Louis XVI Rose Marble Fireplace Mantel

morris posted this on February 7th, 2012

This fine mantel made of Rose Marble, with matching hearthstone, is 3 feet and 6 inches high; 3 feet and 8.5 inches wide. The fireplace opening is 2 feet 11.5 inches by 2 feet 7.75 inches. Nicely fluted pilasters and carved floral frieze mark this as Louis XVI in style, though it probably dates from the 19th century. I suspect the frieze was carved all the way across, but looks half-done now due to glare when the photo was taken, exacerbated in the printing process. When it was advertised in 1920 the price was $400. You would probably need to pay about ten times that to get one today.

From: The Collection of Tapestries, Mantels and Mural Decorations; by John Wanamaker. New York: 1920.