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.
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Stock: 12506
A finely carved white Louis XVI style Statuary marble fireplace in the French manner, with an abundantly carved guilloche patterned frieze of floral rosettes. The endblocks embellished with large paterae in high relief over substantial stop fluted jambs draped with thick swags of laurel leaves & berries. Shown with insert 13104, sold separately.
French, late 19th century.
Link to: Antique French chimneypieces inc. Louis XVI, French Empire fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
| External |
65 11⁄16"
167 cms |
44 1⁄4"
112.5 cms |
10"
25.5 cms |
| Internal |
49"
124.5 cms |
36 3⁄16"
92 cms |
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Stock: 13397
A small 19th century Carrara Marble Chimneypiece Mantel in the Italian Renaissance Manner richly carved in high relief, together with it’s original cast iron insert.The frieze, centred by a merman and mermaid flanking an elaborate strapwork cartouche, depicts a pair of birds set amongst scrolling fruits and flowers symbolising Peace and Abundance. The endblocks with tall garlanded cartouche above extraordinary tripedalism satyr grotesques holding beaded garlands in their mouths perched on elaborately carved and fluted jambs, and with an enriched linked acanthus border around the opening.
Italian, late 19th century.
Shown with a pair of Satyr Andirons SNo 7645 not included in the price.
Link to: Antique Renaissance, Gothic Tudor Fireplace mantels and Chimneypieces: 1260 - 1600
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
|
63 3⁄16"
160.5 cms |
42 7⁄8"
109 cms |
18 1⁄8"
46 cms |
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44 7⁄8"
114 cms |
33 1⁄8"
84 cms |
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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 |
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Stock: 13341
A Louis XVI French white veined statuary marble fireplace, with highly carved roundels set within a beaded frieze, floral endblock paterae and elaborate descending acanthus above entwined stenm edged decoration on the jambs.
French, circa 1780.
Link to: Antique French chimneypieces inc. Louis XVI, French Empire fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
| External |
59 13⁄16"
152 cms |
43 1⁄8"
109.5 cms |
12"
30.5 cms |
| Internal |
40 3⁄16"
102 cms |
35 13⁄16"
91 cms |
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Stock: 11176
THE CUPID VENDOR:
A substantial caryatid English Regency antique fireplace surround in the Greek Revival manner richly carved in white statuary marble. The wide moulded shelf above the frieze centred by a tablet carved in relief of The Cupid Vendor a possible Pompeian scene of a noblewoman with maidservant consulting an academic or mystic. The frieze is flanked by ribboned and tied flowering cornucopia. The projecting endblocks carved with delicately pierced round floral paterae supported by figures of vestal maiden on the jambs. Each of the standing figures is classically attired bearing incense burners and are raised on triple block footblocks. English circa 1805.
Notes: In the manner of Sir Richard Westmacott Jr, Sculptor, Royal Academy (1775 – 1856) and very similar to the chimneypiece in The Dining Room at 18, later 19 Grosvenor Square in Mayfair, London W1- image below. This great house was designed and built around 1728 by Edward Shepherd, the proprietor of Shepherds Market off Curzon Street also in Mayfair and was sold in 1730 to the 7th Earl of Thanet. The 8th Earl employed Robert Adam in 1765 to renovate the Georgian interior and further renovation in the Adam Revival manner was carried out in 1880 by Frederick Arthur of Motcomb Street, Belgravia.
The house was demolished in 1933 & the last owner Lady Beecham, wife of Sir Thomas Beecham the conductor, removed the Chimneypieces to Clopton House in Warwickshire.
Link to: Antique English Regency chimneypieces inc. George IV fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
| External |
78 7⁄8"
200.5 cms |
51 3⁄8"
130.5 cms |
14"
35.5 cms |
| Internal |
48"
122 cms |
37 13⁄16"
96 cms |
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Stock: 13413
A Louis XVI French antique chimneypiece mantel in boldly veined white statuary marble. The shelf over a stem edged entwined panel on the frieze and, square floral paterae endblocks over canted scrolled jambs. Similar to SNo 14406. French 19th century.
Link to: Antique French chimneypieces inc. Louis XVI, French Empire fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
| External |
61 3⁄8"
156 cms |
43 1⁄4"
110 cms |
15 3⁄16"
38.5 cms |
| Internal |
44 1⁄2"
113 cms |
33 1⁄2"
85 cms |
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Stock: 13256
A very large and graceful fireplace, carved in white Bianco Pi marble, with panelled jambs and frieze, topped with huge scrolled acanthus corbels supporting the substantial shelf. Known London Provenance.
English late 19th century.
Link to: Antique Victorian, William IV and Edwardian fireplaces and chimneypieces.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
| External |
78"
198 cms |
49 3⁄16"
125 cms |
14 13⁄16"
37.5 cms |
| Internal |
39 3⁄8"
100 cms |
38"
96.5 cms |
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Stock: 11963
A large and richly carved French Louis XV cheminee. In profusely figured Breche Violette marble the substantial serpentine shelf is supported on the panelled frieze centred with a high relief carved floral shell cartouche, supported on panelled jambs. French, early 19th century.
Link to: Antique Rococo Chimneypieces inc Louis XV English Scottish Chippendale Rococo fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
| External |
72 13⁄16"
185 cms |
47 3⁄8"
120.5 cms |
17 7⁄8"
45.5 cms |
| Internal |
53 7⁄8"
137 cms |
38"
96.5 cms |
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Stock: 13412
A large Portoro marble Louis XVI style chimneypiece with a central floral cartouche, beading around the frieze and endblock paterae. The shelf is highly, though delicately veined, with orange and gold, yellow and brown veining.
French, 1860s.
Notes: Varieties of Portoro Marble have been found in different parts of the world but the marble used to make this chimneypiece is of fine quality and almost certainly came from the quarries on the Island of Palmaria, in the gulf of La Spezia, Italy. This marble was discovered and first extracted in Roman times and is rightly regarded worldwide as a luxury marble because of the high quality and the distinctive black and gold veining.
Link to: Antique French chimneypieces inc. Louis XVI, French Empire fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
| External |
62"
157.5 cms |
42 11⁄16"
108.5 cms |
15 3⁄8"
39 cms |
| Internal |
44 1⁄8"
112 cms |
31 7⁄8"
81 cms |
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Stock: 9902
A tall and impressive Italian Palazzo chimneypiece in the Renaissance manner richly carved in high relief statuary marble. The frieze of this grand fireplace mantel centred with a cameo nobleman's profile flanked by griffins and scrolling foliate decoration, the jambs with panels of urns, fruit & vines and carved capitals.
Italian, 19th century.
Link to: Antique Renaissance, Gothic Tudor Fireplace mantels and Chimneypieces: 1260 - 1600
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
| External |
91 1⁄8"
231.4 cms |
72 3⁄16"
183.5 cms |
17 1⁄2"
44.4 cms |
| Internal |
65 11⁄16"
167 cms |
54"
137.2 cms |
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Stock: 10667
A grand and imposing 19th century marble antique chimneypiece mantel in the Palladian manner. The substantial white statuary marble shelf over a barrel frieze in Verde Tinos marble inlaid with a Statuary and Sienna marble guilloche pattern centred and flanked by three high relief carved Siena marble Roman lion masks supported on massive " C " scrolled brackets above strapwork decoration on the jambs. Italian, late 19th century.
Link to a section showing full range of similar/related neo-classical chimneypieces
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width |
height |
depth |
| External |
85 13⁄16"
218 cms |
60 3⁄16"
153 cms |
15"
38.1 cms |
| Internal |
53 1⁄8"
135 cms |
42 1⁄8"
107 cms |
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Stock: 11565
An exceptional and rare period Louis XV Rococo chimneypiece mantel in Fior di Pesco Apuano marble. The serpentine shelf and frieze is centred by a richly carved clam shell and foliate cartouche, flanked by deeply moulded panels, c-scrolls and generously carved shield ends supported on stop fluted scrolling console jambs, enriched with fish scales and clam shell detail. French, 18th century.
Link to: Antique Rococo Chimneypieces inc Louis XV English Scottish Chippendale Rococo fireplace mantels.
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width |
height |
depth |
| External |
75 3⁄16"
191 cms |
48 5⁄8"
123.5 cms |
20 7⁄8"
53 cms |
| Internal |
50 13⁄16"
129 cms |
38 5⁄8"
98 cms |
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Stock: 13403
A strong and sturdy large Belgian Black Marble antique chimneypiece in the manner of Louis XVI, the panelled frieze centred with a diamond lozenge, the endblocks with framed bosses above large acanthus decorated jambs supported on sympathetically large lion paw feet and moulded footblocks.
French 19th century.
Link to: Antique French chimneypieces inc. Louis XVI, French Empire fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
| External |
54"
137.2 cms |
39"
99 cms |
15 11⁄16"
40 cms |
| Internal |
38 13⁄16"
98.5 cms |
29 1⁄8"
74 cms |
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Stock: 9032
A boldly featured French Baroque antique chimneypiece in white, blue and purple veined Pavonazza marble. The angled scrolled jambs support a multi- moulded shelf over a panelled frieze centred by a large central scrolled cartouche in the manner of a heraldic Italian 'stemma nobiliare'. French, mid 19th century.
Link to: Antique Baroque Chimneypieces inc English, Italian, French, Flemish Bolection fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
| External |
68 1⁄8"
173 cms |
42 1⁄8"
107 cms |
18 11⁄16"
47.5 cms |
| Internal |
40 7⁄8"
104 cms |
31 1⁄4"
79.5 cms |
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Stock: 7979
An elegant and large Regency fireplace mantel in solid Sienna marble with tapering jambs, simply moulded capitals and shelf, in the manner of the Egyptian Revival.
Scottish, circa 1820.
Link to: Antique English Regency chimneypieces inc. George IV fireplace mantels.
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width |
height |
depth |
| external |
79 13⁄16"
202.6 cms |
50 11⁄16"
128.9 cms |
12 3⁄16"
31.1 cms |
| internal |
43 1⁄4"
109.9 cms |
39 1⁄4"
99.7 cms |
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Stock: 12487
An imposing finely carved white Carrara Marble Fireplace Surround in the Louis XV Rococo manner. The serpentine shelf over the elaborately carved central floral cartouche, supported on side-facing scrolled jambs.
French, mid 19th century.
Link to: Antique Rococo Chimneypieces inc Louis XV English Scottish Chippendale Rococo fireplace mantels.
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width |
height |
depth |
| External |
64"
162.5 cms |
44 11⁄16"
113.5 cms |
17 1⁄8"
43.5 cms |
| Internal |
38 3⁄16"
97 cms |
34 1⁄4"
87 cms |
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Stock: 11098
A strikingly grand Louis XV Rococo antique fireplace mantel in pale green ribboned Campan marble. Unusually tall for a French chimneypiece, the generous and fine carving in high relief under the large serpentine shelf features an ornate floral shell central cartouche with lower scrolling, flanked by inset panels and large "C" scrolled endblockings with ribbed concave shells supported on further scrolled canted jambs. Provenance: Pall Mall, in the borough of Westminster in London. French mid 19th century.
Link to: Antique Rococo Chimneypieces inc Louis XV English Scottish Chippendale Rococo fireplace mantels.
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width |
height |
depth |
| External |
67 7⁄8"
172.5 cms |
46 13⁄16"
118.9 cms |
20 13⁄16"
52.9 cms |
| Internal |
47 3⁄16"
120 cms |
37 11⁄16"
95.8 cms |
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Stock: 13385
An elegant white Statuary Marble Chimneypiece in the late Georgian manner, the central Jasperware plaque on the frieze depicting maidens and children at a flower market with bouquets and sprays of flowers, flanked by a pair of ornate athemion carvings echoed on the endblocks and with fluted jambs terminating in ribboned swags.
English, circa 1870s.
Link to a section showing full range of similar/related neo-classical chimneypieces
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
| External |
54 1⁄8"
137.5 cms |
43 11⁄16"
111 cms |
6 1⁄4"
16 cms |
| Internal |
39 3⁄8"
100 cms |
36 3⁄16"
92 cms |
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Stock: 11558
A large Louis XV period Rococo fireplace mantel in Sarrancolin marble, the serpentine contoured shelf over a scrolled shell central cartouche flanked by the panelled frieze terminating in canted endblocks descending on further carved and fluted jambs. French, mid 18th century.
Link to: Antique Rococo Chimneypieces inc Louis XV English Scottish Chippendale Rococo fireplace mantels.
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width |
height |
depth |
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73 5⁄8"
187 cms |
48 3⁄16"
122.5 cms |
15 11⁄16"
40 cms |
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56 1⁄8"
142.5 cms |
38 5⁄8"
98 cms |
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Stock: 8958
A large Flemish chimneypiece in black fossil marble with Tinos green marble panels, a gadrooned undershelf, fluted brackets and full round columns. Awaits re- polishing.19th century.
Link to: Antique Renaissance, Gothic Tudor Fireplace mantels and Chimneypieces: 1260 - 1600
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
| External |
70 7⁄8"
180.2 cms |
73"
185.5 cms |
18"
45.7 cms |
| Internal |
40 5⁄8"
103 cms |
53 3⁄16"
135.2 cms |
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Stock: 11198
A rare George I English Fireplace Mantel in white statuary marble. This is an original early period chimneypiece elegantly proportioned and carved from the solid in three elements in the Baroque manner of the Lombardy region of Italy. The shelf is carved with a neat moulding from a single block integral with the delicately panelled frieze which is centred with a typical asymmetric central stylised floral cartouche, flanked by further smaller floral motifs on the upper jamb panels, also carved from the solid.
English early 18th century circa 1720.
Link to: Antique English Regency chimneypieces inc. Louis XVI, French Empire and George IV fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
| External |
65 11⁄16"
167 cms |
48 3⁄8"
123 cms |
6 7⁄8"
17.5 cms |
| Internal |
43 1⁄2"
110.5 cms |
41 1⁄8"
104.5 cms |
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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
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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 |
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Stock: 12565
A GRANDLY PROPORTIONED BAROQUE REVIVAL FIREPLACE CARVED IN blue and purple veined white Pavonazzo marble. The breakfronted shelf supported over the geometrically patterned frieze over panelled and fluted jambs with massive side-facing scrolled supports. French, late 19th century.
Link to: Antique Baroque Chimneypieces inc English, Italian, French, Flemish Bolection fireplace mantels.
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width |
height |
depth |
| External |
70 7⁄8"
180 cms |
41 7⁄8"
106.5 cms |
16 11⁄16"
42.3 cms |
| Internal |
42 1⁄2"
108 cms |
29 1⁄2"
75 cms |
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Stock: 8888
An unusual and attractive Rococo Revival antique fireplace in the manner of Louis Majorelle (1859 -1926) carved in Carrara Marble. Louis Majorelle was a prolific French designer and later an exponent of Art Nouveau design at the Ecole de Nancy.
French late 19th century.
Notes: The Nancy School, founded in 1901 by Émile Gallé, Victor Prouvé, Louis Majorelle, Antonin Daum and Eugène Vallin in the city of Nancy in Lorraine, was prominent in the Art Nouveau movement.
Link to: Antique Rococo Chimneypieces inc Louis XV English Scottish Chippendale Rococo fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
| External |
61 13⁄16"
157 cms |
43 1⁄2"
110.5 cms |
15 7⁄8"
40.5 cms |
| Internal |
46 1⁄8"
117 cms |
35 3⁄8"
90 cms |
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Stock: 13349
A large & elegant English Statuary Marble Victorian fireplace with inlaid Spanish Brocatelle Marble on the frieze and jambs set within delicately carved entwined stem edged panels, the endblocks carved with putti, festoons & bird and all supported on substantial footblocks.
English, early to mid 19th century.
Link to: Antique Victorian, William IV and Edwardian fireplaces and chimneypieces.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
| Width |
79 7⁄8"
203 cms |
55 1⁄2"
141 cms |
15 3⁄16"
38.5 cms |
| Height |
41 7⁄8"
106.5 cms |
38 5⁄8"
98 cms |
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Stock: 13366
An unusually large Louis XVI style, Breche Violette Marble Fireplace Surround.
The frieze with an acanthus style cartouche framed by beaded edging, the endblocks with floral paterae, and with acanthus leaves carved in high relief on the jambs.
French 19th century.
Link to: Antique French chimneypieces inc. Louis XVI, French Empire fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
| External |
61 5⁄8"
156.5 cms |
42 1⁄2"
108 cms |
15 5⁄8"
39.5 cms |
| Internal |
43 11⁄16"
111 cms |
32 1⁄8"
81.5 cms |
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Stock: 13322
A rather fine mid 19th century Victorian chimney piece in figured white statuary marble. The frieze, jambs and endblocks are boldly carved with a delicate profusion of trailing tendrils of clematis and passion flowers centred by acanthus leaf motifs.
English, 1850s.
Link to: Antique Victorian, William IV and Edwardian fireplaces and chimneypieces.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
| External |
70 1⁄4"
178.5 cms |
49"
124.5 cms |
13 3⁄16"
33.5 cms |
| Internal |
39"
99 cms |
38"
96.5 cms |
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Stock: 13394
A large white & grey veined Old English Marble fireplace surround in the Victorian Gothic manner, with typical Gothic tracery on the endblocks and acanthus leaf decoration on the spandrels..
Mid 19th century
Link to: Antique Renaissance, Gothic Tudor Fireplace mantels and Chimneypieces: 1260 - 1600
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
| External |
73 1⁄4"
186.3 cms |
54 1⁄4"
138 cms |
12 3⁄16"
31 cms |
| Internal |
40 7⁄8"
104 cms |
41 11⁄16"
106 cms |
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Stock: 6498
NOW SOLD AS 11963
A large and richly carved Louis XV Breche Violette marble chimneypiece, the substantial serpentine shelf above the panelled frieze centered by a highly carved shell cartouche and supported on panelled jambs.
French, early 19th century.
Link to: Antique Rococo Chimneypieces inc Louis XV English Scottish Chippendale Rococo fireplace mantels.
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Width |
height |
depth |
| External |
72 13⁄16"
185 cms |
47 3⁄8"
120.5 cms |
17 7⁄8"
45.5 cms |
| Internal |
53 11⁄16"
136.5 cms |
|
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Stock: 13286
An Arts & Crafts Specimen Marble Chimneypiece inlaid with Rouge Griotte, Biuxcarro Rosa, Belgian Black, White Statuary, Yellow Sienna, Grey Bardiglio and Green Connemara in strongly accented geometric designs on the end blocks and hints of Gothic tracery carving throughout.
English, circa1890.
Link to: Antique Arts and Crafts, Aesthetic, Art Nouveau mantels and Art Deco fireplaces and chimneypieces.
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
| External |
69 11⁄16"
177 cms |
51 5⁄8"
131 cms |
12 3⁄16"
31 cms |
| Internal |
38"
96.5 cms |
39"
99 cms |
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Stock: 13285
An Arts and Crafts Gothic Revival stye blue grey Bardiglio Marble fireplace surround with pleasant glass mosaic detail on the spandrels, an arched opening and plain moulded jambs.
English, c.1850.
Link to: Antique Arts and Crafts, Aesthetic, Art Nouveau mantels and Art Deco fireplaces and chimneypieces.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
| External |
56 13⁄16"
144.2 cms |
45 5⁄8"
115.7 cms |
5 1⁄8"
13 cms |
| Internal |
46 11⁄16"
118.7 cms |
40"
101.6 cms |
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Stock: 13280
MYSTICAL MYTHICAL MAN: An exquisite Louis XV Cheminee, carved in high relief in veined ivory Pavonazzetto marble. The serpentine shelf over a shaped frieze with a finely defined large central shell cartouche, flanked by leafy adorned spandrels, the end blocks with carved effigys of the mythical Green Man with oak leaf beards above scrolled fielded jambs with tumbling acanthus leaf decoration and highly veined and intricately carved acanthus footblocks.
French, circa 1870s.
Link to: Antique Rococo Chimneypieces inc Louis XV English Scottish Chippendale Rococo fireplace mantels.
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
| External |
59 1⁄8"
150 cms |
42 7⁄8"
109 cms |
16 1⁄8"
41 cms |
| Internal |
41 1⁄2"
105.5 cms |
36"
91.5 cms |
|
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Sold
Stock: 6561
MYSTICAL MYTHICAL MAN: An exquisite Louis XV Cheminee, carved in high relief in veined ivory Pavonazzetto marble. The serpentine shelf over a shaped frieze with a finely defined large central shell cartouche, flanked by leafy adorned spandrels, the end blocks with carved effigys of the mythical Green Man with oak leaf beards above scrolled fielded jambs with tumbling acanthus leaf decoration and highly veined and intricately carved acanthus footblocks.
French, circa 1870s.
NOW SNo 13280
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
| External |
59 1⁄8"
150 cms |
42 7⁄8"
109 cms |
16 1⁄8"
41 cms |
| Internal |
41 1⁄2"
105.5 cms |
36"
91.5 cms |
|
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Sold
Stock: 13180
A beautiful carved Statuary Marble Scottish Rococo fireplace in the Louis XV manner, with a moulded serpentine shelf above a large and intricate floral cartouche held within extending acanthus leaves and with elaborately carved end blocks above tumbling acanthus leaves and bellflowers on the jambs.
Scottish, circa 1850.
Link to: Antique Rococo Chimneypieces inc Louis XV English Scottish Chippendale Rococo fireplace mantels.
|
width |
height |
depth |
| External |
60 5⁄8"
154 cms |
45 11⁄16"
116 cms |
14 3⁄16"
36 cms |
| Internal |
40 3⁄8"
102.5 cms |
37"
94 cms |
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Sold
Stock: 13174
A stunning and unusual Italian Pavonazzetto Bianco marble fireplace, carved in the French court manner of Louis XV, with a moulded serpentine shelf over a carved scrolling shell cartouche, flanked by panels, with delicate acanthus endblocks, over scrolled and fluted jambs.
French 19th century.
Link to: Antique Rococo Chimneypieces inc Louis XV English Scottish Chippendale Rococo fireplace mantels.
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
| External |
59 13⁄16"
152 cms |
43 11⁄16"
111 cms |
15 11⁄16"
40 cms |
| Internal |
43 1⁄4"
110 cms |
33 1⁄2"
85 cms |
|
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.