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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.

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Style: Grand Tour
19th Century Italian Grand Tour Bronze of Atlas On A Stand With Turtle
Located in Stamford, CT
Italian Grand Tour bronze in the Renaissance style of Atlas on an elaborate tripod base ending in hoof feet. The Greek god Atlas is is depicted naked on top holding the world upon hi...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Gladiatore Ferito Figura Grand Tour in Bronzo Ispirata al Galata Morente Romano
Located in Milano, MI
Bronze Wounded Gladiator, Italian sculpture from the early 1900s in good condition. The work is inspired by the Hellenistic sculpture depicting the Dying Gaul the famous marble Galata...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Brass Candle Holders Column-Shaped Grand Tour Style, Set
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
Classic column-shaped brass candle holders or candle holders Grand Tour style.      
Category

20th Century Italian Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

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

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

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

A Pair of Italian Regency Tole-Peinte Chestnut Urns
Located in Charleston, SC
the green backgrounds decorated in with scrolling foliage and insects, with peaked lid and lions mask and loop handles, raised on a square foot Matched Pair of 20th c. hand-painted ...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

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...
Category

19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, 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

Bronze Urn Vases French Pair on Marble Bases 19th Century
Located in Cheltenham, GB
Pair of Bronze Urn Vases French 19th Century on Black Marble Bases. Shaped handles raised on a black marble stepped plinth with a casting of a Greek God on both sides with mirroring ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Grand Tour terracotta bust of an Egyptian princess, 19th c
Located in Stockholm, SE
This striking small bust captures the timeless elegance of an Egyptian princess, inspired by the art and aesthetics of Tell-el-Amarna, a period known for its distinctive representati...
Category

Late 19th Century Egyptian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

Pair, Grand Tour Style Ceaser Augustus & Roman Soldier Bronze & Marble Figures
Located in Atlanta, GA
This striking pair of bronze figures, rendered in the Grand Tour style, represents Caesar Augustus and a Roman soldier, embodying the classical ideals and grandeur of ancient Rome. E...
Category

20th Century Italian Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, 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

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

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

19th Centrury Italian Bronze Sculpture of a Vestal Virgin
Located in Dresden, DE
This 19th Century Italian Grand Tour sculpture depicts a Vestal Virgin, who were devoted priestesses of Vesta in ancient Rome, holding her water bowl. Vestals watched over the sacred...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

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

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 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

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

Mid 20th Century Vintage Grand Tour Plaster Bust of Man
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Channel classical grandeur into your décor with this commanding Vintage Grand Tour-style plaster bust of a bearded man, resting atop a distressed black pedestal. Sculpted with dramat...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Plaster, Wood

Antique Pair of French Grand Tour Bronze Marble Cherubs Figures Putti Bookends
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stylish example of a pair of heavy well cast Grand Tour bronze seated figures of two amorino (infant cupid or cherub) probably of French origin, early nineteenth century. Each fig...
Category

19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

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

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

Late 19th Century Grand Tour Italian Bronze Sculpture of Nude Venus Candlestick
Located in Lisse, NL
Elegant and highly stylish candlestick or table lamp. This handcrafted and heavy quality, bronze candle stick or table lamp from the 1890-1910 era is in very good condition. This ro...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

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

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

Grand Tour Style Bronze Model of St. Peter's Throne Chair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Grand Tour-Style Bronze Model of St. Peter's Throne Chair Italy, 20th century  This unique bronze souvenir stands 7.5 inches high and is a finely cast...
Category

20th Century Italian Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

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

19th C. Grand Tour Bronze Apollo Belvedere After Leochares, Votive or Oil Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Grand Tour Bronze Apollo Belvedere After Leochares, Votive, or Oil Lamp Italy, circa late 19th century  A fine example of classical antiquit...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

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

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

Neoclassical Grand Tour Solid Marble Pink and Cream Obelisks, a Pair
Located in Elkhart, IN
A stunning pair of neoclassical Grand Tour style solid marble pink & cream obelisks Late 20th Century Measures: Large: 2.88"W x 2.88"D x 9.75"H. Small: 2.88"W x 2.88"D x 7.75"H. ...
Category

Late 20th Century Mexican Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Onyx, Marble

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

Pair Of Crater Vases, Grand Tour, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Pair of spelter krater vases with green patina on a green marble base; the belly is decorated with a motif inspired by antiquity, here a flute player and 2 heads decorate the handles...
Category

19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Spelter

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

Large French Grand Tour Period Bronze Sculpture Recumbent Lion
Located in Montreal, QC
Grand Tour period bronze sculpture of lion resting on a rosso levanto marble base. France: circa 1850.
Category

1860s French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Italian Bronze Neoclassical Grand Tour Bust
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A small Italian Grand Tour bust, circa 1780, depicting a patinated bronze gentleman in neoclassical dress upon a contrasting marble plinth. Onc...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

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

Pair of Diminutive Italian Grand Tour Style Models of Two Sandaled Right Feet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Diminutive Italian Grand Tour Style Models of Two Sandaled Right Feet Italy, Circa 1960s A delightful and charming pair of diminutive Italian Grand Tour style models of two ...
Category

20th Century Italian Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Borghese 1890 Steel Engraving Greco Roman Scene Bernard Picture Co. New York
Located in Miami, FL
Framed 1890 Steel Engraving Greco Roman scene sand clock by Bernard Picture Co. New York, New York. Marked Borghese on the reverse. O-505-335
Category

19th Century American Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel

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

Selection of Specimen Marble and Stone Spheres
Located in London, London
Specimen marble spheres Different stones Sizes are 15cm, 13cm, 10cm and 8cm diameter Age unknown
Category

20th Century Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

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

Grand Tour Neapolitan Tripod Oil Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Grand Tour Neapolitan Tripod Oil Lamp. Bronze patinated metal oil lamp of tripod form with lion head masks with rings, supported by lion monopedia on ball terminals on conforming bas...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

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 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

Bronze Sculpture of the Borghese Warrior
Located in Miami, FL
Bronze sculpture after the Borghese Warrior of which the original life-sized statue is in the Louvre. Placed on a marble plate. Comes with a wood and ...
Category

19th Century French 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

19th Century Ashford Black Marble with Pietra Dura Tazza
Located in London, London
Tazza Ashford black marble Derbyshire slate Pietra dura top 19th Century This elegant tazza, crafted in the 19th century, is made from Ashford black marble, a prized Derbyshire s...
Category

19th Century British Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone

Decorative Orthoceras Fossil Marble Urn
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A very rare and unusual early 20th century decorative fossil marble lidded urn, ex. private collection of a gentleman collector. Resembling marble, this urn is made from natural Ort...
Category

Early 20th Century Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Natural Fiber

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

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

Large Pair Verdigris Finished Cast Metal Figural Planters after Clodion
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous pair of signed "Clodion" Grand Tour style figural planters. This is a pair "after Clodion" and design in the style of his works, and are done in the grand tour sty...
Category

1950s Unknown Vintage Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

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

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

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

Murano Glass Bowl
Located in Miami, FL
Offered is a plum-colored blown glass candy, trinket, or catch-all bowl made in Murano, Italy. It measures 8.5" in diameter, 3.625" in height, and h...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

A Pair of Bronze Neoclassical Grand Tour Candelabras, Late 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Grand Tour Pair of Bronze Candelabras Late 19th Century DIMENSIONS Height: 10.33 inches Width: 4.75 inches Depth: 4.75 inches ABOUT We present to your attention a pair of stunning...
Category

1890s English Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Grand Tour Decorative Objects

Materials

Alabaster

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.

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