A George II carved white marble chimneypiece circa 1735, the design attributed to William Kent

the mantelpiece with an underside carved with leaf decoration, the surround with a running Vitruvian scroll interspersed with flowers, with a reel, bead, egg and dart carved border

The left hand corner of the mantelpiece has a repair, chips to the back corners and two chips to the right hand edge. The bottom edge of the mantelpiece has some chips to the centre and to the corners.The egg and dart motif is chipped to the left hand side. There are rust stains to both the right hand and left sides. The right hand outer jamb is chipped to top right hand side. Minor chips throughout The inner Vitruvian scroll carved sections are in good condition with only minor chips. The bases are in good condition but have numerous chips. The chimney piece is very dirty and it could benefit from cleaning according to taste. The sides in particular could benefit from cleaning.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The bold architectural design of this chimneypiece closely relates to a drawing by the 'revered master' Henry Flitcroft (1697-1769) of a section of entablature and beam ornament of the Chapel at Old Somerset House, London designed by Inigo Jones circa 1630-35, and retained in the collection of the Trustees of the Chatsworth Settlement and reproduced by John Harris, The Palladian Revival, Lord Burlington, His Villa and Garden at Chiswick, 1994, cat. no. 59, p.158.

As a young man, Flitcroft was discovered by Lord Burlington who recognised his precocious talent as a draftsman. After reputedly visiting an injured Flitcroft who had fallen from scaffold during the construction of Burlington House, whilst working as a journeyman carpenter, Lord Burlington employed the young Flitcroft who by 1720 was Burlington's draftsman and archtectural assistant. In 1727 he drew the designs for William Kent's The Designs of Mr. Inigo Jones, published under Burlington's patronage.