Edwardian fireplace overmantle?

[JBean]

We have a marbleised slate fireplace in our living room, which we think is probably original to the house (1905). Some pictures are here: http://periodproperty.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=15424

It contained a condemned gas fire which we have had replaced with a firebox-style fire, and a slate hearth. I was thinking of finding an overmantle mirror for the top, but am not sure quite what would be suitable. It is a fairly modest semi-detached house, originally home to a tailor and his family.

Something like this feels over the top:


and I had imagined getting a simple mirror, like this:


But any advice would be appreciated on what might have been there originally and what would be appropriate now.

 

[plasticpigeon]

I think your top picture probably shows an overmantle mirror that is a bit grand. I bet it is cast iron too, so would match the fireplace that is in that picture. It seems that there are precious few pictures and paintings of normal houses interiors of the period. However I have found a few in various books. Here are 2 examples. My other half hates overmantle mirrors, so we ung one on the wall instead. I have some old very late Victorian/Edwadian catalogues but they are unfortunately in boxes somewhere, and they show what variety was available, so much of the choice comes down to taste, and what your general decor is. The obvious question is what should the finish of the overmantle be, ebonized, gilt, mahogany etc, to fit with the rest of the room, especially the wall colour.

 

[JBean]

PP, thanks for the reply.

It's reassuring to hear that we probably have a whole range of options which would be OK. I think something ebonised or possibly in cherrywood or walnut would work with our decor.

And those pictures are fascinating! The Bournville one is lovely.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Lovely pictures there.

I think if we went back in time we would be surprised by the workmanship and decoration in ordinary people's homes. It was until the 20s that design became rather boxy and stripped down.

Are you going for gilt or brass elsewhere in the room? Would he be nice! I'd go for a not too fussy gilt mirror hopefully with some swag and ribbon decoration that's just right for the Edwardian era. Mirrors always look better when then go up - so portrait not landscape. Also the width of your portrait mirror should be as close as poss to your insert.

Something like this

http://www.sellingantiques.co.uk/432902/late-victorian-gilt-over-mantle-mirror/

 

[plasticpigeon]

There is a bit of an issue with mirrors hung portrait fashion in turn of the century houses, and that is that most turn of the century houses had picture rails at a height that means that a portrait mirror would have to overlap the picture rail, which is possible but might not look very neat. I think the fashion in earlier houses was to have a picture rail much higher up the wall, or cornice poles. That would mean the space above a foreplace would naturally accomodate a mirror hung in portrait orientation.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Yes that's true plastic, hadn't thought of that!

A previous owner put a plate shelf at picture rail height in our dining room, we had to hang the mirror landscape, it doesn't look right really. Might be better in a less tall room.

 

[JBean]

I love the mirror you've suggested, but it is exactly as PP says - we have a picture rail that would be right in the way. I think we will have to have something landscape, or at best square. I'll measure up and see what we could fit in.

 

[JBean]

Actually, just looking again at the Bournville photo, I think the mirror does actually overlap the picture rail. I can't quite work it out - is that drapery over the top and down the sides? In any event, it suggests (based on a sample of one) that we might consider something taller, if we could stand it on the mantel, rather than hang it on the wall.

 

[plasticpigeon]

Yes, I think the pic of the Bournville house does have the mirror overlapping the picture rail. It is a very big mirror that is pretty much the width of the chimney breast. Who knows why. Perhaps it was planned, perhaps it was an heirloom, perhaps a shop was having a sale!!! This is what I ended up with, it seemed to naturally fit in the space. I dare say a slightly slimmer and taller mirror that sat on the mantel could be portrait and still fit beneath the picture rail. If you are any good with photoshop or at drawing, it helps to visualise the room before you buy things. I don't have photoshop, and couldn't work out how to use GIMP (free photo editor) but did a few drawings.

 

[mims&pip]

Hi JBean,

I've just had a browse through some of our pics and it would appear that we favour the landscape and larger mirror option :lol:
Here are a few from one of our previous houses.......



You can see we had picture rails there, but the ceilings were incredibly high so they didn't interfere with our choice of mirror, lol!

Mims x

 

[mims&pip]

........and here's a couple from our current abode (excuse the fireplace awaiting tiles and the naked bulb, we've not hung a light fitting yet!)......



I confess this last one is rather wide for the space - in fact all our mirrors placed over fireplaces tend to be wide and all are hung landscape, but that is just the design of the period I guess - as it was the only space we had here for it!

As you might gather, we are into the Arts & Crafts Movement, so our mirrors tend to be less typical Victorian/Edwardian overmantles :roll: There are tons of great sources out there as well as fantastic reference books/pinterest etc to get ideas. In your shoes I'd do as Plastic suggested and get photoshopping, then go out and have fun finding the perfect mirror for your space. Good luck!

Mims x