Palladian Marble Mantel from Wanstead House (c. 1730)
A marble chimneypiece from about 1730, originally installed at Wanstead House near London and attributed to William Kent, with scroll brackets, cornucopias and a bust of Mercury inspired by Inigo Jones.
Wanstead House, designed by Colen Campbell, was one of the first great Palladian houses in England, and William Kent completed much of its interior decoration. This mantel draws on the earlier designs of Inigo Jones: scrolled brackets support the shelf, cornucopias fill the frieze and a bust of Mercury sits at the center. Wanstead was demolished in 1822 and its fittings dispersed. Palladian mantels like this became the model for countless Georgian and Colonial Revival fireplaces, often simplified into carved wood.
Carved-wood interpretation with CNC-carved scroll brackets and frieze ornament, finished in paint or faux stone; Heirloom tier.
A custom version typically runs $5,000–$15,000+ per mantel, shipped.
- Style
- Georgian & Colonial Revival
- Element
- Fireplace Mantels & Surrounds
- Date
- c. 1730
- Maker or designer
- Inigo Jones (English, 1573–1652), William Kent (British, 1685–1748)
- Materials
- marble
- Dimensions
- Overall: 153.7 x 204.4 cm (60 1/2 x 80 1/2 in.)
- Source
- Cleveland Museum of Art
More Georgian & Colonial Revival fireplace mantels & surrounds · all Georgian & Colonial Revival · all fireplace mantels & surrounds
