A George II Sienna and Statuary mantel from Chesterfield House, Isaac Ware.

The frieze having curved panels of verde antico, overlaid with foliate scrolls of statuary marble. The centre plaque which is dog leg in shape depicts Flora, goddess of flowers and the season of spring, flanked by swags of oak leaves and acorns. The full tapering columns of verde antico marble are fluted and capped with finely carved ionic capitals. This fireplace is considered to be one of the finest and most important 18th century fireplaces to come to the market in recent years. Ryan and Smith have acquired it from the Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, Virginia. Walter P Chrysler Jr., renowned collector of antiques and fine art, purchased the fireplace from the well-known Mayfair antiques dealer Stanley J Pratt Limited, 27 Mount Street, London. Stanley J Pratt removed the chimneypiece from the drawing room of Linton Park Kent after the Owner (Olaf Hambro’s) death in 1961, its featured in a Country life article from April 5th 1946 (see additional images). The chimneypiece is also illustrated in Connoisseur magazine 1963 Vol. 154, no. 620, which states “Originally in the Drawing room of Chesterfield House Mayfair, attributed to Isaac Ware...

A stylish and fashionable fireplace design produced in white statuary marble. The fireplace has a moulded bolection frame on plain plinths, with a stepped cornice shelf...

A very rare 18th century George II sienna and white statuary marble fire surround in the manner of Louis XV, designed by Isaac Ware. Principally of well figured sienna marble with statuary marble shelf and embellishments. Of serpentine form, the frieze centred by a carved statuary peacock flanked by scrolling acanthus leaves. The hipped jambs mounted with ‘C’ scrolls above an elaborate acanthus ‘S’ scroll terminating in a rosette and suspending graduated husks. The whole standing on block feet. Provenance: Philip Stanhope (1694-1772) 4th. Earl of Chesterfield, Chesterfield House, London. One of the most important figures of the 18th Century in England; a man of letters, connoisseur of the arts, diplomat, he was sent as a young man to the court of Louis XV. The Earl, very much a courtier and ‘townsman’, having spent time in Paris and Versailles, became passionate about the ‘style á la française’. It is very curious then that he should have chosen such a classical architect as Isaac Ware. Ware heavily influenced the design of the ground floor where the dining room, library, waiting room amongst others were situated. In stark contrast the first floor ‘piano nobile...

A characterful George III column chimneypiece in statuary, sienna and jasper marbles, with a large and well-carved centre tablet of Virtue and Vice, circa 1765. The breakfront tiere...