Can I find out what's original?

[ContraryToPopularBelief]

I've not long moved in to a late 1800s house. Is there anyway to find out which features are original? In particular if the fireplace is original or replica?
If it's original then I'm inclined to keep it but if it's a replica then there are probably nicer replicas iyswim. Ditto tiles, fire surround, hearth etc

You need an architectural historian or historic buildings expert.
< waves hello >

Failing that you could start with some of the numerous guides to owning historic houses, there are some focusing on houses of the late 19th century. Also SPAB do some great courses for historic homeowners.

Your use of the word replica is a bit ambiguous. Do you actually mean replica or a fireplace or a later date? There is a difference between a late1800s fireplace and a 1920s one but that does not make the 1920s one a replica, just a later phase and style of decorating. So you need to gauge if you are looking at original, later or fake original. (sorry if you are using the correct term I just come across people who misuse it a lot so wanted to clarify).

Linda Hall does a great book listing all the fixtures and fittings and the dates they were used from - This is my bible . Get the version that goes up to 1900. Also there are many design books and catalogues from the late 19th century, some of which are on google books I think.

Is the property listed? if so check the listing text, if it includes the internal fittings then they are part of the listing.

Look round your neighbours! I realised our fireplace, whilst Victorian, was not original to the house (I think the previous owner liked reclamation yards ) after comparing with neighbours with the same style of house - they all had the same simple grey marble not the very ornate red and black marble number we inherited —and took out—. Same for the cornicing.

Of course you need to be careful not to be nosy but some people might not mind letting you look if you knock and introduce yourself and explain? Nice way to meet the neighbours? Or check old property listings on Zoopla to see what their fireplaces look like, though harder to see detail.

@mogtheexcellent thanks for your fab reply. I was meaning replica as in a 'fake' version of an original but you make a really good point about the later period originals.

Are achitectural historians expensive? 🤔

Oh and no it's not listed.

@minipie we haven't really bumped in to our neighbours yet. Although most of the houses on the street we're built st the same time, they are all slightly different in style - so I wonder if the original fireplaces would also have been different.

Yes if they are different styles that makes it harder. Post a picture here - I’m sure you’ll get lots of opinions, some more qualified than others

It is possible they were different. The fittings could have been chosen from a selection the developer had it if was part of a speculative development (a bit like modern housing developments). Alternatively each house may have been built by a different builder at different times.

Try asking the local history society there may be someone who could come and help you for minimal fee or voluntarily.

Here's my fireplace.

I looked online for a local architectural historian but couldn't find one 😰. Off to search for a historical society...

The tiled/iron inset looks of the period as does the mantle surround. These could be the ones originally in the house.
It looks as if they have been removed and placed back, as the cream tiling and hearth tiles look new.

Ooh do you mind if I post a picture of mine @Contrary?
I've always wondered if it's original.

Crack on @GinandGingerBeer

Thanks @Beebumble2. I don't like the cream bit at all. I love the surround as it's quite imposing but simple in design. Do you happen to know if this is the colour it would likely have been?

Cheers
House was built 1910 iirc. I think the tiles look to be later than that though?

Hard to tell from the photo, but is the surround painted wood? If it is then it would possibly be dark, it could be mahogany underneath, but the Victorians often used pine and then paint finishes to look like more expensive wood or marble.
The tile panels in the inset are definitely original. I think the cream is strange, originally it could have been black slate that would have matched a black slate hearth.

It's come out a lot brighter, more orangey in the pic, it's more sort of black/copper toned. One in the dining room is very similar but deep red.

Is it wood? I cant tell from the photo. We have an original victorian fireplace but ours is black slate and i love it. I think it looks like its been refitted or put in from somewhere else as that cream bit looks wrong but you could paint it black and the hearth would look better if it was plain black slate as well.

Give us photos of the other one as well, and maybe from another angle so we can see the colour better? I think with some alterations they could look good.

Ginand ginger Can’t see a picture of your fireplace, yet.

Oh, I'm on the App so I'll go to desktop and re post

Here

Gin what a fab fireplace. The surround is beautiful high Victorian style and is certainly original to the period.
From the photo the insert looks very ‘clean’ with not a look of aging. It could be a newer casting of an original mould. Again the beautiful tiles could be original or excellent copies. Originals would possibly have signs of crazing to the glaze.

Thanks @Beebumble2 that's really great to hear. The tiles do have a slight 'crackle' to them in the mustard yellow parts.
I've been giving it a bit of a clean this morning as some soot had dropped, time for a chimney sweep.

Thanks for your expertise @Beebumble2. I'm going to get a local 'fire guy' whose highly recommended to come and have a look and get the chimney swept and get the fire working.

Glad to help, nothing like a real fire to light up a room!

BTW, when the fires not lit, open fires can be draughty so I put a pillow in a strong bin bag and stuff it up the chimney. Just remember it’s there!
Back in time there would have been a metal plate that filled the chimney opening, but mostly these are missing now.

Yeah if you look. Rey closely at my pic you'll see a blue bag hanging down. It's a pillow wrapped in a bag. V high tech!

Ooh Gin, your fireplace looks a bit like mine! Looks like the same green/black marble. Apologies for the rubbish pic, the only one to hand at the moment!