Victoriana Fireplaces

22/02/2025

22/02/2025

Another before and after of a recent restoration, this sadly neglected Art nouveau fireplace has had its old paint stripped and a few parts replaced to reveal a superb quality casting and a design that exhibits the finest Art nouveau design elements of the period. It dates to 1906. Now fully restored and ready to use.

31/10/2024

Another recent restoration. This magnificent Victorian cast iron fire surround and tiled insert. Not too much to do on this one, a few broken bolts a little welding and replacing the fire front and back but mostly just stripping off the years of paint, it’s hard to imagine why someone would paint over these beautiful tiles!

The surround was made in the Biclam iron foundry by the Bennetts iron company in Ardwick Manchester and dates to 1881, although it was still available for sale in the Young and Martin catalogue of 1897. The design is based on another fireplace from the same company ‘’The Beconsfield’’ of which I have a couple of examples in stock, although this has much more lavish detailing.

The tiled insert is quite unusual with its intricately pierced hood and fruit and leaf decoration. It’s stamped on the back as ‘’The Salisbury’’ this model was also marketed as ‘’The Campbell’’ by other companies of the time. There aren’t any date markings on this one, but I’m confident its always been with this fire surround. The tiles are in the Aesthetic style depicting birds and flowers and are in great condition....... Protected by the paint, probably!

12/10/2024

A recently acquired Victorian slate fire surround. A spectacular piece in original painted finish. It’s been sympathetically restored to maintain its original vibrant colours and patina. A magnificent surround with a pair of superb fluted acanthus corbels topped with agate bosses and adorned with beautifully painted panels to its legs and frieze. Surrounds in this condition are nearly impossible to find, this is one of a pair