The Parts Of A Fireplace

A marble fireplace or a stone fireplace is comprised of different components, and Spencer and Richman take great care to ensure they are carved most accurately so that joints are barely visible.

In fact, almost every piece named in Paul Spencer's drawing is a separate component from frieze to soffit, top shelf to jambs, plinths to inside returns.

Indeed, how well the parts fit is a good test of how well a fireplace has been designed and carved.