Superb French Grand Tour Bronze Urn-Form Potpourri of outstanding quality, complete with its original well veined bronze mounted Sienna Marble rectangular plain stepped two piece base. First quarter of the Nineteenth Century.  

The oval formed body with twin Acanthus leaf capped scrolling handles, ending on an ornately cast spreading socle. The domed cover with pierced outer edge and stylish finial. 

Condition: This piece is in perfect condition, no losses to marble.  

Width: 8.25" (21cm). Width: (at marble base) 5.25" (135cm). Depth: (at base) 3.25" (8.25cm). 

The Grand Tour has long been a symbol of wealth and freedom. In the late 16th century, it became quite fashionable for young aristocrats to visit Italy and France, as the finishing touch on their classical education. Travel was arduous and costly during this time and possible only for a privileged class, and thus the Grand Tour lasted until the 19th century, when railways across Europe allowed for easier travel. While these travels were very popular with the English, they were also undertaken by other Northern Europeans as well as Americans.  

The Grand Tour was developed out of the idea of traveling for the sake of curiosity and cultural development. These travels not only provided a cultural education but it also allowed wealthier Grand Tourists an opportunity to purchase items unavailable at home, and it thus increased the travelers social standing and prestige. Travelers would return with crates of books, paintings, sculpture, and other cultural goods, which would be displayed in libraries, gardens, and purpose built galleries in their homes.