"Lambrequins and the Chimney Gallery": Victorian design history

“Lambrequins and the Gallery Chimney” is not the latest Harry Potter Blockbuster but rather refers to elements of period Victorian Design popular from about 1870-1885.

The fireplace was the focal point in the Victorian era. It was a place for entertaining, a place where the family congregated and as such was an important place in the Victorian home. Much as we might decorated  a fireplace mantle for Christmas. The Victorian mantle was an ever changing, ever decorated, point in the home. Warmer weather brought a significant change in how the mantle looked. It was not needed to heat the home so it was decorated and decorated and decorated.

Some of you may be familiar with the term “Lambrequin’ as a drapery, typically attached to a cornice however Lambrequin also refers to a piece of elaborately decorated material drapes on a fireplace mantle shelf. It was hand sewn and often with tassels or fringe. The quality of the sewing was critical, as this was viewed by guests, as they perused the many items on it.

The Lambrequin also served to ‘dress up an older plainer slate or marble mantle which were viewed as out of date by the 1870’s when all manner of elaborately faux painted and stenciled slate and cast iron mantle became popular. Victorians, being frugal were not going to toss out an expensive mantle because it was out of date. Another updating technique was to place elaborate screen in front of these mantles. As mass woodworking techniques came into being, one could order their mantle at the local lumberyard. In fact as things became more ‘co-ordinated’ amount the wealthy, firms like Herter Bros, offered matching drapery cornices and over-mantles so one had a truly perfect look.  You could order new wood over-mantles , sometimes ebonized to match an older cast iron mantle with multiple shelves often backed with multiple beveled mirrors.

These over-mantles with shelves went on to be called “gallery chimneys” in the Victorian era. Of course this look is easy to recreate with antiques and even for those who lack a fireplace, one can bring in a salvaged mantle attach it to a wall, put a summer cover in front of the opening and instant ‘decorative fireplace.”. With the advent of the shingle and craftsman styles these went by the wayside. Mantles were simplified and over-mantes were often taken off and put in an attic , basement or even tossed out. Period sewn Lambrequins are rare today and original examples of the sewn period Victorian textiles can bring thousands.

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Antique of the Week: An Aesthetic Gentleman's Chair

It seems like its been forever since we did antique of the week what with my work to document and save Fairmount..

Have been going through the warehouse pulling pieces for our next round of upholstery and came across this nice dark red Aesthetic Gentleman's Chair.. As you can see it has one minor upholstry issue near the right front but its an east fix with a little patchwork or you could use this as its. Happy to make minor repair/patch at the list price. We can reupholster in your choice of fabric for additional charges.Nice size comfortable chair that you can actually use and sit in.

Price for this nice solid chair 125.00 dollars and you can pick up in our Indy location or we can arrange pickup in Cincinnati. Do you need a mantle? The partially stripped mantle is for sale too. 200.00 or much more after we trip and refinish it. If you feel handy you could save some major bucks! Cash or Paypal. Contact us at victiques@gmail.com for details. We can work with your shipper as well.

Antique of the week is a periodic series showcasing affordable antiques for homeowners who are cash strapped due to restoration. Better hurry on this one, we will start reupholstery in August so but it now.

Preservation Pittsburgh files lawsuit against city to stop demolition

Preservation Pittsburgh has filed a lawsuit against the Sports and Exhibition authority, the city mayor, county commissioner, US Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood and two other transportation officials to stop the demolition of a sports arena

The complaint said the Arena demolition would violate the National Historic Preservation Act  in the use of Highway funds to redevelop the site of the 50 year old arena. The lawsuit seeks a declaratory order that city actions to approve demolition are "unlawful and invalid" and to bar the use of federal funds for to rebuild streets around the arena site.

The arena was found  in 2001 by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic places. As part of the redevelopment  a 975,000.00 earmark is involved.

According to the complaint the Federal Highway Commission has not  fulfilled the legal mandate to minimize harm to historic structures nor has it completed an environmental impact of any redevelopment Preservation Pittsburgh seeks the order which would temporarily block demolition of the Civic Arena until federal agencies perform the reviews required under the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act. The organization also seeks and injunction preventing the city from proceeding with the street improvements.

On June 28th , the Council rejected a historic Designation that could have saved the arena from demolition.

My Opinion? It's nice to see a local preservation organization group actually willing to fight to save things. Compare this to the MSD Lick Run project here in Cincinnati which is subject to a 875,000.00 federal earmark and will need Highway funds, HUD and EPA funding and Fairmount has dozens of properties individually eligible and the neighborhood as whole could easily be a national historic district..Note to CPA, this is how you save things by not being afraid to fight for them in public.