Is my fireplace original?

[gemmacrew]

Hi
First post. Apologies if I've not followed protocol.

I've recently bought a terraced house in Mumbles, Swansea which I believe dates back to the late 1800s. It has the below fireplace in the reception room. The insert is a gas thingy that doesn't really work. I'm about to renovate and need to know if this is something I should look to keep in place. IMO it's ugly as... and I really want it taken out. Those tiles in the insert look like something my child might have done in playgroup :-(

Thanks all!

 

[Cubist]

Hi Gemma and Welcome,
Assuming that you do not plan to depend on the fire for frequent and consistent use to heat the room/house then it may be relatively to convert it back to a coal fire if that were something that would appeal - always remembering the logistics and mess challenges associated with same - or alternatively, as there is already a gas supply, more efficient burners may be available to fit the space available. The fire surround though presents other challenges; it is possible to replace the tiles at the side but that may be difficult if their sides are 'captive' in the frame - breaking the old ones out is easy, getting the new ones in could be a nightmare. Another consideration is whether such work would compromise what some might consider a valuable feature of the fireplace. It may be worth your while doing some research to see if that pattern and style is highly regarded in the antique marketplace - you may just find its valuable enough to merit selling it to finance a replacement more to your liking.
Cheers,
Cubist

 

[Feltwell]

I'm 99% sure that that is original, but I suspect the raised hearth was added when the gas fire went in. The fire bars and ash pan cover are also new.

Why? Well the fire surround is very typical indeed for it's period. But the hearth was more commonly flush with the floor - and the standard of tiling of those black hearth tiles is not very good, the ones on the front are misaligned with the ones on top on the right, and they're not very even all over. Given where you are I suspect there's a big old slate hearth under there flush with the rest of the floor, you may even see the edges of it if you pull the carpet back.

A lot of folks say you have to have a raised hearth for building regs now if putting in a gas fire or log burner (you don't - another story!). I'd say someone cast a concrete raised hearth on top of the original one and then tiled it when installing the gas fire.

I quite like it, if it was given some love and that hearth removed. It's a nice original feature that future buyers will likely appreciate.

Insert tiles - can be changed, but it does mean removing the surround and breaking out some plasterwork. *Usually* the tiles are in a frame and are held in place on the reverse side by being cast in position with plaster of paris. Messy job to change them, so up to you how much you hate them!

 

[CliffordPope]

I agree with Feltwell. The surround is lovely, but the inner tiles and gas fire are horrible. I think with the hearth removed and set at the correct level, and the inner insert tiles replaced with something tasteful and lighter in colour, it would suddenly come into its own as a desirable feature.
I can never understand why a raised hearth is supposed to be safer if you have a carpet close by - it's just inviting coals or embers to fall out and bounce onto the floor. You need a hearth flush with the floor and then an elegant wood or brass fender to contain any falling debris. If wooden then it should have an inner tin lining to protect from smouldering embers.
There's far too much black at present. It should be restricted to the elegant frame, in contrast to a lighter insert within.

 

[88v8]

First post. Apologies if I've not followed protocol.
....if this is something I should look to keep in place. Those tiles in the insert look like something my child might have done in playgroup ..

Surround, unusual high-quality original. Tiles, not sure.

As said, the tiles can be replaced. If you contact an antique fireplace specialist - there seem to be a few in Swansea - they will have a range of tiles to offer and be able to replace them for you.
You can also find antique originals on eBay.

This is a lovely and rare feature. I hope the rest of the house is equally well preserved.

Ivor

PS who's this geezer Protocol?