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Grand Tour Sculptures and Carvings

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 Finely Carved Wooden Wall Panel with Sphinx, Dolphins & Scrollwork
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This exceptional masterpiece of the 19th Century showcases remarkable craftsmanship with finest detailing. The carved wooden wall panel shows a composition featuring a central mythol...
Category

1880s French Antique Grand Tour Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Antique 18th Century Neoclassical Marble Urn
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique 18th century Neoclassical style marble urn. Beautifully carved into white statuary marble, this hand-carved urn is an excellent sculpture, featuring a detailed drape and ...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Grand Tour Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Marble, Statuary Marble

Walnut, Large Wooden Screw of a Wine Press, a Wooden Sculpture, Italy 1900s
Located in Roma, IT
Large wooden screw of a wine press, Italy, 1900s. A walnut sculpture. Really nice.
Category

20th Century Italian Grand Tour Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood, Walnut

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A pair of 18th century Austrian winged cherubs
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Pair of Canadian Folk Art Carved Japanese Internment Camp Figures or Sculptures
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Large Birds Nest Viechtauer Carved Wood Bird Folk Art Black Forest 1900s Austria
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Late 19th Century Carved Wooden Angel
Located in Santa Monica, CA
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Late 19th Century Carved Wooden Angel
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Deer Head primitive Black Forest Hand Carved Folk Art Wooden Trophy 19th Century
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18th/19th Century Italian Baroque Silvered Metal Altar Monstrance Reliquary
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Early 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Sculptures and Carvings

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Grand Tour sculptures and carvings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Grand Tour sculptures and carvings for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage sculptures and carvings created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with walnut, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Grand Tour sculptures and carvings made in a specific country, there are Europe, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 sculptures and carvings differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $669 and tops out at $669 while the average work can sell for $669.

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