Rustic Fireplace Mantel - Rare 1800s Rectangular, Elm Hand Hewn
This fireplace mantel beam comes from a rare vertical log home dating back to 1894. It has 4 sides hand hewn into a rectangular shape. This too is unusual in that it made most sense to square round logs into square beams. While we like to save log cabins as log cabins, this one had significant cut-outs and was scheduled for quick demolition. In those later pictures, the vertical wood on the first floor is not planking, but rather logs. From what we can tell, this cabin was built in 1894. There were old Swedish newspapers stuck to the wall for insulation. Between the logs, there was chinking made of grasses and old fabric. We're trying to clarify the history. The area settled with a mix of Swedish, Polish, and German immigrants. There's some reports that making vertical log cabins was common in a small area in Poland. It is certainly plausible that Polish immigrant brought over this construction technique. There was another vertical log cabin found in the area. A Swedish family, the Mainquist's, lived on the farm from about 1930 to 2013. There are some nice pictures on the Minnesota Historical Society website of the Mainquist Family — Evert with Calf, Carol Mainquist sitting on a disc harrow, and Break from threshing on Evert Mainquist farm. You can see the old house in the background of the Carol image. Note the tag on this one was from the original newspaper covering the wall. It was from a Swedish newspaper printed in the Midwest. You can see the mix of Swedish and English. If you're interest in American Pioneer history, the Vilhelm Moberg's Emigrants book series comes highly recommended. SIZE: 71in Long x 10in Deep x 5.5in Tall This exact one is sold, but we have many more like it.
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We are a small mom-and-pop shop that works hands-on to craft tables, mantels, and countertops. We feel so very fortunate to reclaim old wood from the fading American landscape and to create wonderful pieces that can last generations. It is indeed a blessing. We work together with exceptionally talented blacksmiths who add true, hand-hammered ironwork to some already fantastic, well-crafted reclaimed wood pieces.
Farm Tables
Our artistry comes alive when we create farm tables, harvest tables, trestle tables, and even industrial base tables. This old reclaimed wood lends itself wonderfully to truly touchable beauty. With our tables, you just can’t help but touch 'em and run your hand across 'em.
Wood Countertops
As a returning trend, wood countertops are great. With flowing edges, unique colors, and interesting textures, our reclaimed wood countertops are even better than modern solid wood countertops.
Fireplace Mantels
These beam mantels are the real thing – many with ax marks from American settlers in the 1800s. There’s no “distressing” in our shop; it’s all original. We sand and finish to make each beam a thing of beauty. Our blacksmith partners can add a wonderful variety of accents to each piece.
- JR
Jim Rudder
For Oak With Metal Inlay (your website picture is walnut)5.0Kevin Coffel listened, collaborated and produced a beautiful rustic mantel. Outstanding experience ! Thanks, Jim & Nancy Rudder
- RM
Rob McCreesh
For Rustic Fireplace Mantel Shelf - Cut Oak Tree-Like Face4.8The completed mantel is beautiful. Kevin is very easy to work with and shared many photos of different options as we worked through the build process.
- TC
Ted Cawkwell
For 1830s Rustic Log Cabin Fireplace Mantel5.0Kevin was super professional and timely with his replies. He gave me updates throughout the process and always kept me informed. I would highly recommend Kevin to anyone looking for this type of product.
- KA
Kyle Atyia
For 1830s Rustic Log Cabin Fireplace Mantel4.8Antique Woodworks, specifically Kevin Coffel, was amazing to work with. Despite only communicating through email and pictures, he was able to deliver exactly what we were looking for in our mantle. With this piece being such a crucial statement piece in our new home, I can’t begin to put into words how nice it was to have Kevin concern himself with giving us exactly what we wanted. It is truly a beautiful work of art and we can’t wait to have it installed.
- KG
Karen Goulet
For 1830s Rustic Log Cabin Fireplace Mantel4.8This fireplace mantel exceeded my expectations. The quality and workmanship are beautiful. Kevin included me in the project from start to finish, answered all my questions and sent regular updates as the project progressed.
- DR
David Reinsel
For Dark White Oak Mantel Beam With Flowing Grains4.8Couldn't be happier. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for!
- RM
Ronald Manzi
For Mantel Shelf Made From Reclaimed White Oak With Nice Streaks5.0Working with Kevin Coffel from Antique Woodworks was a pleasure from my very first email correspondence with him. Kevin was quick to respond and supplied an abundance of examples of both his past and ongoing projects. As we continued communicating specifics about the project we wanted to have done, Kevin provided expertise and valuable suggestions to help us in our decision with what would be "best" for our project. His communication was timely, professional, and always value added. Once we agreed to what we wanted, he provided updates to the ongoing work and made excellent suggestions that would better enhance the fireplace mantle he was making for us. We were completely satisfied with the work he did and the finished product even exceeded our expectations. I would very highly recommend Kevin for any projects you may be considering. The work he did will bring an increased beauty to our home.
- CG
Curtis Gwinn
For Dark White Oak Mantel Beam With Flowing Grains5.0antique woodworks did a fantastic job working with me to find the exact right size, wood and color for my custom mantel request. they went above and beyond making sure everything was done right and that i received my mantel on time and in perfect condition (from halfway across the country). highly recommended.
- MH
Mike Hitt
For Mantel Shelf Made From Reclaimed White Oak With Nice Streaks5.0Extremely happy with Kevin. I’ve been going back and forth with him for a few months. He patiently kept sending me links with pictures of mantles. He was super. Finally ordered my piece and it’s on the way. Highly recommend Kevin.
- TO
Tom O'Malley
For custom mantle and corbels5.0Kevin hit it out of the ballpark with our mantel and corbels! As a builder of fine homes and developer of legacy properties, I heartily recommend him. I especially appreciate the history behind each piece. No doubt Mari was indispensible behind the scenes. Thank you, and God bless you and your loved ones.
- TC
Tim Crimmins
For White oak mantle beam4.8The process of working with Kevin and the tam at Antique Woodworks was seamless and efficient. Even though everything was done remotely, it was very simple and questions we had were answered promptly. We could not be more pleased with the finished product and it was an added bonus to learn the history of the wood that was used in making our fireplace mantle. The piece they made for us will be a focal point in our home for years to come.
- GZ
Gail Zimmerman
For Dark White Oak Mantel Beam With Flowing Grains5.0Kevin sent us a beautiful oak beam from a barn cut to our specifications. It was just what we wanted, arrived in perfect condition and was just what we wanted. Kevin was a pleasure to work with. He was responsive, and willing to work with us in finding just what we wanted. It looks beautiful as a mantle on our fireplace. We cannot recommend him more highly. Gail and Jim
- AJ
Adam Jones
For Unique Mantel With Reclaimed Wood And Metal Wave4.8From beginning to end this was a great project.. I was rebuilding a fireplace and the mantel was the finishing piece. Kevin’s communication along the way advice for color and design and the pictures back and forth made me really feel he was vested in my project. The final product is beautiful and as it should be its the center Piece of the fire place. Truly a pleasure thank you.
- PS
Paul Smith
For Mantel Shelf Made From Reclaimed White Oak With Nice Streaks5.0Working with Kevin of Antique Woodworks was awesome. He went out of his way to deliver to us a great looking mantel that was exactly what we were was look for.
MPMichael Papsin
For 1830s Rustic Log Cabin Fireplace Mantel5.0Kevin did an amazing job for me with my elm mantel. He gave me so many wood species options and was in constant communication with me. He completed the mantel and i had no obligation to purchase until I was 100% satisfied. Promptly shipped the mantel and it arrived safely. Thank you Kevin!
- JR
John Roberts
For Hand Hewn Oak Fireplace Mantel With 3 Fills5.0We received Leopold today. It’s as beautiful as the photos. I’m working on the mount now. I’ll send pictures when it’s up. We are very pleased with the workmanship and the timeliness of the production and shipping. Great work.
- MM
Matthew Miller
For Walnut Mantel With Metal Inlay5.0Kevin and his team were outstanding. They accommodated all of our requests to find the perfect beams, etc. They worked with us all along the way and communicated on a regular basis. It arrived in days and was packaged expertly. Most important, the mantel self is amazing and we are very excited to add it to our whole house renovation. We highly recommend Antique Woodworks!!!!!
- TB
Tom Bottorff
For Hand Hewn Oak Fireplace Mantel With or Without 3 Fills5.0We reviewed mantels on more than 20 websites before purchasing one from Antique Woodworks. The mantels there were extremely well photographed, precisely measured, perfectly described, and sold as advertised. They even included a short history on where they originated. We're very happy with what we purchased.
STStephen Tepper Sr.
For Mantel Shelf Made From Reclaimed White Oak With Nice Streaks4.8Very happy with product provided. Beautiful mantel. Great communication and accurate photos. What you see is what you get. Would buy again..
- JB
Josh Bright
For White Oak Mantel5.0Kevin was awesome to work with! He was timely and helpful on my many questions. He sent pictures on multiple occasions. I could not have been happier through the process or with the finished product! Josh
- LD
Lynette Durso
For Rustic Fireplace Mantel Shelf - Cut Oak Tree-Like Face5.0I am very happy with my entire experience of working with Kevin from the first time I contacted him. He led me thru the process of deciding on a mantel that would work for me, and he was very flexible and responsive. I would highly recommend him to anyone!
- DL
Dan Lazarescou
For Mantel Shelf Made From Reclaimed White Oak With Nice Streaks5.0Kevin Coffel created a wonderful mantel for the renovation of my home. He promptly answered my first email and, given my initial requirements, suggested several options. His ideas helped me clarify my own project! From an initial White Oak with streaks we ended with a smooth Dark Walnut mantel, more appropriate for the modern style I wanted. Kevin kept the timeline and budget and delivered the mantel as promised. I will gladly work again with Kevin in the future for other house renovations. Thanks Kevin.
- SR
Sharon Rudder-Wiser
For Mantel Shelf Made From Reclaimed White Oak With Nice Streaks5.0Kevin was very easy to work with. He was very helpful and thoughtful when we were trying to find the perfect mantel. With his help, we did! We are totally satisfied with his work. He was very responsive, he is very knowledgeable and he kept us updated on the project and shipped the item quickly upon completion. We would highly recommend Kevin and Antique Woodworks.
- PV
Paul Vermeulen
For Hand Hewn Oak Fireplace Mantel With 3 Fills5.0Kevin made for us an incredible mantle! He was extremely prompt with his correspondence and was a pleasure to work with. Our mantle came out exactly as I envisioned and is beautiful, we get so many compliments every time someone sees it! We do and would recommend him to everyone! And we look forward to working with him in the future!
- JD
Joe Darnall
For Custom Dining Table5.0In the market for a large dining table and wanted something that would rival what I saw at the high end furniture stores (Im looking at you Restoration Hardware). Thats when I found Antique Woodworks. Not only did Kevin send pictures and explain the process, but he told me the source of the material, its history, and the techniques available. Then, as the design brought in new materials, Kevin was able to bring in a blacksmith for custom iron work. The result? A table that looks like it is a century old (because most of it is) exquisitely built, that will be passed down for generations to come. Okay, I can almost hear you now. What about the price? I mean, something handmade of century old materials has to be expensive. I paid less for a real functional work of art from Antique Woodworks than I would have paid for a faux-classic table at the mall. This was my first time working with Kevin at Antique Woodworks and I cannot wait to do it again. I highly recommend their work.
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