Gothic fireplace, wood, salamander motif, witch and hermitage

Exceptional fireplace and neo-gothic oak hood. The side pillars of the fireplace are composed of two columns with capitals with leafy patterns, all surmounted by a reserve on which is carved an ermine (heraldic symbol). The lintot of the hearth has a mascaron representing a witch's face carved in high relief with on each side a motif of parchments. The sculpture on the panel hood depicts a salamander. The salamander is a mythical animal capable of living in fire and extinguishing it. It is a symbol used in particular in alchemy and heraldry, it is also the emblem of the king of france françois 1st. This rare fireplace with esoteric and fantastic motifs comes from a castle near the city of le havre in normandy, a city founded by françois 1st in 1517. Good condition, old restoration on one of the legs of the salamander. France. Late 19th century.