A George III white marble statuary chimneypiece, probably by Sir Richard Westmacott, possibly to a design by James Wyatt, circa 1790

carved with drapery swags, gathered in the centre and tied at the corners, over a band of reed moulding and terminating in tassels, restorations, the plinths replaced

Christie's, King Street, 23 April 2009, lot 55

The chimneypiece is composed of sections, and joints are visible, including: at the feet, at the legs near the top, and around the drapery cascading down the legs. There is some white composite fill around some of the joints, notably those at the top of the legs and the curtains at the sides. There is a restored break at the centre of the top section to the left of the central drape, and there are a few further reattachments, including to the bottom corners of the drape at the centre of the top section, a section of the upper fold of drapery on the left side, and to the gathered drapery at the top right corner. There are a few chips to the high points and corners. There are particular abrasions and minor restorations to the fringe of the drapery running along the top section. Otherwise the condition is good, with minor wear and dirt to the surface consistent with age. The sections of drapery to each jamb are fixed with a metal pin, one of which has been severed and is now fixed in place with a resin, Sotheby's advise that this pin be professionally restored or replaced all together. There is minor veining to the marble consistent with the material.
"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 design of the present chimneypiece forms part of one of James Wyatt’s (1746 – 1813) greatest commissions – Castle Coole in County Fermanagh for 1^st Earl of Belmore (d. 1802). Conceived as a triumphal arch with richly festooned Grecian altar drapery the chimneypiece’s design was used to tie together the library’s fixed décor, mirroring the lavish curtains on the opposite side of the room. The chimneypiece was invoiced to the London statuary Richard Westmacott (1747 - 1808) father of his namesake the celebrated sculptor Sir Richard Westmacott (1775 – 1856). Westmacott’s firm was one of the finest in London supplying sculpture to the Dukes of Bedford and Newcastle as well as consulting for King George III. Although it has so far not been possible to trace the provenance of the present chimneypiece, the quality of the execution and the exacting nature of the design support our attribution to both Wyatt and Westmacott.