Grand Tour Sculptures
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.
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Style: Grand Tour
Grand Tour – Bronze Sculpture Representing Mars, Italy, 19th Century
Located in Bilzen, BE
"Grand Tour – Bronze Sculpture Representing Mars, Italy, 19th Century"
Fine bronze sculpture depicting Mars, the Roman god of war, shown standing in a composed and authoritative pose...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Italian Grand Tour Bronze Bust of Caesar
Located in Essex, MA
Bronze bust on yellow marble socle.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Wounded Amazone in Bronze, Grand Tour
Located in
S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
A small Grand Tour sculpture in Bronze of the ‘Wounded Amazone’, with a stamp of Fumière et Cie, circa 1880.
Category
1880s French Antique Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Grand Tour Bronze Scultpure of a Faun
Located in Dresden, DE
Faun of Roman Mythology. This energetically dancing faun is out of Bronze and is based on an antique model. Known for their "goat-like features", they were seen as half-human, half-a...
Category
20th Century European Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Antique Italian Grand Tour Sculpture of Lion of Lucerne
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique Italian Grand Tour sculpture after the Lion of Lucerne.
Dating to circa 1830, this period model is thought to have been made as a souvenir or a sample of the work by scul...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Alabaster
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Plaster
1890 Steel Engraving Greco Roman Scene by Bernard Picture Co. New York Borghese
By Borghese
Located in Miami, FL
1890 Framed steel engraving Greco Roman scene by Bernard Picture Co. New York, New York.
Marked Borghese on the reverse.
O-506-335
Category
19th Century American Antique Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Early 19th Century Bronze Mounted Figure
Located in Hudson, NY
Early 19th century mounted bronze 3/4 profile. Likely French but possibly English. Carved wooden backing custom just for this particular item. In the original frame and retaining an ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
$2,400 Sale Price
25% Off
Large Antique Plaster Sculptors Model of Mercury
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large antique painted plaster sculptors model or machete of Mercury. Dating to circa 1900, the sculpture depicts Roman God Mercury seated on a rock in a patinated plaster finish.
In Neoclassical style, this French sculpture is an impressive size displaying expertly hand-carved craftsmanship.
An exceptional decorative antique for properties looking to appreciate Neoclassical style and Roman mythology.
Mercury
Mercury is the Roman god of shopkeepers and merchants, travellers and transporters of goods, and thieves and tricksters.
He is commonly identified with the Greek Hermes...
Category
Early 20th Century French Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Plaster, Paint
Selection of Specimen Marble and Stone Spheres
Located in London, London
Specimen marble spheres
Different stones
Sizes are 15cm, 13cm, 10cm and 8cm diameter
Age unknown
Category
20th Century Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Marble
$2,309 / set
Grand Tour Bust of Apollo Belvedere, Italy 19th century
Located in Greding, DE
Gilded bust of Apollo Belvedere on a grey cylindrical plinth with black base. Plinth: 6.5 x 6.5 cm
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Grand Tour Bronze Bust Of Seneca
Located in Essex, MA
Bust of Seneca likely made in the Naples area of Italy. Now seated on a faux porphyry base. Loss of a section of bronze at base of neck.
Category
1870s Italian Antique Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Imposing 19th-Century Gilt Sailor
s Pricket with Mounted Natural Sea Fan- 62"H
Located in New York, NY
This striking and unusual piece showcases a large, natural sea fan meticulously mounted on an impressive 19th-century gilt sailor’s pricket, standing an impressive 62" tall. The pric...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Coral
Large Hand Carved Haematite-Jasper Bowl
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite hand-carved and polished stone bowl showcases a striking natural pattern of alternating bands of hematite (silver) and jasper (red),...
Category
2010s Indian Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Stone
Italian Bronze Neoclassical Grand Tour Bust
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A small Italian Grand Tour bust, circa 1780, depicting a patinated bronze gentleman in neoclassical dress upon a contrasting marble plinth. Onc...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Large French Grand Tour Period Bronze Sculpture Recumbent Lion
Located in Montreal, QC
Grand Tour period bronze sculpture of lion resting on a rosso levanto marble base. France: circa 1850.
Category
1860s French Antique Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Borghese 1890 Steel Engraving Greco Roman Scene Bernard Picture Co. New York
By Borghese
Located in Miami, FL
Framed 1890 Steel Engraving Greco Roman scene sand clock by Bernard Picture Co. New York, New York.
Marked Borghese on the reverse.
O-505-335
Category
19th Century American Antique Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Grand Tour Bronze Bust of Seneca
Located in Essex, MA
Modeled after the original found at Pompeii.
Category
1880s Italian Antique Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Large Antique Copeland Tile of Cherub
Lion
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large antique Copeland tile depicting a cherub and lion.
This 8 inch clay tile dates to circa 1876, displaying a putti with a cape holding a fruiting cornucopia before a lion in m...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Clay
Antique Grand Tour Bronze Bust of Roman Emperor
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique Grand Tour bronze bust of a roman emperor, mounted on a Belgian black marble base.
Thought to be a depiction of a young Caesar, the expertly carved sculpture showcases de...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Belgian Black Marble
Italian 19th C. Grand Tour Terracotta of a "Fauno Danzante Con Cimbali" ca. 1860
Located in CH
Italian Grand Tour Terracotta of a “Fauno Danzante con Cimbali”
Circa 1860
This finely modeled 19th-century terracotta sculpture depicts a dancing faun (satyr) in exuberant motion, ...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Italian 19th Century Grand Tour Period Patinated Bronze of a Roman Athlete
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome Italian 19th century Grand Tour period patinated bronze of a Roman athlete. The bronze is raised by a rectangular mottled edge black Belgian marble base below a thick rect...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Grand Tour Sculpture of a Putto with Horn and Deer
Located in Dresden, DE
19th Century Grand Tour
Putto with Horn and Deer
Bronze
6242 g
40 x 23 x 15 cm
Category
Mid-19th Century European Antique Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Orange-Brown Banded Jasper Point
Located in New York, NY
Unusual orange and brown banded jasper point from Madagascar.
Category
2010s Malagasy Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Stone
Circa 1870-1880 Pair French Grand Tour Bronze Female Busts
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Circa 1870-1880 Pair French Grand Tour Bronze Female Busts
Beautiful pair purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Category
19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century
1850s
Grand Tour Italian Carved Multi-Marble Busts
Located in North Miami, FL
A pair 19th century (1850s) (Grand Tour) Italian carved multi-marble busts of Augustus of Prima Porta and Julius Cesar. These extremely fine an...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Carrara Marble
$39,600 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Bust in the Grand Tour Style of Greek God Dionysus
Located in Memphis, TN
An Exceptional Large grand Tour Style Hellenistic Bust Of Greek God Dionysus. Highly detailed classical bust made of cast marble aka “marble dust.” Replica of Greek classical sculpt...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Marble
A Italian equestrian specimen marble carved study of a wild stallion and mare
Located in Central England, GB
This remarkable horse sculpture depicts a head and shoulders study of a wild stallion and mare carved meticulously from figured and veined natural marble stone with colours ranging f...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Pair of Antique French Porcelain Cherub Sculptures
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A fine pair of antique French porcelain cherub sculptures attributed to E. Quinter.
Likely created in the Société Céramique de Charenton workshop, n...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
A Fine Grand Tour Bronze Bust of a Greek Philosopher, After Mathurin Moreau
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
This finely modelled Hellenistic style bronze portrait bust appears to be that of the Greek philosopher Chrysippus of Soli - regarded by scholars as the 2nd founder of the School of ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Antique Grand Tour Style Alabaster Bust of Greek God
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique Grand Tour style alabaster bust of a classical Grecian figure.
Dating to the late 19th century, the hand carved figure thought to be Chronos, Greek God of Time, is compli...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Alabaster
Pair of Antique Italian Walnut Statues of Gladiators
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A pair of antique Italian walnut statues, after the antique Borghese Gladiator.
In Grand Tour style, this decorative pair are a stunning feature for a period property looking to app...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Vintage Grand Tour Painted Concrete Hercules Pedestal- a Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Fantastic pair of vintage concrete Hercules statues. They are great alone or add a stone top for the chicest garden console ever. Acquired from a Palm ...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Stone, Concrete
French Grand Tour Patinated Bronze Animalier Mounted Thermometer
Located in London, GB
A fine and unusual French antique Grand Tour table thermometer in patinated bronze. Set upon a naturalistic trefoil shaped patinated bronze base with...
Category
1840s French Antique Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Wedgwood Black Basalt Grecian Sphinx After a Model by John Cheere (1709-1787)
By Wedgewood
Located in Dallas, TX
a Wedgwood black basalt Grecian Sphinx after a model by sculptor John Cheere (English, 1709-1787), in the Greco-Egyptian style, depicted as a female figure...
Category
19th Century English Antique Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain, Pottery
Pair of Antique Grand Tour Patinated Bronze Dogs Seated on Sienna Marble Plinths
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful pair of 19th century antique grand tour patinated bronze dogs seated on siena marble plinths. Each dog is beautifully cast and hand-chiseled with meticulous craftsmanship...
Category
1880s Italian Antique Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Siena Marble, Bronze
Pair of Grand Tour 19th Century Bronze Putti Figures on Marble Bases, C 1860
Located in Central England, GB
This small pair of fine Italian Grand Tour bronze figures are of classical putti naked apart from a belt of vine leaves and grapes around their lower torso...
Category
1860s Italian Antique Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Antique Grand Tour Patinated Bronze Grey Hounds Seated Marble Plinths
Located in New York, NY
A Beautiful Pair of 19th Century Antique Grand Tour Patinated Bronze Grey Hounds Seated on Marble Plinths. Each dog is beautifully cast and hand-chi...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Grand Tour Terracotta Of Mercury
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
An Italian terracotta figure of Mercury resting on a rock after Giovanni Mollica - Mid 19th century
Hand written label to the base see image
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Large Antique Tile of the Meeting of Ulysses
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large antique patent clay tile of the Meeting of Ulysses by R. Davies & Co.
The perfect decorative piece for a period property looking to add eleganc...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Vintage Grand Tour Plaster Bust of Man - a Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fabulous pair of vintage plaster busts. A handsome man with an even more handsome beard. Done in the grand tour style. Painted a bright white. A...
Category
Mid-20th Century Grand Tour Sculptures
Materials
Plaster, Paint
$1,450 / set
Grand Tour sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Grand Tour sculptures for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Grand Tour sculptures 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 sculptures, popular names associated with this style include F. Barbedienne Foundry, Ferdinand Barbedienne, Borghese, and Achille Collas. 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 sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $175 and tops out at $108,390 while the average work can sell for $2,800.
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