The Tradition of the Grand Tour

The tradition of the Grand Tour dates to around the 17th & 18th centuries. Having finished their studies, it was a rite of passage for young men of the English aristocracy to embark on a trip through Europe. Usually accompanied by a tutor, it was seen as a way of rounding off their education. Greece and Italy were key destinations, allowing these young men to immerse themselves in the Greco-Roman culture, discovering the history and art of the countries, as well as learning the languages. 

Due to this thriving industry, local craftsman and ateliers began making high quality copies of famous and important public works as souvenirs to be sold to grand tourists. As such, these young men would fill their stately and country homes with these souvenirs as mementos for the wonderful art, sculpture and antiques that they had encountered on their travels.

This tradition also heavily influenced the furniture designs back in England during this period. English cabinet makers, such as Thomas Hope, having taken their own Grand Tours, took inspiration from Italian furniture in particular, and so we see this influence creeping into Neo-Palladian and Georgian furniture design, which sparked a new fashion at the time.

The Furietti Centaurs

Highlights from the auction include, a large pair of Italian 19th century bronze figures, modelled after the antique Furietti Centaurs. The original Centaurs were discovered during excavations in 1736, conducted by Monsignor Furietti at Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli on the outskirts of Rome. They were acquired by Pope Clement XIII from Furietti's heirs and placed in the Capitoline Museum.

Bronze reproductions were made by famous 18th century bronze foundries such as those established by Righetti and Zofolli to cater for the demand from Grand Tourists. Their decorative appeal to the Georgians was enhanced by the fact that they were a classical, symmetrical pair. The present pair were based on the Francesco Righetti model without the supporting tree trunks.

Augustus of Prima Porta

The collection also includes an impressive bronze after the Augustus of Prima Porta, the life size Roman marble figure of Augustus Caesar. The original, now in the collection at the Vatican Museum, was completed in the 1st century A.D. and discovered at the Villa Livia at Prima Porta.

The copy we have here was cast by Benedetto Boschetti, circa 1860-1870. The Boschetti workshop, operating in Rome, was renowned for the exceptional quality of its copies of antique vases and objects, helping feed the growing demand of souvenirs for the grand tourists.

Classical Library Busts

Busts of classical, intellectual and political interest, made in terracotta and other materials, were popular in the 18th and 19th century. They were often placed on bookcases, chimney pieces or pedestals in English country house libraries. Here, we are pleased to be offering a set of four large 19th century terracotta library busts, depicting Hippocrates, Homer, Virgil and Cicero.

The 'Piranesi' Urns

Then we have a matched pair of carved white marble 'Piranesi' urns. Each of Roman funerary form, the first urn is probably a late 18th century Italian copy, made in the Roman manner of the 1st century AD, while the second was likely a late 19th century or later version, made to match.

Piranesi, as well as being an architect and etcher of ancient Roman subjects, ran a thriving business concocting 'ancient' sculptures and vases which he sold to foreigners visiting Rome. The earlier vase and cover in this lot, is typical of work produced from his workshop, as well as those of Bartolomeo Cavaceppi and others.

Micro Mosaics

A fascinating art form, highly popular at the time, was micro mosaic. These featured heavily in furniture, as can be seen in this Italian occasional table. Made in the late 19th century, it features a marble top, inlaid with a micro mosaic design. Centred by the Doves of Pliny, one can also see various ancient Rome landmarks, including the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Roman Forum, Castel Sant'Angelo, St Peter's Basilica, the Arch of Trajan, and the Gardens of Tivoli. All of these would have been on the itinerary for the grand tourists.

Furniture Inspired by the Grand Tour

Another lot perhaps most inspired by the Grand Tour is a George III carved giltwood and gesso architectural mirror which is in the manner of renowned architect William Kent. 

Kent was an architect, painter, landscaper and furniture designer and is credited as introducing Palladian architecture to Britain during the rise of the Hanovarian Dynasty of George I and George II. Kent studied in Italy for ten years, spending much of this time in Rome between 1709-1719. His most renowned patrons include Richard Boyle, 3rd Earl of Burlington of Chiswick House and Burlington House; and Thomas Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester of Holkham Hall – these properties are regarded as some of the finest surviving Neo-Palladian architectures in Britain.

This fine mahogany hall bench is attributed to the Regency cabinet maker George Bullock. George Bullock did not undertake his own grand tour, however his furniture designs are greatly inspired by pattern books, sketches and projects completed by other renowned architects, designers and contemporaries such as Thomas Hope (1769–1831), James Wyatt (1746–1813), Robert Adam (1728–1792) and Charles Heathcote Tatham (1772-1842). This stool is inspired by Charles Heathcote Tatham’s design published in his Etchings of Ancient Ornamental Architecture drawn from the Originals in Rome and Other Parts of Italy during the years 1794, 1795 and 1796, 1799.

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Auction Details

Tuesday 23 & Wednesday 24 June 2026, 10.30am GMT
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

Bidding is available in person at our salerooms, online, by telephone or you can leave commission (absentee) bids.

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VIEWING:

• Viewing at Dreweatts Newbury (full sale): Donnington Priory, RG14 2JE
  • Friday 19 June: 10am-4pm
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  • Tuesday 23 June: 9am-4pm
  • Wednesday 24 June: 9am-1pm
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