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Grand Tour Decorative Objects

GRAND TOUR STYLE

For 18th-century young British noblemen, no education was complete without a year on the Grand Tour. Although it had no official route, the Grand Tour focused on places foundational to European art, literature and architecture, including sites in France, Germany, Switzerland and, most importantly, Italy. It was an opportunity not just to witness the roots of the classics they had studied but also to take some of it home. Grand Tour furniture was among the souvenirs.

Grand Tour furniture ranged from marble architectural models replicating ancient wonders to actual antiquities often taken illicitly, leaving a legacy of looting still being unraveled today. Other items reflected the artistic richness of the Renaissance cities and other destinations. In Italy, this included scagliola tables and pedestals mimicking marble as well as tabletops and wall panels embedded with pietra dura hard stone mosaics.

Furniture was also developed to display Grand Tour purchases in the owner’s home, presenting them as a cultivated and well-traveled person. Mahogany collector’s cabinets held objects like intaglio moldings of coins and seals while others had specialized drawers that framed pietra dura panels.

Many objects were specifically produced for Grand Tour collectors. Often accompanied by retinues on journeys lasting months or years, the elite travelers, the wealthiest of whom extended their trips to Egypt and the Holy Land, required artful personal mementos befitting the experience. For example, Grand Tour micromosaicssmall artworks, most not more than two inches wide — arose from the entrepreneurial impulses of artisans who had trained in the Vatican’s workshops.

Grand Tour journeys would help inform a range of decorative styles such as neoclassical, Rococo and Adam style. (Architect and designer Robert Adam toured Italy and France for five years.) The Grand Tour flourished at a time of economic prosperity and political stability, but the French Revolution in 1789 brought it to an end. Yet as the tradition faded in popularity in England, the rising wealth of the United States led to an increase in tourism across the Atlantic and a similar passion for collecting to show one’s worldliness.

Find a collection of Grand Tour decorative objects, wall decorations, lighting and other furniture on 1stDibs.

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Style: Grand Tour
Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture of Spinario the Thorn Picker
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A grand tour bronze sculpture of Spinario. Measures: Height: circa 8 1/4 in. Items purchased from David Sterner Antiques must delight you....
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Neoclassical Bronze Covered Urns on Marble, Pair
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Neoclassical Grand Tour patinated bronze covered tazza urns cast with floral decoration to bowls on bases with Greek Key borders, the pierced lids with ivy motif and surmount...
Category

Mid-20th Century Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

An Italian Specimen Marble Paperweight
Located in Spencertown, NY
The square paperweight with specimen marbles inset in yellow marble ground.
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Rare Austin Production Sculpture Claw Foot Bowl/Jardiniere
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
RARE AUSTIN PRODUCTION SCULPTURE CLAW BOWL / JARDINIERE Impressed mark Rafael S. Austin Sculpture, 1997. Shaped as a roman Krater raised on four claw footed base, plaster body with moulded laurel leaf band...
Category

Late 20th Century Mexican Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Plaster

Collection of Granite Samples, 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The folio made of strong card stock opens to reveal 12 samples with each specimen described in French. Measures: Each Specimen 2 1/2” x 1 1/2”. Case closed. 5”x9” 1/2”.
Category

19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Granite

Grand Tour Marble Bust Psyche Of Capua
Located in Newark, England
Fine marble bust on pedestal after the antique. The bust sculpted as the goddess Psyche Of Capua presented as a nude female with a draped partial robe ...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Carrara Marble

19th Century Grand Tour Marble Nude Torso Sculpture Life Size
Located in New York, NY
19th century grand tour marble nude torso sculpture An antique marble torso sculpture, depicting the torso of a Dancing Faun. This remnant of a...
Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Antique Lover's Folio, Italian Walnut, Decorative, Grand Tour, Sleeve, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique lover's folio. An Italian, walnut and fruitwood decorative Grand Tour sleeve, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Deli...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Magnificent Patinated Bronze Sculptures After Clodian
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A Pair of 19th Century Grand Tour bronzes after the original sculptor, Claude Michael Clodion. The male and female Satyr Bacchus themes with putti and the adult figures with an origi...
Category

1870s Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Siena Marble, Bronze

Diminutive Grand Tour Bronze 'Balancing Faun' on Marble Pedestal
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Diminutive Grand Tour bronze 'Balancing Faun' on marble pedestal Italy, The sculpture circa 1890, the marble pedestal later addition 20th C A small well executed bronze sculpture...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Neoclassical Style Bronze Candlesticks with Lion Heads, a Pair
Located in Elkhart, IN
A pair of Grand Tour Neoclassical style bronze candlesticks with lion heads and swags. The candle cups are removable.  
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Mercury Bust with Column, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Grand Tour Marriage in alabaster with bust of Mercury (inscribed Mercurio) mounted on a twisted column with foliate capital and square base.
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Alabaster

Bronze Bust of Menelaus King of Sparta Grand Tour, circa 19th Century
Located in London, GB
19th Century bronze bust Menelaus mythological king of Sparta. A fine casting with rich patina. In Greek mythology, Menelaus (Greek: Menelaos, from "vigor, rage, power" and "people," "wrath of the people") was a king of Mycenaean (pre-Dorian) Sparta, the husband of Helen of Troy, and the son of Atreus and Aerope. According to the Iliad...
Category

1880s French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Antique Grand Tour 'King Charles Spaniel' Micro Mosaic Plaque, Italy, C.1850
Located in Chatham, ON
Antique Grand Tour 'King Charles Cavalier Spaniel' micro mosaic plaque - hand made to the finest quality with great detail - may be framed or mount...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

19th Century Italian Grand Tour Bronze Wine Vessel Askos with Panther Handle
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century Italian Grand Tour panther handled askos, or wine vessel. The design of this piece is probably based on a bronze Roman askos held within Naples Museum. An askos is an a...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Grand Tour Bronze Bust of Seneca
Located in Essex, MA
Modeled after the original found at Pompeii.
Category

1880s Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Spécimen Marble Surtout De Table
Located in Spencertown, NY
The table stand with orange/red marble border enclosing 25 different marble samples on a black slate base and four gilt bronze feet.
Category

20th Century Italian Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Very Rare Italian Grand Tour Marble Sculpture of the Eros Di Centocelle
Located in London, GB
A remarkable grand tour marble sculpture of the eros di Centocelle The god of love carved from a block of statuary marble, raised on a ...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Statuary Marble

Pink Marble Obelisk in the Style of the Grand Tour
Located in London, GB
A Large Marble Obelisk from Italy in the style of the Grand Tour collectibles. This piece would look perfect in your wunderkammer collection or set on y...
Category

20th Century Italian Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone, Marble

Pair of Grand Tour 19th Century Bronze Putti Figures on Marble Bases, C 1860
Located in Central England, GB
This small pair of fine Italian Grand Tour bronze figures are of classical putti naked apart from a belt of vine leaves and grapes around their lower torso...
Category

1860s Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Mid-19th Century Faux Tortoiseshell and Ormolu Tabletop Vitrine, circa 1860
Located in London, GB
A 19th century French faux tortoiseshell tabletop vitrine with gilt bronze mounts, superb quality. With original key and original bevelled glass. U...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of Grand Tour Greek Revival Bronze Urns on Marble Bases
Located in Essex, MA
Each vase with scrolled handles resting on "griotte rouge" marble bases.
Category

1870s French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Griotte Marble, Bronze

Antique Victorian Marble Roman Ruins Grand Tour Statue Sculpture Columns Pillars
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this extremely collectable original Victorian Marble Grand Tour Roman Ruin statue of columns A wonderful original piece, this is a desk sized co...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Bronze Bust of Caesar Augustus
Located in Essex, MA
Very heavy and beautifully cast with great patina.
Category

1880s Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Grand Tour Plaster Bust of Man - a Pair
Located in west palm beach, FL
A fabulous pair of vintage plaster busts. A handsome man with an even more handsome beard. Done in the grand tour style. Painted a bright white. A...
Category

Mid-20th Century Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Plaster, Paint

Labradorite Semi Precious Stone Box with Hinged Lid
Located in New York, NY
Labradorite semiprecious stone box with hinged lid. Labradorite displays an iridescent optical effect (or schiller) known as labradorescence. La...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone, Brass

Rare Grand Tour Bronze Bust of Cicero After Massimiliano Soldani Benzi
Located in Montreal, QC
Rare grand Tour Patinated bronze bust of Cicero After Massimiliano Soldani Benzi. The original is in the collection of Liechtenstein Museum in Vienna. P...
Category

1850s Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Fine Pair of French Gilt & Patinated Bronze Ormolu 3 Light Candelabra
Located in London, GB
A pair of grand tour two tone bronze Cherub candelabra, French, Circa 19th century, The three branches each with detachable drip-pans. Circa 1880 and measuring 19 inches ( 49.5 cms) ...
Category

1880s French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Antique Grand Tour Ormolu Desk Inkwell Centerpiece Elkington Silversmiths 19thC
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An exceptionally fine quality example of an English Ormolu Grand Tour circular desk single Inkwell of generous size, made by renown Silversmiths Elkington & Co. Mid Nineteenth Century The large circular outline superbly decorated with castings of Neoclassical images depicting Male Nudes within circles flanked by winged Sphinx, the central hinged lid with similar decoration. Condition: Good condition with nice patination, professionally re-gold plated. Lacking ink liner, no losses anywhere. Base marks as shown. Measures: Diameter: (entire as shown) 7.75" (19.5cm). Location: Dublin City, Ireland. Affordable fixed charge Worldwide Store to door shipping. Note: The originators of silver-plating were George Richards Elkington and Henry Elkington who began their research in times of the Industrial Revolution. By the 1830's they had patented their processes and 1840 saw the technique of electro-plating brought to perfection. John Culme, in his Directory of Gold and Silversmiths, said that "Elkington Electroplate was soon accepted with the result that the firm allowed a number of manufacturers to use the technique under licence. Among the earliest granted were those of Christofle & Cie of France". The firm has a worldwide reputation for hand-crafted excellence. Today, the firm is busy making bowls, jugs, trays, candlesticks, ornaments and trophies for international sporting events as well as cutlery pieces. Royal Endorsements & Warrants In 1868, Queen Victoria permitted much of the royal plate...
Category

19th Century English Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Antique Grand Tour Mahogany Brass Inlaid Desk Set Inkstand English Regency 19Ct
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning and Rare Example of an English Grand Tour Regency period brass inlaid Mahogany Inkstand of rectangular outline and generous proportions. First quarter of the Nineteenth Cent...
Category

19th Century English Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Large Handcrafted Rhodochrosite Hinged Box
Located in New York, NY
Large handcrafted rhodochrosite hinged box, 10" x 5.80" x 2.30" H. Rhodochrosite is a manganese carbonate mineral that ranges in color from light pink to bright red and is found in A...
Category

2010s Indian Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone

Selection of Specimen Marble and Stone Spheres
Located in London, London
Specimen marble spheres Different stones Sizes are 15cm, 13cm, 10cm and 8cm diameter Age unknown
Category

20th Century Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Large Grand Tour Sculpture Bronze Greco-Roman Uffizi Wrestlers Barbedienne
Located in Rochester, NY
Grand tour circa 1860s bronze of the Wrestlers. Rich fine dark brown patina. Marked "F. Barbedienne Fondeur." The Wrestlers also known as The Two Wrestlers, The Uffizi Wrestlers...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Large Plaster Bust of Hercules
Located in Bagshot, GB
A 21st Century very charming and large verdigris plaster portrait bust of "Hercules" the demigod mortal son of Zeus. Bust is solid and mounted on circular socle base. Very decorat...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Plaster, Paint

Plaster Bust of Aphrodite Venus
Located in Bagshot, GB
A plaster bust of the goddess Aphrodite Venus. A great decorative addition to your interior.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Plaster

Italian Patinated Bronze Group Sculpture of Laocoon and His Sons, C. 1870
Located in New York, NY
An Italian grand tour patinated bronze group sculpture of Laocoon and his sons, After the antique by Agesander of Rhodes, C. 1870 Very nice qua...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Blue Indian Lapis Lazuli Lidded Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning blue lapis lidded box with hinge. The interior is wood. A lovely decorative piece for any table or desk, ready to hold everything from keys to love letters! ... or the candy...
Category

20th Century Indian Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Lapis Lazuli

Bust in the Grand Tour Style of Greek God Dionysus
Located in Memphis, TN
An Exceptional Large grand Tour Style Hellenistic Bust Of Greek God Dionysus. Highly detailed classical bust made of cast marble aka “marble dust.” Replica of Greek classical sculpt...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Italian Silver Gilt Grand Tour Pompeian Classical Piping Faun Bell
Located in New York, NY
Italian silver gilt grand-tour bell, ca 1920. Figural handle in form of piping faun with puffed out cheeks and hoofed and hirsute hindquarters. Based on Greek statuette excavated in ...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

Large 19th Century Bronze Bust
By Sabatino De Angelis
Located in Richmond, London
A superb 'Grand Tour' bronze bust, traditionally described as Dionysus (Dionysos), after the original excavated at the Villa of the Papyri in 1754; by the Sabatino and Sons foundry, ...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Silver Bust of Menelaus King of Sparta Grand Tour
Located in Rochester, NY
19th century silver plate bust Menelaus mythological king of Sparta. A fine casting with rich patina. Ebonized wood base. Illegible hallmark. In Greek mythology, Menelaus was a king ...
Category

19th Century European Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver Plate

Grand Tour Style Bronze Bust of Clytie
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Grand Tour Style bronze bust of Clytie, after the antique, the nymph with downcast face and scantily draped, cupped in a large flower. Raised on a 6" sq...
Category

Early 20th Century French Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Grand Tour Ancient Egyptian Style Alabaster Storage Jar
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century hand carved alabaster storage jar in the ancient Egyptian Late Dynastic style, with tapering neck topped by a wide everted rim. Great evocative decorative piece for the ...
Category

Late 19th Century Egyptian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Alabaster

Sculpture of a Plaster Torso
Located in Bagshot, GB
A plaster copy of a muscular male torso. This a great decorative piece for your home or interior project, or for someone who is looking to start a collection.  
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Plaster

Antique Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture of the Crouching Venus after Giambologna
By Giambologna
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine Grand Tour bronze sculpture. Modeled after the 'Crouching Venus' by Giambologna. Depicting Venus surprised at her bath with an overturned urn at her feet. Mounted o...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Hippolyte Heizler Bronze Figure of a Tambourine Player
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stylish bronze figure of a tambourine player dates to the 1860s and was created by Hippolyte Heizler. Note: The piece is signed on the base.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Plaster Bust of Hercules
Located in Bagshot, GB
A large plaster Head of Hercules connected to a rectangular base. This is a nice start for a person looking to build a collection or looking for decorative items for there home / ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Plaster

Grand Tour Specimen Marbles Plaque, Italy, circa 1850
Located in Kinderhook, NY
Italian Grand Tour marble specimen plaque in original silver-giltwood frame consisting of 20 different rare and ancient marbles, including Porphyry and Jasper, inlaid into a black an...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Pair of 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Tazzas on Sienna Marble Bases
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of early 19th century Italian Grand Tour patinated bronze and sienna marble tazzas. A very nice and large pair of an unusual model having no side handles or side fixture decor...
Category

1820s Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Grand Tour Bronze Statue of Narcissus
Located in Stockton, NJ
A 19th century Grand Tour bronze statue of Narcissus. Foundry mark Sommer Napoli engraved on circular plinth. Includes original Victorian er...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Italian 19th Century Grand Tour Period Bronze Statue of the Borghese Gladiator
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and high quality Italian 19th century Grand Tour Period patinated bronze statue of the Borghese Gladiator. The statue is raised by a rectangular base where the handsome...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Italian Grand Tour Bronze Bust of Caesar
Located in Essex, MA
Bronze bust on yellow marble socle.
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

'Seated Hermes', a 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Bronze
Located in Chicago, IL
An extraordinary and wonderfully rendered 19th century Italian cast bronze depicting a seated Hermes, the Greek god of messengers, travelers, and merchan...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Stunning Grand Tour, Temple Ruin Design, Hand Carved Nutwood Table Picture Frame
Located in Lisse, NL
Amazingly hand-carved photo or picture frame with a top quality, original drawing of a girl. If ever there was an antique work of art 'with a soul' then this unique and all origin...
Category

19th Century European Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Nutwood, Paper, Velvet, Glass

"Menelaeus" Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique late 19c "Menelaeus" sculpture Grand Tour bronze from a Palm Beach estate Menalaeus was the husband of Helen of Troy and the original of this sculpture in white marble res...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

English "Grand Tour" Derbyshire Specimen Marble Plaque Paperweights, circa 1850
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A collection of three 'Grand Tour' English / Italian polychrome marble plaques or paperweights, one rectangular; two of cartouche form, the 'Derbyshire' or 'Belgian Black' marble slabs inset with native English stones 'Blue John' (Derbyshire Spar), 'Duke's Red', 'Bird's-Eye', and foreign Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, and Jasper in 'ovoid' and 'kidney' form inlays. Measurements : Rectangular plaque: 8" by 4.63" by .88" Cartouche plaque...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

19th Century Grand Tour Bronze Statue of Narcissus
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality Grand Tour patinated bronze figure of Narcissus, dating from the last quarter of the 19th century. Narcissus was a hunter in Greek mythology and he was distinguished for his beauty. This well patinated bronze classical figure...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Italian 19th Century Grand Tour Period Imperial Porphyry Tazzas
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely elegant pair of Italian 19th century Neo-Classical st. Grand Tour period Imperial Porphyry tazzas. Each tazza with wonderful proportions is raised by a square stepped ba...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Porphyry

Grand Tour decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Grand Tour decorative objects 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 decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Grand Tour decorative objects 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 decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include F. Barbedienne Foundry, Achille Collas, Ferdinand Barbedienne, and Borghese. 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 decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $175 and tops out at $108,390 while the average work can sell for $2,528.

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