A 19th Century Neoclassical Chimneypiece with Reeded Columns and Corinthian Capitals

A finely executed early 19th century chimneypiece, made in Italy for the English market. The design features tapering fluted columns rising from socle bases, capped with crisply carved Corinthian capitals. The frieze is adorned with acanthus and palmette motifs, palm tree leaves representing triumph and fertility. Unusual vertical, rectangular corner blocks are adorned with acanthus leaf rosettes. At the centre of the chimneypiece the central carved tablet depicts Ulysses at the table of Circe, after a drawing by John Flaxman RA now conserved at the Royal Academy. This was part of a series illustrating The Odyssey and the Illiad, commissioned by Georgiana Hare-Taylor with the purpose of being translated into engravings by the Italian publisher Piroli in 1793. Thanks to the printed series Flaxman's bas-reliefs were widely disseminated.