Fireplace Surround
Medium
Oak and glazed earthenware
Dimensions
Surround: 130.8 × 209.6 cm (51 1/2 × 82 1/2 in.); Mosaic: 111.8 × 162.6 cm (44 × 64 in.); Opening: 76.2 × 90.2 cm (30 × 35 1/2 in.)
Classification
mantel (fireplace component)
Department
Arts of the Americas
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
208516
Art Historical Context
Crafted in 1901 by architect George Washington Maher, this striking *Fireplace Surround* exemplifies the Prairie School movement's fusion of architecture and fine craftsmanship. Made from rich oak wood paired with vibrant glazed earthenware tiles, the mantel measures an impressive 130.8 × 209.6 cm overall, with a generous 76.2 × 90.2 cm opening that would anchor any early 20th-century American living space. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of the Americas department, it highlights the era's emphasis on harmonious, nature-inspired interiors. Maher, a contemporary of Frank Lloyd Wr...