19th Century Italian Grand Tour Intaglios, Custom Framed – Set of 2

A superb pair of framed Grand Tour intaglios, circa 1820. These genuine plaster hand-carved intaglios are all gilt paper wrapped and numbered. They are custom framed on a gray linen backing with gilded frames.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, intaglios were travel souvenirs that wealthy young aristocrats would bring back from the Grand Tour, which was typically a year long journey across Europe to learn about art, culture, and history. This expedition was seen as a rite of passage and the culmination of their education, which was grounded in the classics.