The Name for a Fireplace Shelf

History

• Mantel shelves have been around for hundreds of years but did not become common in the American colonies until the Georgian period in the 1750s and '60s. Until that time, mantels were usually of simple, rough construction. Afterwards, mantels became increasingly ornate, often painted and with ornamental woodwork above the shelf extending up to the crown molding below the ceiling. Later mantel styles might be more or less intricate, but the mantel shelf became a standard component.

Materials

• Mantels are generally made of wood, stone or metal with marble or faux marble a favorite choice. If the shelf and the rest of the mantel are made of wood or another flammable material, they must be a certain distance from the firebox, separated by a fireproof surround. Mantels made from stone act as thermal mass, holding heat from the fire and releasing it gradually even after the flames are out. Metal mantels, on the other hand, tend to reflect heat into the room.

Design Elements

• At its simplest, a mantel shelf is a flat space to hold objects. More complex designs incorporate multiple, tiered shelves or a cage formed by small spindles, often supporting an arch -- the latter referred to as an "etagere" in French. Many shelves are backed with a mirror to add the impression of depth and reflect the backs of art objects displayed on the shelf. Small side shelves on Victorian mantels abut the pilasters or columns on one or both sides of the mantelpiece.

Garniture

• No mantel shelf would be complete without the collection of bric-a-brac, small art objects and personal items collectively termed garniture. In point of fact, the original purpose of mantel shelves was to hold candles or lamps for lighting the room in the days before electricity. As the need for this supplemental lighting dwindled, the space naturally filled with objects important to the resident, proudly displayed in the prominent position afforded by the shelf.