A Magnificent Early 19th Century Statuary Marble Irish Chimneypiece Carved by the Darley Brothers

The subject of this piece celebrates Zeus, King of Olympus and the Greco-Roman Gods. The shelf upheld by magnificent Imperial eagles, which gesture inwards with outspread wings, flanking the scene of Zeus enthroned carved in the frieze. Zeus (Jupiter) is flanked by Hera (Juno), Athena (Minerva), Poseidon (Neptune), and Tyche (Fortuna).

The Darley Brothers were skilled carvers based in Dublin during the second half of the 18th century and early 19th century. Original drawings of this chimneypiece are held in the library of the Royal Irish Academy in the Darley Collection. In Country Life in 1989 they are described simply as "Italian".

Provenance

A twin to this chimneypiece can be found at Bantry House, County Cork, Ireland.