Antique cast iron fireplaces and other metal example fireplaces, in a range of different period styles, including Georgian, Baroque, Victorian and Art Nouveau cast iron fireplaces.
-
Sold
Stock: 12625
Antique Art Nouveau Cast Iron Fireplace, dated 1902. With flying swallows and typical Art Nouveau decoration below the demi-lune mirror and along the jambs. English.
With pockmarked original bevelled mirror plate which could be re-silvered.
Link to: Antique Arts and Crafts, Aesthetic, Art Nouveau mantels and Art Deco fireplaces and chimneypieces.
|
width |
height |
depth |
| External |
52 3⁄8"
133 cms |
83 7⁄8"
213 cms |
12 3⁄16"
31 cms |
| Internal |
35 3⁄8"
90 cms |
42 1⁄8"
107 cms |
|
-
Sold
Stock: 9965
A burnished cast iron fireplace in the late Georgian style of Robert Adam with typical raised decoration on the frieze of repeating Palmettes interspersed with lily cups centred by an Urn under the breakfront shelf, and further floral decoration on the endblocks and the jambs.
Circa 1890
Link to: Antique Victorian, William IV and Edwardian fireplaces and chimneypieces.
|
width |
height |
depth |
| External |
67 1⁄2"
171.5 cms |
55 7⁄8"
142 cms |
10 13⁄16"
27.5 cms |
| Internal |
37 13⁄16"
96 cms |
37"
94 cms |
|
-
Sold
Stock: 12624
A rare and unusual Art Nouveau fireplace mantel in the manner of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Built in two sections in the early 1900s in cast iron
with the original well-executed and detailed faux woodgrain, painted pattern,
it features classic slender and intricate, Art Nouveau tree and plant detail which is also somewhat reminiscent of the style of artist illustrator, Aubrey Beardsley. The central plaque, fitted separately, is also cast iron, but patinated dark bronze. It shows three Tulip trees with a double ribbon threading through them, against a detailed background showing left to right -.a rising quarter moon over a distant mountain range, in the midground the top of a pyramid and stylised North Star; to the right is a setting sun with human facial features; in the foreground the sea laps against the shore with a bluebird, butterfly and dragonfly in flight above. Research is ongoing but the styling and features are clearly derived from The Glasgow School of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. See notes below.
NOTES : CHARLES RENNIE MACKINTOSH. Throughout his life, Mackintosh displayed a singular style, one that ran closely with those of his contemporaries, but still had its own flair. One of his signature elements was a highly stylized rose. You can find it on a number of his pieces, whether architecturally or in paintings. He utilized vertical lines in long succession, peaceful symmetry, and tone saturation in paint and materials. The lines, textures, and figures were a pleasing hybrid of nouveau and deco. His less architectural work still maintained a bone of structure that was very Mackintosh. Human figures and flower stems were long and lean, curving like ceiling trusses.
On the back of the plaque are the moulded marks for Wilson and Mathieson, The Scotch Foundry, Leeds, Registered No. 393149, Design No. 100.
Link to: Antique Arts and Crafts, Aesthetic, Art Nouveau mantels and Art Deco fireplaces and chimneypieces.
|
width |
height |
depth |
|
71 1⁄2"
181.5 cms |
86 5⁄8"
220 cms |
13"
33 cms |
|
41 7⁄8"
106.5 cms |
40"
101.5 cms |
|
-
Sold
Stock: 12520
A tall, slender and elegant burnished cast iron antique Art Nouveau fireplace surround with typical asymetric stylised floral motifs under the shelf and on the central hood and the jambs. English, circa 1920.
Link to: Antique Arts and Crafts, Aesthetic, Art Nouveau mantels and Art Deco fireplaces and chimneypieces.
|
width |
Height |
Depth |
| External |
42 7⁄8"
109 cms |
54"
137.2 cms |
9 3⁄8"
24 cms |
| Internal |
16 1⁄2"
42 cms |
23 5⁄8"
60 cms |
|
-
Sold
Stock: 12399
A small French ceramic fireplace surround in the Renaissance Revival manner. The frieze centred by a horned satyr's mask, flanked by circular florally patterened square tiles around the opening. Indistinct foundry mark " Vitry le Francois ", depose.
French, 19th century.
Link to: Antique Victorian, William IV, Arts and Crafts, Aesthetic, Art Nouveau mantels and Art Deco fireplaces and chimneypieces.
|
width |
height |
depth |
|
32 1⁄4"
82 cms |
40 7⁄8"
104 cms |
7 1⁄8"
18 cms |
|
18 1⁄8"
46 cms |
28"
71 cms |
|
-
Sold
Stock: 10991
A pair of Coalbrookdale cast iron fire surround groups inspired by Shakespears " The Tempest " with the figures of Miranda, Ariel and Caliban. Please see last image. English, circa 1875.
Link to: Antique Victorian, William IV and Edwardian fireplaces and chimneypieces.
-
Sold
Stock: 11839
ONE OF A MATCHING PAIR OF RARE ARTS & CRAFTS COALBROOKEDALE CHIMNEYPIECES in polished cast iron, designed by Alfred Stevens, b1815- d1875, Pair to 11838. English,1859. The design is held at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London.
Link to: Antique Victorian, William IV and Edwardian fireplaces and chimneypieces.
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
| External |
72"
183 cms |
49 3⁄16"
125 cms |
10 3⁄16"
26 cms |
| Internal |
40 5⁄8"
103 cms |
37 13⁄16"
96 cms |
|
-
Sold
Stock: 10466
An early 19th century burnished 'bulls-eye' cast-iron antique fireplace mantle.
Circa 1830.
Link to: Antique Victorian, William IV and Edwardian fireplaces and chimneypieces.
|
width |
height |
depth |
| External |
51 13⁄16"
131.6 cms |
43 1⁄4"
110 cms |
7 5⁄8"
19.3 cms |
| Internal |
34 1⁄4"
87 cms |
36 3⁄16"
92 cms |
|
-
Sold
Stock: 9920
A large burnished cast iron Coalbrookdale chimneypiece in the Georgian Neo Classical manner of Robert Adam, with twin pilasters and floral decoration, featuring urns under the breakfront shelf and egg and dart moulding.
English, foundry mark dates it to 1881.
Link to: Antique Victorian, William IV and Edwardian fireplaces and chimneypieces.
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
| External |
78 11⁄16"
200 cms |
55 1⁄8"
140 cms |
8 11⁄16"
22 cms |
| Internal |
37 13⁄16"
96 cms |
38 3⁄16"
97 cms |
|
-
Sold
Stock: 9005
An atrractive antique Art Nouveau cast iron fireplace surround in the manner of Voysey.
Glasgow, circa 1900.
Link to: Antique Arts and Crafts, Aesthetic, Art Nouveau mantels and Art Deco fireplaces and chimneypieces.
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
| External |
55 11⁄16"
141.5 cms |
50 13⁄16"
129 cms |
7 7⁄8"
20 cms |
| Internal |
29 1⁄8"
74 cms |
34 1⁄8"
86.5 cms |
|
-
Sold
Stock: 8310
An unusual and small Victorian cast-iron antique French Regency style fireplace mantel with scrolled floral decoration and a black marble top.
Circa 1840.
Link to: Antique Victorian, William IV and Edwardian fireplaces and chimneypieces.
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
| External |
39 13⁄16"
101 cms |
38 3⁄16"
97 cms |
7 7⁄8"
20 cms |
| Internal |
22 5⁄8"
57.5 cms |
26 5⁄8"
67.5 cms |
|
-
Sold
Stock: 7242
MACKINTOSH MAYBE: An extraordinary Arts and Crafts, Aesthetic antique chimneypiece in the manner of Charles Rennie Mackintosh in cast-iron decorted in the Celtic manner with stylised strapwork and delicate Paisley floral detail and with two large ornament display socles at the top and a row of five smaller beneath, the opening decorated with Delft tiles.
English / Scottish, circa 1890.
Link to: Antique Arts and Crafts, Aesthetic, Art Nouveau mantels and Art Deco fireplaces and chimneypieces.
|
width |
height |
depth |
| external |
60 11⁄16"
154.3 cms |
91 1⁄4"
231.8 cms |
12"
30.5 cms |
| internal |
43 1⁄2"
110.5 cms |
30 11⁄16"
78.1 cms |
|
-
Sold
Stock: 4446
An Edwardian Royal Doulton green glazed ceramic antique chimneypiece in the Arts and Crafts manner.
English early 120th century.
Link to: Antique Arts and Crafts, Aesthetic, Art Nouveau mantels and Art Deco fireplaces and chimneypieces.
|
width |
height |
depth |
| external |
54 13⁄16"
139.1 cms |
49"
124.5 cms |
8 1⁄2"
21.6 cms |
| internal |
17"
43.2 cms |
22"
55.9 cms |
|
Antique Cast Iron Fireplaces: A History
Prior to the 18th century the majority of fireplaces were carved out of wood, marble and stone. Due to the expense of these materials and the labour involved to carve them, they were the preserve of the wealthy.
However, during the industrial revolution, casting methods progressed to such an extent that intricate and decorative fireplaces could be created out of cast iron in large numbers.
Although for the rest of the 18th century cast iron fireplaces remained too expensive for most, in the 19th century, manufacturers began to produce cast iron fireplaces that were both decorative yet affordable. To create the impression of grandeur, cast iron fireplace surrounds were originally painted to imitate their more expensive marble and wood counterparts.
Popularising Victorian Cast Iron Fireplaces
Foundries such as Coalbrookdale and Carron were some of the first companies to create affordable fireplaces and even sold their products in catalogues. For the first time the middle class were able to indulge in the joy of an ornate roaring fire.
Being generally smaller than their grander counterparts, cast iron fireplaces were favoured for their ability to suit rooms of a more modest size and ceiling height, making them suitable for a city flat or a small village terrace.
Due to the length of Queen Victoria’s reign (from 1837 – 1901), fireplaces from this period reflect two main style groups, the early-to- mid Victorian and the late Victorian.
The detail on many early Victorian cast iron fireplaces tends to draw inspiration from flora and fauna. This decoration reflects the architectural style of the Victorian period, where classical proportion was merged with naturalistic detail.
Many reproduction fireplaces have - and continue to take inspiration from this popular ornate floral style. The pretty features lend themselves to any room where you wish to add a little more charm.
Towards the latter half of the Victorian period, the fireplace industry started to move away from opulent designs in favour of something far simpler, aligning with the style of the Arts and Crafts Movement, placing an emphasis on simple, well-made objects displaying the skill of the craftsman over the supremacy of the machine. If you’re interested in late-Victorian fireplace design, these styles compliment modern / industrial inspired interiors that require something simple and stunning.
Is An Antique Metal Fireplace Right For You?
The versatility of design and size, in addition to their generous shelves, has kept Victorian fireplaces popular to this day.
Some cast iron fireplaces have an integral grate, so they are both the surround and the interior. This all-in-one option is very easy to install, and can accommodate different types of fuel, whether solid fuel or gas.
Antique cast iron fireplaces are a wonderful option for anyone looking for a beautiful, affordable and efficient antique fireplace.
If you’d like to find out more about our antique metal fireplace collection, please don’t hesitate to contact our team who would be delighted to help you.