A 19th century neoclassical Regency Statuary and Imperial Egyptian Porphyry antique marble fireplace surround, in the Egyptian Revival style. The neoclassical forms of this fireplace are the epitome of fashionable Regency taste. It features a simply moulded shelf resting above a panelled Egyptian Porphyry frieze centred by a crisply carved and bold statuary marble mask depicting Aurora, the Roman Goddess of dawn. Flanked by circular Imperial Egyptian Porphyry capitols to the end blocks, thus supporting Imperial Egyptian Porphyry tapered panelled jambs raised on plain foot blocks. The external return sections have a recessed panel with cock-beading. Shown with its original statuary marble kerb fender carved from a single block of marble.
Like ancient Greek and Roman sculpture and archaeological artefacts. Fine chimney pieces were a popular souvenir of the Grand Tour. The skilled workshops of Rome did a lively trade with British patrons during the second half of the 18th and early 19th centuries, often working to designs provided by their clients.
The unequivocal Neoclassicism of this fireplace represents the forefront of Regency design, as promoted by such luminaries as the collector and connoisseur Thomas Hope (1769-1831). Hope's Household Furniture and Interior Decoration was published in 1807 and was the most important British furniture design book of the early nineteenth century. Inspired by Greek, Roman and Egyptian sources and the influence of the French Directoire and Empire styles, Hope endeavoured to rid British design of 'tameness' and monotonous decoration which 'completely tired the eye and mind', and replace it with a 'delightful significance of shape and embellishment'.
Originally from Ashridge Court Manor House, North Tawton, England, 1810
Overall base blocks size: 1680mm
Fire opening sizes: 1010mm high x 1310mm wide.
Marble fender sizes: 115mm high x 1577mm wide x 340mm deep (External sizes)
1345mm wide x 230mm deep (Internal sizes)
Notes:
Aurora-the roman goddess of dawn, every morning, Aurora arose from the sea and rode her horse-drawn chariot across the sky ahead of the sun, carrying a pitcher from which she sprinkled dew upon the earth.
Aurora is the Roman personification of the dawn, she is also the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Eos. The Aurora Borealis are shimmering, colourful, light bands caused by solar winds, interacting with the earths atmosphere and are named after the goddess Aurora, these are present on this piece around the Goddess Aurora in carved statuary marble simulating folds of coloured light stretching across the sky.