Edwardian Antique Fireplaces (1890's - 1905)

The Edwardian Era covers the period between 1900 and 1920. At the beginning of the Edwardian period most fireplaces; particularly the cast iron insert fireplace designs were focused on having tiles on as a feature. This sort of design was seen as much of in the late Victorian era. Fireplaces in the Edwardian era were typically made from cast iron and as the period progressed fireplaces became taller and slimmer, the decoration became simpler and less complex than designs seen in the late Victorian period. Cast iron inserts with tiles became less popular being replaced more often than not by canopies on legs with large angled panels either side covering the space between the canopy and the fireplace surround. Instead of traditionally having space to slot the tiles in the cast, canopies on legs used tiled panels which were then placed at angles to the canopy. In the mid-Edwardian period cast, iron combination fireplaces with tiles became popular, similar to tiled cast iron inserts seen in the Victorian period but with simpler designs and a surround included in the cast. During the Edwardian era, another style became popularly known as the arts and crafts style which was mainly focused on using local materials for the fireplace and bringing them into the home. The theme for the arts and crafts style was always natural and materials were always sourced locally where possible. A range of materials was used during this period including mainly cast iron, brick and tiles and in some of the more upmarket houses made to measure beaten copper fireplaces were a popular design. Large surrounds also became a popular fashion during the Edwardian era, particularly wooden surrounds that incorporated large mirrors. During the late Edwardian period cast iron started to decrease in popularity replaced by ammunition factories as the demand for cast iron materials increased significantly at the start of World War 1.