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 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
Large Roman Grand Tour Style Carved, Polychromed Wood & Bronze Mounted Tazza
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Roman Grand Tour style carved, polychromed wood & bronze mounted tazza, with a circular carved polychromed ribbed 16.5-Inch diameter bowl, with flanking bronze handles. Resting...
Category
20th Century Italian Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Monumental Gold Leaf Sculpture of an Angel
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Monumental gold leaf sculpture of an angel
Grand Tour style, made of gold leaf lacquer over fiberglass-reinforced resin
The statue measures 94"...
Category
20th Century Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Resin, Fiberglass, Wood, Lacquer
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 Statuette of Venus, 2nd Half 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Small dark patinated figure of Venus on round profiled plinth.
Category
Mid-19th Century European Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Italian 19th Century Neoclassical Style Ormolu and Marble Columns with Busts
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An outstanding and high quality true pair of Italian 19th century Neo-Classical st. Grand Tour period ormolu, black Belgian and Rouge Royal marble columns with busts...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Metal
Bronze Bust of Aeskulap
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stylsh bronze sculpture of the Greek god oh healing Aeskulap, and it was most likely originally acquired on the grand tour of Europe in the late 19th century.
Note: At the b...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Alabaster
Pair of Serpentine Grand Tour Lions
Located in Cheshire, GB
Pair of serpentine Grand Tour lions.
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Serpentine
French Grand Tour Borghese Gladiator in Cast Metal
Located in New York, NY
Monumental French late 19th century Grand Tour heavy cast metal sculpture of the Borghese Gladiator. The piece depicts a swordsman during fight and is a cast reproduction of the fame...
Category
1880s French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Italian 19th Century Grand Tour Period Patinated Bronze of a Roman Athlete
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome Italian 19th century Grand Tour period patinated bronze of a Roman athlete. The bronze is raised by a rectangular mottled edge black Belgian marble base below a thick rect...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture of Spinario the Thorn Picker
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A grand tour bronze sculpture of Spinario.
Measures: Height: circa 8 1/4 in.
Items purchased from David Sterner Antiques must delight you....
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Grand Tour Italian Bronze Vase with Trailing Vines, 19th Century
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An exceptional quality antique bronze vase applied in heavy relief with fruiting vines and with a handle applied to the side dating from the 19th century. Attributed to Grand Tour th...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Bronze Bust of Caesar on Marble Pedestal
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
Nicely detailed Bronze bust of Caesar with terrific age acquired patina made in Italy during the late 19th century during the Grand Tour.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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
Large Fine Bronze Sculpture of Mercury and Original Marble Pedestal
Located in Rochester, NY
Fine Grand Tour bronze sculpture of mercury flying on the wind after Giambologna. Polished rouge marble and bronze attached base. Green marble pedestal. Inscribed Jean de Bologne...
Category
Mid-19th Century European Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone, Marble, Metal, Bronze
Italian 19th C. Grand Tour Terracotta of a "Fauno Danzante Con Cimbali" ca. 1860
Located in CH
Italian 19th Century Grand Tour Terracotta of a "Fauno Danzante con Cimbali" Circa 1860
The statue depicts a satyr dancing and playing; in his right hand he holds the rattlesnakes...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
"Two Fates" German Bronze Sculpture after the Antique Cast by R. Bellair
Located in Shippensburg, PA
GRAND TOUR POLYCHROMED BRONZE GROUP OF "TWO FATES"
Foundry cachet verso for "R. Bellair & Co, Berlin, Friedrichstr.182"
Item # 012JIP09L
A good Grand Tour classical bronze group bas...
Category
20th Century German Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Antique Gilt & Patinated Bronze Cherub Mounted Chamber Sticks 19th C
Located in London, GB
A fine quality pair of antique gilt & patinated bronze cherub mounted chamber sticks circa 19th century.
Category
1880s French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Bronze Sculpture of Atalanta by the F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This beautiful 19th century grand-tour piece of the goddess Atalanta was created by the Ferdinand Barbedienne foundry in Italy. The piece is hallmarked with F. Bernedienne Fondeur on...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone, Marble
A Sculpture of Hercules
Located in New Haven, CT
This is a beautiful copy of the Farnese Hercules executed in the Grand Tour Period made of albaster - it stands on a custom-made rare white marble pedestal with black veins.
The Fa...
Category
1860s Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Alabaster
European Tour Bacchus Bronze Sculpture on Gilt and Rouge Royale Marble Base
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
European tour bacchus bronze sculpture on gilt and rouge Royale marble base from a palm beach estate
Note the refinement of the fingers and...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Cabinet Size Bronze Sculpture of Venus de Milo after Ron Liod Sauvage
By Ron Sauvage
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Venus de Milo bronze after Sauvage.
In an diminutive size that is perfect for the desk, mantel or vitrine.
Simply a wonderful little...
Category
20th Century French Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
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
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
Y. Gianni, Italian the Gulf of Naples, 19th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Y. Gianni (Italian) The Gulf of Naples, 19th Century. A beautiful signed "Y. Gianni" gouche on paper, framed and matted with description & name on matti...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Paper
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Siena Marble
19th Century Italian Grand Tour Steel Lidded Sarcophagus Box
Located in Stamford, CT
Rare 19th century Italian Grand Tour steel sarcophagus form box, circa 1880. Nice form, handsome desk-top accessory, great addition to any box collection. It is unusual to find this ...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Steel
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 Italian Candlesticks, Grand Tour, Early 19th Century
Located in Stockholm, SE
A large pair of candlesticks made of cast bronze and marble. Impressive design.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Eugene Cornu, Large Marble and Ormolu Urn, 19th Century
By Eugène Cornu
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive 19th century veined grey marble lidded urn with wonderful gilded ormolu classical mounts of mythical dragon like handles and masks, raised on a fluted ormolu collar...
Category
19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century Grand Tour Bronze Figure of Diana
Located in Stockton, NJ
A finely cast 19th century Grand Tour figure of a Diana.
Category
1870s Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
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
19th Century Grand Tour Influenced Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive 19th century French Sienna marble and bronze mounted Grand Tour influenced mantel clock, having an arched top, mythical gods...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Siena Marble, Bronze
Large Grand Tour Bronze Model of the Colleoni Monument by Verrochi
Located in New York, NY
A Large Italian 19th century Grand Tour bronze model of The Colleoni Monument by Verrochi, on a granite base.
Category
1880s Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Granite, Bronze
Rare Original Early 19th Century Roman Grand Tour Rosso Antico Marble Lion Bath
Located in GB
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 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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
Italian Grand Tour Giallo Di Siena Oil Lamp, circa 19th C. Boschetti
Located in New York, NY
An Italian carved Grand Tour Giallo di Siena oil lamp. Beautifully carved with leaf detailing and rounded bronze handle, set above marble base with ros...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Siena Marble
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
Pair of Grand Tour Bronzes of Atalanta and Hippomenes
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This set of two late 19th Century F. Barbedienne bronzes were acquired from a Palm Beach estate.
FYI
Atalanta, the Greek Goddess of Running, is one of the lesser-known gods worth kn...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
A Carved Breccia Marble Tazza, Italian, 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The Tazza with a raised floral carving in the center of the cup with gadrooned decoration around the cup with tapering stem and half fluting. Ending in small square base. Minute chip...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
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
Pair of Terracotta Lions, after Canova, 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The pair of recumbent lions facing towards each other.
Category
19th Century English Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Ormolu
Grand Tour Marble Sculpture of the Melossian Hound
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stylish and handsome piece dates to the "Grand Tour" period of Europe and is titled the "Melossian Hound" of ancient Greece, Albania, and is carve...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
19th Century Granite Stone Grand Tour Style Decorative Vase
Located in New York, NY
19th century granite stone Grand Tour style decorative vase. Granite is a very hard igneous rock that has a very pleasing granular decoration. Th...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Granite
Diane De Gabies Silvered Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture by Gautier & Albinet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A finely scaled model of the Diane de Gabies published by Gautier and Albinet.
With a wonderful distressed silvered surface throughout.
The Diane de Gabies is modeled after th...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Grand Tour Hand Carved Boxwood Romantic Boy & Girl Under Palm Leaf Wall Plaque
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful quality, one of a kind German or Italian antique wall sculpture.
This rare wall sculpture from the late 1800s is all hand car...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Boxwood, Nutwood
Pair of Bronze Busts of Rousseau and Voltaire
Located in London, GB
A pair of Antique busts of the French philosophers Rousseau and Voltaire. Unusually although from fairly standard portraits the busts appear to be English rather than French as they ...
Category
1820s English Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
German Glazed Terracotta Monkey Tile by Karlshrue
Located in Houston, TX
German glazed terracotta monkey tile by Karlshrue.
German glazed terra cotta or Majolica monkey tile by Karlshrue, circa 1920. This gorgeous wall art depicts two monkeys on a tree br...
Category
1920s German Vintage Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
French Grand Tour Patinated Bronze Animalier Mounted Thermometer
Located in London, GB
A fine and unusual French antique Grand Tour table thermometer in patinated bronze. Set upon a naturalistic trefoil shaped patinated bronze base with...
Category
1840s French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Antique Chased Silver Snuff Box Set with Fine Italian Micromosaic Plaque
Located in London, GB
The small rectangular silver snuff box, chased with foliage decorations and featuring a hinged back, is set with a detailed micromosaic plaque on top. The plaque depicts a rural land...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone, 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
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Alabaster, 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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Siena Marble, 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...
Category
1860s Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
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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