Set of early 19th-century Grand Tour intaglios, cast in plaster and painted in vivid vermilion.

The classical portrait and mythological scene intaglios were once prized souvenirs of the Grand Tour, collected by traveller’s in Italy as tokens of their cultural education. Inspired by ancient Roman gem carvings, intaglios like these were copied from famous collections such as the Pichler and Borgia gems, and offered in plaster, wax, or glass paste for collectors to arrange and display.

Plaster intaglios were more durable than wax and often painted in the same red tones to imitate the prestigious wax impressions. This set of 24 is mounted on hand-marbled paper in a period gilt frame.

25 x 21

£495