“Her chimney Is south the chamber; and the chimney-piece Chaste Dian, bathing; never saw I figures So likely to report themselves. “The roof o’ the chamber With golden cherubims is fretted; her andirons (I had forgot them) were two winking Cupids Of silver, each on one foot standing, nicely Depending on their brands.” The drawing is true, with its tapestry, its chimney-piece, and its ceiling, all taking their inspiration from Italian sources. The “golden cherubims” are but a poetical version of the winged amorini of Italy. [Illustration: 140. Stone Chimney-piece from Deene Park, Northamptonshire (1571).] The chimney-pieces of that time are as numerous as the fretted ceilings, and as varied in design. Many of them are of stone, still more of wood, and a few are of coloured marbles. In a large number the portion above the fireplace contains two panels, filled more often than not with shields of arms. One of these would bear the family coat simply; the other the quarterings of the owner at the time, or his own arms impaling those of his wife; these arms are frequently useful in identifying the builder of the house and in fixing its date. Sometimes the date itself was carved in a subsidiary panel, as is the case in the example from Deene Park (Fig. 140), which not only presents a fine display of heraldry, but bears the sententious inscription, “Amicus fidelis protexio fortis,” and the date 1571. This chimney-piece is in stone; a smaller one from a house in King’s Lynn is in wood, and is dated 1623 (Fig. 141). The work, both in the panelling and carving, is excellent. Another example in wood, of great elaboration, is from the hall of the butchers’ guild in Hereford (Fig. 142). [Illustration: 141. Wood Chimney-piece from a House at King’s Lynn (1623).] [Illustration: 142. Wood Chimney-piece from the Hall of the Butchers’ Guild, Hereford.] [Illustration: 143. Staircase, Crewe Hall, Cheshire.] [Illustration: 144. Staircase, with Dog-gate, Cold Overton, Leicestershire.]