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
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
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
19th Century Hand Carved Alabaster Goblets with Dionysus Head
Located in New York, NY
Grand Tour hand carved alabaster vase in goblet form with Dionysus head on one side. Elegant decorative and well crafter delicate piece, circa 1850s.
Property from esteemed interi...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Alabaster
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 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
Antique Italian Grand Tour Sculpture of Lion of Lucerne
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique Italian Grand Tour sculpture after the Lion of Lucerne.
Dating to circa 1830, this period model is thought to have been made as a souvenir or a sample of the work by scul...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Alabaster
After The Roman Antique - Rock Crystal, Glass & Gold Flecking Grand Tour Pitcher
Located in Atlanta, GA
Likely European, 19th century or earlier.
This pitcher is incredibly unique and unusual. The interior has a cracked rock crystal surface, purple striations and gold flecking which a...
Category
19th Century British Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Rock Crystal
$1,996 Sale Price
20% Off
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
$3,400 / set
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
19th C. Italian Grand Tour Carrara Marble Double-Handled Urn on Lion's Paw Base
Located in New York, NY
A 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Hand-Carved and Hand-Polished Carrara Marble Double-Handled Urn on Lion's Paw Base. Intricately hand-carved with meticulous detail, the wide mouth ...
Category
1820s Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Carrara Marble
$23,040 Sale Price
20% Off
1890 Steel Engraving Greco Roman Scene by Bernard Picture Co. New York Borghese
By Borghese
Located in Miami, FL
1890 Framed steel engraving Greco Roman scene by Bernard Picture Co. New York, New York.
Marked Borghese on the reverse.
O-506-335
Category
19th Century American Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Steel
Vintage Solid Marble Orbs Spheres Mounted on Bases, Matched Pair
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Solid Marble Orbs Spheres Mounted on Bases, Matched Pair
Offered for sale is a pair of solid marble orbs or speres mounted on stepped marble bases in the Grand Tour style.
Category
20th Century Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
Antique Grand Tour Bronze Bust of Roman Emperor
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique Grand Tour bronze bust of a roman emperor, mounted on a Belgian black marble base.
Thought to be a depiction of a young Caesar, the expertly carved sculpture showcases de...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Belgian Black Marble
Pair of 19th Century '1850s' Grand Tour Italian Carved Multi-Marble Busts
Located in North Miami, FL
A pair 19th century (1850s) (Grand Tour) Italian carved multi-marble busts of Augustus of Prima Porta and Julius Cesar. These extremely fine an...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Carrara Marble
$39,600 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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
Grand Tour Bronze Statue Of Hippomene Throwing Golden Apples, Thiébaut Frères
Located in Lisbon, PT
Small french bronze sculpture of Hippomenes mid-race, casting golden apples to distract Atalanta — a rare Grand Tour piece by the legendary Thiébaut Frères foundry.
Titled “Hippomèn...
Category
Early 20th Century French Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
$1,763 Sale Price
20% Off
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
A Italian equestrian specimen marble carved study of a wild stallion and mare
Located in Central England, GB
This remarkable horse sculpture depicts a head and shoulders study of a wild stallion and mare carved meticulously from figured and veined natural marble stone with colours ranging f...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
Italian Silver Gilt Grand Tour Pompeian Classical Piping Faun Bell
Located in New York, NY
Italian silver gilt grand-tour bell, ca 1920. Figural handle in form of piping faun with puffed out cheeks and hoofed and hirsute hindquarters. Based on Greek statuette excavated in ...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver
Pair of Antique Italian Walnut Statues of Gladiators
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A pair of antique Italian walnut statues, after the antique Borghese Gladiator.
In Grand Tour style, this decorative pair are a stunning feature for a period property looking to app...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
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
19th Century (Mid) Italian Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture Mercury Hermes
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century (Mid) Italian Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture Mercury Hermes
Italian Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture Mercury Hermes
Beautiful piece purchased in France.
Age appropriate wear, s...
Category
19th Century European Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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
Circa 1870-1880 Pair French Grand Tour Bronze Female Busts
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Circa 1870-1880 Pair French Grand Tour Bronze Female Busts
Beautiful pair purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Category
19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Grand Tour Bronze Statue Of Atalanta, Thiébaut Freres
Located in Lisbon, PT
Small french bronze sculpture of the mythological huntress Atalanta, cast by the iconic Thiébaut Frères foundry during its final years as “Thiébaut Frères, Fumière et Cie” (1920–1926...
Category
20th Century French Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
$1,763 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Regency Statuary Marble Bust
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique Regency white statuary marble bust of a young Roman man.
Dating to 1820, this is an impressive sculpture of a young man, wearing a Roman toga on a round socle base in Reg...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Statuary Marble
A Pair of Grand Tour Bronze Tazzas on Sienna Marble Plinths
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Grand Tour bronze tazzas raised on stepped sienna marble plinths and mounted on sienna marble bases with bronze molding. Circa 1820, Italy.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Siena Marble, Bronze
Marmo Gialo and Bronze Stamp Box, 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
Italian Grand Tour stamp box, 19th century.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Siena Marble
pair of French 19th century Grand Tour Period Louis XVI st.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome pair of French 19th century Grand Tour Period Louis XVI st. Sienna marble, Ormolu and patinated Bronze Warwick vases. The pair of urns are raised by square bases which are...
Category
19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
A Grand Tour Style Model of a Stallion after the Antique, Italy Circa 1900
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very handsome & finely modelled, patinated antimonial lead casting of a bridled stallion. Shown rearing up on it's hind legs, the head turned slightly to the right with pricked ear...
Category
Early 1900s Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Other, Lead
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
Early 19th Century Pair French Grand Tour Candlesticks with Eagles
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Early 19th Century Pair French Grand Tour Candlesticks with Eagles. Gorgeous shape. Please see pics and contact us with any questions.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Large Antique Plaster Sculptors Model of Mercury
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large antique painted plaster sculptors model or machete of Mercury. Dating to circa 1900, the sculpture depicts Roman God Mercury seated on a rock in a patinated plaster finish.
In Neoclassical style, this French sculpture is an impressive size displaying expertly hand-carved craftsmanship.
An exceptional decorative antique for properties looking to appreciate Neoclassical style and Roman mythology.
Mercury
Mercury is the Roman god of shopkeepers and merchants, travellers and transporters of goods, and thieves and tricksters.
He is commonly identified with the Greek Hermes...
Category
Early 20th Century French Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Plaster, Paint
Pair of Grand Tour 19th Century Bronze Putti Figures on Marble Bases, C 1860
Located in Central England, GB
This small pair of fine Italian Grand Tour bronze figures are of classical putti naked apart from a belt of vine leaves and grapes around their lower torso...
Category
1860s Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Ormolu, Onyx, Malachite & Hardstone 'Oinochoe' Ewers, Circa 1870
Located in Brisbane, QLD
This pair of Grand Tour era ewers are in the 'oinochoe' shape and date to circa 1870. The pair are miniature in size and comprise of ormolu (gilt bronze), malachite, onyx and hardsto...
Category
19th Century European Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone, Malachite, Onyx, Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
An Antique Grand Tour Period "Rosso Antico" Red Marble Obelisk Column w/ Flame
Located in New York, NY
A very finely carved 19th century Grand Tour period "Rosso Antico" marble souvenir, including Egyptian Obelisk with a Flame Finial. It is inscribed with gilt Latin lettering describi...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
Large Antique Copeland Tile of Cherub & Lion
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large antique Copeland tile depicting a cherub and lion.
This 8 inch clay tile dates to circa 1876, displaying a putti with a cape holding a fruiting cornucopia before a lion in m...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Clay
Italian Marble Bust of a Girl, 18th Century
Located in London, by appointment only
Italian 18th Century Marble Bust of a Girl
Late 18th century bust of a girl, in the manner of Luigi Valadier
Son of Andrea Valadier, a Prove...
Category
18th 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
$1,450 / set
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
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
$1,350 Sale Price / set
25% Off
A Fine Grand Tour Bronze Bust of a Greek Philosopher, After Mathurin Moreau
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
This finely modelled Hellenistic style bronze portrait bust appears to be that of the Greek philosopher Chrysippus of Soli - regarded by scholars as the 2nd founder of the School of ...
Category
Late 19th Century French 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
19th century Grand Tour period Alabaster and Marble bust of Athena
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful and small scale Italian 19th century Grand Tour period Alabaster and Verde Ranocchia Marble bust of Athena Of Velletri. This most charming bust is raised on square Ranocc...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Alabaster, Marble
Pair of Antique Grand Tour Patinated Bronze Dogs Seated on Sienna Marble Plinths
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful pair of 19th century antique grand tour patinated bronze dogs seated on siena marble plinths. Each dog is beautifully cast and hand-chiseled with meticulous craftsmanship...
Category
1880s Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Siena Marble, Bronze
Pair of Antique Grand Tour Patinated Bronze Grey Hounds Seated Marble Plinths
Located in New York, NY
A Beautiful Pair of 19th Century Antique Grand Tour Patinated Bronze Grey Hounds Seated on Marble Plinths. Each dog is beautifully cast and hand-chi...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Grand Tour Italian Bronze Bust Of Mellephebe
Located in Essex, MA
A finely cast image of Mellephebe, the young Eros after the antique. Very likely the Chiurazzi foundry, Naples. Sienna marble socle. The original discovered in the mid 18th century b...
Category
1870s Italian Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Siena 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 Green Marble Tazza Vase with Classical Carved Details
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A Grand Tour 19th century green marble tazza vase with classical carved motifs on tall pedestal. After a model of the renowned Warwick vase, this Grand Tour...
Category
19th Century Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
Large Antique Tile of the Meeting of Ulysses
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large antique patent clay tile of the Meeting of Ulysses by R. Davies & Co.
The perfect decorative piece for a period property looking to add eleganc...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
Steel
Pair of Regency French Ormolu Gilded Candelabras Featuring Turkish Figures
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Pair of Regency French ormolu gilded candelabras featuring Turkish figures supporting three foliate carved candle branches with urn-shaped bobeches. ...
Category
19th Century European Antique Grand Tour Decorative Objects
Materials
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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