G513

An Irish Georgian Statuary and Siena Marble Chimneypiece, ex-Cork

A late 18th century chimneypiece carved in Old English Carrara with fine pencil veins and a restrained architectural form. Despite its date the piece has notable Palladian sensibility. The opulent use of Old English Carrara makes itself known with book matched jambs which draw the eye inwards. The frieze and jambs are kept from each other by neat reeding which forms a dado and runs the entire length of the piece.
This interruption is a feature which commonly occurs in Georgian Irish Chimneypiece design. The breakfront shelf presides over a striking tablet, a specimen of Convent Sienna marble with deep black figuring.