19th century Napoleon III breccia marble mantle

This 19th Century, Napoleon III style antique mantle with modillions is made of breccia marble. It was made, carved, and hand-sculpted in the 19th century. It features a thin molded shelf that gently rests on a pair of straight jambs, delimited by a molding at the top and a foot block at the bottom. Two finger fluted modillions appear under the lintel. Molded panels beautifully end the whole piece.

The Napoleon III style is also known as the Second Empire style. It is characterized by sumptuousness, exuberance of forms, profusion of decorative motifs and eclecticism (inspired by Antiquity, the Ancien Regime, The Renaissance and the Louis XVI style ...). Born under the impulse of the Emperor Napoleon III and the Empress Eugénie, this architectural style grew in popularity with the French bourgeoisie from 1860. This period was also the time of the great transformation of Paris under the impulse of the Baron Haussmann, and with the proliferation of apartments, the marble mantles become real references in terms of furnishing!

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