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.
Regency Style Trompe l'Oeil Embossed Leather Faux Book Storage Side Table
Located in Elkhart, IN
There is something wonderfully whimsical about furniture that doesn't take itself too seriously. This vintage trompe l'oeil side table disguises itself as a curated library, wrapped ...
Leather, Wood
Regency Style Trompe l'Oeil Embossed Leather Faux Book Storage Side Table
Located in Elkhart, IN
There is something wonderfully whimsical about furniture that doesn't take itself too seriously. This vintage trompe l'oeil side table disguises itself as a curated library, wrapped ...
Leather, Wood
Regency Style Antiqued Console Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
An English Regency style mahogany and reclaimed oak veneered console table restored with pollard oak, the rectangular three quarter gallery top with six turned finials atop each turn...
Wood
Pair of Vintage Trompe L'oeil Draped Wicker "Ghost" Side Table
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Rare pair of vintage organic trompe l’oeil natural wicker side tables or stands. These examples have a lovely draped illusion adding to their sophistication yet playfulness form. The...
Wicker
$1,500
H 12.41 in W 44.3 in D 20.48 in
Japanese Antique Sofa Table or Storage Box 1860s-1920s / Side Table Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old Japanese storage chest that also functions as a low table. It was crafted during the Meiji to Taisho periods (1860s–1920s) and made from traditional Japanese cedar (su...
Tin
$2,850
H 31 in W 59.25 in D 20 in
Hollywood Regency Chinese Chippendale Faux Bamboo Brass Console Sofa Table Spain
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous 8 leg faux bamboo sofa table with a brass tray top. Black enamel with brass caps atop each leg. Stretchers cross on both bottom and top sections creating X-stretchers. Would...
Brass
Jaques Adnet Hermes Style Side Table Trompe l'Oeil Leather Straps
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Iron
Maitland-Smith Trompe L'oeil Book Stack End Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fine Maitland-Smith end table with a trompe l'oeil design incorporating two large brown and gilt book forms with titles along the spines including "American Arts 1887" and "Barnaby ...
Leather, Wood
Leather Clad Trompe l’oeil Coffee Table by Marge Carson
By Marge Carson
Located in Roanoke, VA
Elegant trompe-l'œil leather-clad square coffee table, circa mid-1980 by Marge Carson. Deep camel-colored tone with ribbon-look banding at bottom and scroll detail around edges. Tabl...
Leather, Wood
$1,875Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 27.75 in Dm 15.5 in
Vintage Tooled Leather Round Trompe l'Oeil/ Stacked Book Bookcase End Tables
Located in Waxahachie, TX
Vintage trompe l'oeil/ stacked book end tables, a pair. In the romantic style of Maitland Smith. Would be perfect in Indiana Jones or Earnest Hemingways office. Hand painted. Tacke...
Leather, Wood
$3,277Sale Price|22% Off
H 17.52 in W 45.87 in D 29.73 in
Hollywood Regency Illuminated Faux Bamboo Coffee Table France, 1960s
Located in Munich, DE
Hollywood Regency faux bamboo coffee table attributed to Maison Bagues, with a light with three sockets in the base and an o...
Brass
Trompe L'Oeil Draped Wicker Console Table
Located in North Miami, FL
Trompe l'Oeil wicker console table with "draped" illusion. Good vintage condition. Perfect for an entry way console. Also the perfect size/shape for behind the sofa. Back is also fin...
Wicker
Pair of Regency Style Console Tables
Located in Westwood, NJ
Late Regency style bleached mahogany D form console table with an antiqued finish, two drawers above a shaped under tier set between elegant carved reeded tapering legs topped with p...
Mahogany
$3,998
H 23.75 in W 66 in D 29.75 in
Jaques Adnet or Hermes Style Side Table of Trompe L'oeil Leather Straps of Metal
By Jacques Adnet, Hermès
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A unique and stunning side table in the style of Hermes, or Jacques Adnet. The leather equestrian style straps, buckles and stitching, while they look identical to leather are troupe...
Metal