The Great Exhibition, 1851: Mediaeval Fireplace by Myers

Photograph of a fireplace carved in Caen stone in the Medieval style. Around the firebox are a series of tiles featuring a bird motif. The highly decorated chimneypiece terminates in a pinnacle over an arch. There are carved figures of birds and leaves arranged symmetrically around the chimney.

This photograph is from Volume III (RCIN 2800002) of ' Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations, 1851: Reports by the Juries on the Subjects in the Thirty Classes into which the Exhibition was Divided'. The incredibly successful Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations, commonly known as the Great Exhibition, ran from May to October 1851. At the exhibition's conclusion, over 100 copies of the four volume 'Reports by the Juries' were distributed to foreign governments and notable participants. The reports consist of the juries' comments and assessments of the works displayed in the exhibition. The idea and decision to illustrate the reports with photographs is attributed to Prince Albert (1819-61).