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.

to
36
411
5
3
9
320
82
8
27
22
15
1
2
1
1
4
1
1
26,200
14,019
9,129
5,681
3,920
3,044
2,314
1,718
1,375
1,326
1,152
1,117
1,018
948
930
662
652
596
240
216
198
169
34
233
144
376
230
80
25
20
Height
to
Width
to
419
419
419
2
2
2
2
2
Style: Grand Tour
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...
Category

19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Siena Marble, Brass, Bronze

Grand Tour Bust of Apollo Belvedere, Italy 19th century
Located in Greding, DE
Gilded bust of Apollo Belvedere on a grey cylindrical plinth with black base. Plinth: 6.5 x 6.5 cm
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, 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

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

Neoclassical Grand Tour Solid Marble Brown and Gray Obelisk
Located in Elkhart, IN
A stunning neoclassical or Grand Tour style solid marble gray and brown obelisk Measures: 2"W x 2"D x 8"H. Very good original vintage condition.
Category

Late 20th Century Pakistani Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Grand Tour Bronze Sarcophagus Form Box
Located in Stamford, CT
Unusual 19th century Italian Grand Tour bronze box in the form of a sarcophagus, circa 1880. Nice form, handsome desk-top accessory, great addition to any box collection. 5.5 inches...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Labradorite Semi Precious Stone Box with Hinged Lid
Located in New York, NY
Labradorite semiprecious stone box with hinged lid. Labradorite displays an iridescent optical effect (or schiller) known as labradorescence. La...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone, Brass

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Siena Marble, Porphyry

Monumental Neoclassical Grand Tour Ormolu Mounted Marble Obelisks on Pedestals
Located in Elkhart, IN
A stunning pair of monumental neoclassical or Grand Tour style solid marble pink, gray, brown, and black obelisks on solid marble pedestals. Italy, Cir...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Pair, 19th Century French Grand Tour Gilt Equestrian Plaques - Signed Henry
Located in Atlanta, GA
This striking pair of 19th-century French Grand Tour gilt equestrian plaques, signed "Henry," exemplifies the grandeur and craftsmanship of the period. Each plaque is meticulously ca...
Category

19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Italian 18th C Grand Tour Roman Bronze Bust of a Horse, Specimen Marble Base
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Italian 18th C Grand Tour Roman Bronze Bust of a Horse, Specimen Marble Base Italy, Later 18th Century A Italian 18th Century Grand Tour Roman Bronze Bust of a Horse, displayed on ...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of 19th Century Grand Tour Roman Feet Bronze Candlesticks
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of 19th century grand tour Roman feet bronze candlesticks, each one realistically cast of one pair of human feet, that hold one standard candle.
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Grand Tour Bronze Model of a Recumbent Horse
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Grand Tour bronze model of a Recumbent horse, realistically cast and modeled, raised on a faux marbleized base.  
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Bronze figure of a Satyr
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Bronze Grand Tour figure of a Satyr with a wine skin, originally part of a fountain, a finely modeled, mounted on a stone plinth. 19th Century.
Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone, Bronze

19th Century Bronze sculpture of Diana of Gabii, Grand Tour
Located in Dresden, DE
Diane of Gabii is a sculpture of a woman richly adorned in drapery. The statue most likely represents goddess Artemis, the virgin goddess of hunting and the wild, and is attributed t...
Category

19th Century European Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Diminutive Grand Tour Bronze 'Balancing Faun' on Marble Pedestal
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Diminutive Grand Tour bronze 'Balancing Faun' on marble pedestal Italy, The sculpture circa 1890, the marble pedestal later addition 20th C A small well executed bronze sculpture...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Bronze Pompeian Athénienne-Jardinière attributed to Sabatino De Angelis & Fils
By Sabatino De Angelis
Located in Montreal, QC
Bronze Pompeian Athénienne-Jardinière attributed to Sabatino De Angelis & Fils The present work was inspired by a Pompeian brazier that was buried in 78 A.D. and excavated later. as ...
Category

1850s Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

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...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Pair of Roman Grand Tour Bronze & Ormolu Snake Serpent Motif Vases/ Ewers/Urns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Roman Grand Tour Bronze and Ormolu Serpent Motif Vases/ Ewers/Urns  Italy, circa 1880s A beautiful pair of Roman Grand Tour Bronze and Ormolu Serpent Motif Vases, Ewers, and...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Theodoric the Great Grand Tour Bronze, After Peter Vischer the Elder (1460-1529)
Located in Atlanta, GA
After Peter Vischer The Elder (1460-1529), Theodoric The Great, King of the Ostrogoths. Continental Bronze Figure of Gothic King Theodoric as a knight in armor after the artist Pete...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Grand Tour Bronze Bust Of Seneca
Located in Essex, MA
Bust of Seneca likely made in the Naples area of Italy. Now seated on a faux porphyry base. Loss of a section of bronze at base of neck.
Category

1870s Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Small Grand Tour Style Souvenir Of David On A Marble Plinth
Located in Kent, Dover
A Small Italian Grand Tour style souvenir of David on a marble plinth.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

19th Century Grand Tour Silver Box, likely made in Germany
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
19th century Grand Tour silver box, likely made in Germany. With faux Paris, 1784 hallmarks. Decorated with a 17th century gentleman in rococo cartouche. 3.55 troy oz. 3 3/8" x 2.75"...
Category

19th Century German Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

Silver Bust of Menelaus King of Sparta Grand Tour
Located in Rochester, NY
19th century silver plate bust Menelaus mythological king of Sparta. A fine casting with rich patina. Ebonized wood base. Illegible hallmark. In Greek mythology, Menelaus was a king ...
Category

19th Century European Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver Plate

Italian 19th century Alabaster statue of the Temple of Vespasian
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful and most decorative Italian 19th century Grand Tour Period Alabaster statue of the Temple of Vespasian. This stunning ruin is are raised by a mottled square base below th...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Alabaster

19th Century Italian Ruby Glass Box with Miniature of Basilica
Located in Dallas, TX
Lovely little 19th century ring jar or pill box made of a thick wine colored ruby glass. It has a miniature of a Basilica on top, gilt metal mounts with beautiful filigree on the si...
Category

Early 19th Century Vatican Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Slate, 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

Small Bronze Sculpture of the Discobolus of Myron After the Antique
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A small patinated bronze sculpture of the Discobolus of Myron, after the antique. Dating to circa 1880, the statue depicts a male figure in a classic poised pose as if ready to thro...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Grand Tour Bronze Scultpure of a Faun
Located in Dresden, DE
Faun of Roman Mythology. This energetically dancing faun is out of Bronze and is based on an antique model. Known for their "goat-like features", they were seen as half-human, half-a...
Category

20th Century European Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Plaque of Napoleon Crossing the Alps after the Painting by David
Located in London, GB
Bronze plaque in high relief of Napoleon crossing the Alps after the famous painting by Jacques-Louis David (30 August 1748-29 December 1825...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Serpentine

19th Century Italian Grand Tour Figure of 'Faro' Carved in Black Basal
Located in Kastrup, DK
A very decorative 19th century Italian Grand Tour figure of 'Faro' carved in black basalt, mounted on a grey stone base. Height: 30 cm. Italy 19th century.
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone

A mid 19th century Italian grand tour Sorrento marquetry box circa 1860
Located in Central England, GB
A very fine Italian marquetry box dating to circa 1860 and made in the Sorrento region of Italy where local craftsmen were renowned for making ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

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.
Category

1810s English Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Orange-Brown Banded Jasper Point
Located in New York, NY
Unusual orange and brown banded jasper point from Madagascar.
Category

2010s Malagasy Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone

Grand Tour Bronze, Two-Tone Enamel & Pietra Dura Dressing Box or Humidor C. 1880
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exceptional Grand Tour dressing box or humidor, crafted in France circa 1880, epitomizes the luxurious design and meticulous craftsmanship of the late 19th century. Constructed ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Enamel

19th Century (mid) Italian Grand Tour Sculpture Atlas Holding The Earth
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century (mid) Italian Grand Tour Sculpture Atlas Holding The Earth Beautiful piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Category

19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Bronze

A French 19th century Grand Tour Period Onyx and Ormolu Warwick vases
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful and high quality French 19th century Grand Tour Period Onyx and Ormolu Warwick vases. This striking pair of urns are raised by a square cream colored Onyx bases with cut ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Onyx, Ormolu

19th Century Italian Grand Tour Bronze Bust of Dante
Located in San Francisco, CA
An exceptional large antique Italian Grand Tour Bronze and bust of Dante Alighieri, mid to late 19th century circa 1880. This fine bronze is modeled as the 13th century Italian Poet,...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

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

Antique 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Siena Marble Model of a Sarcophagus
Located in New York, NY
A Magnificent Antique 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Siena Marble Model of a Sarcophagus on a Rouge Marble Base. This piece is modeled in the manner of Benedetto Boschetti, featuri...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Siena Marble

Imposing 19th-Century Gilt Sailor's Pricket with Mounted Natural Sea Fan- 62"H
Located in New York, NY
This striking and unusual piece showcases a large, natural sea fan meticulously mounted on an impressive 19th-century gilt sailor’s pricket, standing an impressive 62" tall. The pric...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Coral

A Fine & Large 19th Century Grand Tour Serpentine Marble Socle, Italy Circa 1800
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
An impressively large mottled 'verde prato' serpentine socle of turned columnar form, rising from a stepped base to a flattened plateau above a cavetto-shaped edge. In relation to it...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Serpentine

A Continental 19th century Bronze and Marble statue of Perseus and Medusa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional Continental 19th century Grand Tour Period patinated Bronze, Black Belgian, and Rosso Alicante marble statue of Perseus and Medusa. This handsome statue of Perseus hav...
Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French 19th Century Neoclassical Black Marble Baluster Vase
Located in Berlin, DE
French 19th century neoclassical black marble baluster vase Impressive neoclassical tall baluster-shaped vase made of polished black marble, showin...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Belgian Black Marble

Large Pair Verdigris Finished Cast Metal Figural Planters after Clodion
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This impressive pair of large cast metal figural planters is designed in the manner of the celebrated French sculptor Claude Michel, known as Clodion. Each planter is masterfully det...
Category

1950s Unknown Vintage Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

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

19th Century Grand Tour Sculpture of a Putto with Horn and Deer
Located in Dresden, DE
19th Century Grand Tour Putto with Horn and Deer Bronze 6242 g 40 x 23 x 15 cm
Category

Mid-19th Century European Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

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

Large Hand Carved Haematite-Jasper Bowl
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite hand-carved and polished stone bowl showcases a striking natural pattern of alternating bands of hematite (silver) and jasper (red),...
Category

2010s Indian Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone

19th Century French Pair Bronze & Sienna Urns
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century French Pair Bronze & Sienna Urns. Beautiful pair purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Category

19th Century European Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Siena Marble, Bronze

Fine Large Patinated Bronze Bust of a Roman or Greek Nobleman
Located in New York, NY
Fine and very detailed patinated bronze bust of a Roman or Greek nobleman.
Category

19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Belgian Black Marble

19th Century Alabaster Figure Of The Spinario (Boy with Thorn)
Located in Dublin, IE
A well-executed alabaster figure of a nude boy seated on a rocky base, leaning forward intently as he removes a thorn from his foot. The carving demonstrates fine anatomical detailin...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Alabaster

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...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

Grand Tour Bronze Figure Of Bacchus
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A 19th century Italian grand tour bronze figure of Bacchus with a goat over his shoulders Circa 1890
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Rare Original Early 19th Century Roman Grand Tour Rosso Antico Marble Lion Bath
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this incredibly rare original early 19th century Roman Grand Tour Rosso Antico marble bath with Lion head detailing This bath is stunning, I hav...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Grand Tour Jennings Dog Serpentine Sculpture After the Antique
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique carved Italian serpentine sculpture after the Grand Tour Jennings Dog. This seated dog displays impressive carved details as it sits proud...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Serpentine

19th Century (early) Pair French Bronze Urns
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century (early) Pair French Bronze Urns. Beautiful pair purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed video & photos or message us with questions.
Category

19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

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