Once fireplaces became seen as decorative features from the eighteenth century onwards the stone fireplace developed in terms of materials used, design and decoration, and the marble fireplace led the way. Although the construction of the chimney and hearth remained basically the same, stone fireplace design enhanced the components of the fireplace surround. Traditionally this surround had been made from heavy timber or cast iron but stone, particularly marble, allowed more expression in design from classical large stone fireplaces in grand country houses to small rustic stone fireplaces in smaller houses.
The basic components of a marble fireplace surround are the mantel (or mantelpiece) which is laid on a lintel or frieze that in turn is supported on two jambs. These jambs may be in the form of columns, pilasters, carved caryatid figures or simple architectural mouldings. The frieze or lintel may be a matching architrave moulding or a plain or decorated panel. The degree of ornamentation is obviously dependant on the grandeur and style of the mantel. Cultured marble fireplaces can have mantels that are plain-edged or moulded.
Many types of stone have been used in stone fireplace designs but marble stands alone as the most popular, lending itself readily to decoration, moulding and varied colour presentation. Most marble fireplace mantels are supplied for assembly on site. The jambs and frieze are usually from marble panels or slips (narrow strips), which are held together with plaster of Paris and reinforced with plaster-bonded spacer blocks fitted inside. Fireplace marble mantels were traditionally attached to the wall with steel-wire ties or hooks fixed into the back edges of the parts. These were set in plaster or tied with wire to screws or nail hooks set in the wall. Modern kit designs from such manufacturers as Goppa marble fireplaces use modern anchor bolts and screws that can also be used for renovating older designs.
Marble's variety of subtle colors and markings and ease of working have made it a favourite for marble fireplace mantels for centuries. However it is a porous stone that can easily become dowdy or stained - one of the main reasons why some marble mantels have been painted over. With care, marble can be stripped and cleaned to bring it back to its original finish. For general soiling soapy distilled water applied with a brush is adequate, but for more persistent dirt commercial marble cleaners are available. To remove deep stains it becomes necesssary to apply a poultice. Available commercially for self-application it is best to engage the services of a professional restorer who will also apply a film of marble wax to bring out the colour fully.
Slate is another favoured material for stone fireplaces and sometimes it was painted to simulate the dearer marble, but in recent times new foreign sources of cheap marble have become available and manufacturers such as Northwest marble fireplaces are now producing marble fireplace kits that incorporate marble tile fireplace fronts and can be adapted to many fuel applications. For the best marble fireplace designs and details of marble fireplace dealers then the world wide web is a good first step.
