Neo-gothic Fireplace With Its Hood - Sculpted With Salamander, Witch And Ermine - 19th Century

Exceptional neo-Gothic oak fireplace and hood. The side uprights of the fireplace are composed of two columns with capitals with foliage motifs, all topped by a reserve on which an ermine (heraldic symbol) is sculpted. The hearth lintot presents a mascaron representing a witch's face sculpted in high relief with a parchment pattern on each side. The sculpture on the paneled hood depicts a salamander. The salamander is a mythical animal capable of living in fire and putting it out. It is a symbol used in particular in alchemy and heraldry, it is also the emblem of the King of France François 1st. This rare fireplace with esoteric and fantastical motifs comes from a castle near the town of Le Havre in Normandy, a town founded by François I in 1517. Good general condition, old restoration on one of the legs of the salamander. France. End of the 19th century.