This mantel is almost like the classic log mantel except it shows off an original hand-hewn bottom from the 1800s. The face sports a rounded, tree-like character made of sapwood. The white oak creates some great color variations — from the lighter colored sapwood to the dark heartwood. As white oak ages in a barn or granary, the white oak tends to interact with the ammonia in the air to cause a natural darkening. You can see the dark wood on the bottom. Interestingly, the fresh-cut top hosts a might lighter color — more like the color that people associate with white oak.

Lots of bug trails also adorn the face of this one. Those little critters were busy once upon a time. We have kiln-treated this piece so that all of the critters, their eggs, and their larvae are cooked to a crisp (literally).

THIS MANTEL IS UNFINISHED. It has been sanded, but no finish has been applied. We can cut to size and finish as needed. We can darken the top with ammonia prior to finishing or we can leave as-is. We can use wax to keep the color much like it is, or we can use a hard wax oil finish to naturally enhance the color.

This timber mantel was originally a what is called sleeper beam. Think of it as a big floor joist. Instead of 2-by material, they took a log and hand-hewed two sides. The floor was then attached to the flatter, hand-hewn side. Because of rot issues, we needed to cut the top off. This ends up just being a nice flat surface (that is probably above eye level) for decorations.

The original hand-hewn log came from a late 1800s vintage granary in New Germany, Minnesota. The granary had been taken down 12 years before and sat as a pile of logs sitting in a shed.  The old granaries were relatively small, but very important buildings on the farm. They stored the year’s harvest of grain. These buildings were well maintained because it was like preserving money in the bank. From sleeper beam to a wonderful mantel, what a transformation. I bet they never imagined their work being used as a fireplace mantel 140 years later.

This mantel is 83in long. We will cut down and re-finish the ends at no additional charge.

It can be shipped will depend on final length, but will range from about $125 to $150 via FedEx Ground to anywhere in the lower 48 states

About the Tag: Valentine Hot Dog. Hot Dog! You add Spice to my Life! These old valentines are great. They are such a piece of nostalgia. I’d guess that this one is from the 1960s.