Fine Edinburgh 18th century pine and gesso fire surround beautifully carved with underwater sea carving, typical of Italian craftsmen who settled in Scotland. In the first half of the eighteenth century there was an increasing professionalism and organisation of carvers and gessoists who arrived from Italy and remained and worked in Scotland.
c. 1780
By the 1800's most new fireplaces were made up of two parts, the surround and the insert. The surround consisted of the mantlepiece and sides supports, usually in wood, marble or granite. The insert was where the fire burned, and was constructed of cast iron often backed with decorative tiles. As well as providing heat, the fireplaces of the Victorian era were thought to add a cozy ambiance to homes
Height58.00 inch(147.3 cm)
Width71.00 inch(180.3 cm)
Depth7.00 inch(17.8 cm)
Ref No. 6555