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.
18th Century India Bronze Hanging Oil Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
18th Century Sri Lankan hanging bronze oil lamp with Makara head spout. Solid bronze. Can be hung or used as a stand-alone decorating piece. Great piece to use with any decor. Dimen...
Bronze
18th Century Italian Bronze Hanging Oil Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
18th Century Italian hanging bronze oil lamp with removable lid. Solid bronze. Can be hung or used as a stand-alone decorating piece. Great piece to use with any decor. Dimensions l...
Bronze
18th Century Brass Barn Portable Lantern Candlelight
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early Danish 18th Century Brass Barn Portable Lantern.
Brass
Italian Hanging Cloche Lantern, Hand Blown Glass, Mid 20th Century
Located in New Orleans, LA
This simple yet beautiful small Italian cloche lantern features hand blown glass in a classic baluster shape. The mid 20th century piece features bronze scroll work...
Bronze
Antique Dutch Copper Lantern – 17th/18th Century – Arts & Crafts Style
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique Dutch Copper Lantern – 17th/18th Century – Arts & Crafts Style A rare and characterful large hanging lantern from the Netherlands, likely crafted in the late 17th or early 1...
Copper
19th/20th Century Wrought Iron and Bronze Four Light Hanging Lantern
Located in Stamford, CT
Baroque style wrought iron and bronze hanging lantern with distinctive bronze decorative plaques and original chain and hardware. Dating from the 1890's - 1910, this beautifully craf...
Wrought Iron, Bronze
French, 18th/ 19th Century Metal Lantern
Located in Buisson, FR
Very rare metal lantern, France, circa 1750- 1850. Weathered, small losses and some old repairs. Lantern can be opened on one side. Glass of later date. H:40,5cm W:26,5cm D:12cm
Metal
18th/Early 19th Century Islamic Blown Glass Mosque Oil Lamp
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce antique, circa 1785, Middle Eastern hand painted and blown glass Mosque lamp, 18th / early 19th century, the stunning blue glass mosque oil lamp having a large flared rim, o...
Blown Glass, Paint
Venetian 18th Century Lantern
Located in Round Top, TX
A very stunning 18th century Lantern from Venice. Wonderfully crafted from gilt metal and decorated with an angel and putti - standing in its stone base. Grand scale and ready to use...
Metal
18th Century Italian Carved and Gilt Wood Chandelier
Located in Essex, MA
Period 18th century Italian carved and giltwood chandelier with six wrought iron arms. Intricately carved and giltwood canopy with wrought iron extension chain and carved and parcel ...
Wrought Iron
Pair of Wired Empire Hanging Oil Lamps, French 19th Century
Located in New Orleans, LA
This pair of French bronze hanging oil lamps dates back to the 19th century and suspend from beautifully elaborate heavy chain. The crown resembles a gothic revival sunburst, connecting to the lamp in three positions. The lamp itself features detailed casting with scroll work and patterned embellishments, a handle, top, and two arms. It has been fully converted to electricity. Each piece in our shop is professionally rewired and in working order. Each chandelier and lantern comes with a vintage canopy...
Bronze
French, 18th/ 19th Century Metal Lantern
Located in Buisson, FR
Very rare metal lantern with lovely wooden handle, France, circa 1750- 1850. Unique period piece Weathered, small losses H:33cm W:16,5cm D:10cm
Metal
Antique English 19th Century Copper Wall Hanging Gas Lamp
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique English copper wall hanging gas lamp dating back to the 19th century. This Georgian style glazed lamp with a beautiful verdigris aged patina would suit an indoor or outdoo...
Copper
18th century Swedish Baroque Lantern
Located in Allerum, SE
Unusually large Swedish Baroque brass lantern from the early 18th century, circa 1720 Sweden. Literature: Compare page 253, Sigurd Erixon, Mässing - Svenska manufakturer och konstha...
Brass
Grand Tour Italian Gilt Bronze Pendant Oil Lamp
Located in Astoria, NY
An 1870s Italian Historicist reproduction of a Baroque oil lamp in gilt bronze with winged mermaids and grotesques. Possibly made as a Grand Tour copy of an original lamp from the ch...
Bronze