As the snow falls and the wind makes it feel like the Arctic outside, the idea of a warm fire in a lovely fireplace is on many people's minds. Especially
ours! So imagine our delight when we heard that there was a Bossi fireplace in the President's Office in the College.
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| Beautiful Pietro Bossi fireplace |
Pietro Bossi, an Italian craftsman believed to be from the Lombardy region in Northern Italy, came to Dublin in the 1780s. Bossi is understood to have been brought to Ireland by Lord Clanricarde to carry out stucco and
scagliola work for him. Scagliola is a technique of producing works that have been inlaid with marble, semi-precious stones and coloured paste. Bossi stayed in Dublin from 1785 to 1798 producing fireplaces and tables in the Neo-classical design. He is believed to have produced stucco work for the Earl of Aldborough,
Baronscourt Estate, Co. Tyrone and
Charlemont House also known as the Hugh Lane Gallery in Dublin.
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| Detail of Pietro Bossi fireplace in the College |
Bossi was very secretive about the techniques he used in his work. Legend has it that he was so afraid of others stealing or copying his techniques that he gave orders that no one was allowed to inspect his work until it was completely finished. To make sure no one did, when Bossi left the piece he was working on he sprinkled saw dust on the floor around it. If, when he returned, there were footprints in the saw dust he knew someone had been there!
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| Detail of Pietro Bossi fireplace in the College |
In the registers of St Mark's Church of Ireland church there is an entry for the christening of one Maria Teresa Bossi, daughter of Peter and Sarah Bossi of Fleet Street on 5th July 1795. So when did Pietro up and leave Dublin never to return in 1798?
Some believe that Bossi's saw dust contained footprints one day and insulted
by this breach of confidence he up and left. While others believe it was because
of his links with the revolutionary movement in Ireland at the time.
We will probably never know. But at least we can sit and admire the beautiful craftsmanship that Bossi left behind him. And warm our toes while we're at it!
- - Researched and written by Meadhbh Murphy
