Opulently carved, this magnificent Louis XV-style marble mantel is of classic Rococo design. Carving of extraordinary depth and detail accents curvilinear lines, echoing the luxuriousness of the Louis XV period. Set within each side of the mantel are richly patinated doré bronze vents adding to the rarity of the surround. The pure beauty of the marble, combined with the enormous expense involved in obtaining the precious material, makes this a luxury known to only a wealthy few. Because no two pieces of marble are alike, every mantel represents a unique work of art.

Circa 1870

The grace and symmetry of ornamental marble has been admired since antiquity. An Egyptian named Imhotep (2667 BC - 2648 BC), the first architect on