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.
Swiss Black Forest Grand Tour Mirror Hand-Carved Nutwood Temple Ruin Frame 19thC
Located in Lisse, NL
Amazingly hand-carved picture frame with mirror. If ever there were an antique with character, presence, and historical gravitas, this breathtaking Black Forest mirror would surely ...
Brass
Gilded Wood Wall Mirror Frame, Italian, Grand Tour Style, 1830
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful gilded wooden mecha frame from the first half of the 19th century Central Italy Period c. 1830 Interior dimensions cm 43.5 x 25 This artwork, never before on the market...
Wood
$3,592Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 15.36 in D 3.94 in
Pair (2) of museum-quality antique wall mirrors, gilded, circa 1830s
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair (2) of museum-quality antique wall mirrors, gilded, circa 1830s Solid wood, finely carved, pastel-mint green, and partially gold-framed. Architecturally structured facade. Geom...
Mirror, Wood
$984 / set
H 14.77 in W 10.83 in D 1.97 in
Antique Pair Framed Grand Tour Giovanni Liberotti Intaglios 19th Century
Located in London, GB
An elegant pair of giltwood glazed frames enclosing fourteen Grand Tour intaglios dating from the early 19th Century. The shaped plaster intaglios feature subjects predominantly fr...
Giltwood
$1,250
H 35.125 in W 28.875 in D 1.75 in
Vintage 20th Century Italian Decorator Frame Mirror Baroque Style
Located in Chicago, IL
A nice vintage frame looks to be from the Mid-Century possibly earlier. Baroque in style. Possibly from Italy.
Wood
Vintage Italian Venetian Style Mirror in Wood Frame
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Italian Venetian style wall mirror, early to mid 1900s, its multitude of glass elements composed in a thick wooden frame. Layers of stylized foliate appliqué using cut & etched m...
Glass, Mirror, Wood
$1,154
H 16.54 in W 13.78 in D 1.58 in
Antique Pair Giltwood Framed Grand Tour Plaster Intaglios 19th Century
Located in London, GB
An elegant pair of giltwood glazed frames enclosing fourteen Grand Tour intaglios dating from the early 19th Century. The oval shaped plaster intaglios feature subjects predominantl...
Giltwood
$600Sale Price|20% Off
H 37 in W 25 in D 3 in
Antique American Empire Column and Rosette Giltwood Wall Mirror, 19th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique American Empire giltwood wall mirror offers column-form frame with rosette block corners, 19th century Measures: 37" H x 25" W x 3" D. A fine Empire Federal style giltwood...
Mirror, Giltwood
Contemporary Silver Gilt Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary white gold leaf cove design mirror. 48" x 40" Available in custom sizes. Please contact gallery for details.
Giltwood
19th Century Rustic Black Forest Photo Frame, Hand Carved, AT, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Lovely, unusual Black Forest photo frame from Austria, circa 1880. Artfully hand carved out of basswood, this frame shows a gorgeous design combined with nice protruding corners. Thi...
Blown Glass, Softwood
Midcentury Decorative Murano Flowers Frame, Italy, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
A beautiful decorative frame with flowers from Italy. The frame is made of glass and plastic. it can be also a mirror. The frame is in good vintage condition. Few yellow flowers is m...
Metal
16th Century Partly Gilt Carved Wood Frame
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This rare Venetian frame entirely carved in high-relief shows a rich decor of scrolls, garlands, daisy flowers and thistles. At the four corners of the frame are depicted large acant...
Wood
Italian Faux Bois Wall Mirror with Carved Wood Frame, Rustic Style
Located in Atlanta, GA
Carved in the faux bois tradition, this wall mirror presents an interlaced, branch-and-vine perimeter that simulates natural saplings gathered and woven into an architectural border....
Mirror, Wood
Midcentury Large Italian Wall Mirror with Gilded Metal Frame
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly encourage you to read the entire description, as we strive to provide comprehensive technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our items. This st...
Metal
Late 19thC Linden Wood Black Forest Wall Mirror
Located in Altrincham, GB
Late 19thC Linden Wood Black Forest Wall Mirror - with an oval bevelled plate glass, carved throughout with leaves, vines and fruits, good dry original unspoilt patina - 19"w x 23"h ...
Other
Sold
H 30.5 in W 26.5 in D 26.5 in
Octagonal Antique Venetian Mirror, Etched Glass Applied Rope & Floral Decorated
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An attractive mirror from the Isle of Murano, this Venetian glass mirror has attractive braided glass rods, florettes and a pleasing etched design to the mirror. 24 karat gold inclus...
Gold
Grand Tour Neoclassical Style Giltwood Mirror
Located in Astoria, NY
Grand Tour Italian Neoclassical style carved giltwood mirror with foliage garlands. Dimensions: 31" H x 24" W. Dealer: S138XX
Giltwood
Set of 4 Eighteenth Century Tuscan Gilt-Wood Mirrors
Located in Henley-on Thames, Oxfordshire
Set of four Italian carved giltwood girandoles, probably Tuscan, Italy circa 1800 priced for the four. Several repairs, oxidation to the mirror plates, sconces lacking.
Giltwood
Giltwood Grand Tour Framed Gothic Mirror
Located in Hanover, MA
A mirror in water giltwood and gesso pierce carved Italian cathedral frame. Grand Tour, circa 1850. Originally would have held an ecclesiastical painting...
Giltwood