A Venitian, Renaissance Style Chimneypiece of Noble proportions

An Italian, Venetian antique fireplace of Renaissance style in statuary and veined Cararra marbles, 19th century. The wide tiered shelf with egg and dart and dentil decoration. The continuous shelf of statuary marble decorated at the middle with a winged lion holding a sword and a book an attribute of St Mark and Venice seated on a victory laurel wreath. This is flanked by two grotesques with animal heads and foliate bodies, scrolling acanthus foliage and flower heads which continues on the side returns. Upheld by decorated brackets supported by baluster shaped pedestals.