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Grand Tour Jars

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 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.

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Style: Grand Tour
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 Jars

Materials

Alabaster

Grand Tour Ancient Egyptian Style Alabaster Storage Jar
Grand Tour Ancient Egyptian Style Alabaster Storage Jar

Grand Tour Ancient Egyptian Style Alabaster Storage Jar

19th Century Greek Grand Tour Pottery Jug
Located in Bradenton, FL
Small 19th century Greek Grand Tour terracotta pottery jug or vase. Neoclassical Style. Hand painted with picture of two Greek warriors. Dimens...
Category

Late 19th Century Greek Antique Grand Tour Jars

Materials

Terracotta

19th Century Greek Grand Tour Pottery Jug
19th Century Greek Grand Tour Pottery Jug

19th Century Greek Grand Tour Pottery Jug

19th Century Greek Grand Tour Terracotta Aryballos (Oil Flask)
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century Greek Grand Tour Terracotta aryballos (oil flask) decorated with Grecian figures in red and black. Dimensions: Measures 8.5" tall x...
Category

Late 19th Century Greek Antique Grand Tour Jars

Materials

Terracotta

19th Century Greek Grand Tour Terracotta Aryballos (Oil Flask)
19th Century Greek Grand Tour Terracotta Aryballos (Oil Flask)

19th Century Greek Grand Tour Terracotta Aryballos (Oil Flask)

19th Century Greek Grand Tour Terracotta Jar
Located in Bradenton, FL
Late 19th Century Grand Tour style terracotta vessel decorated with Grecian figures with Amphora form, two handles on neck. Hand painted. Dimensions: 8.5"H x 7"W; Mouth opening is ...
Category

Late 19th Century Greek Antique Grand Tour Jars

Materials

Terracotta

19th Century Greek Grand Tour Terracotta Jar
19th Century Greek Grand Tour Terracotta Jar

19th Century Greek Grand Tour Terracotta Jar

19th Century Italian Ruby Glass Box with Miniature of Basilica
Located in Dallas, TX
Lovely little 19th century ring jar or pill box made of a thick wine colored ruby glass. It has a miniature of a Basilica on top, gilt metal mounts with beautiful filigree on the si...
Category

Early 19th Century Vatican Antique Grand Tour Jars

Materials

Metal

19th Century Italian Ruby Glass Box with Miniature of Basilica
19th Century Italian Ruby Glass Box with Miniature of Basilica

19th Century Italian Ruby Glass Box with Miniature of Basilica

Related Items
Egyptian Alabaster Vase, Small
Located in New York, NY
An alabaster vase, hand-crafted in Luxor, Egypt. Two pieces, with a bottom opening at the base. It allows the piece to be used as a lamp or screen for low-intensity lights (professio...
Category

2010s Egyptian Grand Tour Jars

Materials

Alabaster

Egyptian Alabaster Vase, Small
Egyptian Alabaster Vase, Small

Egyptian Alabaster Vase, Small

H 13 in Dm 6 in
Antique French 19th Century Jewelry Box Flap Door Miniature Wood Cabinet
Located in Firenze, IT
This beautiful French late 19th century chest of drawers in black ebonized wood and cherrywood reproduces with perfect proportions in scale a miniature cabinet with three drawers and an upper flap door that opens to reveal a white marble top and an oval mirror inside, nice hand carved band on top with geometrical pattern and molded base. The black lacquered wood creates a wonderful contrast with the beautiful honey-colored wood grain. Despite its convenient size, extremely detailed, this chest of drawers is equipped with a white Carrara marble top and a small mirror that make it even more special and useful. The model of a piece of furniture was originally created by cabinet makers to show their skills to the customer and to present the sample of the furniture which would then have been produced on a larger scale. These commode miniatures, along with other specimens, were displayed in the craftsman's workshop to serve as examples to aid the potential client in making a selection. Some also think that these little chests were used as doll and puppets...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Jars

Materials

Carrara Marble, Metal

Antique French 19th Century Jewelry Box Flap Door Miniature Wood Cabinet
Antique French 19th Century Jewelry Box Flap Door Miniature Wood Cabinet

Antique French 19th Century Jewelry Box Flap Door Miniature Wood Cabinet

H 11.03 in W 10.24 in D 6.7 in
19th Century Greek Olive Oil Jar
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A late 19th-century Greek Peloponnese olive oil jar with the typical handcrafted ribbed Nekuma decoration on its round bodice handmade in terracotta clay. These antique garden potter...
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Late 19th Century Greek Antique Grand Tour Jars

Materials

Terracotta

19th Century Greek Olive Oil Jar
19th Century Greek Olive Oil Jar

19th Century Greek Olive Oil Jar

H 37 in W 29 in D 29 in
Antique French Grand Tour Bronze & Ormolu Urn, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful antique French Grand Tour dark patinated bronze and ormolu urn with ormolu liner, C1850 in date. This stunning bronze is superbly cast and has an elegant brown...
Category

1850s French Antique Grand Tour Jars

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Antique French Grand Tour Bronze & Ormolu Urn, 19th Century
Antique French Grand Tour Bronze & Ormolu Urn, 19th Century

Antique French Grand Tour Bronze & Ormolu Urn, 19th Century

H 9.06 in W 8.67 in D 5.52 in
19th Century Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Grand Tour Mounted Urns, a Pair
Located in Atlanta, GA
These urns are extremely high quality in decoration and casting. True Neoclassical gilt bronze grand tour objects and what makes it better? A PAIR!.
Category

19th Century Antique Grand Tour Jars

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Grand Tour Mounted Urns, a Pair
19th Century Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Grand Tour Mounted Urns, a Pair

19th Century Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Grand Tour Mounted Urns, a Pair

H 10.75 in W 4.125 in D 3.75 in
Greek 18th Century Terracotta Olive Oil Jar
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Impressive Greek olive jar from the 18th century, the terracotta darkened by natural oils and three centuries of use. This antique vessel, once used to hold olives and their oil, fea...
Category

18th Century Greek Antique Grand Tour Jars

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery, Terracotta

Greek 18th Century Terracotta Olive Oil Jar
Greek 18th Century Terracotta Olive Oil Jar

Greek 18th Century Terracotta Olive Oil Jar

H 34 in W 29 in D 29 in
Late 19th Century Victorian Attic Ware Grand Tour Vase Vessel
Located in Lowestoft, GB
After the antique a late 19th century atticware vase, with typical red and black decoration of classical scenes. Some elderly repairs, knocks and abrasions. 41cm in height 20cm...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Grand Tour Jars

Materials

Terracotta

Late 19th Century Victorian Attic Ware Grand Tour Vase Vessel
Late 19th Century Victorian Attic Ware Grand Tour Vase Vessel

Late 19th Century Victorian Attic Ware Grand Tour Vase Vessel

H 16.15 in Dm 7.88 in
19th Century French Green Opaline Glass Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
19th Century French Green Opaline Glass Box. In very good vintage condition.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Jars

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Green Opaline Glass Box
19th Century French Green Opaline Glass Box

19th Century French Green Opaline Glass Box

H 4.25 in W 5.25 in D 3.5 in
19th Century Italian Marquetry Box
Located in Winter Park, FL
An early 19th century miniature Italian coffer, or hinged box, made of solid walnut with marquetry inlay of various woods and bookmatched bird's-eye map...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Jars

Materials

Birdseye Maple, Walnut

19th Century Italian Marquetry Box
19th Century Italian Marquetry Box

19th Century Italian Marquetry Box

H 12 in W 16.5 in D 10.75 in
19th Century Rustic Mediterranean Terracotta Olive Jar
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Mediterranean Peloponnese olive oil jar with the typical handcrafted ribbed Nekuma decoration on its round bodice. The rim has a warm honey glaze. These antique garden pot...
Category

Late 19th Century Greek Antique Grand Tour Jars

Materials

Terracotta

19th Century Rustic Mediterranean Terracotta Olive Jar
19th Century Rustic Mediterranean Terracotta Olive Jar

19th Century Rustic Mediterranean Terracotta Olive Jar

H 35 in Dm 25 in
19th Century French Empire Miniature Commode
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Empire miniature commode. A well executed miniature chest made of walnut and veneer of walnut with two large drawers below a smaller top drawer and with solid walnut columns. Inscription written in ink on the back of each of the large drawers: Don D...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Jars

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Walnut

19th Century French Empire Miniature Commode
19th Century French Empire Miniature Commode

19th Century French Empire Miniature Commode

H 11.5 in W 12 in D 7.75 in
19th Century Mediterranean Terracotta Olive Jar
Located in Buisson, FR
A wonderful and beautiful weathered olive oil jar. Traces of glaze visible.Turkey circa 1850. Weathered
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19th Century Turkish Antique Grand Tour Jars

Materials

Terracotta

19th Century Mediterranean Terracotta Olive Jar
19th Century Mediterranean Terracotta Olive Jar

19th Century Mediterranean Terracotta Olive Jar

H 18.12 in W 12.21 in D 12.21 in
Previously Available Items
19th Century Greek Grand Tour Terracotta Jar
Located in Bradenton, FL
Late 19th century Grand Tour style terracotta vessel decorated with red and black Grecian figures with Amphora form, three handles on neck (two on side, one in back). Hand painted. ...
Category

Late 19th Century Greek Antique Grand Tour Jars

Materials

Terracotta

19th Century Greek Grand Tour Terracotta Jar
19th Century Greek Grand Tour Terracotta Jar

19th Century Greek Grand Tour Terracotta Jar

H 10 in W 7.5 in D 7.5 in
19th Century Greek Grand Tour Terracotta Jar
Located in Bradenton, FL
Late 19th Century Grand Tour style terracotta vessel decorated with Grecian figures with Amphora form, two handles on neck. Hand painted. Dimensions: 10"H x 5.25"W
Category

Late 19th Century Greek Antique Grand Tour Jars

Materials

Terracotta

19th Century Greek Grand Tour Terracotta Jar
19th Century Greek Grand Tour Terracotta Jar

19th Century Greek Grand Tour Terracotta Jar

H 10 in W 5.25 in D 5.25 in
19th Century Greek Grand Tour Pottery Jug
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century greek Grand Tour terracotta pottery jug or vase. Neoclassical Style. Hand painted with picture of Greek warrior and shield. Dimens...
Category

Late 19th Century Greek Antique Grand Tour Jars

Materials

Terracotta

19th Century Greek Grand Tour Pottery Jug
19th Century Greek Grand Tour Pottery Jug

19th Century Greek Grand Tour Pottery Jug

H 7 in W 3.5 in D 3.5 in
Grand Tour Manner Italian Jasper Pyramidal Jars
Located in Astoria, NY
Grand Tour manner Italian Diaspro Brecciato pyramid-form covered jars, each with removing conforming lid revealing a cylindrical container. 14.75" H (the tallest)
Category

20th Century Grand Tour Jars

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Grand Tour Manner Italian Jasper Pyramidal Jars
Grand Tour Manner Italian Jasper Pyramidal Jars

Grand Tour Manner Italian Jasper Pyramidal Jars

H 14.75 in W 7.5 in D 7 in
19th Century Continental Turquoise Glass Box with Miniature of Palace Scene
Located in Dallas, TX
Nice continental ring or pill box from circa 1840. Turquoise blue glass base, gilt metal mounts, with lovely chasing enclosing the glass box. Hand-painted miniature Palace Scene o...
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Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Grand Tour Jars

Materials

Metal

19th Century Continental Turquoise Glass Box with Miniature of Palace Scene
19th Century Continental Turquoise Glass Box with Miniature of Palace Scene

19th Century Continental Turquoise Glass Box with Miniature of Palace Scene

H 2.5 in W 1.7 in D 1.7 in
Three 1950s Carved Carrara Marble Canisters
Located in Garnerville, NY
Three uniquely carved white Carrara, Italian marble canisters with gray/black veining. Purchased in the 1950s and lovingly cared for and admired. Wonde...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Grand Tour Jars

Materials

Carrara Marble

Three 1950s Carved Carrara Marble Canisters
Three 1950s Carved Carrara Marble Canisters

Three 1950s Carved Carrara Marble Canisters

H 7.75 in Dm 5 in

Grand Tour jars for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Grand Tour jars for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage jars created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, terracotta and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Grand Tour jars made in a specific country, there are Europe, Balkan Peninsula, and Greece pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 jars differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $650 and tops out at $1,800 while the average work can sell for $1,033.

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