Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Fireplace Redux

Here is the mantle to my fireplace. The PO kept the upper part in the attic. They did a lot of crazy things to the house, but I will thank them forever for keeping this piece in the house.



(photos refreshed 9/8/14)




10 comments:

  1. Oh my...what a beautiful fireplace! I love old mantles like that. To me they are like old churches...majestic and beautiful. They don't make them or churches the way they used to and it's a darn shame!

    So glad you were able to put the upper part back where it belonged. Thank heaven the PO's kept it!

    The tile work (marble?) is gorgeous.

    I am green with envy :)

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  2. Wow. That fireplace is truly something to behold.

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  3. We have a similar fireplace insert in our 1912 home...It's a Buckeye one...We have similar tiles as well--just darker tortoise shell coloured...

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  4. It's a beautiful fireplace. the tiles? are they made by the Trent Tile co....if so worth a small $$$. I have a 1913 Home in N.Ky, with a Buckeye insert and similiar Trent Tiles,(Majolia glaze)...I'm trying to gather some information on the coal Insert, "Buckeye" patent July 19,1892, # 1046 20, and surround #1115N. Can you give any leads as to the History? and It has 2 dampers on top, front and rear? what's the purpose for the back damper use?
    Toolbelt Diva

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  5. Check my other post on the fireplace for a copy of the patent. Other than that, I don't know the history or the function of the two dampers.

    Not sure who made the tile, there is a loose one but I don't know if it has a mark on the back.

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  6. Hi Pheidas,
    Your fireplace mantle is gorgeous. I live in San Diego and mine is similar but not as ornate. I,too, have tiles similar to yours, though I have been able to find out that they were made by the American Encaustic Tiling Company in Zanesville, Ohio. I am wondering, do you know anything about the person who made the mantle?

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  7. Here's a link to an ebay auction of tiles similar to yours (in case you're interested): http://www.ebay.com/itm/American-Encaustic-Portrait-Tiles-10-Field-6-Brown-/330539052878?pt=Antiques_Decorative_Arts&hash=item4cf5a9af4e

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  8. I don't know who made it but don't recall looking for a maker's mark. It has been some time since the I have had the mantel top down.

    Thanks for the tip on the tile maker, I'll look them up.

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  9. Where you able to make your fireplace functional? I have a Buckeye July 19 1892 as well and have had difficulty in finding ways to make it work- its too small for wood and local companies say its too small to convert it to gas. I love my fireplace but would love it even more if I could get it to work!

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  10. I was able to find an insert that would fit (in 2009 I corresponded with Karen at Victorian Fireplace Shop, http://www.gascoals.net/) but could not find a local installer who would install it.
    It "needs to be installed in a fireplace capable of burning wood" and this is not.

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