Carved Fireplaces and Mantels

Bicolor marble stone fireplace surround with a country touch. Can be used in various interior design. Measures: 153 cm EW 60.23". 104 cm EW+ 40.94". 105 cm EH 40.94&quo...

This is a exceptional rare Art Deco period fireplace surround with original trumeau. The combination of the different exclusive marbles reflected the ...

18th Century French classic statement fireplace from Paris. The limestone has the original colour. Louis XVI style for timeless high-end interior design creation. Measurements: 142 c...

A large and elegant early 19th Century Scottish statuary marble Corbeled fireplace surround. A generous square edged top shelf, resting above a unadorned shaped frieze, flanked by ta...

A fine Burgundy warm color hard stone chimney piece with a nice oxidation from the Louis Philippe period, 19th century. Measures: 130 cm exterior width 51.18 inch 102 cm exterior ...

Timeless French Beige Vintage limestone fireplace Surround. 19th century period Louis Philippe style fireplace in beige hard stone. It was...

This is an original antique fireplace surround in burgundy hard stone with remains of the original wax. This was built in the Directoire period. Measures: 126 cm EW 49,60". ...

This unusual high-end antique fireplace surround in Campan Vert, Rouge Griotte marble or called Ribboned Campan is from the French Regency period, 18th century. Amazing marble design...

A very Fine and rare French 19th century Louis XV style giltwood carved Vernis Martin Stylefl fireplace screen. The rectangular carved giltwood panel surmounted with four circular oil paintings...

Introducing Our Personal Favorite: The Epitome of Elegance and Craftsmanship Experience the epitome of sophistication with our meticulously crafted fireplace mantel. A harmonious blend of elegance, style, and artisanal mastery, this exquisite piece showcases a carefully curated selection of luxurious marble. Radiating a gentle aura, the mantel is adorned with meticulously executed Art Deco floral and bow motifs. The front panel boasts a breathtaking artisan-carved bow centerpiece, embellished with intricate roses and a symphony of blossoms. Impeccable proportions define this masterpiece, beautifully realized in opulent marble that exudes an air of refinement. Elevate your living space with a touch of opulence as this captivating creation becomes the centerpiece of your elegant abode. Unveil the allure of true luxury as you envision this extraordinary marvel gracing the interiors of magnificent homes, each one uniquely transformed by its presence. * Baseplate included. * Accessories Excluded Chimneys The antique fireplaces on my website have been fully restored and are available from stock. Transport and installation is made easier because the fireplaces are already pre-assembled. The antique fireplaces are cleaned and put in the marble wax again, this ensures that the fireplace regains its original deep shine. This maintenance-free marble wax also provides the fireplace with a dirt and water-repellent layer. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me. Renzo van...

Exceptional original French chimney mantel in perfect condition. The fronton is one solid piece of marble. decorated with macarons and an amazing movement. a very raffinated piece. I...

Original simple vintage fireplace surround from a Belgium home in white Carrara marble. It is a Louis XVI style from the 19th century. Measures: 135 cm Exterior Width 53,15 Inch 108...

Naif French country original antique chimney piece with Royal proportions that was built in the Regency period,18th century. It can be built with an upper ...

A state of the art antique mantle in Gris St-Anne marble from the Louis XVI period transition, 18th century. The fronton and jambs are decorated with its original bijouterie in bras...

A pure white marble fireplace of early 19th century design, popular in both Ireland and England during this period A design which clearly stood th...

This very unusual Art Deco fireplace mantel was made of burgundy Hard stone and was installed in Belgium, Brussels. Measures; 124,5 cm EW 49.02" 103 cm EH 40.55" 99,5 cm IW 39....

This small vintage fireplace surround in white statuary marble is a very unique piece. This mantel would perfectly fit in American colonial sty...

This fireplace surround has a very nice central LXV motif and a richly carved front. A classic Louis XV decorative country fireplace. The limestone is a bicolor from the Burgundy reg...

A Highly Important Empire Period Rosso Antico Chimneypiece Inset with Specimen Marble Portrait Reliefs of Roman Emperors The carved and veneered surround comprising a moulded shelf supported by a bold dentil cornice, above an inverted breakfront frieze carved with a central triglyph panel, flanked by a pair of rosettes carved in shallow relief, the frieze mounted with six carved hardstone profile portrait medallions of Roman Emperors, the stop-fluted jambs raised on moulded footblocks; in excellent condition with small restorations commensurate with age and use; the pale inclusions in the stone naturally formed. This spectacular neoclassical marble chimneypiece is carved from Rosso antico, the frieze inset with six portrait reliefs of Roman Emperors, each carved in marmo giallo on a bardiglio background, five variously incised: VESPASIANUS, TIBERIVS, OTHO, JULIUS CAESAR, TITUS. Rosso antico (marmor taenarium) is first recorded as being quarried in 1700 BC at Akra Tainaron (Cape Matapan), Greece.¹ The majority of this stone, however, was extracted throughout the Roman period, when it was one of the most coveted materials for carving due to its rich red colouring and association with highly prized Egyptian ‘Imperial’ Porphyry.² Rosso antico was chosen in antiquity for portrait busts, notably depicting Bacchic subjects such as Dionysus and satyrs due to its rich red wine colour which symbolised conviviality whilst conveying the education and cultivated taste of the owner.³ In the Renaissance, Rosso antico was also used for architectural detail on important buildings, such as the steps leading up to the choir in the medieval church of S. Prassede, and the large columns at the entrance to the Camera dell'Aurora.⁴ In 121 AD, G. Suetonius Tranquillus, secretary to Emperor Hadrian, wrote a biographical history of the first twelve emperors of Rome entitled De vita Caesarum (The Twelve Caesars). A Renaissance edition of Tranquillus’ work was published in 1470, followed by further reprints and translations into all the main European languages. Many of these were illustrated with prints of emperors taken from coins and statues, or imagined by the artist based on Tranquillus’ accounts. These interpretations were copied, in turn, by Renaissance designers for medals, Limoges enamels, and busts, as well as paintings such as the Eleven Caesars, a series of eleven half-length portraits of Roman emperors made by Titian in 1536–40 for Federico II, Duke of Mantua.⁵ These paintings were later given to King Charles I, before being passed in the Commonwealth to the Kings of Spain. Unfortunately, the series was destroyed in the catastrophic fire of 1734 at the Royal Alcazar of Madrid, and is now only known through copies and engravings.⁶ From the middle of the 17th century until the end of the 18th century, there was an insatiable demand for marble carvings, often sold as Roman or assembled from ancient fragments, thus perpetuating the reverence for antiquity that was the quintessence of the Grand Tour. Rosso antico was in extremely short supply, even after the ancient quarries at Skutari were rediscovered in 1830, and remained one of the most highly valued of all stones. Described in 1776 as ‘dark red; scarce and dear’, it was mostly used for small objects such as Grand Tour desk ornaments, inevitably using material re-cut from classical fragments, due to its rarity, as was the case with porphyry.⁷ The portrait roundels on this chimneypiece are typical of those produced in Rome and Florence in hardstones, semi-precious stones, gold, silver, bronze, and mother-of-pearl, which, being easily transportable, would be taken home from the Grand Tour to be mounted within wooden, gilded or brass frames, as fashion dictated.⁸ A group of gold portraits of Caesars, dating from around 1660, are in the Museo Nazionale del Bargello in Florence. Images of Roman emperors were not limited to Italy, England and France, however, as examples executed in Deshima for the Dutch East India Company (Verenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie) show. Medallions depicting Roman emperors, invariably made of black and gold Japanese hiramakie or takamakie lacquer on copper, were produced for the Dutch market at the end of the 18th century. Examples can be found in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.⁹ There are two possible sources for the Imperial profiles on the chimneypiece: the engravings of The Twelve Caesars by Marcantonio Raimondi, or the Imperatorum Imagines by Hubert Golz.¹⁰ The portrait medallions also bear remarkable resemblance to a set of eighteen carved portrait reliefs of Roman Emperors, also of marmo giallo, almost certainly bought by David Ker (1742–1811) of Portavo, Co. Down, on his Grand Tour between 1792–4 in either Florence or Rome. Ker’s diary entry for 17th October 1793 is interesting as it reveals that he was offering his brother a choice of chimneypiece designs, which further supports a Roman origin for the offered example.¹¹ Indeed, fire surrounds incorporating antique fragments had been promoted from the late 1760s by Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720–78), encouraged by Rome-trained architects including Robert Adam (d.1792). One such example, inset with mythological tablets carved from Rosso antico, was acquired by the 9th Earl of Exeter from Piranesi himself for Burghley House.¹² Another can be found at Islington House, Dorset.¹³ A third, inset with giallo antico and Rosso antico, follows Piranesi’s engraved design dated 1769 for a fire surround mounted with three marble portrait reliefs.¹⁴ It should be re-emphasised that Rosso antico was so precious that it was only ever used for small tablets or details rather than an entire chimneypiece, as with the offered example; likewise, while portrait reliefs are occasionally seen on the jambs of Italian surrounds, it is exceptionally rare to see the frieze mounted with a group, especially of this scale: the combination indicates an architectural commission by an extremely wealthy patron. The sophisticated lines of this chimneypiece epitomise the French Empire influence on the Italian states at the turn of the 18th century. This idiosyncratic ‘Roman’ taste is encapsulated by that of Napoleon, who identified with Rome’s Imperial past. Napoleon’s desire to establish a visual link between himself and Roman emperors is demonstrated by the portraits of his court painter, Jacques-Louis David, inspired by portraits of Emperor Augustus. This Imperial taste extended to architecture, furniture and porcelain, the latter two of which are combined in a group of magnificent ormolu-mounted guéridons commissioned in Sèvres between 1803–11, made to immortalise Napoleon’s reign.¹⁵ The second guéridon in the series, the Table des Grands Capitaines (Table of the Great Commanders of Antiquity), commissioned in 1806, is made almost entirely of hard-paste Sèvres porcelain. The top, painted in imitation of sardonyx, is centred by a portrait cameo of Alexander the Great, surrounded by twelve smaller heads of commanders and philosophers from antiquity: Pericles, Scipio Africanus, Pompey, Augustus, Septimus Severus, Constantine, Trajan, Caesar, Mithridates, Hannibal, Themistocles and Miltiades.¹⁶ Louis XVIII presented the table to the Prince Regent (later King George IV) in 1817 as a token of appreciation for Napoleon’s defeat two years earlier, and George IV treasured it so highly that it became part of the ceremonial backdrop for all his state portraits. The table remains in the Royal Collection.¹⁷ This chimneypiece remained, until recently, in the possession of a noble Dutch family, who acquired it from the owners of a bombed Knightsbridge house in the 1940s; unfortunately, its provenance prior to this has been lost. The use of Rosso antico on this scale, inset with these splendid Imperial profile medallions, appears unparalleled. 1. J. B. Grossman, 'Looking at Greek and Roman Sculpture in Stone' (Los Angeles, 2003). Grossman states that this material was ‘...quarried in three places during antiquity: on Cape Tainaron present day Matapan on the Peloponnese of Greece; on Crete; and at the site of Iasos in Asia Minor. 2. L. Lazzarini, ‘Rosso antico and other red marbles used in antiquity: a characterization study’, Marble, Art Historical and Scientific Perspectives on Ancient Sculpture’ (1990), 237–252. C. Gorgoni, L. Lazzarini, P. Pallante, ‘New archaeometric data on Rosso antico and other red marbles used in antiquity, ASMOSIA VI, Interdisciplinary Studies on Ancient Stone’ (2002), pp. 199–206. J. Deér, trans. G.A. Gilhoff, The Dynastic Porphyry Tombs of the Norman Period in Sicily (Cambridge, 1959), p. 144. R. Gnoli, Marmora Romana (Rome, 1988), pp. 187–191. 3. A notable example is a satyr from the Emperor Hadrian's villa at Tivoli, now in the Capitoline Museum, Rome. Another is the head of a satyr in the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, accession no. 2006.110. See T. Opper, Hadrian. Empire and Conflict (London, 2008), p. 165, fig. 149. 4. De Luca, Marmi antichi (Rome, 1998), p. 126. Faustino Corsi, Catalogo ragionato d’una collezione di pietre di decorazione (Rome, 1833), p. 93. 5. For related Limoges medallions, see set of ten circular Limoges enamel medallions depicting Roman emperors, en grisaille with gilding, from the workshop of Jacques I Laudin, sold Christie’s London, Fine Renaissance Bronzes and Works of Art, 19 December, 1977, lot 95. 6. See set of drawings sold Sotheby’s London, Of Royal and Noble Descent, 24 February, 2015, lot 184. 7. J. J. Ferber, Raspe’s Travels through Italy in the Years 1771–1772 (London, 1776), p. 218. 8. See Sotheby’s London, Pelham, the Public and the Private, 8 March 2016, lot 75: ‘A set of twelve mother-of-pearl cameos of Roman Emperors, Southern Italian, early 19th century’ 9. Oliver Impey, Christiaan J.A. Jörg, Cynthia Viallé, Japanese Export Lacquer 1580–1850 (Amsterdam, 2005) pp. 48–57, no. 56 & 57. 10. For a further reference, see the candlesticks by Jacques I Laudin in the Waters Art Gallery, illustrated in P. Verdier, Catalogue of the Painted Enamels of the Renaissance (Baltimore, 1967), p. 389, nos. 207 & 208. 11. John Ingamells, A Dictionary of British and Irish travellers in Italy 1701–1800 (London, 1997), pp. 572–3. 12. Oliver Impey, Four Centuries of Decorative Arts from Burghley House (Virginia, 1998), p. 53, fig. 23. 13. Country Life, 12 June, 1997, p. 162, figs. 9–11. 14. A. González-Palacios, Il Tempio del Gusto, Roma e il Regno delle due Sicilie, Vol. II (Milan, 1984), pp. 592–93, p. 260. 15. S. Grandjean, 'Napoleonic Tables...

A fine simple rustic, French country limestone mantel with original upper mantel from the Louis XIII period, 17 th century. Measurements: 146 cm Exterior Width 57,48 Inch 119 cm Exte...

Exceptional original antique fireplace of the French regency period, 1st half of the 18th century. This piece was installed in a grand salon with a oak pannel wall. The Royal dark marble and deep carving are sign of a luxury home decor...

This antique fireplace surround in Burgundy reddish marble stone has a naive rustic touch. Waxing can make this piece having a richer look, more to porfire. The legs are very elegant...

A fine original antique fireplace surround in the Louis XVI style of the 19th century. In perfect condition from Paris and executed in Skyros de Grèce Marble Measures: 145 cm Exterio...

A Noir de Mazy en Onyx marble combination vintage fireplace surround from the Louis Phillipe period, 19th century. Measures: 130 cm exterior width 51.18 inch 105 cm exterior heigh...

An antique English limestone fireplace from the 19th century in the Gothic manner. The columns supporting large carved brackets, in turn supportin...

Grand original Fine French LXIV Period Fireplace Surround in limestone with a fantastic original patina. This Chimney piece has a silky feeling when touching it and reflects the ligh...

Fabulous 18th century Belgian antique fireplace surround. A small Black Belgian marble and Belgian Ardenne marble jewel in great condition. One of a kind original fireplace surround ...

This is a beautiful tall mantle. It is two pieces making it easy to ship. The top part has tapestry but could be replaced with a large mirror or family portrait. The center piece ...

Museum quality and impressive hard stone fireplace surround from the end of the Louis XIV period with warm and nice patina. Measures: 155 cm EW 61.02". 124 cm EW+ 48.81"...

This is a very unique marble combination typically used in the inter war period. The shelf is made in parefeuille. Measures: 171 cm EW 67.32". 103 cm EH 40.55". 109 cm...

20th Century Georgian style Hand-carved Pine Mantelpiece Fireplace surround. A fine mid-Georgian design in the 'William Kent' style with a carved shell flanked by husk swags and fl...

This is a fine original antique fireplace surround from the first half of the 18th century. Louis XIV period. The Saracolin marble and the fine carved center is of exceptional qualit...

This Louis XV style paneled room was made in the early 20th century. The Louis XV era stone fireplace was made in the 18th century. The woodwork may be likened to the work of Jansen....

This mantel is of the highest quality and it is in perfect condition. The details of the carving reflects the wealth of the former master. This fireplace surround was installed in a ...

French 18th century period country style limestone fireplace surround. Elegant and not too rustic for a timeless modern interior design. Measures: 181 cm exterior width 71,26 inc...

A fine antique fireplace surround in limestone from the Vosges region with decorative flower motive carving from the Regency period. The mantel...

A large and very fine quality Louis XV style fire place in Carrara marble. The profusely carved frieze, protruding from beneath the mantle with gadrooned carved centre cartouche , su...

A large antique Regency period Irish Kilkenny marble fireplace from the early 19th century. A good example of this type of Irish fireplace us...

A fine and small Turquin Bleu marble fireplace surround in perfect condition perfect for a fine bespoke French style Classic room. Measures: 148 cm EW 58.27". 111 cm EH 43.70". 1...

This is another one of a kind original fireplace surround in White Statuary Marble. The marble of the mantle has a nice patina. Very fine details in the carving. A great condition of...

The Marble French Style Designer Fireplace Mantel is a masterpiece of refined elegance, handcrafted from premium marble to reflect the grandeur of traditional French design. With its...

Unique 1960s faux porphyry marble impressive adams style mantlepiece circa 1960. Porphyry effect marble fireplace in the adams taste circa 1960. Large and imposing fireplace which i...

A grand and original Rococo treasure in white Carrara marble from the golden period in Paris, 19th century. This chimney piece is in a great condition and will be the masterpiece to ...

This exclusive and rich colourful marble fireplace surround is a prefect match for a contemporary eclectic chic interior design concept. The Louis XVI style is classic and high in qu...

American White Pine fire place mantel with carved molded edges, one board back, and rectangular carved vertical legs with squared plinths . Early 19th Century . Fire Box Dim. 40" Tall / 40.5" Wide...

19th Century Marble Fireplace Mantlepiece. Imposing Original Victorian Marble Fireplace Surround Recently Salvaged from A East Lon...

A charming and very well executed late 18th century Provincial Louis XV style fireplace in Calacatta and Breche Violette marbles. The jambs with paneled Breche Violette and fine carv...

This 19th century fireplace mantel (fireplace) is from the Burgundy region near Clos Vougeot in France. It has very rich and exquisite carving making it quite distinctive. A fine Art...

Rare stone fireplace surround from the Moselle region. Extra fine carved castle fireplace piece in great condition for original interior design. This is a real exceptional chimney pi...

A 19th Century Georgian Manner lightly veined statuary marble fireplace surround of good proportions. A deep break-front top shelf with channelled under moulding sits directly above ...

This is a nice French honey color limestone antique fireplace surround. The waxed surface of the antique chimney piece has a silky feeling when t...

The Chelsea is a tall and elegant neoclassical style fire surround in Italian Carrara marble made by Ryan and Smith. Modelled straight off an 18th centu...

A magnificent and monumental antique American carved oak fireplace mantel, San Francisco, circa 1880. A fabulous high Victorian, Romanesque...

Italian rustic fireplace surround with some remaining patina. The condition and color is a perfect match for a country interior design. Me...

A large antique solid oak fireplace surround from the early Edwardian period displaying handsome proportions primed French grey. A substant...

A Regency style fireplace from the mid 19th century executed in Italian Statuary white and Siena marbles. The jambs with inset Siena panels supported on foot blocks, terminating with...

This is a unusual petite French vintage fireplace mantel in bicolor hard stone in Louis XVI style. The straight lines and small makes it easy ...

This is a Belgian red marble Regency style fireplace surround. Measures: 167 cm EW 65,75" 117 cm EH 46,06" 124 cm IW 48,81" 94 cm IH 37" 43 cm S 16,92"

Spectacular antique chimneypiece crafted from Statuary marble and with large opulent panels of Lapis Lazuli inlay. This magnificent fireplace surround was removed from a large house...

An Irish antique fireplace from the Regency period in Italian Carrara and Siena marbles. The jambs with demi lune reeded panels on book matched...