Empire II Fireplace , Made Out Of The Highly Valued Blue Turquin Marble, Ca.1860

 A fine Empire II, mid-19th century chimneypiece, found in an important Maison Maitre in Brussels. The Empire style is heavily influenced by the classical temple architecture of the Greeks and Romans. Two bronze Cariatids above the tapered jambs supporting the double moulded shelf. The Bleu Turquin marble is appleid with several gilded bronzes (Ormolu), decorating the frieze, endblocks and jambs. The Bleu Turquin marble is used since classical times. Particulairy popular as material for Empire sculptures, furniture and fireplaces, due to its softines, strength, elegance and air of luxury. The word 'marble' means 'Cristalline Rock'': Shining stone. Light is able to penetrate millimeters into the marble, producing the characteristic 'glow', that seems to give life to the surface of the marble. This fireplace will be delivered with an original Empire-style cast-iron backfire and original marble floortiles to make a frontfloor, in Bleu turquin and Carrara. All easy to re-install.    Worldwide shipping. Delivery in Europe can be done by Antique Fireplaces First: 'In House Delivery'.