Second Empire style marble mantle

This beautiful 19th century marble mantle is of the Second Empire / Napoleon III style. Carved and hand-sculpted in a beautiful black marble, it features straight jambs with modillions. The finger fluted modillions appear under the lintel. The jambs are delimited by small molded capitals and foot blocks. The molded shelf is thin and gently rests on the lintel.

The Second Empire style is characterized by a certain idea of luxury and favours sumptuousness. Its abundance of ornaments but also its eclecticism (inspired as much by the Antiquity, the Ancien Régime as the Renaissance or the Louis XVI style ...) make it very popular from 1860. This period see the emergence of Haussmannian apartments. The marble mantles then become common pieces of furniture!

Download PDF