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: 15473
A simple and elegant St Anne marble corbel fireplace. The softly grey hued St Anne marble is gently veined and displayed to great effect on the plain shelf and jambs. The undulating corbels support a broad moulded shelf. Its' simplicity is enhanced by small bands of Belgian black marble above the corbels and footblocks, an unusual detail.
English, c.1870.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
67 7⁄8" 172.5 cms |
48" 122 cms |
11" 28 cms |
Internal |
38" 96.5 cms |
38" 96.5 cms |
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Stock: 15465
An elegant Louis XVI style 19th century fireplace, crisply carved from Carrara marble, with a finely carved central foliate paterae flanked by the split panelled frieze. The paterae endblocks are of the same acanthus form, and are supported by flat, stop fluted jambs, which in turn rest on plain footblocks. 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 3⁄16" 125 cms |
41 1⁄4" 105 cms |
15" 38 cms |
Internal |
32 7⁄8" 83.5 cms |
31 1⁄4" 79.5 cms |
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Stock: 15336
A most attractive Louis XVI style antique fire surround in rare Breche Violette Marble 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 fluted endblocks above stop fluted jambs raised on stepped footblocks. Similar to but slightly larger than chimneypiece SNo 15360.
French, late 19th century.
Notes: Breche Violette Marble is 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.
Link to: Antique French chimneypieces inc. Louis XVI, French Empire fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
57 1⁄4" 145.5 cms |
42 1⁄8" 107 cms |
14 3⁄8" 36.5 cms |
Internal |
39 5⁄8" 100.6 cms |
31 3⁄8" 79.7 cms |
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Stock: 15407
A Pompadour chimneypiece in a Campan Vert marble. The serpentine panelled frieze with flanked by rectangular endblocks above the angled, panelled and fielded jambs.
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 |
44 1⁄2" 113 cms |
38 13⁄16" 98.5 cms |
14 3⁄16" 36 cms |
Internal |
29 1⁄2" 75 cms |
32 11⁄16" 83 cms |
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Stock: 15442
An elegant Regency white Statuary and Spanish Brocatelle marble fireplace. The wide moulded shelf rests above a plain frieze set with a Brocatelle panel, oval paterae on the endblocks and further panels of Bracatelle are set into the jambs beneath acanthus capitals. The opening too is framed wth Brocatelle marble.
English, circa 1820.
Link to: Antique English Regency chimneypieces inc. George IV fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
76 1⁄8" 193.3 cms |
54 3⁄8" 138.1 cms |
8 1⁄4" 21 cms |
Internal |
43 11⁄16" 111 cms |
41 1⁄4" 105 cms |
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Stock: 15437
A French Carrara marble Louis XV style Rococo fireplace surround. The serpentine breakfront shelf rests above a fielded freeze centred by a large foliate cartouche echoed on the endblocks which sit above angled, panelled jambs supported on sturdy footblocks.
French, late 19th century.
View our collection of: Antique Rococo Chimneypieces inc Louis XV English Scottish Chippendale Rococo fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
62 3⁄16" 158 cms |
42 3⁄8" 107.6 cms |
16 1⁄2" 42 cms |
Internal |
45 1⁄8" 114.5 cms |
35 5⁄8" 90.5 cms |
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Stock: 15440
A Victorian black slate fireplace with corbels beneath a wide shelf. An abundant festoon of painted summer flowers adorns the frieze and more trail down each jamb. As with fireplace SNo 15441 the symbolism of flowers was a popular theme in Victorian Britain, with flowers adopted as symbols across the decorative arts. The art of floriography as it was called, was used to convey messages through the language of flowers.
English, circa 1870.
Link to: Antique Victorian, William IV and Edwardian fireplaces and chimneypieces.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
61 7⁄8" 157.3 cms |
44 7⁄8" 114.1 cms |
11" 28 cms |
Internal |
36 13⁄16" 93.5 cms |
35 5⁄8" 90.5 cms |
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Stock: 15333
A Louis XV Rococo chimneypiece in delightful Breche d'Alep marble. The shaped moulded shelf rests above a scrolled, panelled frieze centred by a foliate cartouche echoed on the endblocks. The tapering, angled and panelled console jambs are supported on curved footblocks. French, early 19th century.
Shown here with firegrate SNo 15243
Breche d'Alep marble was first quarried in 1712 in Tholonet in Bouches-du-Rhône. It is formed of large rounded fragments of browns, greys, reds or blacks usually on a yellow bed and was much used in the making of furniture and fireplaces during the 18th & 19th centuries.
Link to: Antique Rococo Chimneypieces inc Louis XV English Scottish Chippendale Rococo fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
60 3⁄16" 153 cms |
44 1⁄8" 112 cms |
7 7⁄8" 20 cms |
Internal |
45 1⁄4" 115 cms |
36 3⁄16" 92 cms |
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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: 15416
An elegant and large Bolection fire surround in warm, cream coloured Italian Travertine with evidence of sedimentary deposits, the outer moulding sweeping in to a cushioned frame around the wide opening.
English, or possibly Italian, early 20th century.
Travertine is a sedimentary form of limestone usually deposited by mineral springs. The Italian quarry of Guidonia Montecello was one of the quarries chosen by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the building of the famous Colonnade of St. Peter's Square in Rome in 1656–1667 and Michelangelo also chose Travertine as the material for the external ribs of the dome of St Peter's Basilica.
Link to: Antique Baroque Chimneypieces inc English, Italian, French, Flemish Bolection fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
63 7⁄8" 162.4 cms |
42 1⁄2" 108 cms |
3 1⁄2" 9 cms |
Internal |
47 3⁄16" 120 cms |
36 3⁄16" 92 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: 15279
A very beautiful Louis XVI style Pavonazzo Marble chimneypiece. The finely carved frieze, of interlocking floral roundels beneath the moulded stepped shelf, is flanked by floral endblocks above panelled volute jambs. Each jamb is topped with tumbling carved acanthus leaf detail and rests on sturdy footblocks. French, late 19th century..
Notes: Pavonazzo Marble is one of the many varieties of white Carrara marble and is valued for its fine black, grey, violet and honey veining. The name derives from the Italian word for peacock (pavone) and it is also referred to as Pavonazzetto. It has been used by the Romans since around 43 BC when quarrying began at Docimium and can be seen in the House of Augustus, as well as in the Temple of Mars and many of the grand Roman villas.
Link to: Antique French chimneypieces inc. Louis XVI, French Empire fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
58 7⁄8" 149.5 cms |
47 1⁄8" 119.7 cms |
13 7⁄8" 35.2 cms |
Internal |
40 5⁄8" 103 cms |
36 1⁄2" 92.7 cms |
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Stock: 15266
A delicately veined blue/grey and white Breccia Marble antique chimneypiece in the French Empire style with a slow arched opening and deep side returns. French, circa 1860.
Link to: Antique French chimneypieces inc. Louis XVI, French Empire fireplace mantels.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
50 1⁄4" 127.7 cms |
41 1⁄4" 105 cms |
13 5⁄8" 34.5 cms |
Internal |
35 3⁄16" 89.5 cms |
33 1⁄8" 84 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: 8153
A very large Baroque style Victorian bolection chimneypiece in darkly hued Ashburton Marble. The wide simply moulded shelf rests above a deep panelled frieze beneath which is a flat moulded bolection surround centred by a keystone supported on integral footblocks. English, circa 1850.
Image before restoration.
Ashburton Marble: In 1852 a Devon newspaper 'The Western Times', reported that some large blocks of marble had been excavated from quarries adjoining the ancient Stannary Town of Ashburton. It was suggested at the time that the marble be used for the making of chimneypieces as the veins and colour were considered very decorative and superior to that found in any other quarry in South Devon.
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
External |
90 3⁄16" 229 cms |
62 3⁄16" 158 cms |
8 1⁄8" 20.5 cms |
Internal |
66 1⁄8" 168 cms |
40 3⁄16" 102 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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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.