This hand-hewn mantel, made of Red Elm wood, has a natural sandy beige color with a subtle hint of rose. It has been expertly sanded, but no finish has been applied, yet. The piece is accented with original 1800s vintage ax-marks that boast shades of gray and black. This mantel could be left as-is with no finish applied. That will preserve this unique natural color. A wax finish could be applied which will darken it some, but provide a more cleanable and resilent surface. Likewise, we can use our typical Rubio Monocoat finish to darken significantly. If the shape, size, and texture of this one is intriguing, we’re happy to do finish samples on the back.

It is amazing to consider that this mantel is a genuine relic from early American settlers.

There are two “ghosts” on the front of the mantel where this beam originally joined to other 3-by boards. These areas can be left as is. They could also be filled with metalwork or some interesting selection of wood. Some simple metal straps would run about $350. They would be a nice addition to this piece.

This beam originates from a barn in Minnesota that was built during the late 1800s. During this time, a large number of German immigrants, totaling around 1.5 million, migrated to the area in the 1880s and 1890s. By the early 1900s, sawmills were commonly used in the region, and hand-hewing beams was no longer a regular practice in construction.

We can cut this mantel shorter and refinish the ends for an additional for no additional cost.

It can be shipped anywhere in the lower 48 states via FedEx Gnd for $150

About the tag – Permanent Waving. Paul’s Hairdressing Academy. This is a newspaper advertisement from the 1940s. There’s a great picture of a child getting a permanent wave in 1937 in the Minnesota Historical Society’s collection.