If you are ready to invest in a new fireplace mantel, you have several options to choose from. A growing trend is the demand for antique fireplace mantels. Whether your are purchasing an already restored piece or obtaining an antique to refurbish and restore yourself, there are several notable styles to choose from.
Renaissance Mantels
Antique Renaissance mantels were well known for their extravagance as well as their beauty, as lavish as it may have been. They often took up the entire length of the wall on which the fireplace was installed. On narrower walls, the mantels would accommodate for their lack of width by stretching to the ceiling. Mantels from this period were typically meant to be a centerpiece in the room, rich with elegant carvings, fine sculptures, and elaborate details.
Italian Mantels
Antique fireplace mantels from the height of the Italian style are some of the most subdued, yet stunning pieces on the antique market. Created and inspired by the designs on Inigo Jones, a renowned British architect, Italian style mantels were known for their simple styling and lack of extraneous component parts. The Italian mantels were typically composed of a fireplace frame and a shelf. They had a strong visual emphasis on architectural design and relied heavily on the look of columns and pillars in their designs.
French Mantels
French mantels remained very simple structure-wise, similar to the Italian styles. They focused on the detail of the pieces, however, with a heavy emphasis on elegant curves and fine scroll work. This was a major break from the Italian style and opted more towards soft lines than cold columns.
Victorian Mantels
Victorian mantels were known for their combination of medieval and Gothic influences into cohesive and stunning designs. They combined high arches and sharp angles, seemingly unlikely components to be found together. The overall design, however, was reminiscent of cathedrals and other great buildings of the period.
Keep in mind, while antique fireplace mantels are truly things of beauty, they can require a significant amount of money, time, or both. The majority of these pieces were also hand cut and sculpted from marble, raising their worth and price tag even more significantly. For more affordable options, modern mantels can be custom designed to mimic the period pieces for a fraction of the cost.
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Antique fireplaces have become a popular landscaping element in some regions of the world.