Fireplace; France, late 19th century.

Fireplace; France, late nineteenth century.
Patinated and partially gilded wood, elm root veneer with gilded bronze caryatids and onyx pilasters.
Measurements: 145 x 192 x 60,5 cm.
This fireplace, made in France at the end of the 19th century, is a decorative piece that refers with elegance and theatricality to the ornamental repertoire of European historicism. Its structure is mainly articulated in patinated wood, with gilt applications that accentuate the sculptural and vegetal elements, in dialogue with the elm root veneer, whose warm and undulating grain provides visual richness and a sense of depth.
The upper lintel presents a sober decoration, accentuated by a central frieze with vegetal motifs in gilded relief, which frames a smooth cartouche for an inscription or heraldic shield. At the upper ends, gilded edges sprout from the corners, giving a dynamic rhythm to the composition.
However, the ornamental protagonism undoubtedly falls on the lateral pilasters, which house caryatids in gilded bronze. These half-length female figures, with idealized anatomy and restrained gesture, evoke the muses of classical art, and at the same time visually support the symbolic weight of the entablature. The caryatids rest on warm-toned onyx pilasters, carefully beveled and topped with small gilded flowers in relief, emphasizing the contrast between the smoothness of the polished stone and the sculptural richness of the metal.