A 17th Century Painswick Stone Chimneypiece

An exquisite Jacobean limestone chimneypiece, the under-shelf carved with foliage surmounts a frieze with flowing strapwork, while paterae are carved at centre and on the cornerblocks. The jambs are in the shape of tapering pilasters with ionic capitals, decorated with fruit garlands.

The style of chimneypieces of this period was heavily influenced by the language of the Renaissance, using ornamental motifs such as allegorical subjects, heraldic elements, foliage and strapwork as shows in this case. Fireplaces during the 17th century were normally carved in stone and then painted over to resemble stucco work, and were often surmounted by stucco over-mantles where the same decorative theme was continued.