Antique Mediterranean Limestone Fireplace

An antique stone fireplace mantel from the Mediterranean in warm limestone, sand, soft beige and ivory, marked with dark rust stains from years of exposure. The weathering takes the glare out of a bright room and settles the hearth. A wide stepped shelf projects forward and throws a shadow over the straight frieze; below it, heavy brackets swell outward and sweep back toward the opening before dropping into thick legs that end in solid bases. Chipped corners and deep pitting follow every edge, and the deep side profiles show the tool grooves and dark staining of the original block.

It measures 67 1/4 inches wide, 31 1/2 inches deep and 60 1/2 inches high, with an opening of 51 1/2 by 52 3/4 inches. The depth is considerable; the piece projected well into the room and formed an alcove around the fire. It was reclaimed whole from a Mediterranean house.

It belonged in a vaulted great room, a library, a dining room or a covered outdoor patio, with wide walnut boards, troweled lime plaster and heavy bronze. This antique limestone fireplace has sold. We usually have similar bracketed Mediterranean mantels in the yard or on the water; ask and we will send what is current, since a stone fireplace mantel of this depth is not rare in our stock.