A pompadour fireplace with cast iron fireguard, in Marquina black marble, from a private collection, France. Period: 19th century. Pompadour fireplaces owe their name to Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson, better known as the Marquise of Pompadour. She was born in Paris in the first half of the eighteenth century, daughter of bourgeois. this exceptional woman came to obtain, in exchange for her erotic favours, one of the most beautiful castles in France; she even came to sit on the king's right hand, while the queen was relegated to the less important left side. She lived in Versailles as if she were, and not others, the real Queen. She was the first lover of Louis XV. She was very interested in art, ranging in all possible fields, she forged relationships with writers, painters, sculptors and attended the Ateliers des Arts, the art workshops that had the task of making history of the most powerful man in Europe, through the creation of a very personal style that would influence every sector of furniture and decoration, including fireplaces. Popular legend has it that the oval in the centre of the Pompadour fireplace is nothing more than a sexual symbol, the stylization of the most important (because most sculpted) "Fleur ovale"; this sculpture can be found in fireplaces of greater decorative load, both in the Louis XV style and in the Louis XVI style. Noteworthy is the choice of the marble, an outstanding, bright marble with an extraordinary grain. Medium-sized, proportioned and of appropriate weight. Intact and in perfect condition. It will be delivered in a wooden crate with appropriate packaging. Affordable, safe and tracked shipping worldwide. The item can be viewed and picked up at our warehouse. Measurements: - width 105.5 cm, - depth 34 cm, - height 103 cm, - opening 73 x 87 cm. Weight: approx. 150 kg.