A Very Fine Late C18th Irish Neoclassical Chimneypiece in Statuary Marble

A very fine Irish Neoclassical chimneypiece of elegant proportions in Statuary marble, circa1790. The piece displays tapering pilasters inlaid with blind flutes of Convent Siena marble which terminate beneath corner blocks carved with Campana urns with abundant fruit and flowers. The internal frame finishes in the corners with delicately carved acanthus leaves. A frieze of finger flutes, veneered with Jasper, has at its centre a tablet depicting a pair of sejant Neoclassical Griffins with their tails morphing into scrolls of acanthus. Usually depicted with the body of a lion and the head, wings, and claws of an eagle, the griffin symbolizes both courage and vigilance. The tablet rests on a bed of lamb's tongue carving and similarly a run of egg and dart moulding upholds the breakfront shelf.