Late Victorian fireplace surround & mantle. Is it plast

[ChristineCopley]

Or have I wrecked the stone?! I've stripped back several layers of old paint on our main bedroom fireplace to find what really looks like plaster underneath - it's friable, soft, grainy and plaster-pink. There go my dreams of a wonderful marble fireplace! Still, the fireplace itself and tiles are both original & lovely.

So, I think the mantle & surround are original, and even if they aren't, they're all I have. So, the question is, what do I do with it now? Is there a specific sealant or treatment I should use or should I just paint it (again).

If it is original, what would have been the traditional treatment?

We have two slate fireplaces downstairs that have that faux-marble paint effect, so I'm guessing the house wasn't built for the Rothschilds...

Thanks for any help,
Chris

 

[Carol]

It sounds unusual! Plaster is very soft and easily damaged, I can imagine the difficulty of making fires and cleaning around a plaster fireplace. Could it be a soft local stone? A paint finish might salvage it, but I expect some of our resident Victorian experts can come up with an explanation and method. A picture might help specifics!

 

[Penners]

It's not impossible that your fireplace was cast in plaster, although I believe this was usually done in plaster-of-paris, which is normally white. However, maybe your paint stripper could have discoloured it.

As Carol suggests, can you post a picture?

 

[Mark]

Could it be alabaster ? (I have no idea what alabaster is)

 

[biffvernon]

Alabaster

 

[Penners]

Ooooh - wikipedia. Never trust it!

 

[ChristineCopley]

I've had a couple of weeks off, but back to the fireplace with renewed vigour this weekend.. I'll try and get a photo online, but thanks for your suggestions so far!

 

[Craig]

Plaster fireplaces are a reality - here is a company who make them.

http://www.haylesandhowe.com/CatIndex.asp