An Unusual & Behemoth 16th Century English Limestone Chimneypiece

A limestone Queen Ann period frame chimneypiece with panelled jambs and frieze, centred by an elegant keystone. Height 51 in (129cm) width 39 in (99cm) Internal height 32 in (81.5cm...

This Irish chimneypiece, carved entirely in Blue Limestone, has a signature Regency thin reeded shelf, a gently reeded frieze, and jambs with reeded half pilasters, terminating in fo...

The tiered shelf is punctuated by finely carved dentils, egg and dart, and acanthus ornamental details. This is supported by an elegant acanthus leaf frieze with beading. The slender...

An attractive 19th century chimneypiece of substantial width and proportion, in Louis XVI style. The console jambs are splendidly carved with acanthus and with beading running down a...

This spectacular, monumental 17th century English carved limestone fireplace, circa 1650, was reclaimed from Cobtree Manor House, England (demolished 1968). Standing at 2 m tall (6’ 5”) and over 2.7 m wide (9’), this exceptional English fire surround is a very rare find. It is not often you find a chimneypiece like this outside of a listed heritage property, making this a rare opportunity to purchase a fireplace of such size and grandeur. Highly elaborate, the surround is intricately hand-carved throughout, the frieze of which is most extravagant, carved with a mythical beast to the central tablet among birds, stylised lions holding crowns, parakeets and scrolling foliage. The jambs are carved in a column-like style with fruits and flowers below corbels to the end blocks, completed with a carved egg and dart trim beneath the shelf. This fireplace truly is a magnificent work of art, designed for an interior of prestige and fine grandeur. It is in the manner of late 16th / early 17th century English architect and designer, Inigo Jones (1573 – 1652), who was known for introducing the classical style architecture of the Italian Renaissance to Britain. His famous works include the Banqueting House at Whitehall, The Queen’s House, Greenwich and the Queen’s Chapel at St. James’ Palace. Provenance Removed from a wing of Cobtree Manor in Kent, UK. Though demolished in 1968, the house’s parklands remain to this day and were once the site of Maidstone Zoo. The occupation of the land itself dates back as far as the neolithic times (4300 BC – 2000 BC). However, the first known record can be found in the title estate deeds of English poet and politician, Sir Thomas Wyatt, in 1596. Cobtree is linked to the famous 19th century novelist, Charles Dickens (1812 – 1870). It is believed that during the 1830s, a young Dickens had fallen into a pond while out walking near Cobtree farm. He knocked on the door of the tenant farmer at the time – Mr William Spong – who took Dickens in. It is said that Dickens later took inspiration from Mr Spong in his 1837 novel ‘The Pickwick Papers’, in which he immortalised him as Mr Wardle of Manor Farm near Dingley Dell. 17th Century Heritage Having stood the test of time for more than 370 years, this antique fireplace offers a glimpse into England in the 1600s. This century saw the Stuarts rise to the English throne: first James I of England and VI of Scotland following the death of Queen Elizabeth I in 1603, followed by Charles I in 1625. Other notable events of this century included the English Civil War (1642 – 1651) and Guy Fawkes...

A monumental 16th century sandstone Renaissance fireplace mantel. Finely sculpted with a moulded beam and colomn supports. Decorated with flower motives, guirlandes and cirkels. Lov...

A large ‘Hopton Wood’ limestone moulded bolection chimneypiece fireplace with rectangular framed frieze and plinths. The chimneypiece is made up of three carved moulded lengths and ...

An impressive French Louis XVI limestone chimneypiece, eighteenth century, with stepped carved cornice, leading to the trumeau section centred by carved frame, flanked by long carved...