Extraordinary fireplaces

Sothebys, London New Bond Street
Important English Furniture



A carved statuary marble chimneypiece with 'Rosse Antico' relief plaques and micro-mosaic panels c1778, the chimneypiece attributed to Lorenzo Cardelli, the micro mosaic panels attributed to Cesare Aguatti. The rectangular shelf with a narrow bead and reel moulding above an egg and dart moulding, the freize with twin ribbon-framed panels of micro-mosaic decorated with leafy scrolls terminating in grotesque masks, the central low relief rosso antico oval frieze medallion depicting Apollo and Daphne between a further smaller pair of conforming medallions depicting the eagle born ascent of Ganymede to heaven on the left and the goddess Hebe accompanied by an eagle and vase on the right, the aperture within a border of paterae surrounded by a trefoil pattern moulding, the jambs each with a gilt-brass mounted micro-mosaic panel of leafy tendrils and flowers incorporating a swag-hung urn, the stepped plinths to each jamb headed by further ribbon carved mouldings. Almost certainly acquired in Italy by Frederick Augustus Hervey, 4th Earl of Bristol and Bishop of Derry (1730-1803) and installed at Downhill Castle, County Derry removed from Downhill Castle shortly prior to its demolition in 1950 and installed in the present owner's house shortly thereafter.
Estimate: £80,000—120,000 Hammer price: £423,700




A carved statuary marble chimneypiece c1778, attributed to Lorenzo Cardelli.
The rectangular shelf with fluted and leaf carved mouldings and a narrow ribbon carved band, the freize elaborately carved with leaf scrolls interspersed with paterae and small animals flanking a pair of cherubs supporting an oval medallion of The Three Graces tending to a baby in a basket accompanied by putti, the aperture within a cavetto moulding carved with an anthemion border, the jambs each with panels of leafy scrolls issuing from flower heads and interspersed with birds, all framed by lappet mouldings headed by paterae and neo-classical oval medallions. Almost certainly acquired in Italy by Frederick Augustus Hervey, 4th Earl of Bristol and Bishop of Derry (1730-1803) and installed at Downhill Castle, County Derry.
Removed from Downhill Castle prior to its demolition in 1950 and installed in the present owner's house shortly thereafter.
Estimate: £60,000—100,000 Hammer price: £72,500

Sothebys