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: 15178
An elegant Louis XVI style fireplace surround, finely carved in Arabascato marble. The fluted frieze, beneath the moulded shelf, with a central floral garland panel is flanked by round rosette paterae on the endblocks. The fluted volute jambs topped by tumbling floral festoons and scrolled feet supported on sturdy footblocks. French, mid 19th century.
Link to: Antique French chimneypieces inc. Louis XVI, French Empire fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
71 1⁄4" 181 cms |
47 3⁄8" 120.4 cms |
14 5⁄8" 37 cms |
Internal |
50 13⁄16" 129 cms |
36 7⁄8" 93.8 cms |
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Stock: 13556
A carved Louis XVI style chimneypiece in Arabascata marble with a simple moulded shelf, floral garlands on the frieze and with fluted jambs decorated with large bellflowers.
French, circa 1850.
Link to: Antique French chimneypieces inc. Louis XVI, French Empire fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
65 3⁄16" 165.5 cms |
47" 119.5 cms |
13 5⁄8" 34.5 cms |
Internal |
43 1⁄2" 110.5 cms |
32 1⁄4" 82 cms |
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Stock: 15292
A Statuary marble Regency chimneypiece. The moulded shelf above a panelled frieze, centred by a roundel, is supported by a pair of tapering, finely moulded, freestanding slender columns raised on stepped footblocks. Elegant in it's simplicity.
English, circa1820.
Link to: Antique English Regency chimneypieces inc. George IV fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
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67 11⁄16" 172 cms |
49 3⁄16" 125 cms |
11 13⁄16" 30 cms |
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45 1⁄4" 115 cms |
40 7⁄8" 104 cms |
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Stock: 15421
A Regency Welsh Heather slate chimneypiece in an aubergine hue. The moulded shelf above a cushioned frieze, centred by a rosette panel, flanked by large acanthus corbels above cushion moulded jambs.
English, circa 1830.
Link to: Antique Victorian, William IV and Edwardian fireplaces and chimneypieces.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
60 3⁄16" 153 cms |
44 1⁄8" 112.1 cms |
9 1⁄8" 23.2 cms |
Internal |
34 11⁄16" 88.1 cms |
35 11⁄16" 90.8 cms |
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Stock: 15404
A traditional Victorian Statuary marble fire surround. The moulded shelf rests above a plain frieze flanked by large corbels, with shell detail skirts, on wide jambs raised on large footblocks. Similar to but smaller than fireplace SNo 15185. English, circa 1860.
Shown here with firegrate SNo 15243 not included.
Link to: Antique Victorian, William IV and Edwardian fireplaces and chimneypieces.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
65 11⁄16" 167 cms |
44 1⁄2" 113 cms |
11 3⁄8" 29 cms |
Internal |
36 3⁄8" 92.5 cms |
36 3⁄16" 92 cms |
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Stock: 14684
A small French Carrara Marble antique fireplace surround in the Louis XVI style with its original ornate cast iron insert. The frieze, centred by a finely carved laurel wreath trailing sprays of laurel to ether side, is flanked by acanthus adorned rounded endblocks above half round attached fluted columned jambs supported on curved footblocks. French, mid 19th century.
Link to: Antique French chimneypieces inc. Louis XVI, French Empire fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
52 13⁄16" 134 cms |
41 1⁄4" 105 cms |
15 7⁄8" 40.3 cms |
Internal |
41 1⁄4" 105 cms |
34 3⁄16" 86.8 cms |
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Stock: 14666
A 19th century polished Belgian Black and Verde Antico marble Flemish fireplace surround in the High Renaissance style. The moulded shelf rests above a panelled frieze with a verde antico central lozenge and cushioned marble panels flanked by square bossed endblocks above tapering, full round free standing verde antico marble columns resting on sturdy footblocks.
Flemish, 19th century.
Link to: Antique Renaissance, Gothic Tudor Fireplace mantels and Chimneypieces: 1260 - 1600
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
60 13⁄16" 154.5 cms |
51 3⁄16" 130 cms |
14 3⁄8" 36.5 cms |
Internal |
35 3⁄16" 89.5 cms |
38 5⁄8" 98 cms |
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Stock: 10088
A small Regency antique fireplace surround in Statuary and inlaid Spanish Brocatelle marble. The frieze, beneath the moulded shelf, is inset with fluted Brocatelle panels and is centred by a Brocatelle roundel echoed on the end blocks. The plain inlaid fluted jambs are raised on simple foot blocks. Provenance known. English, early 19th century.
Shown here with fire grate SNo 14205 now sold separately.
Link to: Antique English Regency chimneypieces inc. George IV fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
53 1⁄2" 136 cms |
45 1⁄2" 115.5 cms |
7 7⁄8" 20 cms |
Internal |
35 3⁄16" 89.5 cms |
37 1⁄8" 94.3 cms |
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Stock: 14974
A fine Regency fireplace surround in pure white Statuary Marble. Beautifully elegant in its simplicity. The twin cushioned panelled frieze, beneath the moulded shelf, is centred by a tablet depicting a reclining Venus, holding aloft a rose, beside a basket of flowers with her temple in the distance.The endblocks with large rosette paterae above cushioned panelled jambs.
English, circa 1810.
Link to: Antique English Regency chimneypieces inc. George IV fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
65" 165 cms |
45 1⁄2" 115.5 cms |
8 11⁄16" 22.2 cms |
Internal |
46 1⁄8" 117 cms |
38 3⁄8" 97.5 cms |
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Stock: 14854
A substantial Louis XV chimneypiece in boldly veined Pavonazzo marble. The deeply moulded shelf is set above a panelled serpentine frieze, which is centred with a Rocaille shell cartouche and foliate detail. The C-scroll and shell endblocks sit above acanthus scrolled, angled console jambs.
French, circa 1860.
Link to: Antique Rococo Chimneypieces inc Louis XV English Scottish Chippendale Rococo fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
75" 190.5 cms |
49 5⁄8" 126 cms |
16 7⁄8" 43 cms |
Internal |
48" 122 cms |
39 13⁄16" 101 cms |
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Stock: 15278
A very fine Louis XVI antique chimneypiece in a lightly veined, soft grey Bardiglio marble. The stepped shelf, with a bead and reel under band, rests on a beautifully carved foliate frieze of scrolling acanthus leaves framing a small floral cartouche above a band of bound rod moulding. Flanking the frieze are large square floral paterae supported on bold, stopped fluted volute jambs. French, mid 19th century.
Link to: Antique French chimneypieces inc. Louis XVI, French Empire fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
63 1⁄2" 161.3 cms |
47 5⁄8" 121 cms |
15" 38 cms |
Internal |
43 7⁄8" 111.5 cms |
36 5⁄8" 93 cms |
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Stock: 15360
A Louis XVI style Breche Violette Marble chimneypiece, with fine violet, rose, blue and gold veining on a white background. The breakfront shelf, with a moulded edge, rests above a wide fluted frieze flanked by rosette paterae on the endblocks above stop fluted jambs raised on stepped footblocks. Slightly smaller but similar to chimneypiece SNo 15366.
French, late 19th century.
Notes: Breche Violette Marble is an increasingly rare marble quarried near the town of Serravezza, close to the Carrara region in Italy. It is often found in grand Italian churches and was used to create the columns in the galleries of the Louvre Museum in Paris.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
50 7⁄8" 129.3 cms |
42 1⁄4" 107.4 cms |
14 1⁄4" 36.3 cms |
Internal |
35 1⁄4" 89.6 cms |
32 5⁄8" 82.7 cms |
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Stock: 14475
An elegant French Rococo style antique fireplace in finely figured black and gold Portoro marble, with a shaped opening and angled, panelled jambs. Shown here with firegrate SNo 13081 not included in the price.
French, late 19th century.
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 Rococo Chimneypieces inc Louis XV English Scottish Chippendale Rococo fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
59 1⁄8" 150 cms |
40 5⁄8" 103 cms |
15" 38 cms |
Internal |
44 7⁄8" 114 cms |
35" 89 cms |
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Stock: 15251
A Louis XVI style antique chimneypiece in softly hued grey, black and white Arabascato Marble. The moulded breakfront shelf rests above a stop fluted frieze flanked by finely carved floral endblocks. The scrolled stop fluted jambs are supported on sturdy footblocks in front of deep side returns.
French, late 19th century.
Notes: Arabascato Marble is from a bedrock quarry in the Apuan Mountains near Carrara in Italy and is a classic Italian marble. The black veining on the pure white background is synonymous with opulence and luxury and its simplicity works very well in both contemporary or traditional interiors.
Link to: Antique French chimneypieces inc. Louis XVI, French Empire fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
57 3⁄16" 145.4 cms |
42 3⁄8" 107.7 cms |
17 1⁄2" 44.4 cms |
Internal |
40 5⁄8" 103.2 cms |
33" 83.8 cms |
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Stock: 15335
A delicately carved Louis XV style pure white Carrara Marble antique Rococo fire surround. The shaped breakfront moulded shelf sits above a panelled serpentine frieze, centred by a floral cartouche framed with acanthus leaves, and flanked by roll topped floral endblocks. The angled scrolled jambs terminating in rolled acanthus detail are supported on sturdy, curved footblocks. French, circa 1880.
Link to: Antique Rococo Chimneypieces inc Louis XV English Scottish Chippendale Rococo fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
53 1⁄2" 136 cms |
42 1⁄4" 107.5 cms |
15 7⁄8" 40.5 cms |
Internal |
38 1⁄2" 97.8 cms |
35 3⁄16" 89.5 cms |
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Stock: 9940
A very smart Louis XVI antique fireplace in Green Campan ribboned Marble. The curved breakfront shelf, supported on fluted guilloche decorated side panels, is set above a bow fronted frieze carved with interlocking guilloche motif flanked by floral paterae endblocks over scrolled, fluted and angled jambs with attractive side serrations.
French 19th century.
Link to: Antique French chimneypieces inc. Louis XVI, French Empire fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
70 1⁄4" 178.5 cms |
47 3⁄8" 120.5 cms |
12 7⁄8" 32.7 cms |
Internal |
48 5⁄8" 123.5 cms |
37 13⁄16" 96 cms |
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Stock: 15274
A small 20th century Neoclassical style Statuary Marble chimneypiece in the manner of Adam with a Sienna Marble frieze and ingrounds. The frieze is centred by a Statuary Marble tablet
which features a pair of seated cherubs either side of a bust of Homer within a classical landscape. One cherub has a hand on Homers forehead, the other has a hand on an open book and both are holding bones the whole possibly a representation of Learning. The tablet is flanked by a pair of carved ewers on the endblocks set above jambs fronted by elegant Statuary ionic pilasters raised on neat footblocks. Removed from a house in Cornwall. English, mid 20th century.
Link to a section showing full range of similar/related neo-classical chimneypieces
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
62" 157.5 cms |
51 1⁄8" 129.7 cms |
7 1⁄4" 18.5 cms |
Internal |
38 1⁄4" 97.3 cms |
38" 96.5 cms |
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Stock: 7686
A delicate Louis XVI style veined Statuary Marble and gilt ormolu antique fireplace mantel. The panelled frieze,with ormolu bell flower swags, is flanked by square ormolu paterae end blocks supported on stop fluted pilaster jambs decorated with ormolu husks.
French, late 19th century.
Link to: Antique French chimneypieces inc. Louis XVI, French Empire fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
57 1⁄2" 146 cms |
42" 106.7 cms |
17 3⁄16" 43.8 cms |
Internal |
40 11⁄16" 103.5 cms |
32" 81.3 cms |
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Stock: 15269
A fine Louis XVI chimneypiece in a lightly veined dove grey Bardiglio Marble with fine ormolu mounts. This antique fireplace surround embodies the Louis XVI style, with sweeping acanthus corbels and acanthus paterae, centred by a ribbon and laurel frieze.
French, late 19th century.
Link to: Antique French chimneypieces inc. Louis XVI, French Empire fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
62 3⁄16" 158 cms |
44 1⁄8" 112 cms |
16 1⁄2" 42 cms |
Internal |
40 3⁄8" 102.7 cms |
32" 81.3 cms |
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Stock: 14767
An elegantly simple Carrara Marble moulded bolection fireplace surround raised on sturdy footblocks.. English, circa 1910.
Link to: Antique Baroque Chimneypieces inc English, Italian, French, Flemish Bolection fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
52 3⁄8" 133 cms |
49 3⁄16" 125 cms |
3 7⁄8" 10 cms |
Internal |
36 3⁄16" 92 cms |
41 1⁄8" 104.5 cms |
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Stock: 15232
A small French Rococo Carrara Marble fireplace surround. The moulded serpentine shelf rests above a panelled frieze centred by a carved acanthus spray. The angled panelled jambs surmounted by corbelled endlblocks are supported on neat footblocks. French, late 19th century.
Link to: Antique Rococo Chimneypieces inc Louis XV English Scottish Chippendale Rococo fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
50 13⁄16" 129 cms |
41 7⁄8" 106.5 cms |
15 5⁄8" 39.5 cms |
Internal |
34 3⁄8" 87.5 cms |
35" 89 cms |
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Stock: 15234
An early Georgian style white statuary marble fire surround with a verde antico Marble frieze and breccia verde seravezza slips and jambs. The frieze, beneath a moulded shelf, is mounted with a central plaque of stylised urn, bellflowers and scrolling acanthus leaves and is supported by a pair of large and finely carved caryatids fronting the jambs. English, early 20th century with mid 19th century elements.
Shown here with firegrate SNo 14236 not included.
Link to: Antique English Regency chimneypieces inc. George IV fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
60" 152.3 cms |
48" 122 cms |
8 1⁄8" 20.5 cms |
Internal |
40" 101.5 cms |
38 1⁄8" 96.7 cms |
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Stock: 14207
An unusually tall and elegant Louis XV style Rococo antique fireplace, including a decorative insert, in richly veined Saint Anne marble. The deeply moulded serpentine shelf is set above the panelled frieze, centred by a carved Rococo clam shell cartouche, flanked by smaller shell endblock over tall angled, scrolled and panelled console jambs.
French, late 19th century.
Note. The last two images show the fireplace with the later decorative steel and brass insert on a wooden frame. It is not suitable for use with a real fire.
View our collection of: Antique Rococo Chimneypieces inc Louis XV English Scottish Chippendale Rococo fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
61" 155 cms |
50" 127 cms |
15 3⁄16" 38.5 cms |
Internal |
44 1⁄8" 112 cms |
43 11⁄16" 111 cms |
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Stock: 15061
A Louis XV Sienna Marble Rococo style fire surround. The serpentine shaped breakfront shelf, with podium to either end, rests above a split panelled frieze centred by a rocaille cartouche. The scrolled foliate endblocks sit above angled volute jambs with carved acanthus leaf to the bottom above shaped footblocks. French, mid 19th century.
Shown here with andirons SNo 12469 not included.
Link to: Antique Rococo Chimneypieces inc Louis XV English Scottish Chippendale Rococo fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
57 7⁄8" 147 cms |
44 3⁄8" 112.7 cms |
15 11⁄16" 40 cms |
Internal |
37 13⁄16" 96 cms |
37" 94 cms |
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Stock: 14405
A Louis XV Rococo style chimneypiece in fine Carrara Marble. The shaped moulded shelf sits above a panelled frieze centred by a large acanthus wrapped shell cartouche with rosette medallions to either side. Large scrolled acanthus endblocks rest above angled stop fluted volute jambs. A near pair to Stock No 14189.
French, late 19th century.
Shown here with firebasket SNo 14236 not included.
Link to: Antique Rococo Chimneypieces inc Louis XV English Scottish Chippendale Rococo fireplace mantels.
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shelf width |
height |
depth |
External |
60 3⁄8" 153.5 cms |
43 1⁄8" 109.5 cms |
16 7⁄8" 43 cms |
Internal |
42 1⁄8" 107 cms |
35" 88.8 cms |
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Stock: 14721
A large Louis XV style chimneypiece in finely figured Italian Arabescato Marble. The wide serpentine shelf of this antique fire surround rests on the panelled frieze which is centred by a finely carved classical female mask with acanthus leaf scrolls above the shaped opening. The endblocks bear smaller masks above tapering, angled volute jambs. French, circa 1870.
Please note photos before restoration.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
75 5⁄8" 192 cms |
49 5⁄8" 126 cms |
15 11⁄16" 40 cms |
Internal |
50 5⁄8" 128.5 cms |
42 1⁄2" 108 cms |
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Stock: 15221
A Victorian chimneypiece in dark grey and white figured St Anne Marble. The moulded shelf of this antique fireplace sits above the plain frieze and is supported by a pair of simple corbels on plain jambs raised on sturdy footblocks.
English, circa 1870.
The St Anne Marble quarries are located at Gougnies, near Charleroi and at Biesme in the province of Namur in Belgium.
Link to: Antique Victorian, William IV and Edwardian fireplaces and chimneypieces.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
66 1⁄8" 168 cms |
47 5⁄8" 121 cms |
11" 28 cms |
Internal |
38 3⁄16" 97 cms |
38 3⁄16" 97 cms |
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Stock: 10819
A wide moulded Bolection chimneypiece in veined green Tinos Verde Marble the jambs raised on shaped footblocks. English circa 1860.
Link to: Antique Baroque Chimneypieces inc English, Italian, French, Flemish Bolection fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
63" 160 cms |
42 7⁄8" 109 cms |
5 1⁄8" 13 cms |
Internal |
51 3⁄16" 130 cms |
37" 94 cms |
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Stock: 15195
A late 18th century Georgian chimneypiece carved in Statuary Marble with Verde Antico frieze panels and slips to the opening.
This chimneypiece was carved by the sculptor Thomas Carter (d.1795) and designed by the architect Charles Cameron, who installed it at 15 Hanover Square, London W1 c.1774 - a property which has subsequently been demolished.
It was almost certainly designed for one of the principle rooms in the house. The Statuary Marble chimneypiece is boldly carved, uniting both Neoclassical and Palladian ideals to create an ornate yet elegantly balanced piece. The central tablet is carved in high relief with a depiction of putti representing the Arts, Sciences, Knowledge and Industry. It is centred on the frieze beneath the wide breakfront shelf and is in turn flanked by a pair of large stylised, foliate endblocks which sit above the sweeping console jambs.
English, circa 1774.
Provenance: 15 Hanover Square was designed in the 1770s by the architect Charles Cameron for Jervoise Clark (1743-1808) Member of Parliament for Yarmouth, on the Isle of Wight. The chimneypiece was installed there in the 1770s. It was taken out when the house was demolished in 1904 and was subsequently promoted by prominent antique dealers of the time among them Mr Pratt, Messrs Keeble, Gill & Reigate & Sir Charles Allom. It was Illustrated in English Chimneypieces by Guy Cadogan Rothery published by John Tiranti in 1927 (please see the scanned image below).
Link to a section showing full range of similar/related neo-classical chimneypieces
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
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86 3⁄16" 219 cms |
63 1⁄2" 161.2 cms |
12" 30.6 cms |
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47 5⁄8" 121 cms |
43 11⁄16" 111 cms |
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Stock: 14203
A fine Louis XV style Rococo chimneypiece carved in Carrara Marble together with its original ornate cast iron insert. The serpentine shaped breakfront shelf, with podium to either end, rests above a split panelled frieze with a central shell cartouche flanked by
scrolled foliate endblocks which sit above angled volute jamb terminating in scrolled acanthus feet above curved footblocks. French, late 19th century.
Link to: Antique Rococo Chimneypieces inc Louis XV English Scottish Chippendale Rococo fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
60 13⁄16" 154.5 cms |
42 1⁄4" 107.5 cms |
16 1⁄4" 41.5 cms |
Internal |
44" 111.8 cms |
32 1⁄8" 81.5 cms |
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Stock: 14300
A graceful Louis XVI lightly veined Statuary Marble fire surround. The frieze, centred by a charming oval ormolu plaque with a depiction of cherub musicians, is flanked by inset panels with scrolling ormolu foliage. Applied ormolu wreaths adorn the endblocks set above tapering console jambs with a chain of descending ormolu beading and panels of patterned vents are set into the side returns. French, circa 1780.
Link to: Antique French chimneypieces inc. Louis XVI, French Empire fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
53 1⁄8" 135 cms |
42 1⁄8" 107 cms |
14" 35.5 cms |
Internal |
36 5⁄8" 93 cms |
32 1⁄8" 81.5 cms |
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Stock: 15217
A small Louis XVI style antique fireplace surround in softly figured Breche Violette Marble.The shaped and moulded shelf sits above a split panelled frieze centred by a carved rosette.The endblocks, enhanced with a pair of square floral paterae, rest above angled, stop fluted jambs supported on curved footblocks. French, circa 1880.
Shown here with andirons SNo 13840 not included.
Link to: Antique French chimneypieces inc. Louis XVI, French Empire fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
51 3⁄8" 130.5 cms |
43 1⁄8" 109.6 cms |
13 3⁄16" 33.6 cms |
Internal |
37 3⁄16" 94.5 cms |
33 11⁄16" 85.5 cms |
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Stock: 15109
A finely veined Carrara Marble Victorian corbel fireplace surround with large corbels supporting the wide moulded shelf. English, circa 1860.
Shown here with fire basket SNo 15069 not included.
Link to: Antique Victorian, William IV and Edwardian fireplaces and chimneypieces.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
71 1⁄8" 180.5 cms |
47 3⁄8" 120.5 cms |
13 1⁄8" 33.2 cms |
Internal |
38" 96.5 cms |
37 11⁄16" 95.8 cms |
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Stock: 8739
A carved white marble fireplace mantel in the English Regency Greek Revival manner with recessed panels and carved anthymion endblocks.
English 20th century.
Link to: Antique English Regency chimneypieces inc. George IV fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
74" 188 cms |
49 3⁄16" 125 cms |
11 3⁄8" 29 cms |
Internal |
44 1⁄2" 113 cms |
40" 101.5 cms |
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Stock: 14085
A small and delightful Louis XVI style antique fire surround crafted in boldly stated Breche Violette Marble together with its original rather fine steel and brass insert framed within a well defined brass overlapping laurel leaf band, the opening edged with a brass tongue and dart border.
French, late 19th century.
Link to: Antique French chimneypieces inc. Louis XVI, French Empire fireplace mantels.
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width |
height |
depth |
external |
49 3⁄8" 125.5 cms |
41 7⁄8" 106.5 cms |
14" 35.5 cms |
internal |
36 13⁄16" 93.5 cms |
35" 89 cms |
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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.