G407

A Late 18th Century Scottish Neoclassical Pine and Gesso Chimneypiece.

The central tablet depicts the three Graces disarming Cupid. The scene is after a painting by the Neoclassical painter Angelica Kauffman (1741–1807). The Graces steal and break Cupid’s bow, who is tied to a tree and looks distressed. On the right corner block, Diana is handing Cupid a handful of arrows. The young lady on the left corner block is referring to the book of Isaiah 11:6, “The lamb shall lay down with the lion”, a metaphor for peace and harmony. The frieze is decorated with garlands of flowers hanging from bows and paterae. Slender double-column jambs are capped by acanthus capitals charmingly upheld by four-ball finials. The molded shelf is decorated with running leaf decoration and a gothic arch and acorn motif.