This exceptional fireplace is crafted from malachite and ormolu, or gilt bronze, in the imposing Empire style. The fireplace features straight lines, rectilinear angles, and a sense of massiveness, all of which are typical attributes of the early 19th century Empire style.
The fireplace features massive, rectilinear sides mounted to the front with tapering malachite pilasters, the top wider than the bottom. Each pilaster is surmounted by an ormolu bust in a distinctly classical style—a motif which refers to ancient Greek caryatids. The front face of each pilaster is adorned with ormolu foliate mounts, while the corners feature ormolu beading. The malachite beam that traverses the top of the fireplace is mounted with an ormolu frieze of rinceaux, while the exterior sides of the fireplace are adorned with ormolu rosette mounts, and the interior with oval roundels of darker malachite.
The fireplace is a truly monumental and impressive piece of Empire style furniture.