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.
19th Century Italian Grand Tour Bronze of “The Dying Gaul”
Located in Kastrup, DK
A neoclassical Grand Tour sculpture in dark-patinated bronze depicting The Dying Gaul — an iconic motif after the famous ancient original from Pergamon. Mounted on an oval Siena marb...
Siena Marble, Bronze
Antique French Porcelain Jacob Petite Desk Set Inkstand Provenance Ava Gardner
By Jacob Petit
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning French Lavish Gilt Porcelain Ink Stand of Museum Quality and generous proportions, made by renowned French porcelain maker Jacob Petit. Last quarter of the Nineteenth Centur...
Brass
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...
Marble
19th Century Italian Micro Mosaic Grand Tour Paperweight The Doves Of Pliny
Located in Norwich, England
19th Century Italian micro mosaic grand tour paperweight - The Doves of Pliny. Rome - Circa 1870. Cartouche shaped black slate ground, inset ...
Slate
19th Century Tomb of the Scipios Grand Tour Souvenir
Located in New Orleans, LA
This incredible Grand Tour inkwell relic takes the form of the ancient Tomb of the Scipios, a family of Roman war heroes and generals. Beautifully carved ent...
Siena Marble
A Grand Tour Italian Specimen Marble Paperweight
Located in Spencertown, NY
The white ground inlaid with specimen marbles and porphyry with ridges on 2 sides
Marble
An Italian Grand Tour Specimen Marble Paperweight, Late 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The round paperweight framed in black marble, with porphyry and sienna marble and other marble specimens. The center in sienna marble with carved bea...
Belgian Black Marble
A Vintage Italian Grand Tour Specimen Marble Ruler, 20th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The 7 1/4" ruler with 8 different specimens inset with in a black marble frame.
Marble
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.
Marble
Mid-19th Century Micro-Mosaic Plaque in Marble Frame, Italian Decor
Located in London, GB
A fine quality mid 19th century oval Micro-mosaic Plaque depicting St Peter’s Square Rome, enclosed in unusual black slate marble frame decorated with shells, scrolls & wolves.
Marble
Pair of Grand Tour Egyptian Porphyry Obelisks, 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The pair of obelisks with gilt lion faces on front base and gilt lion paws at corners, signed indistinctly. Rome dated 1893.
Porphyry, Bronze
Antique German Bronze Desk Set Inkstand Rosso Antico Marble Ormolu Burgstaller
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning Chisel Cast Austrian or German Neo-Classical Ormolu and Rosso Antico Marble Ink Stand of Museum Quality and generous proportions, by George Josef Burgstaller, Late Nineteent...
Siena Marble, Brass, Bronze
An Italian Specimen Marble Paperweight
Located in Spencertown, NY
The square paperweight with specimen marbles inset in yellow marble ground.
Marble
A Grand Tour Micro Mosaic Paperweight, St. Peter's Square Rome - Vatican
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
"Micro Mosaic, St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, XIXth Century" 19th century oval Micro-mosaic depicting a panoramic view of the basilica and St. Peter's Square in Rome (Vatican), enclosed in a shaped slate with inset oval plaque. Original Italian Micro Mosaic Grand Tour...
Marble
Antique French Regency Grand Tour Bronze Crystal Desk Set Inkstand Encrier 19Ct
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning Heavy Gauge Chisel Cast French Grand Tour German Neo-Classical Bronze and Crystal Ink Stand of Museum Quality and generous proportions. First quarter of the Nineteenth Centu...
Brass, Bronze
Marmo Gialo and Bronze Stamp Box, 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
Italian Grand Tour stamp box, 19th century.
Siena Marble
19th Century Grand Tour Antique Handmade Bronze Mortar with Pestle
Located in Roma, IT
19th-century grand tour antique handmade bronze mortar with pestle. This fantastic piece has an original patina. The pestle is 9.05 inc high wit...
Bronze
Pair of Antique Grand Tour Patinated Bronze Dogs Seated on Sienna Marble Plinths
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful pair of 19th century antique grand tour patinated bronze dogs seated on siena marble plinths. Each dog is beautifully cast and hand-chiseled with meticulous craftsmanship...
Siena Marble, Bronze
19th Century Grand Tour Influenced Gilded Ormolu Ink Well, Stamped, Barbedienne
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality late 19th century French gilded Ormolu Gran Tour influenced gilded Ormolu ink well, having classing motifs and Roman Centurion bust embo...
Ormolu
19th Century Grand Tour Lion Attacking a Horse Miniature Bronze Sculpture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine 19th century Grand Tour miniature model of the Lion Attacking a Horse sculpture. Modeled after the ancient Roman version found on Capitoline Hill. Sized as a paperweight...
Marble, Slate, Bronze
20th Century Grand Tour Pair of Italian Figurative Pen-Holders Desk Accessories
Located in Milano, MI
A set of two lovely Grand Tour hand-painted terracotta figurative pen-holders of Neapolitan origin, molded as a male and female foreign tourists caricatures, British characters. Bot...
Terracotta
Pair of Porphyry and Yellow Marble Columns, 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The grand tour porphyry columns with yellow marble Corinthian capitals and bases on black slate and gray Brescia ogee formed squares. Measures: height: 16” base: 3 1/4” square.
Marble, Porphyry
Grand Tour Inlaid Marble Specimen Paperweight, Early 20th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The center made up of blue marble veneers, yellow marble and green marble with each section banded by Carrara marble.
Marble
Antique Victorian Marble Roman Ruins Grand Tour Statue Sculpture Columns Pillars
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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...
Marble
Fine Pair of Grand Tour Style Desk Top Bronze Busts, Continental Circa 1900
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very handsome pair of Grand Tour style desk top bronze busts, both mounted atop white alabaster columns sided by gilt metal rings, rising from squared mottled marble bases ringed b...
Alabaster, Marble, Bronze
French Bronze Match Strike in the Form of an Old Soldier as a Water Seller
Located in London, GB
A very well cast and interesting French patinated bronze match strike. It is in the form of a water seller, in the uniform of an old Republican soldier, sitting on a bench. He is seen wearing a tricorn hat with a cockade to the brim, mutton chop whiskers, with a water cistern on his back and the cistern lid at his feet. In his hand and on straps are the water cups and in his belt a pair of pistols...
Bronze
Inkstand of Neopolitan Fisherman
Located in London, GB
A good Italian Grand Tour model of a Neopolitan fisherman at his work. In ormolu and patinated bronze the oval base is naturalistically decorated with rocks and seaweed which the fis...
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Italian Green Marble and 'Lava Cameo' Inkstand
Located in London, GB
Antique Italian green marble and 'lava cameo' inkstand Italian, 19th century Measures: Height 10cm, diameter 14cm This charming inkstand is crafted from green marble and gilt metal....
Marble, Metal
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...
Ormolu
$2,470
H 2 in Dm 16 in
Italian Grand Tour Specimen Marble Circular Chessboard Plaque Pietra Dura 19th C
Located in Atlanta, GA
A finely crafted circular pietra dura plaque, likely originating from Italy during the mid-to-late 19th century, this specimen marble and hardstone inlaid chessboard combines decorat...
Marble
An Italian Grand Tour Specimen Marble Paperweight, Late 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The round paperweight framed in black marble, with porphyry and sienna marble and other marble specimens. The center in sienna marble with carved bea...
Belgian Black Marble
$3,864
H 6.7 in W 2.56 in D 2.49 in
Antique Victorian Marble Roman Ruins Grand Tour Statue Sculpture Columns Pillars
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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...
Marble
A Vintage Italian Grand Tour Specimen Marble Ruler, 20th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The 7 1/4" ruler with 8 different specimens inset with in a black marble frame.
Marble
Grand Tour Inlaid Specimen Marble Paperweight, Late 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The paperweight inset with a plaster cast of the Coliseum, outlined in 'marmo nero' and marmo giallo.
Marble
Antique Grand Tour Micro-Mosaic Paperweight with Vatican Vignettes
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique Grant Tour micro-mosaic paperweight is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Italy, or possibly the Vatican City, and dating to approximately 1880 and done in t...
Slate
$1,795
H 6 in W 15 in D 7.5 in
Early 20th-C. French Gilt Bronze And Malachite Desk Pen Inkwell / Inkstand
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is an early 20th century highly decorative French gilt bronze, malachite and faux malachite inkstand with dual inkwells. The base is a mix of faux malachite and malachite veneer...
Malachite, Bronze
Grand Tour Specimen Marbles Plaque, Italy, circa 1850
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A wonderful third quarter 19th century Italian 'grand tour' ancient marbles specimen plaque in original silver-gilt frame.
Marble
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
19th Century Italian Grand Tour Bronze of a Satyr Sculpture, Pompeii
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century Neapolitan Grand Tour bronze of a Satyr with wine skin, also known as the 'Drunken Satyr'. The cup he would have been holding was lost in the conflagration. The lean, mu...
Travertine, Bronze
Natural Malachite Specimen Vide Poche Stone Paperweight
Located in New York, NY
Natural malachite stone specimen vide poche tray hand carved at center. May be used as a decorative object or used as a paperweight to brighten ones desk. Beautiful includes crysta...
Malachite
19th Century Grand Tour Antique Handmade Bronze Mortar with Pestle
Located in Roma, IT
19th-century grand tour antique handmade bronze mortar with pestle. This fantastic piece has an original patina. The pestle is 9.05 inc high wit...
Bronze
Pair Of Impressive Medici Lions In Staffordshire Pottery Antique Style
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
An impressive pair of Medici Lions fashioned after the style of Staffordshire Pottery of the late 1800's Capable of making a splendid decorative statement Circa 1960's Height 4.75 in...
Ceramic
ITALIAN 1820 Grand Tour Inkwell In Marble Carved Lava & Vesuvius Gouache
Located in Miami, FL
An unusual antique gran-tour inkstand with Vesuvius gouache. This a very rare circular inkstand created in Italy, back in the 1820's. This inkwell was masterfully carved in Naples i...
Multi-gemstone, Lava, Bronze, Gold
Pair 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Alabaster Sphinxes
Located in Buisson, FR
Pair small alabaster grand tour sphinxes. Great to use as paper weights on your desk. Italy circa 1850-1900. Weathered,small losses and old repair Mo...
Alabaster
Sold
H 3.5 in W 4.75 in D 0.75 in
19th Century Italian Micro Mosaic Grand Tour Paperweight The Doves Of Pliny
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th Century Italian micro mosaic Grand Tour paperweight - The Doves of Pliny. Rome - Circa 1870. Cartouche shaped black slate ground, inset...
Slate
Sold
H 28 in W 20 in D 10 in
Roman Bust Bronze &Marble Grand Tour Roman Emperor Caracalla, Attr; B. Boschetti
Located in New York, NY
A Large Neoclassical and Exceptional Quality Early to Mid 19th Century Roman (Italian), Grand Tour Bronze and Marble Bust of Roman Emperor "Caraca...
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 3.5 in W 4.75 in D 0.75 in
19th Century Italian Micro Mosaic Grand Tour Paperweight The Doves Of Pliny
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th Century Italian micro mosaic Grand Tour paperweight - The Doves of Pliny. Rome - Circa 1870. Cartouche shaped black slate ground, inset...
Slate
Sold
H 7 in W 17 in D 15 in
Antique Jennings & Bettridge Grand Tour Papier Mache Desk Set Inkstand Encrier
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning Heavy Gauge English Grand Tour highly decorative Papier Mache Ink Stand of Museum Quality and generous proportions. First half of the Nineteenth Century. Firmly attributed t...
Crystal
Sold
H 4.75 in W 4.25 in D 2.75 in
19th Century French Grand Tour Patinated Iron Napoleon’s Tomb Inkwell
Located in Stamford, CT
A mid 19th century Grand Tour, French, Inkwell in the form of Napoleon’s tomb. The patinated black iron tomb with removable lid revealing a sand sifter a...
Iron
Sold
H 1.19 in W 5.91 in D 3.94 in
Antique Grand Tour micro mosaic marble desk paperweight with the doves of Pliny
Located in Central England, GB
A superb Italian micro mosaic Grand Tour memento. This large desk paperweight is made from very well figured cream marble. The marble is mad...
Marble
Sold
H 1.97 in W 4.34 in D 5.71 in
Antique Roman Grand Tour Micromosaic Marble Desk Weight 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a superb decorative antique Roman Grand Tour Micromosaic inset black marble desk paperweight, circa 1860 in date. The cartouche shaped top features micromosaic decoration in...
Marble
Sold
H 5.12 in W 5.32 in D 3.15 in
Antique French Grand Tour Bronze Statue Hippocampus Seahorse Desk Ornament 1820
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique French Grand Tour cast bronze hippocampus, seahorse statue desk ornament, circa 1820. This wonderful bronze is cast by the lost wax m...
Bronze
Sold
H 4.25 in W 3 in D 3 in
Grand Tour Sterling Silver and Irish Killarney Victorian Arbutus Wood Card Cases
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An unusual Collection of Ladys Victorian Travelling Visiting Calling Card Cases, (these are sometimes confused with the smaller Vesta Cases) made during the late Nineteenth Century. To include two similar geometric style possibly made of whale bone, lavishly inlaid with Sterling Silver. The other of Irish origin in Killarney Arbutus...
Hardwood