A fine set of 50 late 18th Century plaster Impressions or Casts of Intaglio Gems, Italy, circa 1800, classical subjects, contained in the original English hinged mahogany case of unusual design formed as a book, the sliding removable leather covered spine titled ‘Gems’ and made to lock the two hinged sections together when closed, four Gems out of numerical order presumably to enhance the symmetrical display.
Set of Plaster Intaglios
Dimensions: 24cm high, 16cm wide, 3.5cm deep; Largest Intaglio 5cm high & 4.5cm wide, Smallest Intaglio 2cm high & 1.5cm wide
All of our items are also available through our Selling Antiques page.
Footnote
The Grand Tour of the late 17th, 18th and 19th centuries saw many upper class, wealthy and aristocratic gentlemen travel to Italy and Europe, particularly Rome, Venice and Florence, for pleasure, education and inspiration. This afforded them the opportunity to view important classical and Renaissance works of art and architecture.
The term ‘Grand Tour’ was coined by the Catholic priest and travel writer Richard Lassels (circa 1603-68), who used it in his influential guidebook The Voyage of Italy, published in 1670, to describe young lords travelling abroad to learn about art, architecture and antiquity.
Robert Adam wrote of Rome in 1755, ‘Rome is the most glorious place in the universal world. A grandeur and tranquillity reigns in it, everywhere noble and striking remains of antiquity appear in it, which are so many that one who has spent a dozen years in seeing is still surprised with something new…’
Many Grand tourists collected souvenirs in the form of bronze and marble models of sculpture and architecture, and formed collections of Grand Tour objects for their English country houses, most notably Chatsworth House.
