Carved Wood Fireplace Mantels
Fireplace mantels are powerful symbols of domestic life. Wood
mantels have always received special attention by designers and architects.
Today's reproduction fireplace mantels remain one of the best examples of the
major architectural periods.
Decorative fireplace mantels weren't common
in American homes until later in the Colonial period. Early settlers did little
to beautify their large fireplaces. Back then the fireplace was purely
utilitarian. As homes become more refined, fireplace mantels appeared in simple
forms.
First American fireplace mantels consisted of a simple wooden
trimwork surrounding coarse brick opening. Some versions of wood fireplace
mantels had a narrow mantel shelf. In the eighteen century, fireplace openings
were often surrounded by wood paneling that extended over the entire fireplace
wall.
Georgian Fireplace Mantels
Later in Georgian period, grand homes featured the fireplace
mantels as an important showpiece of bold and classical styling. Large columns
or pilasters led up to a meticulously carved mantel shelf. Fireplace mantel
shelves were not deep, but often quite high. An over-mantel was very common.
Fireplace over-mantels often included a rectangular frame and a second set of
pilasters or columns supporting a pediment above. The carved detailing of the
wood fireplace mantels was frequently tied into the room's ceiling cornice.
Federal Fireplace Mantels
Federal period brought exceptionally elegant fireplace
mantels with restrained classical detailing. The basic forms and proportion of
the Federal fireplace mantels have become a standard for a lot of traditional
mantels designs. Evolving out of the Georgian fireplace mantels and influenced
largely by the designs of Adam style, Federal fireplace mantels included the
basic fireplace mantel parts in the refined form. Typically Federal style
fireplace mantels were simple and did not include an overmantel. Central frieze
panel of wood fireplace mantels decorated with garlands, urns and carved onlays.
Beautiful carvings, delicate moldings of a classic motifs and the use of
build-up molding treatment for the mantel shelf are characteristic features of
the Federal era wooden fireplace mantels.
Victorian Fireplace Mantels
Victorian designs of the fireplace mantels are characterized
by their break with the classical rules of composition. Victorian fireplace
mantels employed classical elements, such as pilasters, columns, entablatures,
and classical moldings. These classical elements were liberally mixed with
Gothic shapes, spindle work, and exotic Asian imagery. Typical examples of
Victorian fireplace mantels have ornate imaginative designs, and often include
over-mantels with display shelves and inset mirrors.
Wood fireplace
mantels from this collection are true works of art. Showcasing traditional
craftsmanship our wooden fireplace mantels are worthy of fine estates and will
add value to your home. Beautiful traditional designs of these fireplace mantels
make it easy to incorporate them into any decorating scheme. Fireplace mantels
can be stained to match your existing woodwork. If you wish, you can finish
these wonderful mantels with paint..