Possibly the most splendid of all Georgian fireplaces is the regency fireplace of Burghley House. This great stately home at Stamford is the seat of the Marquess of Exeter, and was built by Lord Burghley in 1556, Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I. The 18 staterooms, along the southern side of the house, were prepared and updated in 1789 for a proposed visit from George IV in 1789, when he was Prince of Wales. Many of the fireplaces in the rooms reflect the magnificence of the luxury-loving Georgian age, but the most stunning is the Regency fireplace in the second room, known as the state bedroom after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert stayed in the room on a visit to Burghley in 1844.

The regency fireplace of Burghley House is a magnificent example of a late Georgian fireplace. The chimneypiece of white carved statuary marble was made in Rome under the supervision of the famous artist Giovanni Battista Piranesi. This bears a resemblance to the work of Robert Adam, and this makes sense, as Adam worked under Piranesi for some time. The jambs are fashioned from porphyry, a type of rock made up of large-grained crystals, and upon these are the sculptures of bearded heads, which support the mantel. There is a carved frieze, and in the centre of this is a porphyry tablet in mezzo relievo (half-relief) depicting the sacrifice of a goat.

The fire itself, the grate, fender and fire irons, are made from burnished steel with solid silver furnishings – these include the lions and wheat-sheaf incorporated into the Exeter coat of arms. The silver ornamentation is removable to ensure easy cleaning, and as a result the fireplace has been beautifully preserved up to the present time.

It is well worth a visit to Lincolnshire to see in its magnificence the regency fireplace of Burghley House.

The English regency fireplace marked the gradual transition between the Georgian fireplace and the Victorian fireplace. The regency period was only a short one, defined by the reign of George III’s son in the years 1811-1820. George III was deemed unfit to rule and so his son, later to be George IV, ruled by proxy as Prince Regent until 1820, when his father died and he became King.

Although the regency period was a short one, its influence lasted over 30 years, from 1795-1837.  This was a time charcterised by distinctive fashions, politics and culture, and the era was also well known for its literature and architecture, as demonstrated by the English regency fire and fire surround.

During the period, the Adam style fireplace fell out of fashion and there was a return to the simple classical surround, as introduced by the architect Sir John Soane. The Greek influence became immediately apparent, with an enthusiasm for Greek culture reflected in all areas of art. Chimneypiece design became more elaborate and elegant.

The English regency fireplace opening was elongated with a low lintel and narrow jambs. Common decorative motifs to the fireplace included the Greek anthemion ornament (related in form to the honeysuckle flower), the formal and stylised acanthus leaf, scrolls, foliage and ribbons. The overmantel often featured a large mirror in a classical frame, decorated with Greek motifs, including the Greek key pattern.

Craftsmanship was at its peak during the regency period, for the machine had yet to replace the skilled hand of the artisan. The regency style has long been assoaciated with a quintessential Englishness, as a result of the culture, design and technological advances of the era.

The English regency fire saw massive advances in technology – the dog grate was replaced by the hob grate, the fender moved outwards and became freestanding and fire guards came into use. All this meant that risk of fire was greatly reduced. 

The English regency fireplace fell out of favour as Victorian homes began to lose the grace of the era and their own tastes were established.