Is this the original fireplace?

[dilemma456]

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the black bit with the tiles yes
the outer bit dunno

Could be. A friend has original fireplaces with marble surrounds (although I think hers is black marble).

It could, of course, be a salvaged one (and thus not original to the house) or a reproduction.

I'd say it looks pretty much of the age. The mantel made not be original to the house (depending on the size of the room/house etc). But it looks in keeping with the period. I have a victorian fireplace with marble inserts in the fire surround (as do teh rest of teh street for those that haven't ripped them out!)

The inner firegrate bit looks newer but the tiled are and surround look original.

Are there carvings of two fish on the back of the fire? Does it have a little flap to stop soot coming down?

Sorry but I don't think it is- I think Victorian marble surrounds tended to be much higher and more Grecian in style (could be talking out of my arse but have lived in lots of Victorian properties- still do). I also think that the tiled bit looks original but not the fireplace but it's hard to tell.

Yes without a doubt.

But probably not the grate. That looks modern.

The tiled bit yes but not sure about the marble?

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Ours are exactly the same and the antique fire man who fitted our grate said they were original.

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The mantle and the tiled surround look correct for the period. The grate may be a replacement but looks to be in keeping with the rest. Nice fireplace

It's impossible to tell between original and repro from a photo.

You need to look at the detail of the casting of the cast iron fire surround. I thought ours was original or salvage, but the man from the fireplace shop (we're having work done on it) said the quality of casting gave it away as repro. Look at how sharp the edges of the pattern are and whether you can see any little missing bits which are caused by bubbles in the metal when it was cast.

'No fish Gentleotter and haven't checked for flaps.
'

May we nominate for QOTW

LOL

Style is identical to the one in my MIL's sitting room- though hers has been painted with white gloss...eek... because it is actually slate, and was completely overwhelming the room.
Her house is late victorian terrace.

It's identical to the beautiful original fireplace in my old (late Victorian) flat