An Important 18th Century French Louis XVI Chimneypiece Carved in Statuary Marble

An extremely refined and heavily carved late 18th century chimneypiece of the highest quality, owned by the businessman, philantrophist and collector Sir Julius Wernher (1850–1912). The present chimneypiece is one of a pair that was first bought by Wernher for his London mansion Bath House at no. 82 Piccadilly (now demolished), and then transferred to his country estate Luton Hoo.

The two chimneypieces, both carved in white statuary marble are almost identical apart from the four Putti on the central tablet. Both sets of Putti appear to hold a musical manuscript; on the present piece they are singing, while on the other they are playing musical instruments.

On either side of the tablet the frieze is carved with acanthus scrolls, above which is a cornice enriched with an egg & dart bed mould and a bead & reel astragal. The frieze is edged below with pearl stringing. The breakfront shelf is supported by column legs with a capitol of arrow quivers. Below this the neck is decorated with macaroons, while the sides with carved panels. The tapered columns are carved with festoons of rose garlands and ivy leaves fronds. The opening is framed with waterleaf and pearl stringing enrichments.