A large and rare early 19th century George III style statuary and Bardigilo marble fireplace surround. A breakfront shelf with a bullnose edge and ogee secondary under top majestically rests above a well carved high relief central tablet depicting Selene Titan Goddess of the moon, in Greek Mythology "Selene is a woman driving a chariot drawn by a pair of white horses, her lunar Sphere or Crescent was either a crown set upon her head or the fold of a raised shinning cloak. Mythology also states that she has powers surrounding dreams and Intuition, harnessing the ability to awaken Intuition and catalyse Psychic visions".
 
The tablet is flanked by Bardigilo marble panels inset into a Statuary marble border, all supported on stepped jambs of matching Bardigilo set within further Statuary marble borders above, a pair of large and beautiful corbels carved with Acanthus and Arithemon detail all resting on moulded foot block work, In the manner of Sir Henry Cheere.
Fire Opening Aperture: 1050mm high x 1255mm wide.
Each leg width: 255mm
Note Internal Aperture in grounds could be made to reduce the opening to take a Fire Grate or Period Cast Iron Insert.
 
Provenience:
Salvaged from Hill Hall, Epping, England. Hill Hall is an Elizabethan mansion and remained in the Smith family until the mid-19th century it has seen many uses during its life, a prisoner of war camp, WWII Pilot accommodation base, and later- a woman's prison. It is now a grade one listed building and has been developed and converted into exclusive high end apartments.
English, 1930.