Waldorf Astoria Louis XVI Rouge Royal Marble Mantel

This English Regency style mantel is carved from Rouge Royale, a rich oxblood marble characterized by the presence of white calcite veins. This piece features angled jambs carved with fluting that becomes cabled before each plinth. In the center of the apron is an oval floral motif, which is highlighted to the left and right by two hand carved frames. Right above each leg are three channels of fluting, cabled two thirds of the way down. The shelf is finished with an ogee edge.

An early to mid 19th century Louis XVI style piece, this piece epitomizes "Louis Seize", a style of architecture, furniture, decoration, and art just before the French Revolution. Designs in this style hearkened back to the purity and grandeur of the art of the Ancient Greeks.

Quarried from Hautmont, Belgium, Rouge Royale was widely used in furniture and decoration, especially during the construction of Versailles castle and Louveciennes. In his Dictionary of Trade and Industry, Blanqui described this marble as, "This marble with a red background, mixed with white, and sometimes blue, is extracted in the town of Franchimont, near Philippeville, in the province of Namur. In all the Belgian marbles, it is the one that was most frequently used in the decoration of monuments: in the palace of Versailles, the Louvre, Palais Royal, and in many other public and private buildings."

This antique mantel was one of several pieces imported from Europe to furnish the historic Waldorf Astoria Hotel in NYC, which opened on October 1, 1931. This mantel is original to room 30A2. A Waldorf Astoria authenticity card is included with your purchase.
Pictured still installed at the Waldorf Astoria, kindly confirm the condition before purchasing. Located at our Scranton Warehouse, please allow 3-4 weeks for processing.