Antique large Fleur de Pêche marble fireplace with ormolu mounts

This exquisite fireplace is attributed to the renowned French ébéniste François Linke (1855–1946). With the applied ormolu decorations by Léon Messagé (1842-1901), the two makers worked together on this model to recreate the design of the lavish Rococo-style fireplace in the Council Cabinet in the King’s Apartments at Versailles. The Versailles model was designed in the late 18^th century by Jacques Verberckt (1704-1771) with gilt bronze mounts by Jacques Caffiéri (1678-1755): the ormolu mounts on the fireplace in the Mayfair Gallery collection are almost identical to the ones found in Versailles.

Whilst the Versailles model utilises a deep red marble with white veining for the fireplace itself, this model instead uses a softer Fleur de Pêche marble. This historic marble was immensely popular in the 19^th century for decorative works and furniture pieces alike, and was used for the fireplace in the main hall of the Napoleon III apartments in the Louvre. Below the protruding mantel of the fireplace is a panelled frieze, which sits above a wide serpentine opening. The canted jambs are supported on elegant footblocks. The rich purples, creams, and browns and deep veining of the marble are incredible to behold.

The first of the ormolu mounts sits in the centre of the upper frieze: an applied Rococo scallop shell cartouche is flanked by trailing acanthus leaves. Both jambs are embellished by applied female terms, the bodies of which dissolve into further acanthus leaf forms. The bottoms of the feet are also mounted by ormolu decoration, with smaller scallop shell forms set within a twisting foliate frame. The bright gilding of these exceptional sculptural forms contrasts beautifully with the creamy marble onto which they are set.

The fireplace is set with an elegant cast iron inset, engraved with refined geometric decoration. Further acanthus leaf-style decoration can be seen on the inner joints, creating a sense of decorative continuation between the inset and the fireplace itself.

Boasting a fascinating design history, this incredible Rococo-style fireplace would undoubtedly be the talking point of an appropriate interior space.