Gilt Bronze Grand Tour Inkwell

An ornate gilt bronze inkwell with three protruding bull heads separated by three Bacchanalian-type faces framed by grapes on a grapevine. The base of the lid is decorated with three wizened men’s faces, separated by hanging swags. At the top we find a youthful Cupid atop a dolphin. Three hoof legs connect the mounted inkwell to the round red and black marble base.

What is “The Grand Tour”?

Young gentry from wealthy families would take a tour through France and Italy in search of art, culture, and the roots of Western civilization. With nearly unlimited funds, aristocratic connections, and months (even years) to roam, they were exposed to the cultural legacy of classical antiquity and the Renaissance, and to the aristocratic society of the European continent. The tour provided the opportunity to view specific works of art, and to hear certain music. The tour was commonly undertaken in the company of a knowledgeable guide or tutor.

A second example of a similar Grand Tour Inkwell: Grand Tour bronze inkwell resting on a circular marble base. The body of the inkwell has a tripod base with taurine legs and large bulls’ heads in a trio. On the lid is a young Bacchus feeding a goat a bunch of grapes.