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
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
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
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 ...
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Bronze
An Italian Specimen Marble Paperweight
Located in Spencertown, NY
The square paperweight with specimen marbles inset in yellow marble ground.
Marble
Marmo Gialo and Bronze Stamp Box, 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
Italian Grand Tour stamp box, 19th century.
Siena Marble
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
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
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
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
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...
Brass
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Pair of Grand Tour Style Carved Alabaster Bookends Formed as Classical Ruins
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very good pair of architectural inspired 'Grand Tour' style columnar alabaster bookends, both carved in the form of fluted columns, raised on stepped bases. Dimensions noted are th...
Alabaster
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
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