Europe, Italy, Neoclassical Period, ca. 19th century CE. A handsome collection of 29 plaster Grand Tour intaglios mounted on an original indenture document and fit with a custom frame. These lovely impressions display religious images, portraits of rulers, historical monuments, famous architecture, and family crests. Popular in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, plaster intaglios, like these examples, typically featured images of European classical sculptures and ancient coins. Most of these beautiful examples exhibit the remains of paper on the edges as they were often displayed and collected in book form. Size of largest: 3.5" in diameter (8.9 cm); Size of frame: 19.25" W x 19.25" H (48.9 cm x 48.9 cm)

The Grand Tour was a traditional European trip - a rite of passage - primarily enjoyed by the upper-class from about 1660 until the realization of a large-scale rail system in the 1840s. Although traditionally associated with British nobility and wealthy elite, individuals from Northern European Protestant countries on the Continent also took Grand Tours, and in the second half of the 18th century wealthy individuals from the United States, South America, and other countries overseas took part. In addition, the middle class began to engage on their own journeys once rail and steamship travel made the trip more affordable. The Grand Tour exposed travelers to music, works of art, as well as architectural landmarks. In addition to this education, The Grand Tour provided an opportunity to purchase special souvenirs like these intaglios that were not available in one's home country.

Provenance: private Morrison, Colorado, USA collection

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#163144

British Antique Dealers' Association label on verso of frame. Chip to periphery of two intaglios. A few light nicks to periphery of some others. Nicks to frame. Otherwise, all are intact and excellent with wonderfully preserved details.