Fireplace Brick With Ichthyocentaur Marine Creature, Liège, Circa 1600

A beautiful intact fireplace brick with an ichthyocentaur (human, horse and fish parts).

In the ancient world, fantastical and threatening sea creatures embodied the many dangers of maritime trade. By the Renaissance, during the great age of maritime exploration, improbable sea creatures commonly decorated maps, and this instance a fireplace brick. 

See also picture 6. An ichthyocentaur (plays the violin) on a map of Scandinavia from the 1573 edition of Ortelius's Theatrum orbis terrarum. The sea surrounding Scandinavia showed sailing ships and this traditionally peaceful ichthyocentaur, perhaps suggesting a safe passage Condition: perfect condition, no restoration
Material: ceramic
Origin/brand: Liège - Belgium
About 1,5 kilo!
Dating: circa 1600 Find of the 1980s at the Biggenmarkt - Roermond.