A beautifully carved, English Regency, Neoclassical, caryatid chimneypiece in Statuary marble

An English, Regency period, neoclassical fireplace in statuary marble, carved in Italy, circa 1820. The rectangular moulded, tiered shelf sits above the frieze with a central plaque with a head of Medusa. She is robustly carved with glaring eyes and snakes entwined in her hair and flanked by panels carved with acanthus leaves. The herm jambs with well carved busts of the Vestal Virgins and tapering shafts of inverted obelisk shape, decorated with scrolled hearts and anthemion, capped with blockings of sunflowers. The whole standing on footblocks. See following page for further details and provenance.