What are Grand Tour plaster intaglios?

Grand Tour plaster intaglios are small plaster or gesso casts created in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries as souvenir impressions of classical engraved gems, coins, and sculptures collected by aristocrats travelling across Europe.

How were nineteenth-century plaster intaglios constructed?

These pieces were produced by pouring fine plaster of Paris or gesso into moulds taken from relief carvings. Once set, the edges were often finished with gilded paper bands before being bound into trays or mounted for display.

How can authentic period plaster intaglios be identified?

Authentic period examples exhibit crisp relief carving details, subtle surface patination or slight off-white discolouration consistent with age, period paper borders around individual casts, and traditional neoclassical subject matter.

How do interior designers style framed intaglios in contemporary spaces?

Framed intaglios function effectively as architectural focal points in a study, library, or hallway, particularly when mounted against dark backgrounds to highlight the high-contrast white plaster reliefs.

How should framed plaster intaglios be preserved?

Intaglios should remain sealed under glass in a stable environment away from excessive humidity and direct sunlight, as moisture can soften the plaster and cause deteriorating discolouration over time.

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£1,250

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Grand Tour Intaglios

White Plaster Intaglios

Framed Plaster Medallions

Giovanni Liberotti Intaglios

Id #SA1213848

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Antique Set of 35 Framed Grand Tour Giovanni Liberotti Intaglios 19th C

Name: Antique Set of 35 Framed Grand Tour Giovanni Liberotti Intaglios 19th C
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1213848
Price: 1250 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Regent Antiques

Description

An elegant framed collection enclosing thirty-five Grand Tour Giovanni Liberotti intaglios dating from the early 19th Century.

The oval shaped plaster intaglios featuring various mythological and classical subjects, each with paper wrapped and hand written labels.

The intaglios are beautifully mounted on an olive ground in a rectangular glazed ebonised and gilt box frame.

Add a beautiful classical element to your home with this delightful framed collection.

Condition:

In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 38 cm x Width 49 cm x Depth 35 cm

Dimensions in inches:

Height 1 foot, 3 inches x Width 1 foot, 7 inches x Depth 1 foot, 2 inches

Giovanni Liberotti

miniature plaster relief impressions of masterpieces of European art. This collection is an example of the type of souvenirs prized by the travelers of the Grand Tour. It is a small part of the museum`s gem cast collection, which is very rich in content and versatile in appearance. Gem casts were used as valuable illustrative materials in lectures.

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: A4718

Physical Dimensions

Height

38cm (14.96")

Width

49cm (19.29")

Depth

35cm (13.78")

Declaration

Regent Antiques has dated this Grand Tour Plaster Intaglios to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1213848

Dealers Internal Reference

A4718

Description

An elegant framed collection enclosing thirty-five Grand Tour Giovanni Liberotti intaglios dating from the early 19th Century.

“

The oval shaped plaster intaglios featuring various mythological and classical subjects, each with paper wrapped and hand written labels.

Regent Antiques

fig 1. A framed display of thirty-five off-white plaster intaglio impressions featuring classical relief figures mounted on a dark background within a gilt frame. — fig 1. Antique Set of 35 Framed Grand Tour Giovanni Liberotti Intaglios 19th C

The intaglios are beautifully mounted on an olive ground in a rectangular glazed ebonised and gilt box frame.

Add a beautiful classical element to your home with this delightful framed collection.

Condition:

fig 2. A framed display of thirty-five off-white plaster intaglio impressions featuring classical relief figures mounted on a dark background within a gilt frame. — fig 2. Antique Set of 35 Framed Grand Tour Giovanni Liberotti Intaglios 19th C

In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 38 cm x Width 49 cm x Depth 35 cm

Dimensions in inches:

Height 1 foot, 3 inches x Width 1 foot, 7 inches x Depth 1 foot, 2 inches

fig 3. A framed display of thirty-five off-white plaster intaglio impressions featuring classical relief figures mounted on a dark background within a gilt frame. — fig 3. Antique Set of 35 Framed Grand Tour Giovanni Liberotti Intaglios 19th C

Giovanni Liberotti

miniature plaster relief impressions of masterpieces of European art. This collection is an example of the type of souvenirs prized by the travelers of the Grand Tour. It is a small part of the museum`s gem cast collection, which is very rich in content and versatile in appearance. Gem casts were used as valuable illustrative materials in lectures.

fig 4. A framed display of thirty-five off-white plaster intaglio impressions featuring classical relief figures mounted on a dark background within a gilt frame. — fig 4. Antique Set of 35 Framed Grand Tour Giovanni Liberotti Intaglios 19th C

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 5. A framed display of thirty-five off-white plaster intaglio impressions featuring classical relief figures mounted on a dark background within a gilt frame. — fig 5. Antique Set of 35 Framed Grand Tour Giovanni Liberotti Intaglios 19th 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 6. A framed display of thirty-five off-white plaster intaglio impressions featuring classical relief figures mounted on a dark background within a gilt frame. — fig 6. Antique Set of 35 Framed Grand Tour Giovanni Liberotti Intaglios 19th 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 7. A framed display of thirty-five off-white plaster intaglio impressions featuring classical relief figures mounted on a dark background within a gilt frame. — fig 7. Antique Set of 35 Framed Grand Tour Giovanni Liberotti Intaglios 19th 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: A4718