Cheminée en marbre de Carrare de style Louis XVI

An elegant and petite mid nineteenth-century French Carrara marble fireplace surround in the Louis XVI style, with rope-twist carving to the centre of the panelled frieze, the flower-carved corner-blocks above fluted jambs. The jamb returns panelled. French, c.1860. A small but beautifully conceived French fireplace with exquisitely executed carved flower-heads (possibly ornamental poppies), an unusual and more naturalistic rendering of the foliate form than that seen in similar surrounds. Overall the carving and design of this fireplace represents the very best of this understated and petite form. In the nineteenth century, import of foreign marble to France became more widespread. The French mining infrastructure required costly maintenance which the government was unwilling to fund; private businesses couldn’t afford and were unwilling to foot the bill. The Decorative Architecture market (including fireplace sculptors) had no choice but to turn to Italy, particularly Tuscany, explaining the vast amount of French nineteenth-century chimneypieces in revival styles carved from Carrara marble. At Arlington Works all our fireplaces are prepared and restored in our workshops here in London to the very best standards and are ready for installation and use. We are also able to offer a full supply and fit service for our fireplaces within Great Britain and are happy to discuss options for hearths and interior firebox finishes. Please contact us for a quote. Measurements. Width 53⅜” / 135.5cm. Height 42¼” / 107.5cm. Depth 14” / 35.5cm. Opening height 35⅜” / 89cm. Opening width 41⅝” / 105.5cm.