Mantel

Object/Artifact

The Arts Club of Washington Collection

Fireplace mantel carved white marble with an arched opening filled with a cast iron and brass firebox. The hearth is laid with geometric designed encaustic tiles.

Name/Title

Mantel

Description

The mantel is constructed in two halves with the seam at the top covered by a scrolled and foliated cartouche decorated with a central patera. The cartouche also serves a a bracket support for the shelf above. The two sides rest on molded plinth bases, each is carved with a triad set into a roundel within a triangular shaped recess. The opening is arched with a cast iron and brass firebox surround inserted. The shelf has rounded corners and a molded edge. The hearth is tiled with encaustic tiles with geometric designs (see Materials Notes). Matches AC.2024.062.

Made/Created

Date made

circa 1840 - circa 1860

Time Period

19th Century

Dimensions

Height

46 in

Width

64 in

Depth

14 in

Materials

Material

Marble

Material Notes

Carrara Marble: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrara_marble Encaustic Tiles: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encaustic_tile

Location

* Untyped Location

107

General Notes

Note Type

Historical Background and Overview

Note

The exquisitely carved mantels are made of marble from the city of Carrara, in Italy’s Tuscany region. Carrara marble has been used since ancient Rome and is favored both for building (The Pantheon) and for sculpture (Michelangelo’s David). Originally, this space consisted of two rooms, each with its own fireplace, and an entry stair hall to the second level which was removed to make the auditorium. The marble is so dense it is cool to the touch on the hottest day.

Update Date

August 28, 2025