Antique mantel carved in Onyx from Algeria - marble

Description

This mantel is very unique and extremely rare because of the material of which it is made: onyx marble from Algeria. This marble was very appreciated at the time of Napoleon III, and available through trading companies such as the Compagnie des Marbres Onyx d’Algérie, founded by Alphonse Pallu. Algerian onyx was highly honored at the World’s Fair of 1862 in Paris, when many well-known manufacturers used it for a large variety of objects. The shape of this mantel is relatively common. The model used is the modillion model of the Napoleon III style. The modillions are oak leaf shaped. The play of colors of the onyx marble adds extra refinement to the decorative elements. The deeply curved jambs are decorated with rectangular molded panels, as is the entablature, which is adorned with a central round medallion. The slightly protruding heads are garnished with square shaped moldings.