Acanthus Fireplace

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The Acanthus is a great illustration of how variously the Neo-classical influence was manifested in Regency design. A late Regency design of imposing proportions featuring tapering recessed jamb panels and finely carved Acanthus leaf capitals with a generous reeded shelf.

This beautiful chimneypiece does not comprise architectural details such as a pair of Ionic or Corinthian columns, but is focused instead on an exquisitely carved acanthus motif at the head of each jamb.. Its naturally scrolling and jagged form recommended it for ornamental use, although it was really the popular interpretation of the form that later artistic traditions inherited. In this example the energy of the acanthus is perfectly offset by the simplicity of the overall design. The entablature features only a plain niched panel, as do the jambs except that in the jambs the panel is broader at the top than the bottom. The effect is striking, punctuating the mantel like a pair of exclamation marks; this handsome piece can’t fail to be noticed. Shown with the Cadogan fire basket in steel with slate slips and hearth.