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 micromosaics — small 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.
Framed Engraving By Sir William Hamilton
Located in Essex, MA
Print size: 15 inches by 10 inches. Lord Hamiltons Ancient Vases. Number 94. Johann Tischbein, Naples , Italy. The scene depicts a scene from Greek Mythology, specifically one of the...
Giltwood, Paper
Vintage Boho Greek Urn Original Prints - Set of 2
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
These exquisite vintage prints celebrate classical antiquity, meticulously illustrating the iconic pottery of ancient Greece. Each work showcases a distinctive vessel—including tradi...
Other
Set of Four Grand Tour Etchings Italian Architectural Views Remondini circa 1770
Located in Milano, MI
A late-18th century Italian hand-colored copper engravings, original Italian etchings by Remondini, from Bassano dating back to 1770 circa. The set of four etchings...
Wood, Paper
Set of Eight Colored Engravings Of Etruscan Vase Designs After William Hamilton
Located in Essex, MA
Picture itself 8x12. Six signed G. Casini for Giovanni Maria Cassini , Italian 1745-1824. Group of images including the back side of the Hamilton Vase. All likely from an 18th centur...
Glass, Giltwood, Paper
Arch of Septimius Severus in Foro Boario Roman Engraving, c.1700
Located in Savannah, GA
An engraving of the Arch of Septimius Severus in Foro Boario, circa 1700. sight: 14 ¼ by 13 ¾ inches frame: 19 ½ by 19 inches
Glass, Wood, Paper
Early 1900s Bird Etchings by Lilian Marguerite Medland (1880-1955) - Set of 8
Located in Cookeville, TN
A beautifully assembled set of eight original bird etchings by British-born illustrator Lilian Marguerite Medland (1880-1955), each meticulously framed and matted. Created in the ear...
Wood, Paper
Mammoth Photograph of Notre Dame
Located in Rochester, NY
Grand tour 19th century photograph of Notre Dame Cathedral, late 19th century. Matted. Unframed.
Paper
ANTIQUE ORIGINAL GRAN TOUR PARIS 1829 VOL 3 PL.30 PRiNT OF THEBES KARNAK EGYPT
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Egyptian Gran Tour Thebes Karnak gold framed copper plate print 2nd ed. (Paris, 1829,...
Paper
Vintage Boho Obelisk Engravings - Set of 2
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This sophisticated set of two vintage engravings celebrates the grandiosity of Neoclassical architecture, focusing on the iconic obelisk form. Each plate features a series of majesti...
Paper
ANTIQUE ORIGINAL GRAN TOUR PARIS 1829 VOL 5 PL.35 PRINT OF CLEOPATRA's NEEDLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning original French Gran Tour D'APRES JACQUES-MARIE LE PERE Elevations of Two Sides of the Obelisk...
Paper
19th Century Pair of Original Hand Coloured Engravings of Egypt
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century pair of original hand coloured engravings of Egypt in gilt wood frames. After Cecile by Lienard & Reville. Titled “Thebes: Karnak. Vue de la Porte et des Temples du Sud”...
Paper
A pair of Italian 18th century patinated wood and Giltwood prints
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational pair of Italian 18th century Grand Tour Period patinated wood and Giltwood prints, signed Piranesi. Each stunning and deeply grey toned engraving displays a study of Ro...
Giltwood, Paint
Vintage Boho Italian Architectural Pediment Drawings Original Print- Set of 2
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This sophisticated pair of vintage architectural prints celebrates the timeless precision of Italian Neoclassical design. Each work illustrates a detailed scholarly study of ornate w...
Faux Bamboo, Paper
Vintage Print of Pauline Borghese Bonaparte as Venus Victrix
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This monumental framed print captures the timeless beauty of Antonio Canova’s Neoclassical masterpiece, "Venere Vincitrice," depicting Pauline Borghese as Venus Victorious. Housed in...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Henry Salt , Engravings Of Pagoda At Ramisseran , Ruins Of The Port
Located in Essex, MA
These prints are from a series twenty four views taken in the Cape , India,Ceylon , The Red Sea, Abyssinia and Egypt. Salt from England was a watercolorist and studied under Joseph F...
Glass, Giltwood, Burl, Paper
Vintage Boho Italian Architectural Original Print
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exceptional set of three vintage architectural prints captures the timeless precision of Italian Neoclassical design. Each work presents a detailed scholarly study, ranging from...
Other
Vintage Boho Bust of Man Original Prints - Set of 6
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This sophisticated set of six vintage prints is a masterful celebration of Neoclassical design and classical antiquity. Each work illustrates a pair of distinguished busts, capturing...
Other
Vintage Boho Architectural Original Print
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite vintage architectural print is a masterful celebration of Neoclassical design, capturing the timeless precision of Italian classical molding studies. Rendered with fin...
Other
Pair of Bernard De Montfaucon Paris 1719 L'antiquite Original Grand Tour Prints
By Bernard de Montfaucaon
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of original copper plate prints dating to 1719 by Bernard De Montfauucon of Paris. Dom Bernard de Montfaucon, O.S.B. (French: [d? m?~fok?~]; 13 January 1655 – 21 December 1741) was a French Benedictine monk of the Congregation of Saint Maur. He was an astute scholar who founded the discipline of palaeography, as well as being an editor of works of the Fathers of the Church. He is regarded as one of the founders of the modern discipline of archaeology Montfaucon was born on 13 January 1655 in the Castle of Soulatgé, a small village in the southern town of Corbières, then in the ancient Province of Languedoc, now in the modern Department of Aude. Other sources claimed his birth date is in 16 January, the most accepted date. After one year he was moved to the Castle of Roquetaillade, residence of his family. When he was seven, he was sent to Limoux, to the college run by the Fathers of Christian Doctrine Montfaucon served in the French army as a volunteer and participated in the Franco-Dutch War of 1673. He was a captain of grenadiers and made two campaigns under the command of Marshall Turenne, participated in the Battle of Herbsthausen and fell ill in Saverne in Alsace. Because of his infectious illness he made a vow to Our Lady of Marceille to give one hundred livres to her sanctuary in Limoux and to become a monk, if he was able to return to his country as a result of her intervention. After the death of Montfaucon's father at the Château de Roquetaillade, in 1675 he entered the novitiate of the Benedictine monastery of Bream in Toulouse. There he learned several ancient languages: Greek, Hebrew, Chaldean, Syriac, and Coptic. In 1687 Montfaucon was called to the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés and he started to work on an edition of the works of the Greek Church...
Wood, Paper
Set of Four Neoclassical Engravings After Jean Duchesne Aine
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Divine set of four framed engravings depicting neoclassical Greco-Roman sculptures from the Louvre Museum after Jean Duchesne Aine (French 1779-1855). The prints are mounted in weath...
Glass, Giltwood, Paper
Set Four Hand Colored Pierre Gravees Antiques Engravings
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Fantastic 18th Century Antique Hand-Colored Engravings depicting Greek Mythological scenes. This set of artwork is from J.B. Wicar. These matted and gold gilt...
Glass, Wood, Giltwood, Paper
Set of 4 Original Antique Prints of Game Birds, C.1880.
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful images of game birds Chromo-lithographs Published by Cassell, C.1880 The measurement shown relates to one of the prints Unframed. Free shipping
Paper
18th Century Framed Greco-Roman Engraving, Sir William Hamilton
Located in Stamford, CT
18th century hand-colored engraving, with and unusual dynamic scene of a goddess riding a chariot pulled by two horses fighting off an attack by two griffins. With a heart-form in wh...
Paper
$995 / set
H 23 in W 18.5 in D 1 in
Set of Three Framed Prints Depicting Greek Apulian Red-Figure Pottery
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Set of three framed prints depicting Greek glassical red-figure pottery. Left print: Marked: T.XV. - "In Miis. Vaticano - Depicting Apulian Red-Figure bell krater...
Wood, Paper
Set of 6 Original Antique Botanical Prints, circa 1870
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Lovely set of 6 botanical prints Chromo-lithographs Original color Published, circa 1870 Unframed. The measurement given is for one print. Free shipping
Paper
$2,800 / set
H 19.75 in W 15 in D 0.5 in
Set of Four Greco-Roman Neoclassical Engravings After Passeri
By Giovanni Battista Passeri
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Opulent set of four framed and matted Etruscan vase engravings after Giovanni Passeri (Italian) by Sir William Hamilton illustrated in the Picturea Etruscor in Vaculis. The set inclu...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Original Antique Greek Mythology Print After J.M.W Turner. C.1850
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image after J.M.W Turner Fine steel engraving Published by Virtue, C.1850 Unframed. Free shipping
Paper
$495 / set
H 20 in W 14.5 in D 1 in
Vintage Boho Italian Architectural Pediment Drawings Original Print- Set of 2
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This sophisticated pair of vintage architectural prints celebrates the timeless precision of Italian Neoclassical design. Each work illustrates a detailed scholarly study of ornate w...
Faux Bamboo, Paper
Three Antique Hand Colored Engravings of Birds
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Three 18th century hand colored engravings of parrot specimens as depicted by Peter Brown, an artist and naturalist, working in London England. Originally published in 1776 in a foli...
Paper
George Washington Engraving by H. B. Hall, after William Birch
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a handsome engraved portrait of George Washington by artist H. B. Hall. This engraving was published in New York, in a limited edition of 125 impressions. The engraving is based on a painting by William Birch Gilbert Stuart, a small miniature in enamel, completed in 1796. Birch painted Washington from life in his office in Philadelphia, by the request of I. G. Van Staphorst, Esqr. of Amsterdam. In the small portrait, Washington is depicted in a head and shoulders pose, facing right. He wears a dark coat and vest and a white shirt and ruffled cravat. The father of our country, George Washington was the commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War (1775-83) and served two terms as the first United States president...
Paper
Set of 12 Original Antique Prints of Exotic Birds, C.1880.
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful bird prints Chromo-lithographs Published by Cassell, C.1880 The measurement shown relates to one of the prints Unframed. Free shipping
Paper
Albertus Seba Pair Hand Colored Ornithological Bird Prints
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Exceptional pair of 18th century hand-colored engraving prints by Albertus Seba (Dutch 1665-1736). Each featuring woven paper mounted in gilt wood frames behind museum grade acrylic....
Acrylic, Giltwood, Paper
Sold
H 4.25 in W 3.94 in D 0.44 in
Circa 1920 Grand Tour Souvenir Portrait from The Royal Academy of London
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1920 Grand Tour Souvenir Portrait from The Royal Academy of London. Color Litho on Celluloid with clear plastecine cover. Marble frame. Gilt brass surround. Sitter is Princesse...
Marble
Set Of Ten Framed Engravings Of Classical Vases By Carlo Antonini
Located in Essex, MA
print size is 8x10. Engravings of ancient vessels.
Glass, Giltwood, Paper
Sold
H 14.25 in W 40 in D 1 in
Panorama De Constantinople - Vue Prise De La Tour De Galata by Fortuné Méaulle
Located in Centennial, CO
A 20th century reproduction of a rare 19th century French woodblock engraving, Panorama of Constantinople from the Galata Tower, circa 1870, signed F. Meaulle (Fortuné Louis Méaulle)...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Sold
H 19.75 in W 23 in D 0.75 in
Twenty Six Framed Engravings Of " Views of Ancient Buildings in Rome"
Located in Essex, MA
By Matthew Dubourg [British, active 1808-1838]. Complete set of 26 views of the remains of ancient buildings in Rome and its vicinity. Beautifully matted with giltwood frames. Ready ...
Giltwood, Paper
Bernard de Montfaucon - Roman Temple Engravings, Nimes, France
Located in Savannah, GA
Bernard de Montfaucon (French, 1655-1741) This pair of copperplate engravings, depicting Roman temples (including temple at Nimes, France, or the Maison Carree) is from Montfaucon’...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Late 19th Century Grand Tour Oil Print
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A late 19th century oil print in shadowbox frame, a Grand Tour souvenir. Orientalist scene with camel & pyramids, in gilt inner frame. Incredibly decorative & fun - made as a souveni...
Paint
Russian School 19th Century Portraits, Gouache on paper
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Small delicate and detailed 19th Century “Russian School” paintings. Gouache on paper. Green Linen matte with gilded frame.
Paint
Neoclassical Print Aquatint Engraving by Sir William Hamilton
Located in Toronto, ON
Sir William Hamilton (1730-1803) was England’s ambassador to Naples and as such he had the opportunity to collect Ancient Greek, Roman and Etruscan antiquities...
Paper
Russian School 19th Century Portraits, Gouache on paper
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Small delicate and detailed 19th Century “Russian School” paintings. Gouache on paper. Green Linen matte with gilded frame.
Paint
Sold
H 36 in W 26.5 in D 1 in
Pair of Giovanni Battista Piranesi Architectural Prints Late 18th Century
Located in Rochester, NY
Pair framed antique architectural engravings by Giovanni Battista Piranesi on handmade laid paper. 18th century.
Paper
Original Antique Print of the Arch of Marcus Aurelius, 1816
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful architectural print. The Roman Arch of Marcus Aurelius in Libya Aquatint. Original colour, 1816 Published by Henry Colburn Unframed. Repair to top left corn...
Paper