Skip to main content

Grand Tour Decorative Objects

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 micromosaicssmall 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.

1
364
12
1
to
30
236
110
377
373
377
23,471
14,531
8,090
5,099
3,800
2,949
2,087
1,576
1,250
1,244
1,150
1,064
928
884
804
622
618
582
7
284
73
13
27
21
9
2
2
1
2
2
1
Height
to
Width
to
238
201
185
144
22
327
202
72
17
11
5
2
2
2
2
Style: Grand Tour
Italian Grand Tour Antique Bronze Sculpture, Bust of Julius Caesar
Located in Shippensburg, PA
GRAND TOUR Italian, 19th century Bust of Julius Caesar Patinated and pigmented sand-cast bronze over Violet Breche marble socle unsigned Item # 212WHZ09P A finely cast and beau...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Neoclassical Solid Marble Black and Gray Obelisks, Pair
Located in Elkhart, IN
A stunning pair of neoclassical style or Grand Tour style solid marble black & gray obelisks Measures: 3"W x 3"D x 12"H. Very good original vintage ...
Category

Late 20th Century Pakistani Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Bust in the Grand Tour Style of Greek God Dionysus
Located in Memphis, TN
An Exceptional Large grand Tour Style Hellenistic Bust Of Greek God Dionysus. Highly detailed classical bust made of cast marble aka “marble dust.” Replica of Greek classical sculpt...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Large Pair of 19th Century Italian Bronzes of Creugas and Demoxenos
Located in Dallas, TX
A large and fine pair of 19th century Italian male nudes depicting the Greek boxers Creugas and Damoxenos. These bronzes have a wonderful old patina...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Antique Grand Tour French Bronze Sculpture Male Female Figure Clodion Barbediene
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An exceptional example of a fine pair of chisel cast French Patinated Bronze Figures after Claude Michel Clodion (1738-1814) in very dark brown patination. Mid-19th Century. Firmly a...
Category

19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Italian Patinated Bronze Group Sculpture of Laocoon and His Sons, C. 1870
Located in New York, NY
An Italian grand tour patinated bronze group sculpture of Laocoon and his sons, After the antique by Agesander of Rhodes, C. 1870 Very nice qua...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Grand Tour Bronze Bust of Homer
Located in Essex, MA
From the J. Chiurazzi foundry in Naples. Homer with nice rich patina on a Siena marble socle. Foundry medallion on back of base.
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Siena Marble, Bronze

Large 19th Century Bronze Bust
By Sabatino De Angelis
Located in London, GB
A superb 'Grand Tour' bronze bust, traditionally described as Dionysus (Dionysos), after the original excavated at the Villa of the Papyri in 1754; by the Sabatino and Sons foundry, ...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Grand Tour Marble Bust Psyche Of Capua
Located in Newark, England
Fine marble bust on pedestal after the antique. The bust sculpted as the goddess Psyche Of Capua presented as a nude female with a draped partial robe ...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Carrara Marble

Fine Pair of French Gilt & Patinated Bronze Ormolu 3 Light Candelabra
Located in London, GB
A pair of grand tour two tone bronze Cherub candelabra, French, Circa 19th century, The three branches each with detachable drip-pans. Circa 1880 and measuring 19 inches ( 49.5 cms) ...
Category

1880s French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Grand Tour Carved Alabaster Model of the Wrestlers, circa 1895
Located in New York, NY
19th century grand tour carved alabaster model of the wrestlers ,circa 1895 modeled after the Roman statue of the same name, currently located in the Uffizi Gallery...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Alabaster

19th Century Italian Grand Tour Bronze and Marble of Mercury
Located in Stamford, CT
An finely cast 19th century Italian bronze depicting the Hermes, the Greek god, (the god Mercury in Roman mythology) seated on carved gray marble. Afte...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century Grand Tour Italian Corinthian Column Bronze Candle Holders, Pair
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous pair of grand tour neoclassical gilded bronze Corinthian column candlestick holders Italy, circa Mid-19th Century Measures: 5.5"W x 5.5"D x 12.13"H. Very good ori...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

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...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Grand Tour Greek Revival Bronze Urns on Marble Bases
Located in Essex, MA
Each vase with scrolled handles resting on "griotte rouge" marble bases.
Category

1870s French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Griotte Marble, Bronze

19th Century Grand Tour Bronze Statue of Narcissus
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality Grand Tour patinated bronze figure of Narcissus, dating from the last quarter of the 19th century. Narcissus was a hunter in Greek mythology and he was distinguished for his beauty. This well patinated bronze classical figure...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Italian 19th Century Grand Tour Period Imperial Porphyry Tazzas
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely elegant pair of Italian 19th century Neo-Classical st. Grand Tour period Imperial Porphyry tazzas. Each tazza with wonderful proportions is raised by a square stepped ba...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Porphyry

Plaster Bust of Aphrodite Venus
Located in Bagshot, GB
A plaster bust of the goddess Aphrodite Venus. A great decorative addition to your interior.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Plaster

Neoclassical Bronze Covered Urns on Marble, Pair
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Neoclassical Grand Tour patinated bronze covered tazza urns cast with floral decoration to bowls on bases with Greek Key borders, the pierced lids with ivy motif and surmount...
Category

Mid-20th Century Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Vintage Italian Carrara Marble Sculpture of David
By Michelangelo
Located in Houston, TX
Stunning vintage Italian carved carrara marble sculpture or statue of David. Offered is a good sized well executed marble figure of David as a youth, copied from the original by Mic...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Carrara Marble

Pair of 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Inlaid Black Marble Tazza
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of 19th century Italian Grand Tour inlaid black marble Tazza, each one of typical form with a 6-Inch diameter roundel, raised on an inlaid ros...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Belgian Black Marble

19th Century French Painted Tole Covered Urn Pair
Located in Savannah, GA
This very handsome pair of French toleware lidded urns, in a deep red color with gold gilt accents, feature lion head handles on either side and artichoke finials atop the lids. Each...
Category

1860s French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Italian Neoclassical 19th Century Black-Ground Terracotta Vase
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant Italian 19th century neoclassical black painted terracotta vase after the original Roman marble vase. Bordered center body decorated with styl...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

Pair of Antique Roman Porphyry, Grand Tour Period Hand-Carved Lidded Vases
Located in New York, NY
A very fine pair of antique roman porphyry, Grand Tour period hand carved lidded vases. These are a fabulous and quite decorative pair of porphyry lidde...
Category

1830s Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Porphyry

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Grant Tour 19th Century Bronze Statue of Silenus Cradling the Infant Dionysus
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th Century Grand Tour bronze statue of Silenus cradling the infant Dionysus after the antique; Marble. Roman copy of 1st-2nd cent. CE after a bronze Greek original of ca 300...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Italian 19th Century Grand Tour Period Bronze Statue of the Borghese Gladiator
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and high quality Italian 19th century Grand Tour Period patinated bronze statue of the Borghese Gladiator. The statue is raised by a rectangular base where the handsome...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Bronze and Gilt Warwick Vase Lamp on Portoro Marble Basis, by Barbadienne, 1860
Located in Rome, IT
Large gilted bronze 'Warwick' vase lamp by Barbedienne, Paris circa 1860 mounted on a portoro marble pedestal. fine and original patina led lamp 4w 230V measures: 35 X 23 cm, Hei...
Category

1860s French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Carrara Marble, Bronze

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Porphyry

Antique Lover's Folio, Italian Walnut, Decorative, Grand Tour, Sleeve, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique lover's folio. An Italian, walnut and fruitwood decorative Grand Tour sleeve, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Deli...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Walnut

Antique Grand Tour Alabaster Statue of Diana di Gabii
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique Grand Tour alabaster statue of Diana di Gabbi, after the antique. Dating to circa 1890, this expertly hand-carved sculpture is in excellent ...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Alabaster

Italian White Terracotta Bust of the Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus, Octavian
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Italian White Terracotta bust of the Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus, Octavian Italy, 1900s, Can be used indoors or outdoors. A well execututed, large scale bust...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Antique Grand Tour French Bronze Sculpture Male Figure Cherub Clodion Barbediene
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An exceptional example of a chisel cast French Patinated Bronze Figural Group of a Satyr and a male Figure holding a Baby Bacchus after Claude Michel Clodion (1738-1814) in dark pati...
Category

19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Single Marble Column Fragment in the Roman Style
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A 16th century roman style marble column fragment circa 1550. This Solomonic marble column is mounted onto a bespoke steel base. A fascinating, ...
Category

16th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Steel

Pink Marble Obelisk in the Style of the Grand Tour
Located in London, GB
A Large Marble Obelisk from Italy in the style of the Grand Tour collectibles. This piece would look perfect in your wunderkammer collection or set on y...
Category

20th Century Italian Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Stone

Grand Tour Bronze Bust of Seneca
Located in Essex, MA
Modeled after the original found at Pompeii.
Category

1880s Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Sculpture of the Venus de Milo
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This cast bronze of the Venus de Milo dates to the late 19th century and was acquired during the "Grand Tour" of Europe.        
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Mercury Bust with Column, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Grand Tour Marriage in alabaster with bust of Mercury (inscribed Mercurio) mounted on a twisted column with foliate capital and square base.
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Alabaster

French 19th Century Grand Tour Period Bronze and Marble Urn
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century Grand Tour period patinated bronze and Vert de Patricia marble urn. The urn is raised by a square Vert d...
Category

19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Grand Tour Patinated Bronze Silenus Lamp
Located in Essex, MA
19th century Grand Tour patinated bronze figure statue of Silenus, The God of Wine. - Identical to that found in Herculaneum. An Greek mythology, Silenus was the tutor...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

19th Century Italian Grand Tour Bronze Wine Vessel Askos with Panther Handle
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century Italian Grand Tour panther handled askos, or wine vessel. The design of this piece is probably based on a bronze Roman askos held within Naples Museum. An askos is an a...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

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...
Category

19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Siena Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

19th Century Italian Grand Tour Bronze Bust of the Roman God Jupiter
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century Italian bronze bust of Jupiter on integral socle base, sits on a polished marble plinth. Nice chocolate patina. Inscribed 'Giove' on the rear. 7.5 inches high 3 wide 2.5 deep ( 5.25 high without base) Jupiter, also called Jove, Giove, the chief ancient Roman and Italian god. Like Zeus, the Greek god, Jupiter was a sky god. One of his most ancient epithets is Lucetius (“Light-Bringer”). Throughout Italy he was worshiped on the summits of hills. At Rome itself on the Capitoline Hill was his oldest temple; Jupiter gained a new force and meaning at the close of the early Roman...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Bronze Bust of Caesar Augustus
Located in Essex, MA
Very heavy and beautifully cast with great patina.
Category

1880s Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Italian Grand Tour Bronze Censer with Birds
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very fine antique Italian attributed grand tour bronze lidded censer applied with birds dating from around 1860. The censer stands raised on a square ba...
Category

1860s Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Collection of Granite Samples, 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The folio made of strong card stock opens to reveal 12 samples with each specimen described in French. Measures: Each Specimen 2 1/2” x 1 1/2”. Case closed. 5”x9” 1/2”.
Category

19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Granite

Pair of Red-Figure Black-Ground Vases, 1810-1850, Italy, Terracotta, Grand Tour
Located in Epfach, DE
Pair of red-figure black-ground vases, 1810-1850, Italy, Terracotta, Grand Tour Pair of red-figure black-ground vases circa 1810-1850 from Italy probably Naples or Sicilia. One v...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

French 19th Century Grand Tour Period Patinated Bronze Urn
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century Grand Tour period patinated bronze urn. The urn is raised by a mottled square base below the fluted socl...
Category

19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Neoclassical Style Bronze Candlesticks with Lion Heads, a Pair
Located in Elkhart, IN
A pair of Grand Tour Neoclassical style bronze candlesticks with lion heads and swags. The candle cups are removable.  
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Magnificent Patinated Bronze Sculptures After Clodian
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A Pair of 19th Century Grand Tour bronzes after the original sculptor, Claude Michael Clodion. The male and female Satyr Bacchus themes with putti and the adult figures with an origi...
Category

1870s Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Siena Marble, Bronze

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

"Menelaeus" Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique late 19c "Menelaeus" sculpture Grand Tour bronze from a Palm Beach estate Menalaeus was the husband of Helen of Troy and the original of this sculpture in white marble res...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

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 ...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Sterling Silver

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Siena Marble

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Vintage Grand Tour Plaster Bust of Man - a Pair
Located in west palm beach, FL
A fabulous pair of vintage plaster busts. A handsome man with an even more handsome beard. Done in the grand tour style. Painted a bright white. A...
Category

Mid-20th Century Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Plaster, Paint

Grand Tour decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Grand Tour decorative objects 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 decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Grand Tour decorative objects 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 decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include F. Barbedienne Foundry, Achille Collas, Ferdinand Barbedienne, and Borghese. 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 decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $175 and tops out at $108,390 while the average work can sell for $2,528.

Recently Viewed

View All