Grand Tour Desk Accessories
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
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...
Category
1850s Italian Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Belgian Black Marble
Pair of Grand Tour Style Carved Alabaster Bookends Formed as Classical Ruins
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very good pair of architectural inspired columnar bookends, both carved in the form of ancient ruins of reeded columns, raised on stepped bases. Dimensions noted are those shown fa...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Alabaster
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 method (cire perdue), it depicts a ...
Category
1820s French Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
Grand Tour Gilt Temple Bone and Gilt Italian Antique 1890
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous Grand Tour model of an oval temple we date to circa 1890
Such an elegant piece crafted from bone and silver plate
Classic Corinthian columns support the silver plate pedimen...
Category
1890s Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
19th Century Italian Micro Mosaic Grand Tour Paperweight The Doves Of Pliny
Located in Norwich, GB
19th Century Italian micro mosaic grand tour paperweight - The Doves of Pliny. Rome - Circa 1870.
Cartouche shaped black slate ground, inset ...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Slate
Grand Tour Patinated Bronze Model of the Temple of Vesta, Italian, 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The model, made as an inkwell and lacking it's cover.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Grand Tour Marmo Rosso Model of the Tomb of Scipio, Italian, 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The red marble sarchophagus mounted on a slate base. Removing the top reveals an empty well.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
An Italian Grand Tour Porphyry and Sienna Marble Paperweight, late 19th century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The profile of Caesar in profile in high relief.
The yellow marble base with stepped edges.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Porphyry
A Grand Tour Specimen Marble Paperweight, Late 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
A rectangular shaped paperweight with inset Porphyry, Siena Marble and Mother of Pearl in black marble framework
Category
1890s Italian Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Siena Marble, Porphyry
Antique Grand Tour French Bronze Desk Set Inkstand Church Cathedral Siena Marble
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning and Rare Example of a French Patinated Bronze Architectural Style Grand Tour Regency Period Double Inkstand of rectangular outline and compact proportions. First quarter of the Nineteenth Century.
This stunning offering is modelled as an ancient Gothic Style Religious building ending on a well veined Sienna Marble platform base. The Ormolu dome top finial covers complete with their internal bronze linings. An early ormolu and Sienna Marble Watch stand is included.
Condition: Good condition, original good surface patination, small repair to corner of marble base, see image. Baise underneath has been replaced, nicely done. Back and front views are similar, no visible foundry marks.
Height: (inkstand) 5.25" (13.5cm). Width: (at base) 7" (17.5cm). Depth: (at base) 4” (10.25cm).
Location: Dublin City, Ireland.
Affordable Fixed charge Worldwide Store to door shipping offered by Seller.
Please take time to scroll down below and click "View All From Seller" or favorite our Shop PATRICK HOWARD ANTIQUES...
Category
19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Siena Marble, Brass, Bronze
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
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Italian antique marble sampler paperweight
Located in Milan, IT
Italian antique marble sampler paperweight
Category
Early 1900s Italian Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
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.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Porphyry
Falcon's Eye Semi Precious Stone Box with Hinged Lid
Located in New York, NY
Falcon's Eye semi precious stone box with hinged lid.
Falcon's eye, AKA Blue Tiger's Eye, famed for its chatoyancy, is reminiscent of the 'eye...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone, Brass
An Italian Specimen Marble Paperweight
Located in Spencertown, NY
The square paperweight with specimen marbles inset in yellow marble ground.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
19th Century Bronze Apothecary Mortar & Pestle, Circa 1800
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
The cup shaped cast body decorated with incised ring-turned detail, rising from a waisted & stepped circular foot, together with its original pestle.
Combined weight, 3.75 lbs.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Antique Grand Tour 'King Charles Spaniel' Micro Mosaic Plaque, Italy, C.1850
Located in Chatham, ON
Antique Grand Tour 'King Charles Cavalier Spaniel' micro mosaic plaque - hand made to the finest quality with great detail - may be framed or mount...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
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.
Category
20th Century Italian Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
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...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Ormolu
Antique Grand Tour Ormolu Desk Inkwell Centerpiece Elkington Silversmiths 19thC
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An exceptionally fine quality example of an English Ormolu Grand Tour circular desk single Inkwell of generous size, made by renown Silversmiths Elkington & Co. Mid Nineteenth Century
The large circular outline superbly decorated with castings of Neoclassical images depicting Male Nudes within circles flanked by winged Sphinx, the central hinged lid with similar decoration.
Condition: Good condition with nice patination, professionally re-gold plated. Lacking ink liner, no losses anywhere. Base marks as shown.
Measures: Diameter: (entire as shown) 7.75" (19.5cm).
Location: Dublin City, Ireland.
Affordable fixed charge Worldwide Store to door shipping.
Note: The originators of silver-plating were George Richards Elkington and Henry Elkington who began their research in times of the Industrial Revolution. By the 1830's they had patented their processes and 1840 saw the technique of electro-plating brought to perfection.
John Culme, in his Directory of Gold and Silversmiths, said that "Elkington Electroplate was soon accepted with the result that the firm allowed a number of manufacturers to use the technique under licence. Among the earliest granted were those of Christofle & Cie of France".
The firm has a worldwide reputation for hand-crafted excellence. Today, the firm is busy making bowls, jugs, trays, candlesticks, ornaments and trophies for international sporting events as well as cutlery pieces.
Royal Endorsements & Warrants
In 1868, Queen Victoria permitted much of the royal plate...
Category
19th Century English Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Grand Tour Mahogany Brass Inlaid Desk Set Inkstand English Regency 19Ct
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning and Rare Example of an English Grand Tour Regency period brass inlaid Mahogany Inkstand of rectangular outline and generous proportions. First quarter of the Nineteenth Cent...
Category
19th Century English Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Antique Victorian Marble Roman Ruins Grand Tour Statue Sculpture Columns Pillars
Located in GB
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...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Italian Silver Gilt Grand Tour Pompeian Classical Piping Faun Bell
Located in New York, NY
Italian silver gilt grand-tour bell, ca 1920. Figural handle in form of piping faun with puffed out cheeks and hoofed and hirsute hindquarters. Based on Greek statuette excavated in ...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver
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...
Category
Mid-19th Century European Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Grand Tour Imperial Austrian Helmet Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
19th Century Grand Tour Imperial Austrian helmet inkwell.
Apparently unmarked. Dimensions: H 8" x W 8" x D 5.5" Condition: Signs of age and use includ...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Grand Tour Serpentine Inkwell and Cover Inset with 7 Lava Stone Cameos, 19th C
Located in Spencertown, NY
The 7 cameos of historical figures, fitted with 3 quill holders, 2 inkwells and a pounce pot. The underside of the lid is framed with a circular gouache dep...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Serpentine
Mid 18th Century Micromosaic Plaque
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.
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
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....
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Metal
19th Century Pair of Polished Marmo Marble Sphere Paperweights
Located in Shippensburg, PA
PAIR OF GRAND TOUR POLISHED MARMO AFRICANO MARBLE SPHERES
Circa early 19th century over shaped rock plinth
Item # C104033
A gorgeous pair of 19th century decorative marmo marble sp...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone, Marble
20th Century Grand Tour Pair of Italian Figurative Pen-Holders Desk Accessories
Located in Milan, IT
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...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Terracotta
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...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Ormolu
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.
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
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...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Slate, Bronze
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...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Siena Marble
Pair of Antique Italian Grand Tour Models of Ruins in Sienna Marble
Located in New York, NY
A very fine and early pair of Roman neoclassical period grand tour Sienna marble models of the Temple of Castor and Pollux and the Temple of V...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Siena Marble
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...
Category
1860s Italian Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
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...
Category
1880s Italian Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Siena 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...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
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.
Category
1890s Italian Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Porphyry, Bronze
Fine Pair of Grand Tour Style Miniature Bronze Busts, Continental, circa 1900
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very handsome pair of classical bronze busts raised on white alabaster columns decorated with gilt metal rings, atop squared rouge royal marble...
Category
Early 20th Century German Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
Pair of Sienna Marble and Bronze Tazzas
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Sienna marble and bronze tazzas dating from the early 19th century, purchased in France. This pair is possibly French or European. D...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Marmo Gialo and Bronze Stamp Box, 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
Italian Grand Tour stamp box, 19th century.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Siena Marble
Antique Grand Tour Italian Marble & Gemstone Pietra Dura Paperweight
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Grand Tour paperweight.
With a black slate border and base inlaid with a pietra dura mosaic of various colorful gemstones and stones to the center.
Simply a grea...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Multi-gemstone, Marble
Antique Grand Tour Pietra Paesina & Specimen Marble Rimmed Dish or Bowl
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique grand tour hardstone rimmed dish or bowl.
With a large central piece of Pietra Paesina (so called "ruins" marble).
The rim is set with various hardstone specimens, i...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Limestone, Marble
Pair of Alabaster Italian Obelisks
Located in Nashville, TN
A pair of white alabaster Italian mid-century Obelisks.
The smaller one measures 4" x 4" x 16" and the larger one is 4.75" x 4.75" x 20".
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Alabaster
Grand Tour Models of Trajan's Column & Cleopatra's Needle, a Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Grand tour models of Trajan's column & Cleopatra's needle, a pair
Both with fine detail, and remnants of a thermometer standing 7.5" H x 3" square black marble base affixed with a bronze fence...
Category
19th Century European Antique Grand Tour Desk Accessories
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze, Metal
Grand Tour desk accessories for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Grand Tour desk accessories for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage desk accessories created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with stone, marble and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Grand Tour desk accessories made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original desk accessories, popular names associated with this style include Elkington & Co., and F. Barbedienne Foundry. 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 desk accessories differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $243 and tops out at $55,200 while the average work can sell for $1,600.
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