Fireplace: frieze of scrolls and sea horses with central mask, a rich interior wing 

This “Fireplace: frieze of scrolls and sea horses with central mask, a rich interior wing” was made by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, likely as an etching, sometime in the mid-18th century. The print shows a design for a highly ornamented fireplace, reminiscent of ancient Roman forms, complete with sea horses and a central mask. Given Piranesi's interest in Roman antiquity, this design revives classical motifs, showcasing his deep engagement with history and his vision for contemporary design. Piranesi was not just an artist, but also a canny entrepreneur. His prints, affordable and widely distributed, became key drivers in the 18th-century craze for neoclassical design. They offered inspiration, but also a sense of how skilled artisans could render these designs in stone, plaster, and wood. It’s important to consider how prints like this fueled consumer desire. They democratized taste, but also placed new demands on laborers to meet the growing fashion for classically inspired interiors. This fireplace is not just an aesthetic statement. It's evidence of a changing relationship between art, industry, and the marketplace.