Grand Tour Furniture
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
19th Century 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.
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Metal
Hand Painted Persian Small Iron Tray
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
The magic of the Persian world reproduced by hand on this tray
The details of the colors will enlighten your table.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Iron
Large Italian Style Patinated Bronze Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
Large Italian style patinated metal vessel now mounted as an ancient looking lamp. Paw feet supporting three columns with lion head tops with rings in their mouths. The center in the...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Grand Tour Furniture
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 Furniture
Materials
Silk, Glass, Paint, Paper
Antique Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture of the Crouching Venus after Giambologna
By Giambologna
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine Grand Tour bronze sculpture.
Modeled after the 'Crouching Venus' by Giambologna.
Depicting Venus surprised at her bath with an overturned urn at her feet. Mounted o...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Grand Tour Bronze Model of the "Warwick Vase" on Pedestal
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Grand Tour bronze model of the "Warwick Vase" on pedestal, complete with a 7" diameter x 6" deep removable liner. Beautiful rich original patin...
Category
Mid-19th Century European Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Bronze
English "Grand Tour" Derbyshire Specimen Marble Plaque Paperweights, circa 1850
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A collection of three 'Grand Tour' English / Italian polychrome marble plaques or paperweights, one rectangular; two of cartouche form, the 'Derbyshire' or 'Belgian Black' marble slabs inset with native English stones 'Blue John' (Derbyshire Spar), 'Duke's Red', 'Bird's-Eye', and foreign Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, and Jasper in 'ovoid' and 'kidney' form inlays.
Measurements :
Rectangular plaque: 8" by 4.63" by .88"
Cartouche plaque...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair of 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Inlaid Black Marble Tazza
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of 19th century Italian Grand Tour inlaid black marble Tazza, each one of typical form with a 6-Inch diameter roundel, raised on an inlaid ros...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Belgian Black Marble
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 Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Hippolyte Heizler Bronze Figure of a Tambourine Player
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stylish bronze figure of a tambourine player dates to the 1860s and was created by Hippolyte Heizler.
Note: The piece is signed on the base.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Grand Tour Style Bronze Bust of Clytie
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Grand Tour Style bronze bust of Clytie, after the antique, the nymph with downcast face and scantily draped, cupped in a large flower. Raised on a 6" sq...
Category
Early 20th Century French Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Stunning Grand Tour, Temple Ruin Design, Hand Carved Nutwood Table Picture Frame
Located in Lisse, NL
Amazingly hand-carved photo or picture frame with a top quality, original drawing of a girl.
If ever there was an antique work of art 'with a soul' then this unique and all origin...
Category
19th Century European Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Nutwood, Paper, Velvet, Glass
1970s Art Deco Style Vintage Shell Sconces in Gold & White Murano Glass
Located in New York, NY
Stunning oversized, ribbed sea shell-shaped wall lights in a high quality warm blown Pearl Murano glass worked with the Scavo technique on reverse that gives them the appearance of e...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Brass
Face Wood Big Serving Tray blue
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
This tray is made out of Birchwood and is a different and original option for home serving trays.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Wood
Italian Grand Tour Pietra Dura Oval Table Top on Cast Iron Base
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Traditional oval Pietra Dura table top of black marble inlaid with naturally colored stone creating a bouquet of yellow roses with a white oriental li...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Stone, Marble, Iron
19th Century Italian Grand Tour Set of Portrait Medals of The 12 Roman Emperors
Located in Stamford, CT
Wonderful mounted and framed 19th century Italian Grand Tour set of silvered bronze portrait medallions of The 12 Roman Emperors surrounding 3 larger medals, one showing the Battle o...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Small Bronze Bust of the Boy Octavian, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Small bronze bust of young Octavian, later Emperor Augustus and first Roman Emperor.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Grand Tour Porphyry and Sienna Marble Obelisks, Italian, 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The porphyry obelisks on sienna 'marmo giallo' and porphyry base, condition: 2 small cracks on 1 base and a repair to the other on top of base. Condition commensurate with age and use.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Marble, Porphyry
Grand Tour Bronze Statue of Narcissus
Located in Stockton, NJ
A 19th century Grand Tour bronze statue of Narcissus. Foundry mark Sommer Napoli engraved on circular plinth. Includes original Victorian er...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Fine Pair of French Gilt & Patinated Bronze Ormolu 3 Light Candelabra
Located in London, GB
A pair of grand tour two tone bronze Cherub candelabra, French, Circa 19th century, The three branches each with detachable drip-pans. Circa 1880 and measuring 19 inches ( 49.5 cms) ...
Category
1880s French Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
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...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Marble, Serpentine
Grant Tour 19th Century Bronze Statue of Silenus Cradling the Infant Dionysus
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th Century Grand Tour bronze statue of Silenus cradling the infant Dionysus after the antique;
Marble.
Roman copy of 1st-2nd cent. CE after a bronze Greek original of ca 300...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique Grand Tour Alabaster Statue of Diana di Gabii
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique Grand Tour alabaster statue of Diana di Gabbi, after the antique. Dating to circa 1890, this expertly hand-carved sculpture is in excellent ...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Alabaster
Large Pair of Antique Grand Tour Period Multi-Marble Columns Mounted as Lamps
Located in New York, NY
A Large Pair of Antique Italian Grand Tour Period Multi-Marble Columns Turned to Lamps. These are truly beautiful in quality, size, condition, and material. Each is expertly hand-car...
Category
1840s Italian Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Breccia Marble, Marble
Silver Bust of Menelaus King of Sparta Grand Tour
Located in Rochester, NY
19th century silver plate bust Menelaus mythological king of Sparta. A fine casting with rich patina. Ebonized wood base. Illegible hallmark. In Greek mythology, Menelaus was a king ...
Category
19th Century European Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
Pair of Italian 19th Century Grand Tour Period Imperial Porphyry Tazzas
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely elegant pair of Italian 19th century Neo-Classical st. Grand Tour period Imperial Porphyry tazzas. Each tazza with wonderful proportions is raised by a square stepped ba...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Porphyry
Grand Tour Model
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A fine Grand Tour design copy of the temple of Poseidon. The temple made in carved wood and specialist paint finished. The Temple is fixed to a 19th century wooden base which in turn...
Category
2010s British Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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 Furniture
Materials
Plaster
Bronze Sculpture of the Venus de Milo by F. Barbedienne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This cast bronze sculpture of the Venus de Milo dates to the 1860s-1880s and was cast by the F. Barbedinne foundry in Paris started in 1838 by Ferdinand Barbedienne and Achille Colla...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Grand Tour Style Bronze and Marble Column Floor Lamp, after the Roman Model
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Grand Tour style bronze and marble column floor lamp, after the Roman model, finely cast twisted column raised on a paw footed 15" diameter t...
Category
20th Century Italian Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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 Furniture
Materials
Stone, Concrete
Antique Grand Tour French Bronze Sculpture Male Figure Cherub Clodion Barbediene
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An exceptional example of a chisel cast French Patinated Bronze Figural Group of a Satyr and a male Figure holding a Baby Bacchus after Claude Michel Clodion (1738-1814) in dark pati...
Category
19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Education of Achilles by the Centaur Chiron Bronze Sculpture, Francois Rude
By Francois Rude
Located in New York, NY
Large, exceptional quality bronze sculpture depicting The Education of Achilles by the Centaur Chiron, after the model by Francois Rude.
Ear...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair French 19th Century Grand Tour Patinated Bronze Dogs on Green Marble Bases
Located in New York, NY
A Beautiful Pair of Italian 19th Century Grand Tour Patinated Bronze Dogs on Green Marble Bases. Each dog is beautifully cast, hand-chassed, and hand-chiseled. They are life-like in ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century English Grand Tour Roman Bronze Oil Lamp with Dolphins and Lions
Located in Stamford, CT
Beautifully cast and very compelling 19th century Grand Tour bronze oil lamp in the ancient Roman style with dolphin handles. The dolphin sh...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Single Marble Column Fragment in the Roman Style
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A 16th century roman style marble column fragment circa 1550. This Solomonic marble column is mounted onto a bespoke steel base. A fascinating, ...
Category
16th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Marble, Steel
19th Century Italian Grand Tour Gouache Painting
Located in Bradenton, FL
Neapolitan School, 19th century grand tour landscapes gouache painting on canvas. Mounted in fine period gold gilt frame.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Paint
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 Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Grand Tour Style Silver Leaf Intaglio Trumeau Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Grand Tour style silver leaf Intaglio Trumeau mirror, tall and sleek with silver leaf frame. The top section (15"w x 9" h ) has three neoclassical plaster medallions...
Category
20th Century Italian Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Plaster, Wood
19th Century Silvered Bronze Athénienne Jardinière by Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A French silvered-bronze athénienne by Ferdinand Barbedienne, Paris, last quarter 19th century with a revolving liner, the frieze applied with bucrania suspending ribbon-tied berried laurel swags above a border of bellflowers on a stippled ground above three seated female sphinxes issuing stylised foliage and scrolls on lion monopodia cast with the mask of Hercules, scrolling foliage and anthemions joined by stretchers, raised on a concave-sided triform marble base on a further thin silvered-bronze base, inscribed to the tripod base 'F. BARBEDIENNE'
Measures: 103.3cm. high, 41.5cm. diameter; 3ft. 4 3/8 in, 1ft. 4 1/4.
This impressive athénienne is a key reminder of the longevity of a particular model and design’s success from Antiquity through to the 19th century and up until this day. Typically known as the ‘Trépied du Temple d’Isis’, this athénienne is designed after the Roman antique originally found at Pompeii and now at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Naples (fig.1). From being for example an inspiration for the baptismal font of Napoléon’s son in 1811, this model was the inspiration to many highly skilled makers throughout the 19thcentury such as the Manfredini brothers from Milan and of course the Parisian well-established bronze founder Ferdinand Barbedienne who executed the present example.
The Temple of Isis was a Roman temple dedicated to the Egyptian goddess Isis and was among one of the first discoveries during the excavation of Pompeii in 1764. Certainly considered as one of the most elegant examples of antique tripods, the existence of this model was then popularized to the rest of Europe via prints, one of the first being by Giovanni Battista Piranesi in 1779. This type of tripod was also popularised by an engraving in C. Percier and P. Fontaine’s, Receuil de Décorations Intérieures of 1801. Interestingly, there is also a watercolour now in the Musée Carnavalet, Paris, showing this type of tripod displayed at the 1801 Exposition des Produits de L’Industrie in the Louvre.
The passion for Greek and Roman Art in the 19th century.
The discovery of Pompeii and Herculaneum around the middle of the 18th century gave rise to a new passion for Antiquity and the excavated masterpieces renewed the repertoire of fine and decorative arts and served as models for Neoclassicism. Members of the aristocracy as well as connoisseurs, particularly in England, completed their education by undertaking a ‘Grand Tour’ of Italy and often fell victim to the recently unearthed Greek and Roman artefacts...
Category
19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Marble, Silver Plate, 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 Furniture
Materials
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 Furniture
Materials
Leather, Paper
Églomisé Verdigris Marble Table Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Églomisé Verdigris marble table box, with bevelled edges and 9" x 6" x 2" velvet interior.
Category
Late 20th Century Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Glass
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 Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Monumental Gold Leaf Sculpture of an Angel
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Monumental gold leaf sculpture of an angel
Grand Tour style, made of gold leaf lacquer over fiberglass-reinforced resin
The statue measures 94"...
Category
20th Century Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Resin, Fiberglass, Wood, Lacquer
19th Century French Painted Tole Covered Urn Pair
Located in Savannah, GA
This very handsome pair of French toleware lidded urns, in a deep red color with gold gilt accents, feature lion head handles on either side and artichoke finials atop the lids. Each...
Category
1860s French Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Metal
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 Furniture
Materials
Metal, Silver
Pair of Grand Tour 'Néo-Grec' Gilt Bronze Vases, Attributed, F. Barbedienne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Grand Tour 'Néo-Grec' gilt bronze vases, Attributed, F. Barbedienne
Each one with typical all over decoration, with applied handles with lion masks. Unmarked.
Each vase sta...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Grand Tour Borghese Gladiator in Cast Metal
Located in New York, NY
Monumental French late 19th century Grand Tour heavy cast metal sculpture of the Borghese Gladiator. The piece depicts a swordsman during fight and is a cast reproduction of the fame...
Category
1880s French Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Metal
Grand Tour Imperial Austrian Helmet Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
19th Century Grand Tour Imperial Austrian helmet inkwell.
Apparently unmarked. Dimensions: H 8" x W 8" x D 5.5" Condition: Signs of age and use includ...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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 Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
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...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Alabaster
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 Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Oil on Board Harbour Scenes Manner of Luigi Maria Galea
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Manner Of Luigi Maria Galea (1847-1917)
circa 1900
The Grand Harbour, Valetta, early morning; and The Grand Harbour, Valetta, at dusk
signed illeg...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Paint
Grand Tour Patinated Bronze Figure of Narcissus, Signed, M. Amodio Napoli
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Grand tour patinated bronze figure of Narcissus, Signed, M. Amodio Napoli
A fine example of Italian 19th century grand tour. Standing 24.75-Inches high, the draped figure standing o...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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 Furniture
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
Grand Tour Serpentine Inkwell and Cover Inset with 7 Lava Stone Cameos, 19th C
Located in Spencertown, NY
The 7 cameos of historical figures, fitted with 3 quill holders, 2 inkwells and a pounce pot. The underside of the lid is framed with a circular gouache dep...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Serpentine
19th Century Italian Micro-Mosaic Grand Tour Table Attributed to Roccheggiani
By Cesare Roccheggiani
Located in London, GB
A rare grand tour table
Possibly by Cesare Roccheggiani
The circular platform of marmore nero, inset with fine micromosaic panels consisting of thousands of coloured glass tesserae; a central roundel depicting The Vatican from St Peter's Square within a malachite border, surrounded by a border including four cartouches in polychrome reserves of Roman views including the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, with the remnants of the Temple of Vespasian; the Temple of Vesta, and the Pantheon, all interspersed and linked by voluminous bouquets of fruit and flowers representing the 4 seasons; the outer stylised border inlaid with deep blue tesserae evocative of exotic Lapis Lazuli. Supported on a finely carved Italian giltwood base, its design incorporating baskets of fruit and floral garlands echoing the 4 seasons theme of the table.
Italian, Circa 1875
Other table tops inspired by this design, although not as finely executed, can be found in several Russian collections (which house the greatest micromosaics) including Vorontsov Palace, Muranovo House, as well as the imperial State Hermitage Museum. A tabletop with profuse floral micromosaic work was commissioned by the Belgian Royal family (sold Sotheby's, 2003).
The floral garlands, the magnificent quality of the inlay and the use of distinct curved tesserae support the present attribution to Cesare Roccheggiani. According to Jeanette Hanisee Gabriel, the world expert on micro mosaics, curved tesserae pieces were used in foliage, grass and animal fur by only the very best mosaicists such as Roccheggiani. Evidence of curved pieces, for instance, is observed in the foreground of the Temple of Vesta cartouche, to name but one observation of the master's hand.
The scion of a dynasty of mosaicists, Roccheggiani was perhaps the most successful mosaicist in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. He is doubtless related to Lorenzo Roccheggiani, a late eighteenth-century master mosaicist at the Vatican, whose work included the altarpiece, Crucifixion of St. Peter after Guido Reni. Nicolo Roccheggiani, possibly Lorenzo's son, was also a principle artist at the Vatican, involved in executing the famous tabletop Achilles Shield...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Grand Tour Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Marble, Belgian Black Marble
Grand Tour furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Grand Tour furniture 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 furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, stone and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Grand Tour furniture 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 furniture, popular names associated with this style include Bertrando Di Renzo, Giustiniani, F. Barbedienne Foundry, and Ferdinand Barbedienne. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $45 and tops out at $365,566 while the average work can sell for $2,501.
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