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.
$5,680Sale Price|20% Off
Murano 12 Arm Chandelier in Gold and Ruby Red
Located in Charleston, SC
An absolute stunning 12 arm chandelier in murano glass. The glass on the arms is a clear with gold flecks and beautiful red details. The body of the chandelier is gold. The cur...
Murano Glass
Antique French Giltwood Figural Cathedral Floor Lamps, a Pair
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique French giltwood figural Cathedral floor lamps - a pair.
Marble
Grand Tour and Art Déco bronze table lamps, France, 1920s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Pair of exceptional French table lamps in bronze representing two sphinxes from Greek/Roman mythology with a woman's face, lion's body and winged, in French Empire and Art Deco style...
Bronze, Brass
Set of Carved Giltwood and Polychrome Italian Balusters Mounted as Lamps
Located in Nashville, TN
Hard to find pair of Venetian styled Solomonic formed paint and giltwood balusters now mounted on marble bases and wired as lamps . The shades are new custom green silk . Lamp pr...
Giltwood
$1,196Sale Price|20% Off
Grand Tour Model of the Eiffel Tower, Now as a Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Grand Tour model of the Eiffel Tower, now as a lamp, newly wired. The architectural model stands 30" high, 33" high to the top of the socket.
Wrought Iron
$2,639Sale Price|20% Off
C 19th Venetian Carved Gondolier Figure Candlestand
By Venetian School
Located in Dereham, GB
C 19th Venetian Carved Gondolier Figure Candlestand, With Polychrome Decoration Gondolier, Holding a paddle & Cornucopia shaped holder for Candle. Standing on part gondola The Se...
Pine
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
A Fine Grand Tour Style Bronze of Mercury Mounted as a Table Lamp, Circa 1900
By Giambologna
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
The large & finely proportioned cast bronze figure of Mercury - Roman god of abundance & commercial success, shown cradling a caduceus in one hand - the other arm outstretched toward...
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Grand Tour Bronze Urn Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Grand Tour-period bronze urns that have been mounted as lamps. The bronze urn adorned with low-relief images of classical figures and foliate designs. The bases made of squ...
Marble, Bronze
Roman Bronze Oil Lamp With Theatrical Mask Handle
Located in Bradenton, FL
A rare Roman Grand Tour cast bronze oil lamp with a pear-shaped body leading to a curvaceous spout. Handle has a theatrical mask with expressive facial features and tight curly hair....
Bronze
Pair Of French 19th Century Grand Tour Period Bronze, Ormolu, And Marble Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. Grand Tour Period patinated Bronze, Ormolu and black Belgian marble lamps possibly by F. Barbedienne. Each lamp is raised on an...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Fine Victorian Brass Standard lamp with Corinthian Column & Aladdin Lamps
Located in Dereham, GB
Fine Victorian Brass Standard lamp with Corinthian Columns & Aladdin Lamps, with shade now converted to electricity, with Patt test Centre Corinthian Column, with telescopic top, Spi...
Brass
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
Grand Tour Bronze Model of Trajan’s Column Lamp w/ Emperor Finial
Located in Atlanta, GA
A finely cast Grand Tour bronze model of Trajan’s Column, mounted on its original stepped marble plinth and later adapted as a table lamp, the work retaining its rare original bronze...
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Theodore Alexander Bronze & Marble Column Lamp
Located in Savannah, GA
A Theodore Alexander grand tour style bronze and marble column lamp. 5 inches wide by 5 inches deep by 33 ½ inches tall; 20 ¾ inches tall to...
Marble, Bronze
Grand Tour table lamp in French Empire style depicting the King Cecrops, 1920s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Grand tour table lamp in French empire style circa 1920, France. This piece depicts the King Cecrops from Greek mythology in his youth and playing an aulos (wind instrument from anci...
Brass, Bronze
Grand Tour. Baroque style bronze table lamps, Italy, 1920s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Grand Tour style table lamps, Italy, early 20th century, set of 2. Bronze metal body in golden tones, slightly darkened. With a neoclassical and eclectic style, these lamps have a ce...
Metal, Bronze
Italian Glazed Terracotta Lantern
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Glazed Terracotta Lantern. Offered is a lovely Italian glazed terracotta lantern from the Amalfi Coast of Italy. This beautifully detailed lantern displays a variety of seali...
Terracotta
Italian Grand Tour Style Patinated Bronze Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
An Italian Grand Tour style patinated metal vessel now mounted as an ancient looking lamp. Paw feet supporting three columns with lion head tops with rings in their mouths. The cente...
Bronze
Large Italian Style Patinated Bronze Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
Large Italian style patinated metal vessel now mounted as an ancient looking lamp. Paw feet supporting three columns with lion head tops with rings in their mouths. The center in the...
Bronze
Italian Neoclassical Bronze Floor Lamp with Paw Feet
Located in Stamford, CT
Beautifully cast Italian neoclassical style bronze floor lamp modeled after an original excavated at Pompeii or Herculaneum. With acanthus leaf decoration above and below the reeded ...
Bronze
$1,560Sale Price|20% Off
Grand Tour Style Bronze and Marble Column Floor Lamp, after the Roman Model
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Grand Tour style bronze and marble column floor lamp, after the Roman model, finely cast twisted column raised on a paw footed 15" diameter t...
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century Grand Tour Italian Bronze Sculpture of Nude Venus Candlestick
Located in Lisse, NL
Elegant and highly stylish candlestick or table lamp. This handcrafted and heavy quality, bronze candle stick or table lamp from the 1890-1910 era is in very good condition. This ro...
Bronze
$1,516Sale Price|20% Off
Grand Tour Style Sienna Marble Model Temple of Castor & Pollux, Now as a Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Grand Tour Style Sienna Marble Model Temple of Castor & Pollux, Now as a Lamp Italy, Circa 1950s A magnificent Grand Tour Style Sienna Marble Model of the Temple of Castor and Pollu...
Marble, Siena Marble, Brass
Cast Brass Classical Lady Table Lamp. Grand Tour Style, circa 1920s
By Raymond Russ Stoltz
Located in Dereham, GB
Cast Brass Classical Lady Table Lamp. Grand Tour Style, circa 1920s Classical Lady holding Floral head Dress Partial covered with draped cloth Basket with Flowers sitting behind, C...
Brass
$2,316Sale Price / set|20% Off
19th Century, French Grand Tour "4 Seasons" Bronze & Sienna Marble Urn Lamps
Located in Atlanta, GA
French, 19th century. A pair of good quality bronze urns decorated with playful cherub or putti. The putti figures each represent one of the four season graces after the original my...
Siena Marble, Bronze
Antique Grand Tour French Bronze Bust Trojan Greek General Ajax Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Grand Tour French Bronze Bust Trojan Greek General Ajax Table Lamp. Item features a stately patinated bronze bust depicting the famous Greek war general Ajax with some of the...
Bronze
19th Century Grand Tour Greco-Roman Oil Lamp Form Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Antique (late 19th century) continental Grand Tour style patinated and gilt bronze chandelier in the form of a Greek or Roman oil lamp depicting the figure of the Greek god, Helios, ...
Bronze
1940s Italian Neoclassical Wrought Iron Applique 3 Light Wall Sconce
Located in Miami, FL
Wrought iron three-light applique, wall sconce from Italy. Wired for the U.S. prior shipping and uses each a max. 40 watts light bulb. In good used condition with normal signs of wea...
Wrought Iron
A Large Italian Simulated Marble Table Lamp
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Large Italian Simulated Marble Table Lamp The lamp has a large baluster ceramic bowl which is decorated as simulated Italian marble detailed with Gold leaves, it has its own shad...
Ceramic
A Stunning Pair of Grand Tour Style Alabaster Table Lamps, Early 20th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
An extremely handsome pair of highly figured alabaster accent / table lamps. Both translucent, vasi-form bodies retaining their original fitted lids, raised overall upon turned socle...
Alabaster
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...
Carrara Marble, Bronze
air Of French 19th Century Grand Tour Period Bronze Lamps, Signed Barbedienne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome pair of French 19th century Néo-Grec st. Grand Tour Period patinated Bronze lamps, signed Barbedienne. The pair of original oil lamps are raised on circular socle shaped bases below the stunning and high quality busts of the goddess Athena. Each oil lamp displays wonderful and richly chased classical scenes of female figures playing instruments and weaving while dressed in elegant flowing fabrics. Above is a mottled top cap below our signature Cedric DuPont...
Bronze
Pair Of French 19th Century Grand Tour Period Bronze And Marble Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome pair of French 19th century Greek Revival st. Grand Tour Period Patinated Bronze, Ormolu and black Belgian marble lamps, possibly by Barbedienne. The pair of lamps are rai...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu