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.
Pair of Pompeian Style Patinated Bronze Candelabras
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of Italian Pompeian style candelabras crafted in patinated bronze. Five candle arms with detachable bobeches. Fluted column supported on a tripod base with animal's paws. Ita...
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Bronze Candelabra Of Greco-Roman Design
Located in Kent, Dover
A pair of English XIX Century, three branch bronze candelabra of Greco-Roman design. With masks and hung with chains.
Bronze
Antique Pair of French Sienna Marble Grand Tour Bronze Candelabra Candlesticks
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A very fine pair of French patinated chisel cast bronze and well grained sienna marble grand tour single light table or mantle candlesticks of impressive quality. first quarter of th...
Siena Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Pair, 19th Century Grand Tour Gilt Bronze & White Marble Candelabras
Located in Atlanta, GA
Italian or French, early 19th century. A fantastic pair of 19th century Grand Tour gilt bronze candelabras in the neoclassical taste. The beautiful cast grape vines...
Marble, Bronze
Pair of 1820s Italian Touring Sterling Silver Candelabras
Located in North Miami, FL
Exquisite Pair of 1820s Italian Touring (Grand Tour) Sterling Silver Candelabras Crafted by skilled artisans, these magnificent candelabras hailing from 1820s Italy are a testament ...
Sterling Silver
$2,600 / set
H 16.5 in W 7 in D 3.25 in
Pair of French Charles X Patinated Bronze and Gilt Figurative Candelabras
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine pair of figurative candelabras in the form of a patinated bronze cherub running with a gilt torchiere in each hand. The cherubs stand on a...
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Silver Plated Bronze Candelabras 19th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An exceptionally fine and matching pair of Louis XIV style four-light candelabra, in gleaming, silver-plated bronze. These striking candle holders are raised on tiered, octagonal bas...
Bronze, Silver Plate
$4,500 / set
H 11.07 in W 5.25 in D 5.25 in
Large Pair of Neoclassical Sterling Silver Column-Form Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Large pair of Neoclassical (made in the Victorian Period), sterling silver column-form candlesticks, Sheffield, England, year-hallmarked for 1898, Henry Wigful - maker. Each candlestick measures 11 1/6 inches high x 5 1/4 inches deep x 5 1/4 inches wide. Columns are swirled in design. The capital of each column is designed with acanthus leaves. The base of each candlestick is decorated with profiles of the Green Man (a good luck symbol...
Sterling Silver
Pair of American Tiffany Sterling Silver Monkey Candlesticks
Located in Southampton, NY
Pair of American Tiffany sterling silver monkey candlesticks.
$6,800 / set
H 20.5 in W 9 in D 6 in
Pair of Empire Candelabra of Ormolu and Patinated Bronze and Marble
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of late 19th century Empire bronze and ormolu candelabra. - Caryatid herm female figures on marble block plinths. - Three ormolu candle arms/cups - Well modeled.
Marble, Bronze
$16,500 / set
H 27 in W 13 in D 12 in
Pair of Regency Gilt and Patinated Bronze Atlas Figural Candelabra
By Messenger & Phipson
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of Regency or William IV figural candelabra in form of Atlas and a globe. Six arms issuing from top. Patinated bronze, gilded bronze and bronze. A truly rare from. Attributed to...
Bronze
$4,030 / set
H 12.6 in W 4.73 in D 4.73 in
Antique Pair French Grand Tour Gilt Bronze & Marble Urns 19th Century
Located in London, GB
A superb antique pair of French Grand Tour gilt bronze and marble Borghese Campana urns, circa 1870 in date. This pair of gilt bronze campana urns is after the Borghese models, with...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of 19th Century French Gilt Bronze 3-Light Candelabras
Located in Dallas, TX
The appeal of the Napoleon III style (sometimes referred to as the Second Empire) stems from the fact that art and furniture from the mid-1800s incorporated elements from previous Fr...
Metal, Bronze
A pair of 19th century gilt bronze French candelabra
Located in Eindhoven, NL
A very pretty pair of gilt bronze French candelabra in the style of Louis XV. Each with two candle light. Decorated with foliate motifs and acanthus leaves.
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Bronze Neoclassical French Candelabra
Located in Palm Springs, CA
An exquisite pair of 19th Century Neo Classical French bronze candelabra. They each feature 5 candle holders and central female figure on top. All of the bobeches are present. The ch...
Bronze
A Fine Pair of Empire Ormolu & Patinated Bronze Candelabra
Located in Sheffield, MA
Each with a female figure, one entitled “L’Esperance”, and the other “La Marmote”
$7,968 / set
H 15.36 in Dm 12.21 in
Pair Of 5-Flame Art Deco Silver Candelabras, By Wilhelm Binder Germany, Ca 1920
Located in Vienna, AT
Two elegant five-candle holders on a stepped, curved base with four triple-pleated curving pleats that continue up the baluster-shaped shaft with a node; a removable top section with...
Silver
Sold
H 12.25 in W 5 in D 4.25 in
Antique Pair of French Sienna Marble Grand Tour Bronze Candelabra Candelabra
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A very fine pair of French bronze and well grained sienna marble grand tour single light table or mantle candlesticks of medium size, outstanding workmanship quality with good heavy ...
Siena Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Sold
H 13.5 in W 8.25 in D 4 in
Antique Pair Gilt Bronze Ormolu Twin Light Candelabra Clodion Grand Tour Cherubs
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A very fine quality pair of French Louis XV inspired patinated and gilt bronze figural twin branch candelabra depicting Bacchanal Figures of seated Winged Cherubs or Putto. Both with...
Siena Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Sold
H 15.25 in W 6.25 in D 4.75 in
Pair of French Ormolu White Marble Twin Arm Garniture Candelabra Candlesticks
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An exceptionally fine quality pair of French gilt bronze & statutory cream marble twin arm candelabra of medium proportions, made during the third quarter of the nineteenth century. ...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Sold
H 12.75 in W 5 in D 4.25 in
Antique Pair of French Sienna Marble Grand Tour Bronze Candelabra Candlesticks
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A very fine pair of French bronze & well grained sienna marble grand tour single light table or mantle candlesticks of unusually tall proportions, outstanding workmanship quality wit...
Siena Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Pair of French Ormolu White Marble Twin Arm Garniture Candelabra Candlesticks
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An exceptionally fine quality pair of French gilt bronze and statutory cream marble twin arm candelabra of medium proportions, made during the third quarter of the 19th century. T...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Sold
H 12.25 in W 5 in D 4.25 in
Antique Pair of French Sienna Marble Grand Tour Bronze Candelabra Candlesticks
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A very fine pair of French bronze and well grained sienna marble grand tour single light table or mantle candlesticks of medium size, outstanding workmanship quality with good heavy ...
Siena Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Sold
H 9.06 in W 3.35 in D 3.35 in
Antique Vintage Pair of French Marble Gilt Bronze Dore Candelabra Candlesticks
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A fine pair of stylish and imposing French ormolu and cream statutory marble twin light table or mantle candelabra of outstanding quality, mid-late 19th century. Each with a cent...
Siena Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Sold
H 14.97 in W 4.34 in D 4.34 in
Antique Vintage Pair of French Ormolu Gilt Bronze Candelabra Candlesticks
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A fine pair of stylish and imposing French ormolu and patinated bronze three-light table or mantel (fireplace) candelabras or single light candlesticks of outstanding quality, mid to...
Bronze, Ormolu
Sold
H 15.46 in W 4.34 in D 3.55 in
Antique Pair of French Breche Violet Gilt Bronze Ormolu Candelabra Candlestick
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A fine pair of stylish and imposing French Ormolu and Breche Violete three light table or mantle candelabra of outstanding quality, mid-late 19th century. Each with a central standing ormolu solid bronze Cherub holding a loft a three-branch candelabra, modelled as leafy branches and candle holders as flower petals, ending on an ornate rectangular marble base with acanthus ormolu decoration, supported on four toupie feet. Condition: Superb condition with no losses to marble. Professionally re-gold plated. Measures: Height (an impressive, entire) 15.5" (39.25cm). Width (at base) 4.5” (11cm). Depth (at base) 3.25” (9cm). Location: Dublin City, Ireland. Breche Violet is a very decorative Italian Marble quarried in Seravezza, Carrara Basin...
Siena Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Sold
H 8.08 in W 6.11 in
Pair of French Ormolu White Marble Twin Arm Garniture Candelabra Candlesticks
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An exceptionally fine quality pair of French gilt bronze and statutory cream marble twin arm candelabra of medium proportions, made during the third quarter of the 19th century. ...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Sold
H 13.78 in W 4.73 in D 4.04 in
French Breche Violet Gilt Bronze Ormolu Candelabra Pierre-Philippe Thomire, Pair
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning pair of French Ormolu and Breche Violet marble three-arm candelabra of generous proportions, attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire, made during the second quarter of the 19th century. The three foliate outswept arms spreading from a marble fruiting finial urn with Ram Heads above tall slender flanked supports terminating with claw feet. The triangular inverted marble base with lavish cast mounts, ending on its original ormolu toupie feet. Condition: Good condition for such early pieces with no losses to ormolu, which has been professionally re-gold-plated. There is an old repair to one marble base which is very well done and not visible, also the decorative ormolu castings at the back areas have been replaced with plain button type pins. Measures: Height (entire as shown on image one an impressive) 13.75" (35cm), width (at base) 4.75" (12cm), depth (at base) 4” (10.25cm). Location: Dublin City, Ireland. Breche Violet is a very decorative Italian Marble quarried in Seravezza, Carrara Basin...
Siena Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Sold
H 11.5 in W 3.5 in D 3.5 in
Antique Pair of Ormolu Bronze Marble Single Light Figural Cherub Candlestick
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An exceptional pair of French single light creamy off-white statutory marble and bronze mantle candlesticks of medium proportions, first half of the 19th century, possibly regency pe...
Siena Marble, Bronze, Ormolu