The design for the chimneypiece by Darley. Courtesy of the Royal Irish Academy, Dublin.
A comparable example by Darley at No. 4 merrion Square, Dublin. The Irish Georgian Society Records, vol IV,pl. LXXXI, 1912
A GEORGE III STATUARY MARBLE CHIMNEYPIECE , Irish, circa 1780
Width: 6 ft 4 in; 192 cm
Depth: 8 in; 20 cm
Height of opening: 4 ft 1 ½ in; 126 cm
Width of opening: 4 ft 3 in; 129.5 cm
Further images
The brothers George and Hill Darley were the fourth generation of one of the most important stone-cutting families in 18th century Dublin. The long-running Darley family business lasted from the 1660s until well into the 19th century.
Around ninety designs for neoclassical fireplaces by the Darley family have been preserved in the Royal Irish Academy, Dublin. The design drawing for this chimneypiece is annotated with a price of £75, which in the 1780s was a very considerable sum.
Related chimneypieces of this design by the Darley family can be found at No. 4 Merrion Square, Dublin, and at Belgard Castle, Dublin.
