Antique English Tudor Style Limestone Fire Mantel with Shield

Antique Louis XVI Style limestone fireplace dating back to circa 1900. The cream shade with warm tones works well with the smooth surface and curved inner edges, giving off a classic...

This spectacular, monumental 17th century English carved limestone fireplace, circa 1650, was reclaimed from Cobtree Manor House, England (demolished 1968). Standing at 2 m tall (6’ 5”) and over 2.7 m wide (9’), this exceptional English fire surround is a very rare find. It is not often you find a chimneypiece like this outside of a listed heritage property, making this a rare opportunity to purchase a fireplace of such size and grandeur. Highly elaborate, the surround is intricately hand-carved throughout, the frieze of which is most extravagant, carved with a mythical beast to the central tablet among birds, stylised lions holding crowns, parakeets and scrolling foliage. The jambs are carved in a column-like style with fruits and flowers below corbels to the end blocks, completed with a carved egg and dart trim beneath the shelf. This fireplace truly is a magnificent work of art, designed for an interior of prestige and fine grandeur. It is in the manner of late 16th / early 17th century English architect and designer, Inigo Jones (1573 – 1652), who was known for introducing the classical style architecture of the Italian Renaissance to Britain. His famous works include the Banqueting House at Whitehall, The Queen’s House, Greenwich and the Queen’s Chapel at St. James’ Palace. Provenance Removed from a wing of Cobtree Manor in Kent, UK. Though demolished in 1968, the house’s parklands remain to this day and were once the site of Maidstone Zoo. The occupation of the land itself dates back as far as the neolithic times (4300 BC – 2000 BC). However, the first known record can be found in the title estate deeds of English poet and politician, Sir Thomas Wyatt, in 1596. Cobtree is linked to the famous 19th century novelist, Charles Dickens (1812 – 1870). It is believed that during the 1830s, a young Dickens had fallen into a pond while out walking near Cobtree farm. He knocked on the door of the tenant farmer at the time – Mr William Spong – who took Dickens in. It is said that Dickens later took inspiration from Mr Spong in his 1837 novel ‘The Pickwick Papers’, in which he immortalised him as Mr Wardle of Manor Farm near Dingley Dell. 17th Century Heritage Having stood the test of time for more than 370 years, this antique fireplace offers a glimpse into England in the 1600s. This century saw the Stuarts rise to the English throne: first James I of England and VI of Scotland following the death of Queen Elizabeth I in 1603, followed by Charles I in 1625. Other notable events of this century included the English Civil War (1642 – 1651) and Guy Fawkes...

A simple Victorian surround, reclaimed from a house in Gloucestershire. Opening Height 94.5 cm Opening Width 83 cm Width Between Outside of...

A large early 19th century fire mantel constructed from pine with a finely carved frieze panel featuring Sphinx. The end blocks are carved with celestial globes, something we have ne...

An antique English Regency style fire mantel salvaged from a property in Yorkshire. This pine and composition fire surround is richly decorated. It has a simple yet elegant design to...

A late 19th century carved oak fire surround in the Jacobean style. Additional dimensions: Opening height 138.5 cm Opening width 138.5 cm.

A very nice antique limestone fireplace from France for sale. The dimensions make this a very versatile and usable piece, its decoration ...

Each jamb of the fireplace has a brown bear standing on a plinth holding a heraldic shield. Above the bears are carved capitals supporting a substantial breakfront cornice shelf. The...

A robust tall and elegant French limestone fireplace mantel in Louis XIV style. The mantel is made from three solid pieces, the frieze has a nice shaped and profiled top with two ce...

An attractive stone fireplace in the Georgian manner with lambs tongue carved to outer edge and steeped moulding to inner. Stood on square plinth foot blo...

Cute little French Campagnard style fireplace mantel in lovely "Buxy" limestone. This petit gem comes from central France, burgundy area. Its perfect size make it possible to install...

Very nice sized an subtel decorated French “Campagnard” style fireplace mantel. This mantel comes from the burgundy area and was reclaimed from a nice proportioned small estate. Th...