Calacatta Viola Marble Hand-Carved Fireplace Mantel Polished

Calacatta Viola, hand carved for the hearth

A fireplace surround does more than frame the hearth; it anchors the whole room. This mantel is hand carved from Calacatta Viola marble and polished, and it measures 54 inches (L) by 45 inches (H) with a depth of 8 inches (D). Its lines are modern, but the carving gives it the presence of a traditional piece, so it sits between classic and contemporary. Calacatta Viola shows the rich veining associated with a Calacatta marble, here as soft gray on a white ground. Each mantel is sculpted with care, and the result is a fireplace that people remember rather than one that blends into the wall.

Veining, polish and carving

A polished finish shows the full colour and depth of the crystal structure in the stone, so the white ground and gray veining appear clear and lively. The surface catches the light and shifts with it through the day. The hand-carved details are part of the stone's form rather than flourishes added on, and each one carries the mark of the carver. Every marble has its own veining, tones and shades: the movement of the surface, the variations in colour and the depth of the material make each mantel different from the next, and moderate variation between pieces is normal. No mantel will match a showroom sample exactly. Calacatta Viola is increasingly sought after because it bridges traditional elegance and a more contemporary, statement look, and polish is the finish that shows that best. The white ground and gray veining create visual depth, so the fireplace seems to glow and shift with the light instead of sitting flat on the wall.

• Polished Calacatta Viola White marble with soft gray veining and a bright polish.
• Hand-carved details Carving that is part of the form, made by hand.

Scaled to hold a wall

At 54 inches long, 45 inches high and 8 inches deep, the mantel is scaled to command a living room without overwhelming it. It gives weight to the fireplace wall and brings order to the space around it. In a room with high ceilings it holds its own, and in a smaller living room it remains in proportion. Because the craftsmanship and the material are what carry it, a hand-carved marble mantel sits naturally in a classical room or a contemporary one. A fireplace surround is also a good place for marble, since it sees far less wear than a kitchen counter exposed to acidic foods every day. Carved marble mantels take time to make, with the stone, the complexity of the carving and the size all shaping the work. The top of the mantel takes a mirror, a pair of candlesticks or a single piece of art without crowding the carving.

• Size (L) 54" × (H) 45" × (D) 8", polished marble.
• Four pieces Hearth, two columns and a top piece.

A modular, professional install

The mantel uses modular construction, with a hearth, two columns and a top piece, which simplifies installation while keeping the look of one continuous piece. Marble is heavy, and the assembly should be installed by a professional who fits it to the fireplace opening and fixes it securely to the wall. Clearances between the stone and the firebox follow the fireplace maker's instructions and local building code. The hearth is set level first, then the columns and the top piece. Measuring the fireplace opening before ordering confirms that the 54 by 45 inch mantel fits, and the installer checks the finished piece for level and square.

Why we chose it

• Hand carved Each mantel bears the work of a carver, not a machine.
• Calacatta Viola Rich veining on a white ground, different in every block.
• Made to order It is made to order, with custom sizes available.

Custom sizing

This mantel is made to order. If the standard 54 by 45 inch size does not fit the opening, or a larger room calls for a mantel with a stronger presence, it can be carved to a custom size or finish. Contact us with the measurements of the fireplace and the wall.

Care

Calacatta Viola is a calcite marble with a polished surface. Like all marble it is porous, so acids can etch it and strong pigments can stain it. It is commonly sealed when installed, and how often it is resealed depends on use. A mantel sees light wear, which is why marble suits this place in the home.