Lot Essay
This Italian chimneypiece was most probably made for the English export market and is attributable to the Florentine mason Lorenzo Bartolini.
Bartolini worked for many English clients, perhaps most notably the Hope family at Deepdene. Similar chimneypieces were supplied to houses in Regents Park and Carlton House Terrace.
The jambs are carved on both the front and return faces, with neo-classical pedestals below stylized fleshy acanthus foliage topped by flaming tazzas with a similarly decorated frieze. This exuberant design has undoubtedly been inspired by the 18th century drawings of the architect Giovanni Battista Piranesi.
Bartolini worked for many English clients, perhaps most notably the Hope family at Deepdene. Similar chimneypieces were supplied to houses in Regents Park and Carlton House Terrace.
The jambs are carved on both the front and return faces, with neo-classical pedestals below stylized fleshy acanthus foliage topped by flaming tazzas with a similarly decorated frieze. This exuberant design has undoubtedly been inspired by the 18th century drawings of the architect Giovanni Battista Piranesi.