Questions & Answers
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Why do fireplaces have mantels?
1 Answer
Fireplaces have mantels to prevent smoke from entering the room. Initially, mantels functioned as hoods and were installed to protect an interior space and nearby objects from the extreme heat generated by a fireplace.
Today, fireplaces and mantels can be seen as a focal point in your decor. Fireplaces were once essential fixtures in a home. Even as HVAC systems would eventually see to it that fireplaces weren’t a necessity, no mechanically engineered thermal heating and ventilation technology can replicate the feeling of warmth and camaraderie that a flickering fire guarantees.
Find antique and vintage fireplaces and mantels on 1stDibs.
Today, fireplaces and mantels can be seen as a focal point in your decor. Fireplaces were once essential fixtures in a home. Even as HVAC systems would eventually see to it that fireplaces weren’t a necessity, no mechanically engineered thermal heating and ventilation technology can replicate the feeling of warmth and camaraderie that a flickering fire guarantees.
Find antique and vintage fireplaces and mantels on 1stDibs.
1stDibs ExpertMarch 29, 2024
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Shop for Fireplaces and Mantels on 1stDibs
Antique French Limestone Fireplace Mantel
Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland
An authentic French antique fireplace mantel hand-carved from limestone, featuring a clean, refined profile and a rough hand-finished surface. The design incorporates monolithic jamb...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Limestone
Wonderful Antique Bas Relief Fireplace Surround in Hand Carved Stone
Located in Meer, VAN
Wonderful Antique Bas Relief Fireplace Surround in Hand Carved Stone.
This fireplace surround in carved stone is truly one of the best things we’ve seen. Dating back to the late 19t...
Category
Early 20th Century European Arts and Crafts Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Stone
Vintage Art Deco Figural Brass Peacock Folding Fireplace Screen, Circa 1925.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Vintage Art Deco Figural Brass Peacock Folding Fireplace Screen, Circa 1925.
An exceptional early 20th-century Art Deco solid brass folding "peacock" fireplace hearth screen, featur...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Brass
Monumental Rouge Marble Fireplace with Carved White Marble Caryatid Maidens
Located in Nottingham, GB
An exceptional and highly decorative monumental marble fireplace surround, combining richly figured rouge marble with finely carved white marble female caryatid figures.
The imposin...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Marble
19th Century Victorian Cast Iron Arched Fireplace Insert.
Located in Edinburgh, GB
An arched 19th Century cast Iron fireplace insert. A generous outer plate with an arched raised border. Complete with its bars and ash pan door.
Category
Antique 1880s English Victorian Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Iron
19th Century Early Victorian Scottish Cast Iron Fireplace Insert.
Located in Edinburgh, GB
An early Victorian Rococo manner cast iron fireplace insert. A generous outer plate displaying high relief casting, angled side sections with well cast panels, the curved full height...
Category
Antique 1840s Scottish Early Victorian Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Iron
