Sculpture & Works of Art

Grand Tour Collecting: Cameos, Intaglios and Souvenirs of Classical Europe

20 February 2025

Katherine Wright

During the seventeenth, eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, thousands of wealthy young Britons travelled across Europe on what became known as the Grand Tour. Part educational journey, part cultural pilgrimage, the Grand Tour was considered an essential finishing school for the aristocracy and upper classes, offering first-hand encounters with the art, architecture and antiquities of the continent.

Alongside memories and experiences, travellers often returned home with carefully chosen objects that reflected their appreciation of classical civilisation. From cameos and intaglios to sculpture, plaster casts and antiquities, these souvenirs became an important part of one of Europe's most influential collecting traditions.

What Was the Grand Tour?

The Grand Tour was a lengthy journey through Europe, typically undertaken by young gentlemen following their formal education. Italy was usually the principal destination, with travellers visiting Rome, Florence, Venice and Naples to study the remains of the ancient world and the masterpieces of the Renaissance.

The experience was intended to broaden knowledge of history, art, languages and culture. For many, however, collecting became just as important as learning. Returning home with carefully selected objects demonstrated both education and refined taste.

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Sculpture & Works of Art

Why Did Grand Tour Travellers Collect?

Collecting was central to the Grand Tour experience. Objects acquired abroad served as reminders of places visited and cultures encountered, while also signalling a traveller's appreciation of classical art and scholarship.

Unlike modern souvenirs, Grand Tour objects were often chosen for their educational and artistic value. They connected their owners to Ancient Greece and Rome, the Renaissance and the wider intellectual currents of the Enlightenment.

Collections were displayed in country houses, libraries and private cabinets, where they became symbols of status, learning and cultural sophistication.

Cameos and Intaglios: The Ultimate Grand Tour Souvenirs

Among the most popular objects acquired during the Grand Tour were cameos and intaglios.

Both forms of gem engraving had deep roots in antiquity and appealed to travellers fascinated by the classical world.

An intaglio is carved below the surface of a gemstone, creating a recessed design that produces a raised impression when pressed into wax. Historically used as seals and signatures, intaglios frequently depicted gods, heroes, emperors and scenes from mythology.

A cameo, by contrast, is carved in relief, with the image raised above the background. Cameos often portrayed classical figures, rulers and allegorical subjects and became particularly fashionable during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Their relatively small size, artistic quality and connection to the ancient world made both ideal souvenirs for travellers returning from Italy.

Plaster Intaglios and Cameos

As demand for carved gemstones grew, artisans began producing plaster casts taken from important cameos and intaglios.

These reproductions allowed travellers to acquire affordable versions of famous works housed in royal collections, museums and archaeological sites. Often arranged in trays, albums or fitted cases, plaster casts provided miniature collections of classical art that could be studied and displayed at home.

Many survive today as fascinating records of both the original objects and the collecting tastes of the period.

Rome and the Revival of Classical Gem Engraving

While interest in engraved gemstones never entirely disappeared, the Renaissance and later the eighteenth century saw significant revivals in gem carving and collecting.

Rome became the centre of this renewed enthusiasm. Archaeological discoveries and growing interest in classical civilisation attracted collectors, scholars and craftsmen from across Europe. Engravers looked to ancient examples for inspiration, recreating classical subjects and developing new works in the same tradition.

The city's workshops supplied a growing market of Grand Tour visitors eager to bring home a piece of antiquity.

Grand Tour Sculpture and Antiquities

Cameos and intaglios formed only part of a broader collecting culture. Travellers also acquired sculptures, bronze reductions, architectural models, antiquities and plaster casts of celebrated works of art.

These objects helped shape interiors across Britain and Europe, influencing architecture, decorative arts and collecting tastes for generations. The neoclassical movement that swept through Europe during the eighteenth century owes much to the objects and ideas carried home by Grand Tour travellers.

Famous Collectors of Carved Gems

The fascination with cameos and intaglios stretches far beyond the Grand Tour itself.

Historical figures associated with important collections include Julius Caesar and Marcus Aurelius in antiquity. Later collectors included Thomas Howard, Earl of Arundel, William Cavendish, Duke of Devonshire, the Dukes of Marlborough and Catherine the Great of Russia.

Their collections helped preserve important examples and contributed to the enduring popularity of engraved gemstones among scholars and collectors.

Why Grand Tour Objects Remain Collectible

Today, Grand Tour material continues to appeal to collectors for many reasons.

Historical Significance

These objects provide insight into European travel, education and collecting during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Classical Inspiration

Many examples reflect a fascination with Ancient Greece and Rome that continues to resonate today.

Craftsmanship

Whether carved in hardstone, cast in plaster or sculpted in marble, Grand Tour objects often demonstrate exceptional artistic skill.

The History of Collecting

Many collectors are drawn not only to the objects themselves but also to the stories of the individuals who acquired them.

Collecting Grand Tour Objects Today

From carved gemstones and plaster casts to sculpture and antiquities, Grand Tour objects remain a fascinating collecting field. They occupy a unique position between art, archaeology and social history, offering a glimpse into a period when travel, learning and collecting were inseparable.

More than souvenirs, they are enduring reminders of Europe's artistic heritage and the generations of collectors who sought to preserve and celebrate it.

Specialist

Katherine Wright

Senior Ceramics & Glass Specialist