THIS FIREPLACE MANTEL IS, IN MY VIEW, A TRUE “BURST OF LIFE” — AND HERE’S WHY:
A) Because of its deep, elegant black hue, so rarely seen in our homes, and yet full of personality;
B) Because of the sharp visual contrast created by its delicate, thread-like white veining across that dense black marble;
C) Because of its remarkable state of preservation, after nearly two centuries among humans.
This bold, sculptural mantelpiece was carved on the French Riviera around the mid-1800s, later recovered and dismantled in Paris, and requires only a thorough cleaning and a loving coat of wax — all of which, of course, we’ll take care of before delivery.
As for the price... well, it’s so reasonable you might think we stole it!
But I promise you — we didn’t. We dismantled it with our own hands, transported it to Italy with great care, and paid for it fair and square.
Origin: French Riviera
Period: 1840–1860
IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING DELIVERY:
CLARIFYING COMMON MISUNDERSTANDINGS AT THE TIME OF UNLOADING AND “UPSTAIRS SERVICE” EXPECTATIONS
Over time, we’ve noticed a growing number of misunderstandings at the time of delivery — especially around what is (and is not) included. Here are some recent examples from real conversations we’ve had with clients:
A)
“But I thought your delivery guy would bring the fireplace up to my apartment...”
(The client lived on the 4th floor with no lift, and the fireplace components each weighed approximately 100 kg.)
B)
“Wait, you're not installing it for me? I thought that was included in the price!”
(Installation costs for a fireplace mantel can vary dramatically, from €700–1000 for basic setups to €4000–5000 for more complex work — and in this case, the entire fireplace cost just €1500...)
C)
Our delivery driver, who has spent over twenty years trying his best to accommodate our customers’ scheduling needs, might agree on a 4:00 PM appointment with a client. And then, upon arrival, he’s greeted with:
“Oh, I won’t be home before six — I still have to go to the hairdresser…”
D)
We had agreed in advance with the customer on cash payment at the time of delivery.
Despite having confirmed the date and time two or three days earlier, when our driver arrives, the customer has no cash and instead pulls out a Poste Italiane cheque (among the most commonly forged in the world!).
So best case? Our driver waits while the client heads to the bank to make a withdrawal they should have done earlier. Worst case? We reload everything, lose half a day, and eat the full cost of the trip (which, believe me, is not insignificant).
MORAL OF THE STORY:
LET’S WORK TO AVOID THESE SITUATIONS IN FUTURE
In Case A:
The client has clearly misunderstood the term “delivery” to mean “Egyptian-style slave labour.”
Let’s remember: slavery ended with Lincoln, and unless there’s a working elevator, the task of carrying heavy pieces upstairs (excluding any professional moving contracts) falls to the buyer.
This has been standard practice in civilised Italy for over a hundred years.
In Case B:
The client has confused the simple term “delivery” with the far more elaborate “delivery plus royal service and complimentary perks.”
In Cases C & D:
When someone forgets — or simply disregards — a scheduled commitment, it becomes an issue of basic courtesy, especially towards those who may have travelled hundreds of kilometres to provide a service, and who risk falling behind schedule for the next client waiting for their delivery.
