What are Grand Tour plaster intaglios?

Grand Tour plaster intaglios are decorative relief impressions produced during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries as souvenirs for travellers across continental Europe. These casts typically replicated classical carved gems, Roman emperors, and mythological scenes.

How were nineteenth-century book-form intaglio sets constructed?

These sets were constructed using plaster of Paris cast from carved stone gems or wax moulds. The casts were fitted into gilded borders inside book-shaped boxes lined with hand-marbled paper.

How can authentic antique plaster intaglios be identified?

Authentic period examples feature period hand-marbled paper linings, copperplate engravings or printed indexes on the inner lid, fine relief details, and light natural patination on the plaster surfaces.

How can a book-form intaglio set be styled in a modern interior?

Position the box open on a shelf, console, or mantelpiece to highlight the classical relief medallions and graphic marbled paper against modern backdrops.

What is the correct way to clean and maintain plaster intaglios?

Keep plaster intaglios in a dry environment away from moisture and direct heat, dusting them gently with a soft dry brush to preserve the crispness of the impressions.

for sale €1,463 $1,588

£1,250

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Id #SA1197605

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Antique Set Scholar's Book Form Plaster Grand Tour Intaglios Emperors19th C

19th century

For Sale by Regent Antiques

Description

This is a museum quality book form Grand Tour plaster intaglio case, Circa 1820 in date.

The intaglios are encased in a red leather gilt tooled binding titled

'L. FERRARIS BIBLIOTHECA',

The book opening to a marbled interior with a glazed display of of seven gilt framed graduated plaster intaglios depicting classical figures and Roman emperors, the opposing lid with a neoclassical engraving. Made in Italy by Bartolomeo Paoletti and Pietro Figlio, in their workshop in Piazza di Spagna, Rome.

Add a classical and cultural dimension to your home with this captivating selection of historic intaglios.

Condition:

In perfect condition, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:Height 4 cm x Width 22 cm x Depth 31 cm

Dimensions in inches:

Height 2 inches x Width 9 inches x Depth 1 foot

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. The Grand Tour was the traditional trip of Europe undertaken by mainly upper-class European young men of means. The custom flourished from about 1660 until the advent of large-scale rail transit in the 1840s, and was associated with a standard itinerary.

It served as an educational rite of passage. Though primarily associated with the British nobility and wealthy landed gentry, similar trips were made by wealthy young men of Protestant Northern European nations on the Continent, and from the second half of the 18th century some South American, U.S., and other overseas youth joined in. The tradition was extended to include more of the middle class after rail and steamship travel made the journey less of a burden.

The primary value of the Grand Tour, it was believed, lay in the exposure both to the cultural legacy of classical antiquity and the Renaissance, and to the aristocratic and fashionably polite society of the European continent. In addition, it provided the only opportunity to view specific works of art, and possibly the only chance to hear certain music. A grand tour could last from several months to several years. It was commonly undertaken in the company of a knowledgeable guide or tutor.

The Grand Tour - not only provided a liberal education but allowed those who could afford it the opportunity to buy things otherwise unavailable at home, and it thus increased participants' prestige and standing. Grand Tourists would return with crates of art, books, pictures, sculpture, and items of culture, which would be displayed in libraries, cabinets, gardens, and drawing rooms, as well as the galleries built purposely for their display; The Grand Tour became a symbol of wealth and freedom.

Our reference: A5090

Physical Dimensions

Height

4cm (1.57")

Width

22cm (8.66")

Depth

31cm (12.20")

Declaration

Regent Antiques has dated this Grand Tour Plaster Intaglios to the 1800s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1197605

Dealers Internal Reference

A5090

Description

This is a museum quality book form Grand Tour plaster intaglio case, Circa 1820 in date.

The intaglios are encased in a red leather gilt tooled binding titled

'L. FERRARIS BIBLIOTHECA',

The book opening to a marbled interior with a glazed display of of seven gilt framed graduated plaster intaglios depicting classical figures and Roman emperors, the opposing lid with a neoclassical engraving.

“

Made in Italy by Bartolomeo Paoletti and Pietro Figlio, in their workshop in Piazza di Spagna, Rome.

Regent Antiques

fig 1. An open red marbled book-form box displaying seven oval cream plaster intaglios behind glass alongside an engraved frontispiece. — fig 1. Antique Set Scholar's Book Form Plaster Grand Tour Intaglios Emperors19th C

Add a classical and cultural dimension to your home with this captivating selection of historic intaglios.

Condition:

In perfect condition, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:Height 4 cm x Width 22 cm x Depth 31 cm

fig 2. An open red marbled book-form box displaying seven oval cream plaster intaglios behind glass alongside an engraved frontispiece. — fig 2. Antique Set Scholar's Book Form Plaster Grand Tour Intaglios Emperors19th C

Dimensions in inches:

Height 2 inches x Width 9 inches x Depth 1 foot

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. The Grand Tour was the traditional trip of Europe undertaken by mainly upper-class European young men of means. The custom flourished from about 1660 until the advent of large-scale rail transit in the 1840s, and was associated with a standard itinerary.

fig 3. An open red marbled book-form box displaying seven oval cream plaster intaglios behind glass alongside an engraved frontispiece. — fig 3. Antique Set Scholar's Book Form Plaster Grand Tour Intaglios Emperors19th C

It served as an educational rite of passage. Though primarily associated with the British nobility and wealthy landed gentry, similar trips were made by wealthy young men of Protestant Northern European nations on the Continent, and from the second half of the 18th century some South American, U.S., and other overseas youth joined in. The tradition was extended to include more of the middle class after rail and steamship travel made the journey less of a burden.

fig 4. An open red marbled book-form box displaying seven oval cream plaster intaglios behind glass alongside an engraved frontispiece. — fig 4. Antique Set Scholar's Book Form Plaster Grand Tour Intaglios Emperors19th C

The primary value of the Grand Tour, it was believed, lay in the exposure both to the cultural legacy of classical antiquity and the Renaissance, and to the aristocratic and fashionably polite society of the European continent. In addition, it provided the only opportunity to view specific works of art, and possibly the only chance to hear certain music. A grand tour could last from several months to several years. It was commonly undertaken in the company of a knowledgeable guide or tutor.

fig 5. An open red marbled book-form box displaying seven oval cream plaster intaglios behind glass alongside an engraved frontispiece. — fig 5. Antique Set Scholar's Book Form Plaster Grand Tour Intaglios Emperors19th C

The Grand Tour - not only provided a liberal education but allowed those who could afford it the opportunity to buy things otherwise unavailable at home, and it thus increased participants' prestige and standing. Grand Tourists would return with crates of art, books, pictures, sculpture, and items of culture, which would be displayed in libraries, cabinets, gardens, and drawing rooms, as well as the galleries built purposely for their display; The Grand Tour became a symbol of wealth and freedom.

Our reference: A5090