Antique Marble Fireplaces
Stunning antique marble fireplaces, mantels & chimneypieces made in variety of different antique marbles, including Sienna marble, Statuary marble, Cippolino marble and Verde antico marble.
-
Stock: 10915
A rare 18th century Italian Baroque fireplace mantel in finely carved Statuary Marble. The moulded arched shelf forms the upper part of a full width serpentine frieze which is centred by a high prominent shell cartouche, flanked by profusely carved flowers, grape vines and ears of wheat representing summer and autumn. Carved in low relief at each end of the frieze are winged mythical dragons and to the side are vases of flowers beneath which are elaborate angled c-scrolled jambs decorated with masks of grotesques holding ropes of fruits in their mouths and there are trails of tumbling berries and leaves down the sides. Shown together with andirons SNo 12527 not included with the price. Italian mid 18th century.
Link to: Antique Baroque Chimneypieces inc English, Italian, French, Flemish Bolection fireplace mantels.
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
64 3⁄16" 163 cms |
46 7⁄8" 119 cms |
9 13⁄16" 25 cms |
Internal |
41 1⁄4" 105 cms |
37 13⁄16" 96 cms |
|
-
Sold
Stock: 14438
A Baroque Louis XV antique fireplace mantel in grey and white Arabascato Marble. The shaped moulded shelf above a panelled frieze with a central cartouche set above the serpentine opening flanked by twin panelled jambs. French early 19th century.
Link to: Antique Rococo Chimneypieces inc Louis XV English Scottish Chippendale Rococo fireplace mantels.
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
49 5⁄8" 126 cms |
41 1⁄8" 104.5 cms |
17 1⁄4" 44 cms |
Internal |
36 5⁄8" 93 cms |
34 13⁄16" 88.5 cms |
|
-
Stock: 4721
A rare Venetian chimneypiece from the dawn of the Renaissance. This extremely rare chimneypiece is carved in Pietra d’Istria marble from the Istrian Peninsula near Venice and is attributed to Giorgio da Sebenico, sculptor of the Duomo San Francesco, Cathedral of Ancona, which features near identical images on the portal. A piece of this rarity and quality is seldom seen outside a museum.
Italian, circa 1460.
Link to: Antique Renaissance, Gothic Tudor Fireplace mantels and Chimneypieces: 1260 - 1600
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
78 11⁄16" 200 cms |
74" 188 cms |
34 1⁄4" 87 cms |
Internal |
68 1⁄4" 173.4 cms |
65 3⁄16" 165.7 cms |
|
-
Stock: 14148
A rather large but low 20th century Travertine Marble Bolection fireplace mantel.
English, circa 1930.
Link to: Antique Baroque Chimneypieces inc English, Italian, French, Flemish Bolection fireplace mantels.
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
62" 157.5 cms |
38 3⁄16" 97 cms |
3 1⁄4" 8.5 cms |
Internal |
48" 122 cms |
31 1⁄8" 79 cms |
|
Listed Price: £3,200 (+VAT where applicable)
More info?

-
Stock: 14323
A elegantly simple early William IV Carrara Marble antique Regency fireplace surround with a panelled frieze and stylised shell cartouche on the endblocks. English, early 19th century.
Link to: Antique English Regency chimneypieces inc. Louis XVI, French Empire and George IV fireplace mantels.
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
76 3⁄8" 194 cms |
48 3⁄8" 123 cms |
14 1⁄2" 36.8 cms |
Internal |
38 3⁄16" 97 cms |
38 3⁄16" 97 cms |
|
Listed Price: £9,000 (+VAT where applicable)
More info?

-
Stock: 14241
A large Louis XVI antique fireplace surround in subtly attractive, mottled coffee coloured, veined marble from a local quarry in Brittany. Provenance: Hotel 'Repaire de Kerroch' in the port of Paimpol, Brittany, France the same as fireplaces SNos 14240 & 14239. French, late 18th early 19th century.
Shown here with andirons SNo 13920 not included in the price.
Link to: Antique French chimneypieces inc. Louis XVI, French Empire fireplace mantels.
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
79 5⁄8" 202.3 cms |
55 1⁄8" 140 cms |
9 3⁄8" 24 cms |
Internal |
60 3⁄16" 153 cms |
43 11⁄16" 111 cms |
|
Listed Price: £9,500 (+VAT where applicable)
More info?

-
Sold
Stock: 14355
A rare, monumental and highly ornate Louis XV style deeply carved Statuary Marble antique fireplace surround in the French Baroque Rococo manner with its original cast iron insert. The upper stop fluted coffered frieze sits above and behind an enormous and most elaborately scrolled central cartouche quite simply the flamboyant focus of the whole chimneypiece. The equally massive angled, scrolled and panelled jambs, beneath the two tiered endblocks, are embellished with large acanthus detail. Quatrefoil panels sit above the panelled side returns. The signature of a J. Molinari, and the name Menton are carved above the quatrefoil on the right return shown in the second to last image below.
French, late 19th century.
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
82 1⁄4" 209 cms |
66 7⁄8" 170 cms |
22 13⁄16" 58 cms |
Internal |
48 13⁄16" 124 cms |
47 5⁄8" 121 cms |
|
-
Stock: 14239
An elegant Louis XV antique chimneypiece in subtly attractive, mottled coffee coloured, veined marble from a local quarry in Brittany. Provenance: Hotel 'Repaire de Kerroch' in the port of Paimpol, Brittany which has been recently partly converted into apartments, please see last image below. A smaller version of fireplace Stock No. 14240 with the same provenance. French late 18th early 19th century.
Link to: Antique Rococo Chimneypieces inc Louis XV English Scottish Chippendale Rococo fireplace mantels.
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
67" 170.3 cms |
46 7⁄8" 119 cms |
11 3⁄16" 28.5 cms |
Internal |
37 5⁄8" 95.5 cms |
39 3⁄16" 99.5 cms |
|
Listed Price: £6,500 (+VAT where applicable)
More info?

-
Sold
Stock: 14320
An antique white Statuary Marble fireplace surround. The deeply carved central plaque, set beneath the simple moulded shelf on a plain panelled frieze, is decorated with roses, fruit and orange blossom and is flanked by carved end blocks, one depicting Summer and the other Autumn, The panelled jambs richly carved with hanging, ribbon tied clusters of oak and acorns
English, mid 19th century.
Link to: Antique Victorian, William IV, Arts and Crafts, Aesthetic, Art Nouveau mantels and Art Deco fireplaces and chimneypieces.
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
61 5⁄8" 156.5 cms |
46 1⁄2" 118 cms |
9 3⁄8" 24 cms |
Internal |
37 5⁄8" 95.5 cms |
37" 94 cms |
|
-
Sold
Stock: 14260
A small Rococo style Louis XV antique fireplace surround in fine Carrara Marble
with a carved foliate cartouche on the panelled frieze above a shaped opening flanked by panelled & fluted angled jambs.
French late 19th century.
Link to: Antique Rococo Chimneypieces inc Louis XV English Scottish Chippendale Rococo fireplace mantels.
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
52 13⁄16" 134 cms |
41 1⁄4" 105 cms |
16" 40.6 cms |
Internal |
35 13⁄16" 91 cms |
32 5⁄8" 82.7 cms |
|
-
Sold
Stock: 14307
A smart High Renaissance style polished Belgian Black Marble antique fireplace surround with three foliate carved panels on the frieze flanked by a pair of lozenge endblocks set above tapering free standing fluted columns resting on double footblocks. Flemish 19th century.
Link to: Antique Renaissance, Gothic Tudor Fireplace mantels and Chimneypieces: 1260 - 1600
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
63 13⁄16" 162 cms |
59 1⁄8" 150 cms |
15 11⁄16" 40 cms |
Internal |
35 13⁄16" 91 cms |
44 7⁄8" 114 cms |
|
-
Stock: 10203
A large and fine antique Palladian style chimneypiece in the manner of William Kent (1685-1748). Carved in pure white Statuary Marble and with Breche Violette, endblocks and ingrounds, it has a prominent corniced shelf set over a beautifully scrolled foliate carved frieze, centred by a simple Breche Violette plaque, flanked by foliate endblocks above bold tapering volute jambs, topped by ribbon tied scrolls, resting on plain large footblocks.
English, mid 19th century with later restoration.
Notes: This chimneypiece, made in the 19th Century, bears a striking resemblance to the chimneypiece in the Red Dining Room at Raynham Hall in Norfolk, designed by Inigo Jones in the late 17th Century. The chimneypiece was probably designed by William Kent as the Hall was refashioned by him in 1731 in collaboration with the Master Sculptor & Carver James Richards (1718-1759) who is credited with the carving of the chimneypiece.
Link to a section showing full range of similar/related neo-classical chimneypieces
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
97 1⁄2" 247.7 cms |
73 1⁄8" 185.7 cms |
14 3⁄16" 36 cms |
Internal |
42 1⁄8" 107 cms |
44 11⁄16" 113.5 cms |
|
-
Stock: 6582
A substantial antique Victorian Belgian Black and Red Griotte marble fireplace. The fluted frieze, set below the deeply moulded shelf is centred with two foliate paterae plaques separated by a small raised panel, flanked by simple curved end blocks, supported on round cornered panelled jambs. The fireplace opening is framed by generous deep Red Griotte marble mouldings delicately carved with stylised Acanthus leaf decoration in the Greek manner with small round floral paterae to the top corners, above the large moulded foot blocks.
Belgian late 19th century.
Link to: Antique Victorian, William IV and Edwardian fireplaces and chimneypieces.
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
69 1⁄4" 176 cms |
51" 129.5 cms |
17 5⁄8" 44.7 cms |
Internal |
37" 94 cms |
36" 91.5 cms |
|
Listed Price: £14,000 (+VAT where applicable)
More info?

-
Sold
Stock: 14145
A fine and unusually tall Louis XVI style antique fireplace surround carved in high relief, from Carara Marble. The floral guilloche frieze, centred by a foliate cartouche, is flanked by a pair of square floral paterae endblocks set above scrolled, acanthus leaf carved and fluted console jambs.
French circa 1860.
Link to: Antique French chimneypieces inc. Louis XVI, French Empire fireplace mantels.
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
71 1⁄4" 181 cms |
49 13⁄16" 126.5 cms |
16 1⁄8" 41 cms |
Internal |
41 11⁄16" 106 cms |
38 3⁄16" 97 cms |
|
-
Sold
Stock: 10272
A small and elegant Gothic Revival antique chimneypiece in attractive brown coral fossil marble, with a simple moulded shelf above a slow arched opening and with recessed Gothic panels on the jambs resting on plain footblocks.
English mid 19th century.
Link to: Antique Renaissance, Gothic Tudor Fireplace mantels and Chimneypieces: 1260 - 1600
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
57 3⁄8" 145.8 cms |
45 1⁄8" 114.5 cms |
7 7⁄8" 20 cms |
Internal |
36" 91.5 cms |
39 3⁄8" 100 cms |
|
-
Sold
Stock: 14163
A large 19th century white Statuary Marble antique fireplace surround in the Jacobean manner with a deep moulded shelf, the frieze embellished with boldly carved strapwork detail echoed on the volute jambs.
English, mid 19th century.
Link to: Antique Victorian, William IV and Edwardian fireplaces and chimneypieces.
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
77 5⁄8" 197 cms |
49 3⁄8" 125.5 cms |
13 3⁄16" 33.5 cms |
Internal |
42 1⁄8" 107 cms |
37" 94 cms |
|
-
Stock: 11443
A lightly veined grey marble Louis XVI style pompadour antique fireplace surround. The serpentine panelled frieze, centred by an oval paterae, is flanked by panelled endblocks above angled panelled jambs.
French, late 19th century.
Link to: Antique French chimneypieces inc. Louis XVI, French Empire fireplace mantels.
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
48 13⁄16" 124 cms |
42 1⁄8" 107 cms |
14 5⁄8" 37 cms |
Internal |
32 11⁄16" 83 cms |
33 11⁄16" 85.5 cms |
|
Listed Price: £2,800 (+VAT where applicable)
More info?

-
Stock: 7265
An elegant Louis XV chimneypiece carved from veined Sarrancolin Marble the panelled frieze with a scrolled central cartouche beneath a serpentine shelf.
French, circa 1710.
The shelf is a later replacement.
Link to: Antique Rococo Chimneypieces inc Louis XV English Scottish Chippendale Rococo fireplace mantels.
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
65 3⁄8" 166 cms |
43 1⁄4" 110 cms |
13" 33 cms |
Internal |
44 11⁄16" 113.5 cms |
36 5⁄8" 93 cms |
|
Listed Price: £8,500 (+VAT where applicable)
More info?

-
Sold
Stock: 12097
A carved statuary Louis XV style antique chimneypiece with a stylised shell central cartouche surrounded by foliage. The scrolled shell end blocks are supported on panelled jambs.
French, mid to late 19th century.
Link to: Antique Rococo Chimneypieces inc Louis XV English Scottish Chippendale Rococo fireplace mantels.
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
56 1⁄4" 143 cms |
42 11⁄16" 108.5 cms |
13 13⁄16" 35 cms |
Internal |
35 13⁄16" 91 cms |
34 1⁄4" 87 cms |
|
-
Stock: 7340
A very large bolection fireplace surround in pink Scottish granite.
Scottish, circa 1930.
Link to: Antique Baroque Chimneypieces inc English, Italian, French, Flemish Bolection fireplace mantels.
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
68 1⁄2" 174 cms |
58 1⁄4" 148 cms |
6 11⁄16" 17 cms |
Internal |
48 3⁄8" 123 cms |
48 3⁄8" 123 cms |
|
Listed Price: £4,600 (+VAT where applicable)
More info?

-
Stock: 11618
A Regency, early Victorian Chimneypiece in veined Carrara
marble. The carved Greek Revival acanthus leaf endblocks are separated by the plain panelled frieze over similarly plain panelled jambs. Shown here together with Insert 13706 not included in the price.
English, circa 1830.
Link to: Antique English Regency chimneypieces inc. George IV fireplace mantels.
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
72" 183 cms |
47 1⁄2" 120.7 cms |
12" 30.5 cms |
Internal |
38" 96.5 cms |
38" 96.5 cms |
|
Listed Price: £12,000 (+VAT where applicable)
More info?

-
Stock: 4880
A Louis XIV deep rose Brocatelle marble fireplace surround. The moulded serpentine shelf above a frieze centred by a simple cartouche, the shaped jambs with moulded panels raised on block feet.
French, circa 1740.
Link to: Antique Baroque Chimneypieces inc English, Italian, French, Flemish Bolection fireplace mantels.
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
63" 160 cms |
45 11⁄16" 116 cms |
14 5⁄8" 37 cms |
Internal |
53 1⁄8" 135 cms |
37 13⁄16" 96 cms |
|
Listed Price: £5,500 (+VAT where applicable)
More info?

-
Sold
Stock: 13254
A mid 19th century lightly veined white statuary marble fireplace, with plain frieze and supporting jambs, the endblocks are decorated with floral bouquets beneath the deep and wide shelf. Recently removed from a house in Kensington, London, once the home of the American actress Ava Gardner.
Mid, 19th century.
Link to: Antique Renaissance, Gothic Tudor Fireplace mantels and Chimneypieces: 1260 - 1600
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
70 1⁄2" 179 cms |
45 11⁄16" 116 cms |
11 13⁄16" 30 cms |
Internal |
36 3⁄16" 92 cms |
36 3⁄16" 92 cms |
|
-
Stock: 12290
A smart columned Irish Regency Chimneypiece in Kilkenny Fossil Black Marble elegantly carved with tapering columns beneath fluted capitals supporting the deep and lightly fossil strewn shelf.
Irish, early 19th century.
Shown here with firegrate SNo 13274 now sold.
Link to: Antique English Regency chimneypieces inc. George IV fireplace mantels.
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
67 11⁄16" 172 cms |
54 11⁄16" 139 cms |
12" 30.5 cms |
Internal |
43 7⁄8" 111.5 cms |
45 1⁄2" 115.5 cms |
|
Listed Price: £18,000 (+VAT where applicable)
More info?

-
Sold
Stock: 13188
An interesting statuary marble fireplace in the English Greek Revival manner, the stepped frieze with a central tablet with typical Classical Greek entwined Honeysuckle carving the subtly tapering paneled jambs above substantial footblocks.
Early 19th century, Circa1830.
Link to: Antique English Regency chimneypieces inc. George IV fireplace mantels.
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
70 1⁄8" 178 cms |
48 3⁄8" 123 cms |
11" 28 cms |
Internal |
38 3⁄16" 97 cms |
38 3⁄16" 97 cms |
|
-
Stock: 12127
A late Georgian neoclassical fireplace surround in the manner of Robert Adam carved in white Statuary marble with yellow Sienna marble inlay. The wide breakfront shelf set over the fluted frieze centred by a large tablet also of purple veined yellow Sienna marble flanked by circular fluted paterae endblocks above fluted jambs.
English, late 18th century with restorations.
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
82 1⁄4" 209 cms |
59 1⁄8" 150 cms |
8 1⁄4" 21 cms |
Internal |
48 3⁄8" 123 cms |
42 11⁄16" 108.5 cms |
|
-
Stock: 10332
A substantial an elegant George IV style chimneypiece in white Bianco Pi marble with inlaid panels of Onyx, diamond centre panel motifs on the jambs and fluted and reeded ingrounds with pretty stylised floral Paterae in the top corners.
Scottish, late 19th century.
Link to: Antique English Regency chimneypieces inc. George IV fireplace mantels.
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
78 1⁄2" 199.5 cms |
51 13⁄16" 131.5 cms |
12 3⁄8" 31.5 cms |
Internal |
43 1⁄8" 109.5 cms |
38 3⁄16" 97 cms |
|
Listed Price: £24,000 (+VAT where applicable)
More info?

-
Stock: 13512
An elegant 20th century Georgian style chimneypiece in Statuary and inlaid Sienna
and Brocatelle marble.The frieze beneath the breakfront shelf embellished
with inlaid sienna festoons and centred by a tablet of a lidded urn surmounted by
a pair of seated sphinx draped with further festoons. The endblocks with tall vases
above descending inlaid sienna bellflowers on the jambs.
English mid 20th century.
Notes: There is an almost identical fireplace in the Library of Shropham Hall, Norfolk, England please see the image below.
Link to a section showing full range of similar/related neo-classical chimneypieces
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
74 13⁄16" 190 cms |
60 5⁄8" 154 cms |
8 1⁄4" 21 cms |
Internal |
48 13⁄16" 124 cms |
46 1⁄2" 118 cms |
|
Listed Price: £28,500 (+VAT where applicable)
More info?

-
Sold
Stock: 8864
A very grand Italian Renaissance style antique fireplace mantel in white Statuary Marble. The stepped shelf, edged with richly carved lambs tongue detail over an egg and dart border, sits above a very fine frieze which is made from one block and carved in high relief with linked palmette motifs supported by scrolled acanthus brackets resting above intricately carved panelled jambs.
Italian, mid 19th century.
Link to: Antique Renaissance, Gothic Tudor Fireplace mantels and Chimneypieces: 1260 - 1600
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
83 1⁄2" 212 cms |
71 11⁄16" 182 cms |
16 1⁄8" 41 cms |
Internal |
57 1⁄2" 146 cms |
57 1⁄8" 145 cms |
|
-
Stock: 11772
A splendid 20th century fossil stone and marble chimneypiece in the Palladian manner. Removed from the Banqueting Hall of The Worshipful Company of Leatherers, an ancient Guild institution in the City of London. The massive white Statuary Marble shelf is supported on a fossil stone frieze centred by a plaque of Verdi Tinos green marble and is flanked by scrolled stone and green marble brackets, over a substantial lower frieze supported on either side by large scrolled consoles. The wide low opening has Statuary Marble ingrounds behind which are a pair of concave Verdi Marble inserts.
English 1950.
Link to a section showing full range of similar/related neo-classical chimneypieces
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
95 1⁄4" 242 cms |
66 1⁄4" 168.4 cms |
14 13⁄16" 37.6 cms |
Internal |
28 11⁄16" 73 cms |
39 1⁄8" 99.3 cms |
|
-
Stock: 11052
A set of Tudor style Green Campan Marble fireplace ingrounds.
English late 19th century.
Link to: Antique Renaissance, Gothic Tudor Fireplace mantels and Chimneypieces: 1260 - 1600
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
61" 155 cms |
54 1⁄2" 138.5 cms |
6 1⁄8" 15.5 cms |
Internal |
52" 132 cms |
48 13⁄16" 124 cms |
|
Listed Price: £4,800 (+VAT where applicable)
More info?

-
Stock: 13386
A very smart late 18th century Statuary and Spanish Brocatelle inlaid marble chimneypiece, the central tablet carved with exquisite crossed leaf fronds and classical urn to the highest quality. The end blocks carved with rosettes common to the period with unusual extra carved oval paterae below.
English, circa 1780 with later restoration.
Link to a section showing full range of similar/related neo-classical chimneypieces
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
72 3⁄8" 184 cms |
57 1⁄2" 146 cms |
7 7⁄8" 20 cms |
Internal |
47 5⁄8" 121 cms |
44 1⁄2" 113 cms |
|
Listed Price: £24,000 (+VAT where applicable)
More info?

-
Sold
Stock: 12738
A Georgian style white statuary marble chimneypiece with Giallao di Sienna yellow marble detail, the fluted frieze with a carved central tablet depicting musical instruments the lute and trumpet echoed on the end blocks set above stop fluted pilaster jambs.
English circa 1880.
Link to a section showing full range of similar/related neo-classical chimneypieces
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
57" 144.7 cms |
47" 119.5 cms |
6 1⁄8" 15.5 cms |
Internal |
37 7⁄8" 96.3 cms |
36 1⁄4" 92.3 cms |
|
-
Sold
Stock: 13469
A small very decorative early 20th century Neoclassical style fireplace in statuary and antique red brown fossil marbles with an egg and dart moulded shelf over a guilloche frieze and central plaque and rosettes on the endblocks above fluted swagged jambs.
English early 20th century.
Link to a section showing full range of similar/related neo-classical chimneypieces
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
53 1⁄4" 135.5 cms |
43 11⁄16" 111 cms |
6 11⁄16" 17 cms |
Internal |
36 5⁄8" 93 cms |
34 3⁄8" 87.3 cms |
|
-
Stock: 8259
Aesop's Fables "The Fox, Stork and Pitcher"
An elegant George III style antique mantle finely carved in white Statuary marble with Sienna marble side panels & ingrounds and Sienna fluted frieze panels. The central plaque with Aesop's fable,"The Fox, the Stork and the Water Pitcher ", these have been recently carved, over fluted jambs.
English, circa 1900 and later.
Link to a section showing full range of similar/related neo-classical chimneypieces
|
Width |
Height |
|
External |
61" 154.9 cms |
51" 129.5 cms |
|
Internal |
39" 99.1 cms |
39" 99.1 cms |
|
Listed Price: £24,000 (+VAT where applicable)
More info?

Marble fireplaces
Our stunning collection of antique marble fireplaces, mantels and chimneypieces features fireplaces made in a variety of different antique marbles, including Sienna marble, Statuary marble, Cippolino marble and Verde Antico marble.
A brief history of marble
Marble has been used in architecture for thousands of years, dating back to the ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian cultures. Its ability to bear immense weight made it ideal for supporting structures and monolithic columns in public, private and religious buildings. Prized for its beauty and resilience, marble has been used in some of the world’s most iconic buildings, including the Parthenon, the Taj Mahal and the Palace of Versailles.
Marble has been popular for its use in sculpture since classical times. In fact, the word ‘marble’ derives from the Ancient Greek mármaron, which means ‘crystalline rock, shining stone’. Light is able to penetrate several millimetres into marble before being scattered out, producing the characteristic ‘glow’ that seems to give life to sculptures.
The introduction of marble fireplaces
Marble fireplaces have been popular for hundreds of years. Marble has been highly prized as a material for fireplaces due to its softness - which makes it easier to carve - its strength, and, perhaps most of all, its elegance and air of luxury.
The oldest piece in our collection of antique marble fireplaces dates back to around 1460. This extremely rare chimneypiece is carved in Pietra d’Istria marble from the Istrian Peninsula near Venice, and is attributed to Giorgio da Sebenico, sculptor of the Duomo San Francesco, Cathedral of Ancona.
A taste for marble fireplaces
Marble fireplaces remained fashionable in Europe throughout the 15th and 16th Centuries and were particularly popular during the Georgian, Regency and Victorian eras.
The first half of the Georgian era saw marble fireplaces influenced heavily by the classical temple architecture of the Greeks and Romans. Halfway through the 18th Century, designer and architect Robert Adam revolutionised fireplace design with his neoclassical fireplaces.
Marble fireplaces were much sought-after during the Regency period, particularly those made from Statuary marble. However, the onset of the Napoleonic wars in 1803 made its cost prohibitive to all but the wealthiest, and largely restricted its use to grand public rooms.
From the early to mid Victorian era these fireplaces were typically very ornate, featuring intricate floral designs. Later Victorian fireplaces show a preference for simpler, more geometric designs.
Antique marble fireplaces
Antique marble fireplaces are still very much in demand, and it’s easy to see why. From the simplest to the most sumptuously extravagant, a marble fireplace can be tastefully integrated into either a traditional or modern room to make a beautiful and striking focal point.
Our collection of antique marble fireplaces is one of the most comprehensive in the world. A display spanning such a breadth of styles, periods and materials is unlikely to be found elsewhere.