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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3. Stone Fireplace Mantels

Stone mantels are believed to be the first type of mantel used in history. One of the main benefits of a stone mantel, as opposed to a wood one, is that they require much less maintenance. While a wood mantel is coated with a protective seal that must be maintained and reapplied as needed, stone mantels don't require any type of coating. Aside from dusting and occasional cleaning, they are relatively maintenance free.

Cultured Stone Fireplace Mantels

Stone mantels most commonly made from granite, marble, and limestone. Slate and sandstone mantels are also available. These types of stone are sculpted and carved into various designs. shapes, and styles to suit an assortment of tastes. True stone fireplace mantels are beautiful but, depending on the stone you choose, can also be very expensive. The price tag associated with stone mantels is driven by the fact that they have to be cut from larger pieces of stone.

Cast Stone Fireplace Mantels

A cast stone mantel is made from a type of very fine concrete. It is a mix of ground up stone and sand which is mixed with a bonding agent. The thick liquid is then poured into a pre-crafted mold and allowed to set and harden. Once removed, the cast stone mantel is essentially a finished piece. Cast stone mantels offer the appearance of luxurious cultured stone at a fraction of the price.

Regardless of the type of stone or style of design you choose, a stone fireplace mantel offers an air of elegance and beauty to your home that is undeniable.

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3. Fireplace Mantels

Fireplace mantels date back to early medieval times and were originally designed to catch smoke from the fireplace and channel it outside. Unlike the fireplace mantels of today, these were simple hoods that extended over the top of the fire and connected to the chimney. The very first example of a fireplace mantel, also called a chimney piece, is English in origin and is located in the Kings House in Southampton. It is believed to have been built in the early twelfth century. Over time, the term fireplace mantel is more often associated with the outer edge of a fireplace, including the firework's framework and mantel shelf.

Form Over Function

As time passed, and the term mantel began to encompass more than just the simple hood over the fire grate, the design element became a focal point. In Renaissance times, mantels often encompassed the entire length of the wall of the room that it was located in. It was also not uncommon for their decorative aspects to extend all the way to the ceiling. Fireplace mantels became great works of art, with famous designers and sculptors being hired to create masterpieces, just as you would hire one of the great painters to create a portrait. The trend, which started in England, quickly spread throughout Spain and France as well. The demand for massive, intricate, ornate, and decorative mantel pieces lasted for centuries.

Simplicity Regains Favor

By the beginning of the seventeenth century, the Italians gained a larger influence on the art world and introduced a movement towards simpler architecture trends. Mantels were still very beautiful, but they were also extremely understated and no longer designed to be the centerpiece of the room. In most cases, they were actually designed to blend into the room's overall decor instead of standing out like the mantels from earlier centuries.

The Bold and the Beautiful

By the end of the seventeenth century, mantels had become little more than neatly contained, yet beautiful, frames around the fireplace. Most examples from this time period did not even possess a shelf component and were designed to be flush with the wall. They did, however, return to a much bolder design, intended to stand out with the return of more ornate carving techniques and materials being used. The latter seventeenth century brought the two disparate design styles f earlier times into one cohesive style that was designed to not overpower the room, but still be a beautiful focal point.

Mantel Shelves Become Functional Again

As time went on, the styles of the fireplace mantels continued to waver back and forth between ornate and bold designs and simple and understated ones. Simple designs were sometimes highlighted with sculptural pieces on either side of the fireplace which were used to hold the shelf component that had once again become a component of the overall design. The primary reason for the shelf returning was so the upper class, especially the members of royalty of the period, would have a place to display their elaborate portraits.

From Then Until Now

From the end of the eighteenth century to the beginning of the twentieth century, fireplace remained the primary source of heating for a home. The emphasis on mantel pieces continued and they gradually toned down over time. They were still ornate and intricate, often hard carved or sculpted. They were made from beautiful woods, rich stone, and other exotic materials.

As advances in heating and cooling methods took shape, fireplaces become a luxury rather than a necessity. Since they are more a matter of personal preference in most homes, there is still a great disparity in the designs of the mantel pieces. Smaller homes tend to have simple and functional mantels, while larger homes often boast more substantial pieces. They are still made from a variety of materials and can be found in designs that are inspired by every period and style that came before them.

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