Olde Good Things preserves key pieces of history and craftsmanship from buildings that upon their opening, epitomize state of the art design. As we think back to some of our favorite projects, two great hotels come to mind – The Plaza and the Waldorf Astoria. One of the most elegant hotels in the world at its time, The Plaza opened in 1907 to host iconic guests such as Vanderbilts, Kennedys, and The Beatles. It has been featured in multiple film scenes including Hitchcock’s North by Northwest, Home Alone 2, Sleepless in Seattle, and The Great Gatsby. Another icon, the legendary Waldorf-Astoria NYC was the tallest hotel in the world from its opening in 1931 through the next three decades. A notable NYC “palace hotel”, the landmark served as a playground and extended residence for such notable guests as Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Marilyn Monroe, John Wayne, Frank Sinatra, and Muhammed Ali.
A favorite medium for Classical sculptors and architects, marble is a rich metaphor for refined sensibilities and lasting beauty. When Olde Good Things sources fine materials from estates and private collections across the US, we are preserving history from landmark sites like the Plaza Hotel, Waldorf-Astoria NYC, and other iconic structures. It is within these monuments to history that the finest quality craftsmanship is quartered.
We have been preserving and cherishing quality workmanship for a long time. When Olde Good Things salvages architectural elements, we search for hand-carved pieces. Carving marble is a labor-intensive process, beginning with chipping away at the piece with a point chisel and chisel, gradually honing it down with finer and finer chisels to add aesthetic detail, and, finally, using leather to smooth and polish the piece. The final product is a testament to strength and craftsmanship.
We also look for rare marbles like yellow sienna, rouge royale, statuary, and belgium black. Take a look at the story behind these increasingly rare marble types, our favorite marble mantel picks, and why we love them.
Belgian Black Marble Mantel with Bronze Detail, France
The stunning Belgian black marble is the essence of this piece. Quarried in Belgium, the material is a rarity that was used to adorn exuberant architecture from the Roman period through the Art Deco era. “Noir beige” is a deep, immaculate black when polished. Its scarcity is a testament to its value, and Belgium Black has been featured in fine sculpture from the Florentine Medici workshop (founded in 1588). It was also used in the luxurious Taj Mahal in India.
Shape, detail, embellishments – it’s all there in this late 19th century piece featuring bronze mounts and a provincial style frieze. The large scale mantel was imported from Europe by Danny Alessandro & Edwin Jackson Mantel Company – a specialist dealer who often imported fine mantels for prestigious private clients.
19th Century French Louis XV Rouge Royal Marble Mantel
Of all Belgian marbles, Rouge Royal was the subclass used to adorn monuments most frequently; it makes appearances in the Palace of Versailles, the Louvre, and Palais Royal. Rouge Royal marble is characterized by striking white calcite veins riddling the warm brown base note of the material.
This mantel shares the sculpted curves and floral patterning of its Louis XV contemporaries, with the unique variation of a carved, scrolled relief as the center focal point of the serpentine apron.
Plaza Hotel Carved Carrara Marble Mantel with Gold Details
When Donald Trump bought New York’s Plaza Hotel three decades ago, he put first wife Ivana in charge of renovations for “one dollar a year plus all the dresses she can buy.”
Ivana incorporated the historic luxury hotel’s exclusive gold leaf, distinguished crown molding, and aristocratic chandeliers into the Greenwich, Connecticut estate she shared with Donald. It was Ivana Trump who added the gilded embellishments to the Plaza’s original Carrara Victorian white marble mantels.
Carrara marble originates in the Apuan Alps in Tuscany, where it is quarried and brought down to the port city Carrara on the coast at Livorno. The white marble was used extensively in Roman architecture and during the Renaissance period. Michelangelo’s “David” is just one example of white Carrara marble’s prominence in exquisite sculptural works.
Waldorf Astoria French Regency Carved Brown Mantel
An original Waldorf Astoria mantel, this piece was imported from Europe and housed in Suite M on the 32nd floor. Carved from beige marble with gold-yellow, pink, sienna, and blue-violet veining, this piece is intricately carved with a floral motif wheeling at the center of a vibrant infinity chain. Fluted columns on curved plinths frame the opening, while carved wheat and acanthus leaves grace the columns and flutings. The effect of this sophisticated piece is a balance of warm and cool tones, depth, and movement. It exudes a sense of vibrant beauty.
Heavily Carved Victorian Arched Statuary Marble Mantel
Another piece hailing from the Carrara mountainous regions of Italy, this piece is carved from the rare white statuary marble that became a foundation for ornate architecture and iconic sculptures over the last 3,000 years. This carved Victorian mantel originates from a Long-Islander’s private collection, and it is reported to have once belonged to President James Monroe. This 1800s piece is adorned with Baroque spandrels carved with rosebud florals and rope and ribbon detailing on the center arch.
A perfect installation for native New York City renovations, the arched mantels are reminiscent of the original custom work found in New York brownstones. The Italianate architecture style, which was born of the Romantic and Picturesque movement, dominated American homes between 1850 and 1880. Characteristics of Italian forms were elaborate arches and curves paired with extravagant details.
Learn more about this mantel.
Marble’s journey from quarry to classic carved fireplace mantel is indeed a labor of love. The increasing rarity of such fine, durable material, along with the time- and labor-intensive artistic process makes carved marble craftsmanship more valuable than ever. Contact one of our experts at Olde Good Things for customized help with perusing our selection of fine carved marble for your project.
