The Grand Tour | Classical Influence and the Birth of a Decorative Arts Style

57 products

57 products
Rare 19th-century micromosaic of Rome with St Peters and Tiber River in black ebonised frame by Nicholas Wells Antiques
19th-century micromosaic view of Rome by Nicholas Wells Antiques featuring St Peters and the Tiber River.
Micromosaic View of Rome With St Peters, Vatican
Nicholas Wells Antiques
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Exceptional 19th Century Murano Coloured Glass Chandelier
Collection NI10
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Italian Napoleonite & Figured Walnut Stylised Dolphin Console Tables with rare Corsican Napoleonite stone tops.
Italian Napoleonite & Figured Walnut Stylised Dolphin Console Tables carved dolphin detail in rich walnut wood.
Italian Napoleonite & Figured Walnut Stylised Dolphin Console Tables
Nicholas Wells Antiques
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17th century Italian Baroque cabinet with lapis lazuli and agate inlays, ebony exterior by Nicholas Wells Antiques
17th century Italian Baroque ebony cabinet by Nicholas Wells Antiques with geometric tortoiseshell inlay and lion claw feet
17th Century Italian Cabinet
Nicholas Wells Antiques
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Eros Di Centocelle marble bust on Siena marble plinth, antique style, Italian Grand Tour sculpture circa 1800.
Eros Di Centocelle marble bust with intricate curls on Siena marble plinth, Italian antique style from circa 1800.
Grand Tour Statuary Marble Bust of Eros di Centocelle
Collection CK40
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Monumental 5ft Round Italian Mirror with large giltwood frame carved with fruits and foliage, 19th century Italian design.
Monumental 5ft Round Italian Mirror with large convex glass and richly carved giltwood frame featuring fruits and foliage.
Monumental 5ft Round Italian Mirror
Collection CK40
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Central Italian 17th century Baroque giltwood mirror by Nicholas Wells Antiques with intricate gold detailing 161x136cm
Central Italian 17th-century Baroque giltwood mirror by Nicholas Wells Antiques with ornate carved gilded frame
Central Italian 17th Century Baroque Giltwood Mirror 161x136cm
Nicholas Wells Antiques
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Portoro Marble End Support Table with carved lion monopodia supports and solid Portoro marble top, Italy circa 1900
Portoro Marble End Support Table
NICHOLAS
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Ince and Mayhew George III Secretaire Breakfront Bookcase mahogany antique with glazed doors and multiple drawers
Ince and Mayhew George III Secretaire Breakfront Bookcase detailed marquetry corner on mahogany wood panel.
Ince and Mayhew George III Secretaire Breakfront Bookcase
Nicholas Wells Antiques
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Grand Tour Micro Mosaic Table Attributed to Cesare Roccheggiani featuring intricate 19th-century Italian micromosaic art.
Grand Tour Micro Mosaic Table Attributed to Cesare Roccheggiani with intricate 19th-century micromosaic and bronzed gilt decor
Grand Tour Micro Mosaic Table Attributed to Cesare Roccheggiani
Nicholas Wells Antiques
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A group of three early 18th century scagliola trompe l'oeil panels
Collection TH10
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Pair of early 19th century Empire bronze and Napoleonite Medici Borghese vases on orbicular diorite bases Collection EE20
Pair of early 19th century bronze Medici and Borghese vases on orbicular diorite bases by Collection EE20
Pair of Bronze and Napoleonite Medici / Borghese Vases
Collection EE20
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North Italian Rosewood secretaire with hardstone inlay attributed to Giovanni Battista Maroni sold by Nicholas Wells Antiques
North Italian secretaire with inlaid hardstone details by Giovanni Battista Maroni, offered by Nicholas Wells Antiques
North Italian Secretaire, Attributed to Giovanni Battista Maroni
Nicholas Wells Antiques
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Grand Tour Breche Sanguine & Gilt Bronze Mounted Navicella, rare 19th-century marble Roman galley sculpture with gilded mounts.
Grand Tour Breche Sanguine & Gilt Bronze Mounted Navicella, 19th century marble sculpture of Roman Galley on ornate plinth.
Grand Tour Breche Sanguine & Gilt Bronze Mounted Navicella
Nicholas Wells Antiques
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Bacchanalian Bronze Faun After Soldani antique bronze sculpture of a faun with detailed muscular form circa 1800
Bacchanalian Bronze Faun After Soldani antique bronze sculpture showing detailed upper torso and drapery close-up.
Bacchanalian Bronze Faun After Soldani
Collection CK40
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Bronze Bust of Lysimachus Grand Tour depicting a detailed antique sculpture on a round base from circa 1800.
Bronze Bust of Lysimachus Grand Tour depicts the ancient ruler with detailed features and textured hair on a pedestal base.
Bronze Bust of Lysimachus | Grand Tour | After the Antique
Nicholas Wells Antiques
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Pair of large 18th century Italian walnut stools with ornate cabriole legs and floral upholstery by Collection CK20
Close-up of an 18th century Italian walnut stool leg with intricate carving and floral upholstery by Collection CK20
Pair of Large 18th Century Italian Walnut Stools
Collection CK20
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PIETRO BAZZANTI — Marble Bust of Minerva
Collection CK40
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16th Century Italian Florentine giltwood frame with intricate carvings from Collection EE20 vintage decor
16th Century Italian Florentine Giltwood Frame
Collection EE20
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Rare Italian Gilt Bronze Metal Girandole Mirror with ornate scrolls and anthemion design, circa 1750, 94x61 cm.
Rare Italian Gilt Bronze Metal Girandole Mirror with ornate scrolls and candle holder, circa 1750, finely beveled mirror plate.
Rare Italian Gilt Bronze Metal Girandole Mirror
Collection TH30
Grand Tour inspired Borghese Vase in alabaster with mythological motifs by Collection CK20, circa 1800 Italy.
19th-century Italian Borghese Vase in alabaster with classical mythological motifs by Collection CK20
Borghese Vase
Collection CK20
Italian 18th Century Marble Bust of a Girl, late 18th century, detailed sculpture of a smiling girl in marble.
Italian 18th Century Marble Bust of a Girl
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Regency Giltwood Console Table After the Antique with white marble top and gilt chimera legs, circa 1810 English Regency style.
Regency Giltwood Console Table After the Antique with white marble top and gilt chimera supports circa 1810 England.
Regency Giltwood Console Table After the Antique
Collection EE40
19th Century Grand Tour Bust of Julius Caesar marble portrait sculpture circa 1850 Rome Italy 49 cm tall
19th Century Grand Tour Bust of Julius Caesar marble portrait sculpture on pedestal against black background
19th Century Grand Tour Bust of Julius Caesar
Collection CK40
Terracotta bust of a woman after Francesco Laurana, circa 1890, offered by Nicholas Wells Antiques
Portrait Bust of a Woman — After Francesco Laurana (ca. 1472)
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Grand Tour Specimen Marble Table Top – Mallett Coffee Table with 68 inset marbles and chinoiserie wooden base.
Grand Tour Specimen Marble Table Top – Mallett Coffee Table with 68 marbles and central micromosaic floral design
Grand Tour Specimen Marble Table Top – Mallett Coffee Table
Collection PK10
Narrow George III Hepplewhite Secretaire Bookcase by Nicholas Wells Antiques with rich wood and elegant design
Narrow George III Hepplewhite Secretaire Bookcase by Nicholas Wells Antiques in polished mahogany finish
Narrow George III Hepplewhite Secretaire Bookcase
Nicholas Wells Antiques
George III Derbyshire Blue John urn with marble base from Collection TH20, showcasing refined 18th-century craftsmanship
George III Derbyshire Blue John urn on stepped marble base from Collection TH20 with rich veining and classical design
George III Derbyshire Blue John Urn
Collection TH20
George III turned Blue John urn with gilt bronze finial on marble base by Collection CK20
Close-up of a George III Blue John urn showing rich purple bands and texture from Collection CK20
George III Turned Blue John Urn
Collection CK20
Pair of 19th-century bronze Grand Tour vases after the Medici Vase, Neo-Classical style by Collection CK20.
Pair of elegant 19th-century bronze Grand Tour vases inspired by Medici Vase by Collection CK20.
Pair of Grand Tour Models after the Medici Vase
Collection CK20
Grand Tour bronze vase with classical reliefs and fluted handles from Collection CK20, circa 1820 Italy craftsmanship
Grand Tour bronze vase after the antique with exquisite relief and classical motifs by Collection CK20, circa 1820 Italy.
Grand Tour Bronze Vase After The Antique
Collection CK20
Giambologna bronze sculpture of Cesarini Venus, early 19th century classical revival, Italy circa 1830, 35 cm tall.
Giambologna early 19th century bronze Venus statue, classical revival, Italy circa 1830, 35 cm tall on stand 46 cm.
Giambologna
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair Of Willy Rizzo Chrome and Brass End Tables with two black shelves, Italy circa 1975, modern vintage design.
Pair Of Willy Rizzo Chrome and Brass End Tables signed detail on the sleek chrome frame circa 1975 Italy.
Pair Of Willy Rizzo Chrome and Brass End Tables
Collection TH20
Giacomo Raffaelli Doves of Pliny micromosaic panel depicting doves around a gold basin on blue background.
Giacomo Raffaelli Doves of Pliny
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Grand Tour Bronze Recumbent Mastiff Dog sculpture on Siena marble plinth, 19th century French antique artwork.
Grand Tour Bronze Recumbent Mastiff Dog sculpture lying down on a Siena marble plinth circa 1830.
Grand Tour Bronze Recumbent Mastiff Dog
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Grand Tour Equestrian Bronze sculpture showing a rearing horse evading a striking snake on a marble base.
Grand Tour Equestrian Bronze sculpture of a rearing horse confronting a striking snake, symbolizing good versus evil.
Grand Tour Equestrian Bronze
Collection CK40
Mid Century Marquetry and Polished Brass Bar Cart Drinks Trolley
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Mid-century Italian marquetry drinks trolley with brass accents and wheels by Nicholas Wells Antiques
Close-up of polished brass detailing and wheel mechanism on Nicholas Wells Antiques mid century Italian marquetry drinks trolley
MID CENTURY ITALIAN MARQUETRY DRINKS TROLLEY
Nicholas Wells Antiques
MID CENTURY ITALIAN MARQUETRY DRINKS TROLLEY with marquetry trays, brass galleries, and large central wheels circa 1960.
MID CENTURY ITALIAN MARQUETRY DRINKS TROLLEY with brass legs, inlaid marquetry trays, drop leaves, and large wheels circa 1960.
MID CENTURY ITALIAN MARQUETRY DRINKS TROLLEY
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair of 18th Century Rococo Parcel Gilt Italian Wall Brackets
Collection CK10

The Grand Tour—a rite of passage for aristocratic young men during the 17th to 19th centuries—played a pivotal role not only in shaping cultural and intellectual education, but also in establishing a distinctive decorative arts style. Typically undertaken by individuals from Europe and America, the Tour sought to immerse travellers in the classical heritage of the Continent, with Italy and Greece as essential destinations.

Rome, in particular, served as a cultural epicentre. Tourists marvelled at its classical ruins, Renaissance masterpieces, and Baroque splendour. The city’s vast artistic wealth made it a compulsory stop, where visitors engaged with antiquity through guided studies, social salons, and acquisition of art and artefacts.

Collecting as Cultural Currency

Grand Tour travellers amassed a wide array of souvenirs: paintings, sculptures, books, architectural sketches, and archaeological fragments. These objects served not only as mementos but as manifestations of taste, learning, and refinement. Displayed in private homes, they became part of a cultivated interior style characterised by neoclassical motifs, symmetry, and archaeological references.

The aesthetic language of the Grand Tour fused ancient ideals with Enlightenment sensibilities, laying the foundation for what would become recognised as the “Grand Tour Style”—a hallmark of cultured society in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Legacy

Today, the influence of the Grand Tour remains visible in decorative arts collections, museum exhibitions, and interior design. Its impact reflects a broader cultural movement that valued education through experience, and celebrated the enduring power of classical antiquity to shape modern identity and aesthetics.
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