Really very interesting, and powerful, this “Diamond Tip” mantel, a fireplace from the Louis Philippe family that today is considered very “à la page,” so much so that it is sought after by architects and interior designers. I found out that several very important Italian designers have chosen it for their residence or that of their clients.... A craze? a passing fad? I wouldn't say so, since this fireplace model has been liked for almost two centuries!!!
In particular, this mantel has on its side a great quality of sculpture and also a great decorative load since on each marble "façade" of its mantel we can see the development of the moldings, precisely, "Diamond Tip”...
Also interesting, and rather rare to find in Antique Louis Philippe period fireplaces, is that pair of acanthus leaves with which its capitals at the top of the legs were decorated. A historical curiosity: Just this particular capital was called, in the jargon of the sculptors of the Italic land of Lunigiana where this fireplace was carved, by the nickname of “MODIGLIONE”, a nickname that the French translated into “MODILLON”, an appellation that evidently appeared sympathetic to the French, so much so that, practically, it became synonymous with “LOUIS PHILIPPE-STYLE FIREPLACE” tout court..
IN ESSENCE, WE CAN SAY THAT THE FIREPLACE WE ARE EXAMINING, LACKED NOTHING IN THE WAY OF REFINED AND ORIGINAL DESIGN, GOOD SCULPTURAL QUALITY AND CONSIDERABLE APPRECIATION BY ITS WEALTHY CLIENTELE IN THE TWENTY YEARS FROM 1840 TO 1860/70, THE MOST FERTILE PERIOD FOR THE LOUIS PHILIPPE STYLE.
