The age of the Grand Tour was a time of discovery - when young aristocrats crossed Europe, absorbing art, antiquities, and the classical heritage of the continent. At David Duggleby, we invite you to capture that spirit in our upcoming Grand Tour Auction, a sale devoted to interiors-led works, decorative arts, and objets d’art that echo the elegance, romance and continental charm of 18th- and 19th-century travel.

Whether you own classical plaster casts, antique decorative objects, Italian marbles, hand-painted ormolu furniture, micromosaics, bronzes, Italian pietra dura pieces, or refined travel memorabilia, now is the moment to bring them forward. We are accepting entries now for the sale scheduled for 6 February 2026, with the last day for entries on Friday, 9 January. We welcome submissions from individuals, estates and collections - whether a single standout piece or an entire cabinet of treasures.

What We Are Looking For

Classical & Neoclassical Decorative Arts
Pieces inspired by the Grand Tour often draw on Greco-Roman themes: urns, medallions, classical busts, plaster casts, and furniture in Palladian or Neoclassical style. These items appeal because they combine decorative elegance with clear references to the cultural ideals that travelled with Grand Tourists from Rome to Athens and beyond.
Italian & Continental Works
Specimen marbles, pietra dura inlay, micromosaics, carved marble tables — these are hallmarks of the Grand Tour aesthetic. We’ve seen strong market performance for similarly styled pieces in recent sales; for instance, a mid-19th-century marble specimen centre table with pietra dura inlay has already appeared in our upholstery departments. 
Collectables & Travel Relics
Don’t overlook smaller pieces: miniature bronzes, cameos, intaglios, architectural fragments, and travel souvenirs all have a place in this sale. These items often carry narrative weight — as objects that might have been acquired on the road. Some of Bonhams’ Grand Tour lots include marble inkwells adorned with miniatures and reverse-painted glass plaques. 

Why Now is a Great Time to Consign

The Grand Tour style remains perennially appealing. Many interiors and decorative art collectors are curating “cabinet of curiosities” type rooms - spaces that evoke a sense of journey, discovery and heritage. This aesthetic aligns beautifully with the Grand Tour theme, giving your pieces strong contextual appeal.

Additionally, buyers are seeking depth and story. A single Italian marble urn, or a set of classical busts, may draw more interest when framed by the wider narrative of the Grand Tour. We will promote this auction as a thematic, visually striking event - giving consignors a marketing advantage.
Finally, the specialist nature of this sale offers broader exposure. Rather than being lost in a general decorative catalogue, your item will stand in a curated, context-rich environment among pieces of similar character and appeal.
Let your treasures be more than furniture or ornament - let them become part of a story. Whether your piece was once part of a grand house or acquired abroad, it may be exactly what a dedicated collector is seeking. We invite you to consign now and join us in celebrating the elegance, curiosity and legacy of the Grand Tour.

To find out more or book a valuation, please get in touch with our specialist team.

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