This refined white statuary marble fire surround, imbued with a neo-classical charm, is intricately inlaid with motifs of classical vases, vine leaves, and fruit using colored marbles. Measuring an aperture of 102 x 103 cm, it echoes the esteemed “Bossi-work” or “Bossi-inlay,” after Pietro Bossi, an Italian master known for his sublime integration of stucco and Scagliola into English fireplace designs. This piece not only showcases the neo-classical style resonant of the Baroque period but also pays homage to Bossi’s legacy, reflecting a design synonymous with the grandeur of the 18th century.

Pietro Bossi was a highly skilled craftsman in the 18th century, best known for his work with fire surrounds, a talent likely inherited from his family’s tradition in stucco work from the Lake Como district in Italy. He emigrated to Dublin, Ireland, where he was active from around 1785 to 1798, as confirmed by listings in the Dublin Directories of the time. Bossi specialized in the art of inlaying marble and stucco, particularly using a technique called Scagliola—a method involving a colored paste inlay set against a white marble background. This technique, which provided a cost-effective alternative to using solid natural stone, is still highly regarded today for the high level of craftsmanship it demands and is often referred to as “Bossi-work” or “Bossi-inlay.”

Bossi’s fireplace designs, executed in a Neo-classical style, showcased his expert ability to create elaborate, detailed work, featuring classical motifs such as foliage, fruit, and urns, rendered with a sophisticated three-dimensional appearance. His mastery in Scagliola was so renowned that it became a defining feature of Georgian Ireland’s design aesthetics during that period.

Interestingly, after his productive period in Dublin, Bossi most likely returned to Italy in 1798, possibly due to his association with the revolutionary movement. However, the precise date and location of his death remain unknown. Despite this, his legacy in art and design is indelible, with his work continuing to be highly sought after and fetching significant prices at auctions, both domestically and internationally.