Description:

Extraordinary Georgian carved mixed wood fireplace surround, style of Grinling Gibbons 18th/19th century
stepped and dentil-molded mantel above breastplate with profuse limewood carvings of shell issuing scrolling lion's heads and acanthus adorned by flowerheads, with cascades of fruit, leaves, flowers and berries, on plinth.
H59" W72 1/2" D10 3/4"

Provenance: Atlanta, Georgia private collection.
Acquired in the 1960s from noted Atlanta designer Ed Kirby, who purchased it in England.

Other Notes: Biography: Grinling Gibbons, the most famous English woodcarver of all time was born, oddly enough, not in England at all but in Rotterdam, in what is now Holland, in 1648. He did not set foot in the British Isles until sometime around 1670 or 1671. In those days a craftsman needed to be recognized and promoted by patrons to make his work widely known.
Gibbons was fortunate in that he was blessed with extraordinary talent in woodworking, and that this was recognized and promoted by a succession of patrons until he eventually came to the notice of Charles II. Charles gave Gibbons commissions, as did William III and George I. Gibbons was also a favorite of the premier architect of the age, Christopher Wren. Wren called upon Gibbon to supply decorative carving for many of his country house commissions.
The genius of Gibbons is not simply that he had a remarkable ability to mold and shape wood, but that he evolved a distinct style that was all his own. Working mostly in limewood, Gibbons' trademark was the cascade of fruit, leaves, flowers, foliage, fish, and birds. Such cascades could be applied to paneling, furniture, walls, or even chimneys. Perhaps to prove that he was not limited in his ability to the cascades, Gibbons produced a cravat made of limewood in a perfect imitation of Venetian needlepoint. The "cravat" was so lifelike that a foreign visitor was fooled into thinking it the standard dress of the English country gentleman! Horace Walpole, who is known to have later worn the cravat on at least one occasion, remarked in 1763, "There is no instance of man before Gibbons who gave to wood the loose and airy lightness of flowers". The cravat is now on display in the Chapel at Chatsworth, Derbyshire.
Much of Gibbons' work survives in isolated country houses, but Hampton Court Palace near London is blessed with an abundance of fine carvings by the Dutch-born master. William III commissioned Gibbons to redecorate his State Apartments, and was so impressed by the result that in 1693 he gave Gibbons permission to use the title "Master Carver". Such carvings as the ones at Hampton Court are filled with symbolism which would have been apparent to an educated observer of the day, but which would escape most modern observers. Very often each object in the carving would have a particular meaning or reference to a classical Greek or Roman ideal or story.
Grinling Gibbons had an enormous influence on interior design and decor during the Golden Age of the English country house. Later craftsmen such as Thomas Chippendale are known to have been heavily influenced by his work. Gibbons died in 1720.

    Condition:
  • Mantel board replaced, very minor losses to carving.


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March 6, 2010 10:00 AM EST
West Columbia, SC, US

Charlton Hall

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