French Louis XVI Style Carrara Marble Fireplace Surround

Details

Description

An elegant and petite mid nineteenth-century French Carrara marble fireplace surround in the Louis XVI style, with rope-twist carving to … Read more An elegant and petite mid nineteenth-century French Carrara marble fireplace surround in the Louis XVI style, with rope-twist carving to the centre of the panelled frieze, the flower-carved corner-blocks above fluted jambs. The jamb returns panelled. French, c.1860.

A small but beautifully conceived French fireplace with exquisitely executed carved flower-heads (possibly ornamental poppies), an unusual and more naturalistic rendering of the foliate form than that seen in similar surrounds. Overall the carving and design of this fireplace represents the very best of this understated and petite form.

In the nineteenth century, import of foreign marble to France became more widespread. The French mining infrastructure required costly maintenance which the government was unwilling to fund; private businesses couldn’t afford and were unwilling to foot the bill. The Decorative Architecture market (including fireplace sculptors) had no choice but to turn to Italy, particularly Tuscany, explaining the vast amount of French nineteenth-century chimneypieces in revival styles carved from Carrara marble.

Measurements

Width 53⅜” / 135.5cm

Height 42¼” / 107.5cm

Depth 14” / 35.5cm

Opening height 35⅜” / 89cm

Opening width 41⅝” / 105.5cm See less