Who doesn’t like a cosy warm real fire in the winter. Not only are they beautiful to look at they also create an atmosphere in the room when the flames flicker and jump around to catch the air. Fireplaces differ dependant on the era and usage from heating to cooking and illumination. MASco has a fantastic range of old cast iron fireplaces, with art nouveau tiles and wonderful detailing. Art Nouveau style was popular in the early 1880’s until circa 1914. There were two very distinct looks; curvy lines with stylised flowers, leaves, roots, buds and seedpods and the vertical lines and linear look of Mackintosh.
The Coalbrookdale, as seen below, originates from the forge at Coalbrookdale, whose main business was producing cast iron goods. In the 19th century, Coalbrookdale was noted for its decorative ironwork, and it is also responsible for the gates of London’s Hyde Park.
Why have a reclaimed fireplace in your house? Reusing an existing product which has great casting definition and also has a history attached to it. It enhances any room and you can source the fireplace for the period of your house.
Trying to age your fireplace can sometimes be difficult. You’ll need to find a marking that is either stamped, painted or impressed on the underside of your fireplace, such as the one below, which is an antique Kitemark.
It’s not just the name of the company that will show on an antique mark, but also a number of other things used by the manufacturer, designer or artists, such as the day, month and year it was made. The image above demonstrates a design registration mark for 22nd October 1875 (B for October and S for 1875).
However the date only refers to the date the design was first registered and only gives you an indication of the earliest possible date a piece may have been manufactured. Design Registration Marks or Kite marks with ‘Rd’ in the center were used between 1842 and 1883 and the use of serial numbers began in 1884. In 1862, the Trade Mark Act became law so any piece bearing the words ’Trade Mark’ would have been made after that year. From the 19th Century onward ‘Royal Arms’ were often granted by the Monarch and added to the manufacturers name or trade name. Pieces bearing ‘Royal’ can usually be dated after 1850.
Why not come along to our showroom between Minchinhampton and Cirencester to browse and buy one of our original cast iron fireplaces to suit your home.
