Fireplace - original or not?

4 years ago

Hi guys,

New homeowner here (victorian mid-terrace) and this is the fireplace in the living room. The previous owner 'suggested' it may be original but I who know very little didn't question. However, it doesn't feel as substantial and indestructible like victorian cast iron fireplaces. I cant be certain what it's made of but it certainly feels a bit tacky and the two holes either side of the candles (in the frame) are filled with some sort of foam. Any help/guidance/insight would be greatly appreciated!

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Comments (6)

Sarah U-S
4 years ago
Hi - I’m unsure if original - but from the photo, it’s certainly pretty and in keeping with the Victorian era. Do you like it? If you do, great! If you don’t, it should be easy enough to swap.
HU-726541010
Original Author
4 years ago
Aesthetically it's not unattractive but we're having the house renovated with lowering of the floors so it would need work doing to it anyway. If it's not original (which from my brief research it isn't) I'd like to replace it with one that is.
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I think the cast iron is a period feature but the tiles are not- you can see the grout where they have been stuck on where the original tiles are slotted in from behind. What you do with this depends on budget. The ideal solution is to have this insert removed, add a hearth, then have the surround put on top of the hearth. The cast iron will need a surround and the newer tiles removing. Lastly you need to decide how you are going to use it as it will need an appropriate insert
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Hi! It's hard to tell if the tiles are original. They might be original but they look potentially more early to mid 20th century to me. They are pretty though and in good condition. If you don't mind them then I'd tend to keep them. Even later alterations tell a story about the history of a house, so even if it's not original from first built there can be value in later additions, if you like them.
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I think the grate is worthy of an elegant surround if I'm honest. If that's not in budget I think I'd actually paint it black. I agree with forzaitalia it will look a lot better painted however the contrast in colour will highlight the "chunkiness" (can't think of another word ATM!). I appreciate it won't lighten the room although there are other ways of doing so and I don't suspect the fire will make a lot of difference. The one pictured (pinched from forzaitalia!) is similar to yours and I think it looks elegant
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Looks very original to me. These are getting rarer and rarer and there is even a market for reclaimed and restored ones. They were mass produced back in the day but then so were Victorian houses and today period properties with period features are highly sought after whereas 40 years ago they were being ripped out and thrown away. Although these were functional elements just like Victorian ones, they were also the main design feature of the room and therefore intended to be decorative, but maybe in a style that is not well understood even today. Whether or not you keep it in your house depends on whether you like to look at it or not, whether it makes you feel good that you have an original feature of the house, a small piece of history. I don't think I've ever come across a piece of furniture that couldn't be made to look good with the right style and context. It could look great if you go for a contemporary take on an art deco style.
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minnie101
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
i think slate surrounds were quite common but also not an expert! I’d go for a reclaimed one of the period if you dont love it

https://www.architecturalantiquesandfireplaces.co.uk/product.php?id=411

I have the same foam in one of my fires. Again just a guess but assume its this so would be a bit wary if you were to use it (although assume not)

https://www.hetas.co.uk/fire-rated-foam-products/
macbroom
4 years ago
It looks like it is not original to my eye - it doesn’t seem to have the denseness of black cast iron.
sarh123
4 years ago
Why not email a couple of fireplace reclamation specialists and ask their view on the fireplace? If you decide to keep it they might advise on sorting out the foam etc. If it is cast iron, then it may polish up beautifully with the right products.
HU-726541010
Original Author
4 years ago
Sarh, that is a great idea! Thanks! I'll report back!

Fireplace - original or not?

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Sarah U-S

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Fireplace - original or not?

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Sarah U-S

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macbroom

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