Antique Mediterranean Limestone

An antique limestone fireplace mantel of unusual thickness, from the Mediterranean, with bold curves that give a flat wall real structure. The limestone runs ivory, cream, soft sand and light gray with a sun-faded softness, and darker weathering sits deep in the joints. The shelf projects forward in several heavily moulded layers, the frieze runs long and plain, then steps out into thick square front blocks, and from those blocks massive corbels sweep down in a tight inward curve to carry the upper structure. The face is dry and grainy: open pores, rubbed corners, old surface cracks and raw visible block joints, smooth in places and rough in others.

It measures 84 1/4 inches wide, 39 1/4 inches deep and 65 3/4 inches high, with an opening of 62 1/4 by 51 1/2 inches. It was reclaimed whole from a Mediterranean house, in several heavy blocks.

A piece this deep needs a great room, a dining hall or a library with the floor to carry it, and it sat naturally with lime plaster, aged oak and dark iron. This mantel has sold. We usually have similar Mediterranean mantels in the yard or on the water; ask us and we will send what is current, and we will tell you if another limestone fireplace mantel of this depth is coming.