A wonderfully elegant, late 19th Century Georgian manner statuary & sienna marble fireplace surround. An ogee corniced top shelf with a secondary under score shelf sits directly above a corniced moulding that wraps around. Central to this magnificent piece is a high relief central tablet carved in statuary marble showing seven playful putti engaging in ‘childish behaviour’. The outer putti have a section of fabric and appear to be playing tug of war, the central putti are arranged playing out a piggyback scene with the rest engaged in general tomfoolery.
 
This childhood playful scene may have gained its inspiration from the acclaimed painting by the Flemish Renaissance artist Pieter Bruegel the Elder, painted in 1560. Entitled ‘children’s games’ however, this is conjecture.
 
The central tablet has been executed by a fine and highly skilled hand showing great depth whilst capturing expression. This in turn is flanked by unadorned and vibrant sections of the finest Convent Sienna marble. The tall stop flutted jambs with returning cock bead side sections each capped with high relief flowers and framed with gragooned beads, further delicate stems are visible on each of the four corners, this small detail lends this piece an air of graceful elegance. The fire opening has a framed border of further Convent Sienna marble, the whole resting on moulded foot block work.
 
Hyde Park London 1890c
 
Fire opening size: 960mm wide x 930mm high.
 
Overall base: 1465mm
 
Shown with a polished steel fire grate not included, available separately on our 1st dibs listings.