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Grand Tour Vases

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
Pair of Red-Figure Black-Ground Vases, 1810-1850, Italy, Terracotta, Grand Tour
Located in Epfach, DE
19th Century Pair of Red-Figure Black-Ground Vases, 1810-1850, Italy – Grand Tour Terracotta This exquisite pair of Italian red-figure black-ground vases, dating from circa 1810-185...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Vases

Materials

Terracotta

Pair of Grand Tour 'Néo-Grec' Gilt Bronze Vases, Attributed, F. Barbedienne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Grand Tour 'Néo-Grec' gilt bronze vases, Attributed, F. Barbedienne Each one with typical all over decoration, with applied handles with lion masks. Unmarked. Each vase sta...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Vases

Materials

Bronze

Grand Tour Bronze Figural Ewer and Stand, after the Roman Antique
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Grand Tour bronze figural ewer and stand, after the Roman Antique The ewer alone measures 8" x 5" x 5" The base measures 4" D x 1" H.
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Vases

Materials

Bronze

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

1830s Italian Antique Grand Tour Vases

Materials

Porphyry

Grand Tour Amphora Vase Decorated with Classical Figures
Located in Milford, NH
18th/19th century Grand Tour Amphora vase on hand wrought iron tripod base. Very good overall condition, with expected losses, great surface patina...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Vases

Materials

Wrought Iron

Antique French Grand Tour Patinated Bronze Barbedienne Paris Warwick Vase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Grand Tour Patinated Bronze Barbedienne Paris Warwick Vase. Circa Mid 19th Century. Measurements: 16" H x 18" W x 12" D. Weight approx. 60 lbs.
Category

Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Grand Tour Vases

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of Grand Tour Bronze Two-Handled Pompeiian Cups circa 1875
Located in Shippensburg, PA
GRAND TOUR PAIR OF BRONZE IVY AND VINE BAS-RELIEF DECORATED TWO-HANDLED 'SCYPHUS' (OR 'SKYPHOS') CUPS ON BLACK MARBLE SOCLE AFTER ANTIQUITY Cast by the fo...
Category

19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Vases

Materials

Marble, Bronze

a Grand Tour Etruscan Cast Iron Painted Vase Urn
Located in Madrid, ES
A beautiful Gran Tour vase, of Etruscan inspiration in cast iron, decorated with geometric and vegetal drawings, both on the base and in other parts of the vase, it has two ring-shap...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Vases

Materials

Iron

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 Vases

Materials

Alabaster

A Fine Pair of Early 20th Century Silver Plated Townley Vases, Circa 1920
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A fine pair of early 20th century silver plated Townley Vases, after the antique. Both vases of ovoid form with volute handles, decorated overall with a Bacchanalian themed bas-relie...
Category

Early 20th Century English Grand Tour Vases

Materials

Silver Plate

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 Vases

Materials

Marble, Spelter

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

1860s French Antique Grand Tour Vases

Materials

Carrara Marble, Bronze

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

19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Vases

Materials

Belgian Black Marble

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 Vases

Materials

Terracotta

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 Vases

Materials

Stone, Malachite, Onyx, Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

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 Vases

Materials

Belgian Black Marble

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 Vases

Materials

Marble

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Deruta, Hand-Painted Ceramic Vase, Figure of a Dragon, Italy, 1960s
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Crouching Venus Large Grand Tour Bronze Patinated Sculpture F. Barbedienne
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Grand tour bronze sculpture of the "Crouching Venus" after the antique. Fine patina. 19th century. Ferdinand Barbedienne (French, 1821-1902). # nude fe...
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Onyx Marble Vases Life-size Pair Classical Urns Circa 1960
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Grand Tour Terracotta Souvenir Oinochoe Wine Jug Ewer 19thc Ancient Greek Style
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19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Vases

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19th Century Italian Grand Tour Bronze of a Wine Vessel
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Antique Japanese Vase in Bronze Gold Stork Bird Emblem Meiji Era
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19th Century Grand Tour Style Greek Dinos Pottery
Located in Nashville, TN
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1890s Unknown Antique Grand Tour Vases

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Italian 19th Century Black-Ground Terracotta Vase
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant Italian 19th century red-figured black-ground terracotta vase, Painted with mythological figures, stylized bands of palmettes . Measures: cm 70 x 28.
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19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Vases

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Pair of Alabaster Goblets with Dionysus Heads
Located in Richmond, VA
Grand Tour carved alabaster vases in goblet form with Dionysus heads. Elegant and decorative with a gorgeous patina.       
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19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Vases

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19th Century Grand Tour Greek Terracotta Vessel of Amphora Form, Black and Brown
Located in London, GB
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Italian 19th Century Black-Ground Terracotta Vase
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant Italian 19th century red-figured black-ground terracotta vase, Painted with mythological figures, stylized bands of palmettes . Measures: cm 51 x 31.
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Grand Tour vases for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Grand Tour vases for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage vases created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, building and garden elements, lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Grand Tour vases 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 vases, popular names associated with this style include and Achille Collas. 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 vases differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $556 and tops out at $22,600 while the average work can sell for $3,136.

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