The fireplace is an essential element in the history of interior design. Linked by its nature and purpose to a building, be it a château, a house or a private mansion, the fireplace is an integral part of the harmony of a room. At once the work of architect, ornamentalist, marble-maker and sculptor, it has always played a central role in any interior design project, whether ancient or modern.
Marble fireplaces
Initially made of wood or stone, mantels were adorned with marble towards the end of the 17th century. They have straight jambs and lintels, topped by a small molded marble attic. The exterior moldings are delicate and the mantel has a linear composition. The typology of marble mantels evolved throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, as did their decorative vocabulary.
Among today's most popular models are :
- Rocaille-style mantels, in precious marble, with intricate moldings, crossbow-shaped lintels, sometimes scrolled, and radiating decor.
- Louis XVI mantels, with their straight lines and decorative ornaments borrowed from classical architecture (columns, caryatids, pilasters, post friezes, fluting, rosettes and water leaves).
- Empire mantels in dark Griotte, Portor or Campan marble. Linear in shape, with straight jambs and lintels, or with console jambs, they can be adorned with gilded bronzes.
- Restoration mantels in Italian or Belgian marble. They are supported by console jambs, adorned at the top with a large inward curving scroll, and at the bottom with a smaller scroll, a variant of which is finished with lion paw feet. This model remained in vogue until the end of the 19th century, and is found in many Haussmann buildings.
Chimney accessories
Big or small, in red or white marble, those who own one have all asked themselves the same questions: how do you enhance your old fireplace? What kind of decoration can you put on an old fireplace? How to decorate an old fireplace?
The possibilities are endless, from objets d'art (mantel clocks, bronze or marble statuettes, Art Deco lamps, Gallé vases, boxes) to fireplace accessories (fire screens, firebars and andirons). The use of a trumeau mirror is particularly popular.
Spark arrestors and screens
Our ideas and inspirations for decorating with fire screens and mantel screens: Louis XV style gilded wood fire screen from the Charles Mauricheau-Beaupré collection, Napoleon III period fan-shaped fire screen, gilded bronze fan-shaped fire screen decorated with a female face, Restoration fire screen in maple wood decorated with a winged Victory, Louis XVI style gilded and white wood mantel screen decorated with parrots.
Fireplace and hearth bar andirons
Our ideas for decorating an antique fireplace with andirons and firebars: Rocaille-style fireplace andirons decorated with winged women, Charles X period bronze firebars, Empire firebars decorated with lions, Rocaille fireplace screen with firebars and a pair of andirons.
Fireplace mirrors
Our ideas for decorating antique mantels with mirrors (gilded mantel mirror, trumeau mirror, large mirror, Rocaille mirror): large Louis XV gilded bronze Rocaille mirror, Rocaille bronze table mirror.
All our fireplace accessories > Fireplace accessories
Chimney components
Fireplace mantel
Lower section housing the fireplace, which protrudes into the room; it consists of two jambs, a lintel and a shelf.
Home
Space reserved for combustion.
Lintel
Horizontal piece above the fireplace opening supporting the lintel.
Tablet
Slightly protruding horizontal plate covering the mantle.
Pedestals or jambs
Vertical elements framing the fireplace opening and supporting the lintel.
Trumeau
What is a trumeau mirror? The antique trumeau or trumeau mirror is a wall mirror or wall panel located above a fireplace. The trumeau mirror is adorned with numerous elements such as woodwork, gilding, carvings and relief motifs.
