Object Description
A comprehensive framed collection of thirty six Grand Tour intaglios of various sizes dating from the early 19th Century.
The subjects predominantly from Classical Antiquity with various others and including ancient literay philosophical figures including Homer. They are superbly mounted and arranged in their chartreuse green silk lined giltwood frame.
A superb decorative item!
Condition:
In really excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 48 x Width 39 x Depth 10
Dimensions in inches:
Height 1 foot, 7 inches x Width 1 foot, 3 inches x Depth 4 inches
The Grand Tour was the traditional trip around Europe, often lasting three to four years, undertaken by the wealthy upper-class English during the 16th and 17th century. Their prime interest was to visit cities that were considered major centres of culture; Paris, Rome, Venice, Florence and Naples were popular destinations.
During the 18th and 19th century, the opportunity to take the “Grand Tour” spread from the aristocracy to the new industrial and professional elites, tourist destinations such as Rome shifted their attention from the privileged class to meeting the travel needs of the monied middle-class, including a healthy souvenir trade.
Souvenir engravings of tourist attractions began to appear everywhere. In addition to albums of engraved views, “the Grand Tour offered another very popular type of travel souvenir, the now nearly forgotten cameos. The taste for these engraved antique gems was revived as part of the classical revival and later reproduced as miniature plaster casts. Mounted in faux book bindings, these plaster cameos provided a minutely detailed cabinet of neoclassical knowledge and art.
Our reference: A1865