This hand hewn beam mantel features a super deep, rich color from white oak wood aged in a barn. Over decades, this white oak beam absorbed ammonia from the barn air. The ammonia reacted with natural tannins in the wood, resulting in its dark color. Ax marks from the 1800s cover its surface, showing how workers once shaped logs by hand. We cut this beam from a large 9 x 12 center support beam. The beam was filled with notches where floor joists fit into the beam. We cut off most joist notches. We filled one on the bottom with an edge grain block, which you can barely see. The flat top surface highlights beautiful white oak grain, including some quarter-sawn streaks. You’ll notice worm trails on top – don’t worry, we’ve kiln-treated the wood to remove any bugs.

• This hand hewn beam mantel has been finished with Rubio Monocoat.
• The top is lighter as it was not exposed to ammonia. We could darken a bit more at no charge.
• It is currently 6.5 x 8.5 x 64.35 inches long; We can reduce in size at no charge.
• Shipping via UPS Ground runs $150.

An Amish gentleman sold this hand hewn beam to us from an old barn in Southwest Wisconsin. He took it from a weathered structure built in the late 1800s. The barn stood among rolling hills where cows once grazed freely. These old barns remind us of simpler times when farming worked with nature. Sadly, fewer of these beautiful structures remain, and they may soon disappear completely.

About the tag – Shippams Pilchard and Tomato Paste. This advertisement is from a 1950s Women’s Journal magazine from the UK. I had never heard of Pilchard’s before. Apparently, they are somewhat like sardines. While Shippams products are still available, this particular one seems to have gone by the wayside. I guess our tastes change over the generations.