Every once in a while, a piece comes along that’s just a little more special — and this is one of those pieces. This Fireplace Mantel Shelf boasts a pretty rare, nearly 12″ depth, giving it a bold, substantial presence that can be tough to find.

This beam has an incredible backstory: it was originally part of a true monster — a massive 12x12x30+ foot hand-hewn timber dating back to the late 1800s. That kind of scale just isn’t milled anymore, and holding a piece of it in your home is holding a genuine slice of history.

The face showcases that deep, dark, hand-hewn texture, full of the rugged tool marks and character that only come from being shaped by hand over a century ago. To balance that rustic face, the top and bottom have been sawn clean for a smoother, more modern look — the best of both worlds in one beam.

Speaking of the top and bottom, there’s some lovely natural color variation and streaking running through the surface. We think it’s gorgeous as-is, but we’re happy to darken it further if you’d like a more uniform tone.

Authentic, weighty, and full of story — this mantel is the real deal.

Details

• This fireplace mantel shelf is completely finished, but we could still darken the top and bottom if desired.
• Cutting to size and finishing are included in the price.
• Technically, this one White Oak with natural old colors.
• It is currently 5.75in Tall x 11.75in deep x 84in long
• If needed, sizing (cutting and sanding the ends) as well as finishing are included in the price
• It ships via UPS Ground for $150

Background – There’s a wonderful heritage story behind this piece! It comes to us from our Amish wood vendor tucked in Wisconsin’s rolling hills, a family whose craftsmanship and tradition span generations. We’ve been fortunate to work alongside our Amish friend for years now, and it’s been a pleasure watching his sons step in and carry the business forward. This particular beam was reclaimed from a historic Wisconsin barn dating back to the late 1800s — a genuine piece of American frontier history, hand hewn in the days before sawmills became commonplace after 1900.

About the tag – Alice and the Cheshire Cat. We found this image in a modern print of an Alice in Wonderland book, but its origins go back much further. The illustrations actually trace to a card game based on designs by Sir John Tenniel, first published around 1898. Tenniel had originally been commissioned to illustrate “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” by Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll), published by Macmillan & Co in 1865. Later, illustrations from the 1896 edition of the book were adapted by E. Gertrude Thomson for the De la Rue card game. Here’s a neat link showing the illustrations from the deck of cards.