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.
Antique Chased Silver Snuff Box Set with Fine Italian Micromosaic Plaque
Located in London, GB
The small rectangular silver snuff box, chased with foliage decorations and featuring a hinged back, is set with a detailed micromosaic plaque on top. The plaque depicts a rural land...
Stone, Silver
Italian Grand Tour Style, Pietra Dura & Leather Humidor Or Vanity Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exceptional humidor or vanity box is a masterwork of craftsmanship, designed in the exquisite style of the Italian Grand Tour, a period of cultural exploration and refinement th...
Agate, Malachite, Onyx, Marble, Slate
Italian Gold-Mounted Micromosaic Snuff Box
Located in New York, NY
Italian micro mosaic plaque mounted within snuff box, depicting white and brown hound seated on grass. Circle of Giacomo Raffaelli (1753-1836). R...
Glass
Antique Italian Ormolu & Pietra Dura Jewellery Casket 19th Century
Located in London, GB
An extravagant Gilt Bronze and Pietra Dura jewellery casket, Circa 1860 in date. The stunning ormolu casket of circular form, inset with hardstone...
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Grand Tour Pietra Dura Specimen Paperweight 19th C
Located in London, GB
This is a superb decorative antique Italian Grand Tour marble Pietra Dura mounted desk paperweight, circa 1880 in date. This splendid rectangular paperweight is exquisitely inlai...
Agate, Amethyst, Malachite, Onyx, Marble
Rectangular silver snuff box
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Rectangular silver snuff box with raised floral motifs and gold interior. Metal: Silver. Origin: European. Brand: Borboleta. Weight: 136.63 grams. Dimensions: 8.5cmx1.9c...
Silver
$325
H 1.5 in W 5 in D 3.25 in
Vintage Pietra Dura Inlaid Hardstone Jewelry Box with Malachite, Jasper & Sodali
Located in San Diego, CA
A finely crafted vintage hardstone jewelry box featuring a striking geometric pietra dura–style inlay composed of richly colored natural stones, including malachite, red jasper, and ...
Malachite, Brass
$490Sale Price|30% Off
H 1.5 in W 3.38 in D 2.25 in
Mughal Style Pietra Dura Marble Box with Stone Inlay - India - Late 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Mughal style pietra dura marble box - hand made - featuring an over-all floral and vine design with lapis lazuli, mother-of-pearl and black onyx inlay - signed on the base and the li...
Lapis Lazuli, Onyx, Marble
Antique Silver Snuff Box, Italian Craftsmanship, Early 20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
A superb rectangular silver snuff box, masterfully crafted in in the early 20th century, featuring exquisitely chased and repoussé decoration. The hinged lid is richly adorned with s...
Silver
Vintage Italian Grand Tour Style Pietra Dura Mosaic Plaque, Framed 2
Located in Bradenton, FL
A beautiful Italian grand Tour Style Pietra Dura mosaic on marble Plaque with gilt framing. Picture is a bird on branch with leaves and flowers.
Marble
Italian Grand Tour Renaissance Style Jewelry Box Signed 19th Century
Located in Rochester, NY
Italian. Renaissance style jewelry box with secret compartment. Carved walnut with satinwood panels. Velvet interior. Mid 19th century. Made by Raffaello Bianchini.
Satinwood, Walnut
$1,500
H 6 in W 10.25 in D 7 in
Antique Victorian Oak Grand Tour Box Neoclassical Inlay Greek Key Vanity Drawer
Located in Dayton, OH
This antique oak box features an intricate Grand Tour style design heavily inspired by Neoclassical and ancient Greek motifs. While the exterior lid showcases a striking burl wood ve...
Oak
Anglo-Raj Marble Inlay Box Pietra Dura Made in India
Located in Fort Washington, MD
Anglo Raj inlaid marble pietra dura decorative box This handmade marble decorative box is inlaid with semi precious stones, this type of design is the same art that you see in the Taj Mahal. Very nice fine pietra dura art...
Marble
Silver snuff box with reliefs
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Silver snuff box with Islamic-style reliefs. Metal: Silver. Origin: Middle East. Mark: Absent. Weight: 44.14 grams. Dimensions: 5.3cm x 1.8cm. Content: 925/1000. Assay M...
Silver
Sold
H 1.25 in W 4.5 in D 5.5 in
Grand Tour Porphyry, Yellow and White Marble Paperweight, Italian, late 19th C.
Located in Spencertown, NY
The oval shaped paperweight with carved alabaster profile of Roman Emperor, framed with imperial porphyry and yellow “marmo giallo” on white marble base.
Alabaster, Marble, Porphyry
Sold
H 0.99 in W 3.55 in D 2.76 in
Antique Silver Gilt Mounted Italian Hunting Scene Micromosaic Snuff Box
Located in London, GB
This antique Italian snuff box features a fine, micromosaic panel and silver gilt mounts. The micromosaic panel is set to the top of the box within a r...
Marble, Silver