Louis
 The
term Louis refers to the name of 18 French Monarchs who reigned
from 1300 to the French Revolution. The Louis Mantelpiece should
more rightly be called a Louis revival mantelpiece as it was
the product of the 19th century when French architects and interior
decorators sought to produce styles, which mimicked the type
of fireplace which was popular during the reigns of Louis XIV,
XV, and XVI. In reality the fireplaces of this era were a lot
more elaborate than the revival designs, which were made in
France and England during the Victorian era. A typical Louis
revival projected around 9 inches from the wall. The front was
flat and box like with a wide rectangular opening. The designs
were more graceful than the British marble fireplace of the
era and were often made by Italian craftsmen with extra detail
and finishing undertaken by French artisans.
The revival Louis XV surrounds have graceful curves and the
designs which are popular today are much more likely to be from
this origin. Louis XVI fireplaces are square and much more masculine
and could be mistaken for many traditional English designs which
have been popular for 200 years or more. The small and feminine
Louis XV Pompadour has probably been the most successful of
all the Louis designs.
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