The industrial revolution brought about significant change. Increases in technology meant that, for the first time, goods could be mass-produced. The Victorian era was the era of the cast iron fireplace and, thanks to mass production, many kinds of grates and fireplaces became available. Throughout the 19th century, cast iron grates and fireplaces became very popular – the Victorian cast iron fireplace was to be found in wealthy and poor homes alike.

The Victorian cast iron fireplace was available in a wide range of styles, influenced by previous eras. Popular styles included the Greek, the neo-Gothic and the Elizabethan, and by Queen Victoria’s reign many complicated and elaborate designs of fireplace were available.

Since Inigo Jones’s day, fireplaces had been rectangular, but in the Victorian era arched cast iron fireplaces became popular. Iron founders also designed new cast-iron chimneypieces that combined the grate and surround into one unit. All this choice led to the term the battle of the styles.

The Victorian cast iron fire-grate was relatively small, with ample heat being generated by the radiation from the polished metal. Victorian cast iron surrounds ranged from the small and delicate to the grandly ornate with imposing over-mantles. Craftsmanship in all cast iron pieces was of an extremely high standard, and the smaller surrounds were often used as attractive in-fills for mantels.

There is no doubt that cast iron fireplaces were very popular in the 19th century, and they are still very much in demand today: this is closely associated with nostalgia and the Victorian ideals of a closely-knit family life.

Due to the large selection of styles and sizes available, there is a cast iron fireplace to suit every room. Specialist fireplace retailers sell original Victorian cast iron fires and surrounds, and these come cleaned, polished and restored to their former glory. Excellent reproduction Victorian fireplaces are also available.