largely intact original late 19th century antique american richardsonian romanesque style hand carved interior residential ornamental fireplace frieze and shelf. the exact fabricator is not known. the three-sided mantel component features highly detailed repeating peddled flower motifs surrounded by lavishly designed leafage. the flaming birch wood mantle shelf was discovered in the chicago area. very little is known about the manufacturer or where it was salvaged from. the oversized carved wood fragment has been painted at one point, then stripped (to some degree). the delicate dentil border below the projecting shelf does contains some damage and/or missing sections. measures 65 1/2 x 15 x 8 1/4 inches.