Antique fireplace restoration – any ideas?

Glaswegian

Hi

We've got an old fireplace that had been boarded up - when we removed the board it revealed these lovely tiles… however, the conopy has been removed and I've got no idea what is going on with the gap between the tiles and the mantle? Does anyone have any ideas? I'm 99.9% sure that the tiles and the mantle are original so there must have been something removed round the edge?

Any help greatly appreciated!

Thanks

http://postimage.org/image/1hlascht0/

diable

Looks like the original surround was removed.

Glaswegian

diable wrote: »

Looks like the original surround was removed.

I'm pretty certain that's not the case as I've seen several other identical surrounds in the schedules of flats close by. It's like something has been removed from between the tiles and the surround to make it easier to board up. It's what's been removed that I'm stumped about.

Norman_Castle

The surround looks younger than the tiles and does not fit, hence the gap. A decent picture of the surround would help!

DVardysShadow

Norman_Castle wrote: »

The surround looks younger than the tiles and does not fit, hence the gap. A decent picture of the surround would help!

You get an enlarged view if you click on the pic.

I would agree, it is a later surround. And I think the cast iron fireplace unit would have had some sort of hood, which has obviously been taken off to allow the fireplace to be boarded.

MinMoz

Have a very similar fire place in my house, though I dont have the issue of the gap between the tiles and the mantle. Suggestion for that would be to get some picture rail to place over the gap - you might be able to get one that matches the design of the mantle to tie it all in.

Would be interested in peoples suggestions on replacing the hood as I am just coming to that stage with my fireplace and I am not too sure on how to attach it.

diable

Are there any holes/slots in the fireplace as you are missing the base where the coal would sit and the tray for the ash also to the top there could also be a cowl that was fitted but these sometimes clip in form the sides. How old is the property?

valentina

I wonder if it had a cast iron piece around it like this originally? This is a modern pic but you get the idea
http://www.fireplacesareus.co.uk/shop/gallery-grand-corbel-pine-fireplace-with-galway-cast-iron-tiled-insert.html
You can buy hoods separately too - sometimes on ebay or google cast iron fireplace hood.

Glaswegian

Thanks all.

Property is circa 1910. We have found a copper canopy that fits like a glove and has buffed up brilliantly for £50. There's also a tiled hearth under the laminate (boak!) which is a nice surprise too. Going to join the gap with dado today and finish like the surround.

I'm still convinced that both the surround and the tiles are original – it's the only way you could explain the exact same surround being in so many surrounding properties. My own theory is that there was a cast iron piece around originally (like valentina's link) and this has been removed in order to slot in the formica board instead.

Pretty chuffed that we're not having to purchase a whole new insert now.