished Floor Lamp & Shade
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique florr lamp is unsigned, but presumed to originate from Italy and date to approximately 1920 and done in a Classical Florentine style. The lamp base is composed of a softwood that have been heavily hand-carved with considerable decorative elements from the top to the base, and has three pull chain light...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Gesso, Softwood
Rose Sculpture Table Lamp 13 Roses Hand Carved Pink Onyx Block, Linen Lampshade
Located in Ancona, Marche
"Roma Imperiale II" is not just a table lamp or sculpture, imagine it as a memory, the memory of a nobility now dissolved, a suspended memory, forgotten in a secret garden, of those ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Onyx, Marble
Large Brass Corinthian Column Table Lamp This is a very attractive piece
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large Brass Corinthian Column Table Lamp
This is a very attractive piece, the lamp has a single fluted column set on a very attractive stepped base
This is an attractive piece with...
Category
1960s Vintage Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Brass
Antique White and Black Antique Alabaster Pendant Chandelier Top Quality Fixture
Located in Lisse, NL
Top class light fixture with a stunning, deeply hand carved, alabaster plafonnier shade.
Thanks to its unique design, its good size, and its truly excellent condition this alabaster...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
Mint & Marvelous Antique Alabaster Pendant Light w. Black Veins & Chain & Canopy
Located in Lisse, NL
Top class antique alabaster chandelier for an entry hall, bedroom or any other room.
With alabaster pendants being one of our specialities, we are always grateful when we find one t...
Category
Early 20th Century European Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Metal, Brass, Bronze, Wire
Antique and Stunning Gilt Bronze and Large Alabaster Shade Pendant / Chandelier
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning eight light chandelier with gilt bronze arms and bell shape shades.
If you are looking for a large size, truly stylish, well proportioned and top quality made chandelier then this early 1900s work of lighting art could be gracing your home soon. It will look marvelous in the entry hall of a stately home or above the dining table in any other type of home that can do with an interior quality upgrade...
Category
Early 20th Century French Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass, Bronze
Pair of Italian Carved Stone Lion Lamps with Parchment Shades
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Italian carved lamps depicting lions. The antique carved lions have been mounted into lamps and sit on gilt wood rectangular bases. They are crowned with hand painted parchme...
Category
Mid-20th Century Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Resin, Wood, Parchment Paper
Large Hand Carved Antique Alabaster w. Bronze Canopy & Brass Chain Chandelier
Located in Lisse, NL
Top class light fixture with a stunning alabaster shade of 18 inches in diameter.
Thanks to its rare design, its large size and its very good condition this antique, three-light ala...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass, Bronze, Wire
A Pair of Classic Alabaster Wall Sconces
Located in New York, NY
The tall and thin waisted alabaster curves upward and outward as it rises from a demi sphere radiating soft light through the ancient alabaster. Mineralization is present throughout ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Alabaster
Truly Marble-Like Art Deco White Alabaster Pendant Light with Greek Key Pattern
Located in Lisse, NL
Exceptional antique alabaster chandelier for an entry hall, bedroom or any other room.
This large size mineral stone light fixture also comes with...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Metal, Brass, Bronze
Alabaster or Marble Italian Table Lamp Large Early 20th Century
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
Beautiful white alabaster or white statuario marble lamp. It is a solid and heavy lamp,
Nice texture and patina.
Perfect lamp to place on a console or on a sideboard.
Beautiful lamp....
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Alabaster
Antique French Sèvres Blue Cobalt Porcelain, Gilt Bronze Candlestick Centerpiece
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Early XIX Century French candlestick , Sèvres blue cobalt porcelain, gilt bronze centerpiece
Candle holders immersed in a bouquet of flowers. Bronze...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Late 19th century grand tour Italian bronze candelabra
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a late 19th century Italian grand tour bronze candelabra. This elegant candelabra has a female classical figure in the center standing on an ornate plinth. The candelabra has...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Antique and Large Alabaster Pendant w. Rope and Hand Carved Flower & Leafs, 1910
Located in Lisse, NL
Top class chandelier with a unique white, black and amber color alabaster shade, perfect ropes and a hand knotted canopy.
Thank to its restored alabaster shade this antique chandeli...
Category
Early 20th Century European Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
Large Antique NeoClassical Gold Color Bronze 6 arm Candle or Electric Chandelier
Located in Lisse, NL
Excellent quality and great looking, solid bronze chandelier.
If you are looking for a truly remarkable and highly decorative fixture then this stunning and large size candle chande...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Rare Pair of Midcentury Made Alabaster Table or Desk Lamps / Classical Style
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare pair of midcentury made alabaster table or desk lamps / classical style handcrafted and very stylish pair of midcentury made alabaster lamps.
If you are looking for a great shape and practical size pair of table lamps to grace your living space then these natural mineral stone lights...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Alabaster
Pair of Classical Bronzed Roman Style Table Lamps
Located in Sheffield, MA
The pair of small classical Greco Roman-style lamps have column shafts set on three-legged and footed bases decorated with acanthus leaves and placed on platforms. The lamps are topp...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Metal
Rare Victorian Hand-Painted Italian Venetian Uplighter Floor Standing Lamp
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare hand-painted Victorian Italian Venetian floor standing uplighter conversion
Originally designed for Victorian candlesticks buts ...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Hardwood
Corinthian Column Table Lamp
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Corinthian column table lamp
This is a very attractive piece the column is decorated with swags and acanthus leaves and is set on a stepped and scroll footed base, the lamp has a crackle patinated finish which resembles old brass
This is a very attractive piece and very heavy, it has a faux suede lamp shade...
Category
1960s Vintage Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Paint
Pink, White & Black Pendant Light with a Hand Carved Thick Alabaster Shade
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning brass and alabaster chandelier with decor of hand carved fruits.
This extra long alabaster light fixture comes with the original and perfect brass chain and canopy. If you would prefer to have it shorter then the chain allows us (or you) to easily change the drop to one that is ideal for your home situation. The thick outside...
Category
Early 20th Century European Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Monumental Bronze Porte Cochere or Porch Lantern
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A monumental cast bronze and frosted glass porte cochere lantern; (a porte cochere is a roofed structure extending from the entrance of a buildin...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Charming Vintage Green Ceramic French Lamp with Gold Accents
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Charming Vintage Green Ceramic French Lamp with Gold Accents
This lovely green vintage French ceramic lamp from around 1960 is a fantastic decorative piece for almost any interior....
Category
20th Century Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Ceramic
Italian Bronze Wall Lamp with Old Mirror
Located in Buggiano, IT
Original 1940s Italian bronze wall lamp with old mirror.
In working condition.
Equipped with original 20th century European wiring.
We recommend buyer consu...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Italian Wall Lamp in White Porcelain, with Glass Shade
Located in Buggiano, IT
Italian wall lamp in white porcelain, with glass shade, original from 1930s
In working condition.
Equipped with original 20th century European wiring.
We recommend buyer consults an ...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Porcelain, Glass
Murano Scavo Corroso Lamp, II
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a remarkable example of a late 20th century Scavo Corroso* Vase, attributed to Seguso/Karl Springer, that has been beautifully detailed with a br...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Brass
Large White Marble Corinthian Column Table Lamp
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Tall white marble Corinthian column table lamp
This is heavy piece it is made in solid marble, the lamp has a single fluted marble corinthi...
Category
1890s Antique Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Marble
Pair of 19th Century Italian Painted 9-Light Sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 19th century Italian painted 9-light sconces. The sconces were originally meant to hold candles. The urns are hand carved and painted in a soft French blue/gray coloration. W...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Wood, Paint
19th Century French Bronze Dore Athena with Owl Sconces
Located in Charleston, SC
A set of four 19th century French bronze doré sconces, circa 1830, featuring the Roman goddess Athena with displayed owl and two candle arms. The sconces are being sold in pairs and ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Carved White Alabaster Lamps Modelled After Roman Temple Ruins
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A pair of carved alabaster lamps representing ancient ‘Roman’ architecture; each having three tall fluted columns with Corinthian capitals supporting a stepped top and resting on a r...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Alabaster
Large Marble Column Table Lamps
Located in Richmond, London
Pair of large marble column table lamps. 20th century.
Why we like them
This is an absolutely gorgeous pair of classical-style columns of imposin...
Category
20th Century British Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Carrara Marble
Italian "Grand Tour" Style Bronze Floor Lamp
Located in Montreal, QC
This unusual antique floor lamp revisits in the late 19th century an oil lamp of antiquity. Raised on three cloven hoof feet and with stem encircled by a writhing serpent, the oil re...
Category
1880s Italian Antique Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Antique Repro of Ancient Roman Bronze Oil Lamp, Annum Novum Faustum Felicem
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Antique reproduction of ancient oil lamp. Manufactured in Italy during the mid-late 19th century. Its composed of patinated bronze with great detailin...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Large Alabaster Lantern in classic style , 19th century
Located in Paris, FR
Nice large classical Alabaster lantern with carved leaves
A central bronze ball , on iron patinated old chains increasing the antic accent.
Ideal for bathr...
Category
1880s Italian Antique Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Alabaster
Pair of 19th Century Candlestick Lamps w/ Parchment Shades
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 19th century Italian giltwood candlesticks wired into working lamps. The pair of candlesticks are highly ornate, featuring carved details that resemble fluted columns with a...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Giltwood
Classical Hand-Carved Vintage Marble Table Lamp – Wired for USA (No Shade)
Located in Milano, IT
This beautiful classical hand-carved vintage marble table lamp is a stunning addition to any decor. Crafted with intricate detail, the lamp ...
Category
20th Century French Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Marble
Exclusive Handmade Gold Leaf Pendant Light One of a Kind Artisan Metalwork
Located in București, RO
The Pensiero Hanging Lamp is a stunning fusion of art and function, meticulously designed by Tommaso Cristofaro. Crafted from an innovative blend of composite materials and plastic, ...
Category
2010s Romanian Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Aluminum, Gold Leaf
Unique Large Cameo Enameled Opaline Glass Pendant Light w Dancing Nymphs Figures
Located in Lisse, NL
Antique and stunning Italian work of lighting art, 1920.
If you are passionate about early 20th century decorative art then you will love this on...
Category
Early 20th Century European Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Brass
English Roman Classical St. Flowers Decorated Opaline / Milk Glass Pendant Light
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful shape and excellent condition chandelier.
If you are looking for a rare and decorative light fixture that is stylish and quality-made at the same time then this fine pen...
Category
Early 20th Century English Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of 1920s Hand Wrought Iron Candlestick Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand wrought iron candlesticks converted into table lamps. Custom hand-painted parchment shade. Newly wired. Fine details throughout.
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Carved Marble Table Lamp with Cupid Figures Made in Italy signed Corsi
Located in New York, NY
Finely carved marble table lamp having two cupid figures, playing around a center pole. The lamp is in very good original, clean and working condition, showing only light cosmetic we...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Marble
Classical Alabaster Column Lamp
Located in Sheffield, MA
Monumental neoclassical carved Italian alabaster lamp in the shape of a column. Price for lamp with or without shade.
Measures: Lamp shade top 4.75"
Lamp shade bottom 23"
Lamp sha...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Alabaster
Vintage Boho Alabaster Urn Lamps - a Pair
Located in west palm beach, FL
This elegant pair of vintage alabaster urn lamps showcases timeless craftsmanship and natural beauty. The warm, earthy tones of the finely polished alabaster create a soft, luminous ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Metal
Painted Glass & Brass Candlestick Lamp
Located in Malibu, CA
Classical style table lamp with brass base and hand painted in enamel over glass column.
Optional shade available; additional charge.
Shade:
Base size 11"
Top Dia 5.5"
Height 10"
Category
20th Century Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Brass
Early 20th Century Capodimonte Porcelain Double Socket Table Lamp
Located in San Francisco, CA
Early 20th century capodimonte porcelain double socket table lamp
Beautiful hand painted mythological Roman scenes featuring Romulus and Re...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Large Pair of Restored Vintage Roman Corinthian Pillar Marble Brass Tables Lamps
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of vintage Italian Carrara Marble & Brass Roman Corinthian Pillared table lamps.
These lamps came from a very fine antiques dealer in Belgium...
Category
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
Large Marble Corinthian Column Table Lamp
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Very Tall Marble Corinthian Column Table Lamp
This is very heavy piece it is made in solid marble and brass, the lamp has a single fluted mar...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Marble
Large Brass Horse Head Lamp "Caballinus"
Located in Norwalk, CT
Superb quality lamp featuring a heavy cast brass sculpture of a Roman-style horse head. Brass plaque attached to wooden base is engraved with the word CABALLINUS, horse in latin. Ver...
Category
1970s American Vintage Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Brass
Tall Classical Alabaster Column Lamp w/ Gilded Base
Located in San Francisco, CA
A gorgeous, polished, alabaster lamp in the form of a column with an acanthus leaf adorned capital. With an elevated, square, gilt base and neck. Measures: 30” height x 6” x 6.25.”.
Category
Early 20th Century Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Classic Pair of Curved Wall Lamps in Silk and Brass Parts 1970s Italy
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Classic pair of curved wall lamps in fabric and brass parts 1970s Italy.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Brass
Single Column French Brass Table Lamp
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Single Column French Brass Table Lamp
This unusual Lamp is set on a stepped base and comes with its original tall hand made lampshade.
The lamp i...
Category
1920s Vintage Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Brass
Well-Carved Pair of Italian Romanesque Style Gray Painted Wooden Masks now Lamps
Located in San Francisco, CA
A well-carved and stylized pair of Italian Romanesque style gray painted wooden masks now mounted as lamps; each bearded face surrounded by thick curl...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Classical Roman Lighting
Brass Table Lamp with Italian Classical Mask and Mounts to the Base
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Brass Table Lamp with Italian Classical Mask and Mounts to the Base
This lamp is made in brass and it has a shaped bulbous column with classical Italian chased decorative mounts
The...
Category
1920s Vintage Classical Roman Lighting
Materials
Brass
Classical Roman lighting for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Classical Roman lighting 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 lighting created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, stone and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Classical Roman lighting made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original lighting, popular names associated with this style include Massimo Marcomini, Barberini & Gunnell, Cristalleries De Sevres, and Fournier Decoration. 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 lighting differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $159 and tops out at $31,838 while the average work can sell for $2,730.