Grand Tour Paperweights

A finely crafted circular pietra dura plaque, likely originating from Italy during the mid-to-late 19th century, this specimen marble and hardstone inlaid chessboard combines decorat...

This vintage silver thermometer is a precious decorative object realized in the 1910s. Silver frame with weather thermometer. Frame with floral decorations. On the back footres...

Vintage brass and metal lighter is an original decorative object realized in the mid-20th century. A metal vintage ashtray perfect to enjoy relax moment. Produced by Jewelry Ga...

We are delighted to offer for sale this extremely collectable original Victorian Marble Grand Tour Roman Ruin statue of columns A wonderful original piece, this is a desk sized co...

A handsome collection of five vintage solid marble obelisks, executed in richly varied shades of rose pink, blush, and cream, with natural charcoal inclusions and expressive veining ...

19th century Italian Grand Tour large roundel depicting the Roman emperor Vitellius. Inscribed VITELIO, the figure is carved in high relief in white marble and set against a porphyry...

An early 20th century bronze figure of a nude man throwing a rock, marked 1905 to the base along with a monogram of the letters ‘S’ and ‘W’. Mounted on a contrasting white marble pli...

This pair of Italian Grand Tour-style brecciated specimen marble spheres on Carrara marble bases showcases the timeless appeal of Italy's richly colored ornamental stones. Carved fro...

A charming little vintage blown art glass ornamental mushroom in translucent and tinted Murano glass, with a curvaceous stem and topped with a shapely cap, flecked with tiny air bubb...

The pair of obelisks with gilt lion faces on front base and gilt lion paws at corners, signed indistinctly. Rome dated 1893.

A fine 19th century Grand Tour miniature model of the Lion Attacking a Horse sculpture. Modeled after the ancient Roman version found on Capitoline Hill. Sized as a paperweight...

20th century marble phone made in Italy in the 60s. Green marble and brass. Still working. Very good state. Retro style.

This is a superb decorative antique Italian Grand Tour marble Pietra Dura mounted desk paperweight, circa 1880 in date. This splendid rectangular paperweight is exquisitely inlai...

A highly attractive and rare floral Grand Tour micromosaic jewelry or trinket box made by Cesare Roccheggiani in Rome, Italy, c. 1875. This is a beautifully detailed micro-mosaic box. The panel in the lid depicts a lush bouquet of spring flowers, including roses, forget-me-nots, daffodils, buttercups and crocus, amongst others. These are described in brightly coloured stone micromosaic inlaid into a black surround, lending the piece wonderful contrast. The more common subjects for similar micro mosaic boxes are architectural views of Rome; floral examples such as this are much harder to find. The panel is mounted in a box gilded in 24 carat gold. Another distinctive feature is the granulated finish around the lid and to the underside of the box: it is most unusual and lends the piece a lovely texture. A hand-painted champlevé enamel frieze wraps around the central body of the gilt metal box, depicting scrolling turquoise vines blooming with red berries along with blue, green and yellow vine leaves. The interior is lined in the original silk and in very good original condition. The maker’s name ‘C. ROCCHEGGIANI ROMA’ is emblazoned in gold to the interior of the lid beneath the motif of a cross surmounted by a crown. The lining of both the lid and body are bordered with a ropetwist detail. The lid closes with hooked clasp, and the hinge is in good condition. Cesare Roccheggiani was one of the most successful mosaicists in the late 19th century in Rome. He probably worked in Michelangelo Barberi’s workshop, and was in all likelihood 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, and Nicolo Roccheggiani who worked on the Achilles Shield tabletop commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte, and later gifted to Charles X of France, now in the collection of the Louvre. Cesare Roccheggiani opened his premises on Via Condotti in Rome in 1874, and ran a production workshop including mosaicists, goldsmiths and other craftsmen. He was renowned as a source for fine quality Grand Tour mosaics...

We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely 19th century Anglo-Indian Vizagapatam carved sandalwood and inlaid box Mid-19th century Anglo-Indian Vizagapatam carved sandalwood box...