Anyone good at dating fireplaces?

[Palomb]

This fireplace is in a house i've just bought. The house was built in 1935 and has most of its original feature but this fireplace doesn't look original to me. I've never seen anything like it! I think it's cast iron.

The working fire bit is a gas insert.

I think the surround is original although it looks as though it's been painted, the tiles have been updated at some point and the fire insert is a gas fire and much more modern. The fender - possibly Edwardian.

If you are lucky the surround may be oak or slate under the paint.

Or cast iron - missed that bit off my reply.

Yes the surround is original 1930s. You often see the diamond motif on brown furniture of the same era.

The tiles and inset are definitely not. It wouldn't be too difficult to tile over with something more sympathetic. They were probably a green/beige marble effect in the first place. You probably could open it up for a real fire. Depends on the chimney. A look on google will probably provide an image of a similar original.
Nice feature to have.

Our house was built in 1927 and has that same surround. The fire is more modern though.

I would say the surround is original.

The tiles look very 80's in style and the gas insert possibly more modern still maybe to comply with updated regs.

I was hoping to knock the tiles off and replace with something a bit more appealing and then repaint it. The other fireplace is your typical 30's tiled article and were planning to open that up and use it as an open fireplace but will be keeping the gas fire in this one.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if those tiles have been put on top of the original ones. If the fire surround isn't sitting on top of them that is likely to be the case.

The surround looks original with 80s or 90s tiles and fire bit.

If the original tiles aren't behind you can buy reproduction 30s fireplace tiles here www.c20fireplaces.co.uk/fireplace_parts_tiles

It would be brilliant if the original tiles were underneath but I don't much fancy my chances of getting the brown ones off intact. I wonder if there's a knack to it?

There is a knack. I can't quite recall it at the moment, but I think it involves putting a cross of masking tape on the tile and drilling. I'm sure u tube will have an answer.

If the original tiles are underneath, they might not be very attractive tbh! The company wetlaurel has recommended are very good - their showroom is impressive. They do restoration and reproduction.

We'll have to see what emerges when I get the chisel out

That c20 website is fab. So many lovely things!!

Thanks everyone

I've just googled 1930s fireplace tiles, and found loads of lovely green ones that would look fab. Too many to link but check it out.

Ooh yeah, green! I love greens and blues . We've got painted strips of lining paper hung all over the house at the moment and a lot of them a bluey.