A pair of framed intaglios each consisting of fourteen plaster Grand Tour intaglios of various sizes, dating from Circa 1840.
The intaglios are beautifully mounted on a green linen ground in a pair of rectangular, black and gilt glazed box frames.
They consist of a total of twenty eight shaped plaster intaglios of varying sizes depicting a variety of classical figures and motifs.
Condition:
In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 29 cm x Width 36.2 cm x Depth 4.5 cm - Frame
Height 24.5 cm x Width 31.8 cm x Depth 4.5 cm - Interior
Dimensions in inches:
Height 11 inches x Width 1 foot, 2 inches x Depth 2 inches - Frame
Height 10 inches x Width 1 foot x Depth 2 inches - Interior
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 t
...o 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.
Intaglios - were originally used as seals, these carvings or cuttings are moulded out of white plaster, marble dust or wax. The original 19th century intaglios were also made from wood or stone. The depressed designs depicting ancient scenes from Greece, Italy, etc were also used as markers of the land. They were also collected as souvenirs from European Grand Tours in 1830.
Our reference: A4107
Internal Reference: A4107
Antique ID Number (AIDN): SA1098030
Dateline of this antique is 1850
Height is 29cm (11.4inches)Width is 36.2cm (14.3inches)Depth is 4.5cm (1.8inches)
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