A 19th Century White Carrara Marble Chimneypiece with lateral Telamons

A 19th Century Greek Revival Statuary white marble chimneypiece. The moulded shelf is upheld by a pair of caryatid jambs, each in the form of Telamon. Telamon was a mortal in Greek mythology, who was a member of the Argonauts who accompanied Jason on the quest of the Golden Fleece and Caledonian Boar, and became King of Salamis, and fathered Ajax and Teucer, warriors in the Trojan War. The figure of Telamon was used regularly as a caryatid figure in English Georgian architecture. Notable examples are shown below. Telamon columns symbolise strength and burden. They embody the mythic weight of heaven itself - their posture both heroic and solemn. At the waist of these Telamons they transfigure into tapering fluted pilasters. The frieze is adorned with Acanthus filled vertical flutes and the chimneypiece is topped with a tiered shelf.