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.
$66 / item
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.
Wood
$66 / item
Hand Wood Big Serving Tray
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Hands means protection, sheltering and coziness This tray is made out of Birchwood and is a different and original option for home serving trays.
Wood
$66 / item
Snake Blue Wood Serving Tray
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
This tray is made out of birchwood and is a different and original option for home serving trays.
Wood
$66 / item
Face Wood Big Serving Tray Red
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
This tray is made out of birchwood and is a different and original option for home serving trays.
Wood
$66 / item
Snake Red Wood Serving Tray
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
This tray is made out of birchwood and is a different and original option for home serving trays.
Wood
Anna Weatherley Designs Hand-Painted Serving Tray with Handles
Located in Toronto, ON
A beautiful hand painted square serving tray with handles, by Anna Weatherley Designs. Anna Weatherley has been designing and producing Fine Botanical Hand Painted Porcelain in Hunga...
Porcelain
$260Sale Price|20% Off
H 1 in W 14 in D 12 in
Japanese Serving Tray Hand Painted Floral Design Pressed Wood, 1950's
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
1339 Japanese hand painted serving tray.
Satinwood, Paint
Bamboo and Red Lucite Serving Tray, Signed, Italy, 1970s
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Rectangular serving tray in red lucite framed with bamboo and cane wrapping. Signed by artist in brass. Circa 1970s.
Bamboo, Cane, Lucite
Vintage Hand-Etched Peacock Serving Tray - Made in India
Located in Seattle, WA
Beautifully crafted vintage rectangular serving tray featuring intricate hand-etched inlay work. The design showcases three elegant peacocks surrounded by ornate floral and geometric...
Metal
Antique Hand Hammered Brass Middle Eastern Moorish Serving Tray
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
3-481 Antique Large decorative Moorish hand made brass tray with elaborative and fine Islamic geometric designs with pie crest edge
Brass
$160
H 0.75 in W 18.88 in D 14.25 in
Stunning Italian Florentine Gilded Gilt Wood Serving Tray Toleware Tole, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Offered is an absolutely stunning, 1960s Italian giltwood serving tray. Minor patina and paint lost gives this piece a classy statement. A nice addition to any table or room.
Wood
Kamari Woods Teak Serving Tray
Located in Pasadena, TX
This teak serving tray was manufactured in the Philippines. It's square with curved ends.
Teak
$275Sale Price|26% Off
H 1.5 in W 16.5 in D 9 in
Antique Italian Serving Tray, Inlaid Wood & Brass Filigree, 1960
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
1856 Italian inlaid wood serving tray with protective coating with brass filigree rim and handles.
Brass
$220
H 0.75 in W 21.38 in D 15.75 in
Stunning Italian Florentine Gilded Gilt Wood Serving Tray Toleware Tole, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Offered is an absolutely stunning, 1960s Italian giltwood serving tray. Minor patina and paint lost gives this piece a classy statement. A nice addition to any table or room.
Wood
Italian Glass, Brass and Wood 1970s Serving Tray
By Cesare Lacca
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This sculptural serving tray with shaped handles is made from wood, brass and glass tray. It remains in very good condition.
Brass
$140
H 1 in W 16.88 in D 10.25 in
Beautiful Italian Florentine Gilded Gilt Wood Serving Tray Toleware Tole, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Offered is an absolutely stunning, 1960s Italian giltwood serving tray. Minor patina and paint lost gives this piece a classy statement. A nice addition to any table or room.
Wood
$240
H 1 in W 22.63 in D 16.5 in
Large Italian Florentine Gilded Gilt Wood Serving Tray Toleware Tole, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Offered is an absolutely stunning, 1960s Italian giltwood serving tray. Minor patina and paint lost gives this piece a classy statement. A nice addition to any table or room.
Wood
$832
H 2.56 in W 15.95 in D 11.42 in
Midcentury Blue Ocean Lucite and Chrome Oval Serving Tray, Italy 1980s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Outstanding midcentury serving tray in a stunning blue ocean effect lucite with a chrome rim. This unique centerpiece was made in Italy in the 80s. The blue lucite with slight shade...
Metal, Chrome
$227Sale Price|41% Off
H 0.79 in W 18.9 in D 15.75 in
Big Historistic Alpaca Serving Tablet, circa 1890s
Located in Wien, Au
Big Historistic alpaca serving tablet, circa 1890s Polished and stove enameled.
Alpaca
Mid-Century Italian Red Acrylic Serving Tray, Italy 1980s
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful red octagonal serving tray in red acrylic. This lovely centerpiece was made in Italy in the 80s. The tray is made in a beautiful vibrant red acrylic that features cachemir...
Metal, Brass
Spanish Silver Testavin with 1633 Coin Inset, Reign of Phillip IV
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Spanish silver testavin with 1633 coin inset, Reign of Phillip IV. Eight Reales Coin marked Philip PVS IIII D G & crowned Spanish sheild reversing to Hispania R V ...
Silver
Italian Grand Tour Style Spoons, a Set of 12
Located in Elkhart, IN
A set of 11 silver plate spoons and 1 cocktail fork with Italian landmarks and crests in the Grand Tour style. Made in Italy and marked Alpak. Large: 7" small: 4.5" fork: 3.5".
Silver
Snake Olive Green Wood Serving Tray
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
This tray is made out of Birchwood and is a different and original option for home serving trays.
Wood
Snake Blue Wood Serving Tray
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
This tray is made out of birchwood and is a different and original option for home serving trays.
Wood
Snake Grey Wood Serving Tray
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
This tray is made out of birchwood and is a different and original option for home serving trays.
Wood
Snake Red Wood Serving Tray
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
This tray is made out of Birchwood and is a different and original option for home serving trays.
Wood