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.
19th Century Italian Carved Marble Draped Urn with Floral Garland
Located in Madrid, ES
Elegant Italian carved white marble urn from the 19th century, featuring a beautifully sculpted draped cloth gathered by a finely carved floral garland. The graceful classical form...
Marble
Dutch 19th Century Faux Marble Hand-Painted Column
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A large, 19th century Dutch square column or pedestal, covered in a variety of painted faux-marble to elevate precious artwork, décor, or greenery in your interior. The top surface i...
Wood, Paint
Pair of Antique French Garden Cast Iron Half Round Urn Form Fluted Wall Planters
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of unusual early 20th century antique French cast iron half round demilune wall mounted urn form wall planters. Having traces of blue paint, e...
Metal
Neoclassical Plaster Bust of Ares After Alkamenes
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
This neoclassical plaster bust of Ares is made in plaster and depicts the iconic marble statue by Alkamenes in 5th Century BC. Ares is the Greek god of war, son of Zeus and Hera. Ca...
Plaster
Grand Tour Black Belgian, Verde Antico Marble Statue of Perseus and Medusa
By Benvenuto Cellini
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional Continental 19th century Grand Tour Period patinated Bronze, Black Belgian, and Verde Antico marble statue of Perseus and Medusa. This exquisitely detailed statue of P...
Marble, Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
A Fine & Large 19th Century Grand Tour Serpentine Marble Socle, Italy Circa 1800
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
An impressively large mottled 'verde prato' serpentine socle of turned columnar form, rising from a stepped base to a flattened plateau above a cavetto-shaped edge. In relation to it...
Marble, Serpentine
Antique 19th c. Italian Grand Tour Siena Marble Square Trivet or Dispay Base
Located in Litchfield, CT
Antique 19th century Italian Grand Tour siena marble square trivet or dispay base plinth rising on brass feet. Carved, stepped edge. Measures 7" square x 1 5/8". Good condition with ...
Siena Marble
Antique Marble Sculpture of Aphrodite on Column
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A 19th century antique marble sculpture of Aphrodite also referred to as the ‘Crouching Venus’ on an octagonal pedestal. It is based on the antique Roman statue...
Statuary Marble, Marble
Monumental Marble Inlaid Obelisks, Grand Tour Style
Located in El Monte, CA
Unique monumental Italian 19th Century Grand Tour Style Specimen marble inlaid obelisks. Marble is precisely cut and inlaid into a fine two-tone...
Marble
Pair of column crowns in form of pine cones, symbol of luck, marble, 1920, Italy
Located in Wien, AT
A pair of wonderful, antique column crowns, decorative objects, hand-made in Italy, around 1920, in the Art Deco period, based on an antique model. On a square marble base there is ...
Carrara Marble
19th Century Cast Iron Wall Plaque Zeus Probably a Grand Tour Piece
Located in Hastings, GB
19th century cast iron wall roundel of Zeus or possibly Dionysus, most likely a grand tour piece made in the likeness of the ancient sculptures. Width 35 cm x Depth 10 cm
Cast Iron
19th Century Marble Bust of Roman Emperor
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A 19th Century Marble Bust of Roman Emperor. Hand carved from white statutory marble, this charming grand tour relic resembles an unearthed treasure. Possibly based on Nero, the un...
Marble, Statuary Marble
19th Century Devil Gargoyle Wall Bracket, Antique Plaster Decor
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th Century Devil Gargoyle Bracket This is a very old hard plaster wall bracket The subject is a horned devil surrounded with grapes and vines The Bracket is sound with the expec...
Plaster
Monumental Carrara Marble Wall Mascaron of Poseidon
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large and monumental Italian carved Carrara marble mascaron of Poseidon or Neptune after the late 16th century ‘Fontana del Mascherone’ by Bartolomeo Bassi. At more than 90cm tall ...
Marble, Carrara Marble
Grand Tour Amphora Vase Decorated with Classical Figures
Located in Milford, NH
18th/19th century Grand Tour Amphora vase on hand wrought iron tripod base. Very good overall condition, with expected losses, great surface patina...
Wrought Iron
Tour Period patinated Bronze statue of The Discus Thrower, modeled after Myron
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality Italian 19th century Grand Tour Period patinated Bronze statue of The Discus Thrower, modeled after Myron. The impressively detailed Discobolus, which is ...
Bronze
Italian 19th century Grand Tour/Neo-Classical st Green Serpentine marble and urn
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very handsome and impressive Italian 19th century Grand Tour/Neo-Classical st. Green Serpentine marble and Ormolu urn. This decorative urn is raised by a square marble base with a ...
Marble, Serpentine, Ormolu
Pair of Antique 19th Century Alabaster Poodles
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A pair of antique late 19th century alabaster poodles. In a sophisticated seated stance, these striking statues are a perfect decorative pair to display in any home. The Italianate s...
Alabaster
$3,650 / set
Grand Tour Marble Columns, a Pair
Located in Dallas, TX
Provenance David J. Bikoff collection, Italy circa 1870 Made with different marbles.
Marble
Antique Grand Tour Fragmentary Marble Sculpture of Aeschines
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique Grand Tour style fragmentary white statuary marble sculpture of Aeschines, ancient Greek statesman and orator born in the 3rd century BC. Displayed on a modern steel stan...
Marble, Statuary Marble
Grand Tour Columns, a Pair
Located in Tampa, FL
A pair of 1800s specimen marble grand tour columns.
Marble
19th Century Grand Tour Marble Bust of Roman Emperor
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A 19th Century Grand Tour Marble Bust of Roman Emperor. Hand carved from white statutory marble, this charming grand tour relic resembles an unearthed treasure. Possibly based on E...
Marble, Statuary Marble
Pair of French 19th Century Neoclassical St. Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Columns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An attractive and most decorative true pair of French 19th century Neoclassical st. Grand Tour patinated bronze and ormolu columns. Each column is raised by an elegant square base wi...
Bronze, Ormolu
$10,201
Grand Tour Tazza
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
Inspired by the great finds of the Grand Tour, a carved wood scalloped jardinière with carved rams head and Medusa decoration centred with a paterae on tapered carved soccle resting ...
Mahogany
Antique Classical Bronze Roman - Greek Warriors / Gladiator Fireplace Chenets
Located in St. Louis, MO
Unique pair of antique grand tour style classical Roman - Greek bronze Warriors / Gladiator with shields & swords used as fireplace chenets / andirons, circa 1930s or earlier. ...
Bronze
19th Century French Bronze Model of Minerva After The Antique
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A 19th century French bronze model of Minerva after the antique. Dated to circa 1880, this highly detailed cast of the Goddess Minerva holding a shield and cane. Minerva (or Athena ...
Bronze
19th Century Pair Sculpted Bronze Chenets Heraldic Lions
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Stunning 19th Century Pair of Bronze Sculptured Chenets In The Shape of Heraldic Lions on Shaped Bases Chenets, also sometimes called fire dogs, are metal brackets that hold logs ...
Bronze
Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Antimony Charcoal Holder
Located in Catania, Sicilia
19th Century charcoal holder in antimony, Finely decorated. Period '800. Object not easy to find, used in noble homes in Sicily to heat the bedrooms.
Metal
19th Century Faun Of Praxiteles Leaning Or Resting Satyr Carrara Marble Italy
Located in Epfach, DE
A finely carved 19th century marble sculpture, Italy, circa 1800, depicting the celebrated antique subject known as the Resting (or Leaning) Satyr, after a type long associated with ...
Carrara Marble
Pair 18th Century style Italian bronze fire dogs
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A spectacular pair of Italian 18th Century style bronze fire dogs, each depicting classical Roman figures, children playing below and raised on a pair of Dolphins. Batch 81 63040. U...
Bronze
French 19th century Grand Tour patinated Bronze statue of the Borghese Gladiator
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and large scale French 19th century Grand Tour patinated Bronze statue of the Borghese Gladiator. The handsome Gladiator is raised on a Verdigris patinated Bronze base ...
Bronze
Early 19th Century Empire Italian Marble Column
Located in Roma, IT
A beautiful, important column in black and white veined marble with a base and finial in pure white Carrara marble. The veins combine in a fascinating weave to form an elegant abstra...
Marble
Pair Of Italian Scagliola Faux Porphyry Pedestals
Located in Essex, MA
Assembled pair, in columnar form with ebonized capitals and bases. Faux porphyry inspired by Egyptian artifacts brought to ancient Rome. Dimensions not identical.
Plaster, Wood
19th century Grand Tour Green Marble Tazza Vase with Classical Carved Details
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A Grand Tour 19th century green marble tazza vase with classical carved motifs on tall pedestal. After a model of the renowned Warwick vase, this Grand Tour...
Marble
Vintage Grand Tour Plaster Bust of Man
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This striking vintage plaster bust is a masterclass in Neoclassical design, perfectly capturing the scholarly spirit of the 18th-century "Grand Tour." The piece features a finely det...
Plaster, Paint
Neoclassical Marble Statue of Rebecca at the Well
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique Neoclassical statuary marble statue of Rebecca at the well, signed and dated 'ABO CIPRIANI FECE 1880', from a private collection in London. Dating to circa 1880, this expe...
Marble, Statuary Marble
After the Antique, a Large 20th C Plaster Figure of a Discus Thrower
Located in Bagshot, GB
After the Antique, a large 20th C plaster figure of a discus thrower 20th century (Pedestal not included), 100cm wide, 42cm deep, 168cm high (39in wide, 16 1/2in deep, 66in high) a...
Plaster
Early 20th Century Mahogany Plinth in the Form of a Classical-Style Column
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Early 20th century mahogany plinth in the form of a classical-style fluted column with carved Ionic scrolling and Corinthian foliate detail to the capital.
Mahogany
Italian Micromosaic and Specimen Marble Occasional Table
Located in Essex, MA
Circular top now cemented in a wrought iron base with scrolled legs. Top with central view of the Coliseum and surrounded by various hardstones including porphyry.
Marble