Style Louis XV / Ref.1085
Levanto marble fireplace mantel
Dimensions
Width 57'' ½ 146cm
Height 41'' 104cm
Depth: 16'' ½ 42cm
Inner width: 40'' ½ 103cm
Inner height: 33'' ½ 85cm
Origin:
19th century
Status:
The marble is in excellent condition. The enameled insert has a few cracks and dents. See pictures.
This well balanced mantel is a perfect example of the Louis XV mantel. The jambs, discreetly decorated with light volutes and panels, rise up to scrolled consoles. A large molded baguette doubling up the jambs runs under the entablature, underlining the curves. The center of the frieze is enhanced by a palm frond bordered by volutes and a drop flower.
The simplicity of the design magnifies the chromatic effects of the Levanto marble; the visual moiré of this marble is surprising as the colors seems to oscillate between the dominant red hue and the strong green veins, in a way that is reminiscent of the cangianti effect of Michelangelo.
The quality of this Levanto marble recalls beautiful ways it a was used. For example, the marble used in the Hound antechamber in the Versailles palace has exactly the same mixture of green and red hues with equally refined veins.