Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
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.
to
7
29
24
55
1,967
909
847
816
577
468
327
279
237
205
142
132
100
65
61
51
38
37
1
42
12
5
3
1
1
1
1
1
29
23
21
21
4
51
39
5
3
3
55
55
55
1
Style: Grand Tour
19th Century French Grand Tour Iron Model of the Arc de Triomphe
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th century French grand tour iron model of the Arc de Triomphe, in two parts, the fine cast iron model of the Arc de Triomphe with a mirrored top. Raised on a oval ebonized wood and metal chain link fenced base
Model of Arc de Triomphe...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Iron
Italian Grand Tour Alabaster Model the Roman Forum Temple of Vespasian
Located in Stamford, CT
Italian Grand Tour model of the ancient Temple of Vespasian located in the Roman Forum, Rome. Carved from alabaster, this is a handsome example of a souvenir carving which would have been collected by a European or American sophisticate making a Grand Tour of the ancient sites of Italy. This wonderful architectural miniature is evocative of another time and place.
Roma Templo Di Vespasiano' etched into the black marble base.
It has been drilled to be wired, not the first time I have owned one of these that had been mounted as a lamp.
The Temple of Vespasian and Titus is located in Rome at the western end of the Roman Forum between the Temple of Concordia and the Temple of Saturn...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Alabaster, Marble
A Grand Tour Plaster Temple of Vespasian
Located in Savannah, GA
A modern grand tour souvenir gilded plaster model of the Temple of Vespasian, circa 1950s.
8 by 8 by 25 ¼ inches tall
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster
Grand Tour Specimen Marbles Plaque, Italy, circa 1850
Located in Kinderhook, NY
Italian Grand Tour marble specimen plaque in original silver-giltwood frame consisting of 20 different rare and ancient marbles, including Porphyry and Jasper, inlaid into a black an...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble
Grand Tour Bronze Thermometer of the Luxor Obelisk, Paris
Located in Stamford, CT
A bronze cast of the Luxor Obelsik, one side a thermometer. This was a popular Grad Tour souvenir in the late 19th century. Mounted on a polished black slate base.
8.5 inches high by 3.5 by 3.5
The Luxor Obelisk...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Italian Grand Tour Steel Lidded Sarcophagus Box
Located in Stamford, CT
Rare 19th century Italian Grand Tour steel sarcophagus form box, circa 1880. Nice form, handsome desk-top accessory, great addition to any box collection. It is unusual to find this ...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
Vintage Italian Carrara Marble Sculpture of David
By Michelangelo
Located in Houston, TX
Stunning vintage Italian carved carrara marble sculpture or statue of David.
Offered is a good sized well executed marble figure of David as a youth, copied from the original by Mic...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Carrara Marble
Pair Rouge Marble ‘Grand Tour’ Models of Ruins Celebrating the Corinthian Order
Located in New York, NY
A Large and Incredible Pair of Rouge Marble ‘Grand Tour’ Models of Ruins Celebrating the Corinthian Order, Most Probably Attributed To The Workshop Of Benedetto Boschetti. The fist ...
Category
1860s Italian Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble
Early 19th Century Grand Tour Model of a Roman Sarcophagus
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An early 19th century bronze Grand Tour model of a Roman sarcophagus or bath, circa 1830, with removable blue glass liner. Once a Grand Tour souvenir acquired by an adventurer travel...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Grand Tour Style Shadow Box, depicting, 6 Architectural example vignettes
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Grand Tour Architectural Study Shadow Box with Neoclassical Vignettes, Circa Mid-20th Century
An elegant and educational Grand Tour-style architectural study shadow box, presenting ...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wool, Plexiglass, Paper
Italian Bronze Mortar and Pestle, Original Patina, Italy, Pharmacy or Herbalist
Located in Roma, IT
Antique bronze mortar. Handmade with pestle. Original patina
Italian bronze mortar and pestle
Measures: Pestle height 7.5 in.
Category
Mid-19th Century European Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Large Signed 19th Century Grand Tour Bronze Statue of Narcissus
Located in Bradenton, FL
Large 19th Century Grand Tour bronze sculpture of Narcissus after the original found in 1862 at Pompeii. Signed "Bucciano Napoli". When first found in Pompeii it was identified as Na...
Category
19th Century Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Stunning Grand Tour Souvenir, micro mosaic cross, Art Deco, 1930s, Rome, Italy
Located in Wien, AT
Wonderful cross with micro mosaic inlays, it is an early example of a souvenir - perhaps from a pilgrimage - to Rome, Italy, made in the 1920s / 30s.
This so-called Grand Tour objec...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
19th Century Grand Tour Antique Handmade Bronze Mortar with Pestle
Located in Roma, IT
19th-century grand tour antique handmade bronze mortar with pestle. This fantastic piece has an original patina.
The pestle is 9.05 inc high wit...
Category
Mid-19th Century European Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Italian Grand Tour Red Marble Model of Trajan’s Column
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An Italian Grand Tour rosso antico red marble model of Trajan’s Column, circa 1840.
Once a Grand Tour souvenir acquired by an adventurer exploring Europe, this decorative model colu...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Grand Tour Antique Handmade Bronze Mortar with Pestle
Located in Roma, IT
19th-century grand tour antique handmade bronze mortar with pestle. This fantastic piece has an original patina.
The pestle is 9.05 inc high wit...
Category
Mid-19th Century European Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Antique Grand Tour Faux Book of Intaglios by Pietro Paoletti
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique Grand Tour faux book of plaster intaglios by Pietro Paoletti (1801-1847).
This intriguing book encloses thirty-eight classically themed Italian medallions...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster
Italian Grand Tour Bronze Censer with Birds
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very fine antique Italian attributed grand tour bronze lidded censer applied with birds dating from around 1860. The censer stands raised on a square ba...
Category
1860s Italian Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Grand Tour Pompeii Bronze of Silenus, Greek God of Wine
Located in Stamford, CT
Superior quality large scale Italian Grand Tour bronze of the god Silenus after the Roman original excavated at Pompeii in 1864. This very fine cast shows the god holding aloft a coi...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Georgian Circa 1790 Italian Grand Tour Micro Mosaic Lady Bird 22 Carat Ring
Located in Lowestoft, GB
Georgian micro mosaic, late eighteenth century circa 1790, finely modelled as a ladybird, set into an octagonal goldstone.
The gold mount echoes the octagonal shape of the goldstone...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold
Italian Grand Tour Marble Models of Roman ruins
Located in Greenwich, CT
Italian Grand Tour Sienna Marble Desk Models, one of the Temple of Vespasian, the other of the Foro Romano, late 19th / early 20th cent.
Note : Grand Tour travels to the sights of A...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble
Museum Mounted Grand Tour Inca or Sipan Silver Official Necklace
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Museum mounted grand tour Inca or Sipan silver necklace, a 20th century copy of an original neckpiece worn by an "Oficia"l of Inca or Sipan decent. Unmarked. Removable from the stand...
Category
20th Century Central American Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Silver
Grand Tour Model of the Temple of Castor and Pollux , Roman Forum
Located in Dresden, DE
Marquette of the temple of Castor and Pollux
Bronze with marble base
19th century
13.2 x 7.2 x 2.7 cm
Base: 1.2 cm high
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Italian Grand Tour Model of a Roman Oil Lamp
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A decorative Italian Grand Tour model of a Roman oil lamp, circa 1835,in the manner of Benedetto Boschetti (1820-1870).
Once a Grand Tour souvenir acquired by an adventurer explorin...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble
19th Century Grand Tour Bronze Model Temple of Saturn, Roman Forum, Marble Base
Located in Dresden, DE
Achitectural Model of the Temple of Saturn
Roman Forum
Bronze and Marble
Grand Tour
9 x 8 x 3.3 cm
Base: 1.2 cm
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Large Antique Grand Tour Travel Photography Album by Bosetti, X., L.P. Et Al
Located in New York, NY
Large scale 17 inch by 14 inch 19th century Grand Tour photography album comprised of 92 photographs which include a number of rare images, many of which are signed.
53 photographs...
Category
19th Century European Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Paper
Grand Tour Model of the Tempel of Vespasian and Titus, Roman Forum
Located in Dresden, DE
Model of the Temple of Vespasian and Titus
Marble
Italy
Mid-19th Century
33 x 11 x 12 cm
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble
Grand Tour Patinated Bronze Model of the Temple of Vesta, Italian, 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The model, made as an inkwell and lacking it's cover.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Wooden Roman temple. Grand Tour 19th c.
Located in Stockholm, SE
Grand Tour Roman Temple Souvenir – A Timeless Masterpiece in Blackened Wood.
Transport yourself to the grandeur of classical antiquity with this exquisite Grand Tour Roman Temple So...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
19th C Grand Tour Roman Style Iron Gorget on Stand
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th c Grand Tour Roman style iron gorget on stand
Decorated with a intense battle scene with Imperial Roman soldiers fighting native warriors, with tw...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Grand Tour Bronze Sarcophagus Form Box
Located in Stamford, CT
Unusual 19th century Italian Grand Tour bronze box in the form of a sarcophagus, circa 1880. Nice form, handsome desk-top accessory, great addition to any box collection.
5.5 inches...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Italian 19th Century Neoclassical Style Ormolu and Marble Columns w/ Orb Finials
Located in Savannah, GA
This outstanding and high quality pair of Italian 19th century Neo-Classical style Grand Tour period columns feature embossed gilded ormolu and orb finials atop.
They are raised by ...
Category
1820s Italian Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble, Brass, Ormolu
Cabinet Size Bronze Sculpture of Venus de Milo after Ron Liod Sauvage
By Ron Sauvage
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Venus de Milo bronze after Sauvage.
In an diminutive size that is perfect for the desk, mantel or vitrine.
Simply a wonderful little...
Category
20th Century French Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Bronze Apothecary Mortar & Pestle, Circa 1800
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
The cup shaped cast body decorated with incised ring-turned detail, rising from a waisted & stepped circular foot, together with its original pestle.
Combined weight, 3.75 lbs.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Italian Antique Grand Tour Bronze Riding Boot Match Holder
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A quality antique Italian Grand Tour bronze boot shaped vesta or match holder dating from 1900. Modeled as a riding boot with a spur strapped to the boot with the body of the boot ac...
Category
Early 1900s Italian Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
1830 Watercolor and Gouache Painted Vignettes of Eastern Entertainers
Located in Savannah, GA
The caption of this charming pen and ink, watercolor and gouache vignette reads
"A troupe of Eastern Entertainers taken from diary of G. Copeland 1830."
Perhaps a rememberance from...
Category
1830s English Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silk, Glass, Paint, Paper
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.
Category
Early 20th Century French Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wrought Iron
19th C Grand Tour Painting on Porcelain View of Vatican/St. Peter's Basilica
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th century Grand Tour Painting on Porcelain View of Vatican/St. Peter's Basilica
Italy, circa 1880s
Standing in rectangular gilt bronze engraved frame with applied stylized flo...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
1860 Grand Tour Bronze Statue of Place Vendome Column with Napoleon, Marble Base
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for auction this stunning antique circa 1860 Grand Tour bronze statue of Place Vendome Column with Napoleon on top in so...
Category
1860s Italian Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Small Grand Tour Pietra Paesina (Ruin Marble) Bronze Mounted Plaque or Curio
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Grand Tour plaque or curio.
With a pietra paesina or ruin / ruiniform marble form plaque mounted in a gilt bronze frame with an integral bail...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Stone, Marble, Bronze
Pair of Grand Tour Egyptian Porphyry Obelisks, 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The pair of obelisks with gilt lion faces on front base and gilt lion paws at corners, signed indistinctly. Rome dated 1893.
Category
1890s Italian Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Porphyry, Bronze
A Finely Sculpted Grand Tour Model of The Temple of Vespasian, Italy Circa 1900
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
The large & finely sculpted alabaster structure showing a trio of fluted columns terminating to finely carved Corinthian capitals, supporting an entablature with a carved frieze illu...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Alabaster
Antique Giallo Antico Marble Grand Tour Column of Phocas
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique Grand Tour marble and bronze sculpture of Phocas.
Surmounted by a bronze figure, inscribed with latin to the pedestal, and set on a stepped levanto marble base, this anti...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble
Antique Breccia Marble Grand Tour Model of a Roman Bath
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique breccia marble Grand Tour model of a roman bath.
Lion paws and a Portoro marble base display this Italian sculpture to showcase its elegant veining and impressive craftsm...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble
Framed Set of Eleven Micromosaic Plaques of Italian Monuments
Located in London, GB
A framed set of eleven micromosaic plaques of Italian monuments
Italian, 19th century
Measures: Height 22cm, width 21.5cm, depth 2.5cm
Made du...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Giltwood
Micro mosaic tablet, 19th Century
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
A fine mid-19th century serpentine grand tour micro mosaic tablet or paperweight of the iconic St Peter's Vatican, The Colosseum of Rome, The Pantheon, The Ruins of The Roman Forum a...
Category
1850s Italian Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble
Large Carved Giallo Antico Grand Tour Model of the Temple of Castor and Pollux
Located in London, GB
An unusually large carved Giallo Antico grand tour model of the temple of Caster and Pollux of impressive scale the fragmented architrave and cornice in the Corinthian order...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble
Bankes Obelisk, England, Ashford Black Marble, First Half of the 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
So-called Bankes obelisk made of black marble ("Ashford Black"), after the obelisk of Philae, which William John Bankes acquired shortly afterwards after...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble
Black marble paperweight with micromosaic of Colosseum Rome souvenir Grand Tour
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant Belgian black marble paperweight shaped at the edges with central oval plaque containing a micro-mosaic depicting a view of the Colosseum (Rome).
These examples of micromosa...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Belgian Black Marble
Grand Tour marble medallion in relief depicting Claudius, early 19th c
Located in Stockholm, SE
An exquisite early 19th-century marble relief medallion, finely crafted to depict the Roman Emperor Claudius in profile. The relief captures Claudius adorned with a laurel wreath, sy...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble
Palais Royal Letter Opener In Mother Of Pearl From The Nineteenth Century
Located in Bilzen, BE
A fine 19th century antique letter opener, Palais Royal, France, complete in mother of pearl Length 28cm Good condition with aged patina
Category
19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl
Pair of Large 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Black Marble Nero Antico Obelisks
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very attractive pair of Italian Grand Tour black marble obelisks. Detailed hieroglyphics to the front side, on a green marble plinth. Minor corner chips to both obelisks, otherwise...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble
19th Century Italian Marble Plaque of George Slaying the Dragon, C.1870
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th Century Italian Grand Tour marble relief depicting St George slaying the Dragon.
England has always been one of the leading countries in terms of travelling and explori...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble
Grand Tour Style Scale Architectural Model of an Archway
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A handsomely made bronze scale architectural model of an arched gateway circa 1880. It is of Grand Tour style, ornamented with a decorative finial to the ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Grand Tour collectibles and curiosities for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Grand Tour collectibles and curiosities for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage collectibles and curiosities created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Grand Tour collectibles and curiosities 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 collectibles and curiosities, popular names associated with this style include and Ron Sauvage. 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 collectibles and curiosities differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $273 and tops out at $39,640 while the average work can sell for $1,950.