French Fireplaces – Buying an Antique Fireplace from France

French fireplaces do not necessarily belong to a particular era or location—hence, there are many different styles to choose from, and many different possibilities when it comes to incorporating a French fireplace into your home’s existing decor. Perhaps you would like an angular, square-shaped fireplace with minimal detail, or perhaps you would prefer a style with more curves, more texture, and more detail. If your taste is towards simple elegance, then a French fireplace is certainly an option to consider.

One of the most influential of the French design movements in terms of British fireplaces is the Rococo movement, which is characterized by lightness and grace, soft and pale colours, and motifs depicting natural settings. The word Rococo is a combination of two words which mean rock and shell—together, these words evoke the natural movement and curved irregular shapes found in nature, and which are part of Rococo design. Interestingly, Rococo fireplaces are most commonly made of white marble, evocative of shells, rocks, and smooth, natural purity.

A low mantel and surround is one of the most easily-recognizable elements of the Rococo fireplace. The standard height of the mantel and surround were lowered during the Rococo era so that there would be plenty of room above for a good-sized mirror. The popularity of the mirror at that time might be attributed to Louis XIV, at whose behest the famous Hall of Mirrors was created at Versailles. Rococo fireplaces also tend to have very deep mantels and prominent jambs, and the whole is characterized by smooth flowing lines, rather than angles.

The French fireplaces of the Rococo era tend to be quite ornately decorated. Fine scroll-work on the jambs and mantel shelf, decorative corbels carved to resemble leaves or scallop shells, and elaborate friezes, festooned with intricately carved garlands of flowers. The focal point of the entire piece is usually a detailed scallop shell, garland, or wreath suspended from the centre of the mantel. They are without a doubt some of the most lavishly ornamented fireplaces you could find for your home.

There are plainer styles, of course, and if you prefer them the Provencal style might be just what you’re looking for. These fireplaces, often made of limestone, range in size from “medium” through to “enormous”—and while they are usually without any of the ornate decorative elements that are common to Rococo fireplaces, they have a beauty all their own. The Provencal style is less serpentine, and more angular, than the Rococo style—Provencal fireplaces are sturdy, with deep low mantels, and often with a large trumeau. Although most Provencal fireplaces lack lavish ornamentation, some are decorated with simple hand carvings—a spray of olive leaves, a single shell, or another such motif may be featured in the centre of the mantel.

Whether you prefer the ornate decoration of a Louis XIV fireplace or the simple charm of a Provencal fireplace, you’ll find that an elegant fireplace is a wonderful way of tying together the different decorative elements in a room, and enhancing the mood and feel of not just the room, but the whole house.

Richard Billington is an antiques expert from Westland London, a UK based company specialising in French & Rococo Fireplaces. Westland London offer a wide range of antiques from various periods of history.

Westland Antique Fireplaces

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