IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ORNAMENTATION OF MANTEL-PIECES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Claude Wilmot Wyatt, of Adderbury, in the County of
Oxford, Esquire, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION
AND ORNAMENTATION OF MANTEL-PIECES."
Sealed the 9th January 1880, and dated the 15th October 1879.
et
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Claude Wilmot Wyatt at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th October 1879.
CLAUDE WILMOT WYATT, of Adderbury, in the County of Oxford, Esquire.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ORNAMENTATION OF MANTEL-PIECES.
My Invention is designed for an improved and novel method of construction and
ornamentation of mantel pieces by the application thereto of wood parquetry.
Whereas at the present time a variety of materials are used to produce orna-
mental mantel-pieces, I find that my novel application of wooden parquetry to the
faces of the jambs, breasts, and shelves of wooden mantel-pieces, produces a unique,
simple, and effective ornamentation.
I construct my improved mantel pieces as follows :—
Slabs of wooden parquetry, made of one sort, or any suitable variety of wood or
woods, coloured or otherwise, are used for the faces of the two side jambs, the
breast, and shelf or shelves.
One or more slabs may be used as desired, with the backing filled in with
parquetry, and the shelves supported by carved or ornamental brackets of wood or
other suitable material; and, where a mirror is used, it may be placed between two
small shelves alone, or above a lower shelf or shelves.
The corners of the side jambs are finished with ornamental pillars of carved and
champfered wood, or of other material as may be desired. The lower edge of the
breast is finished by a similar horizontal pillar. The shelves are finished by
ornamental beads, or champfered or carved wood, or other suitable material.
In order to protect the wood work from the heat of the fire, the inner surfaces
of the jambs and breast may be covered with plates of iron, stone, slate, or other
convenient non-combustible material.
I may however modify the construction in detail, though I always combine
therein the application of wooden parquetry in manner as aforesaid.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Claude Wilmot Wyatt in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
13th April 1880.
CLAUDE WILMOT WYATT, of Adderbury, in the County of Oxford, Esquire.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ORNAMENTATION OF MANTEL PIECES."
My Invention is designed for an improved and novel manner of construction and
ornamentation of mantel pieces by the application thereto of wooden parquetry.
Whereas at the present time a variety of materials are used to produce orna-
mental mantel pieces, I find that my novel application of wooden parquetry to the
faces of the jambs, breasts, and shelves of mantel pieces, produces a unique, simple,
and effective ornamentation.
I construct my improved mantel pieces as follows :-
Slabs of wooden parquetry made of one sort, or any suitable variety of wood,
colored or otherwise, are used for the faces of the two side jambs, the breast, and
shelf or shelves.
One or more shelves may be used as desired, with the backing filled in with
parquetry, and the shelves supported by carved or ornamental brackets of wood or
other suitable material; and, where a mirror is used, it may be placed between two
small shelves, alone, or above a lower shelf or shelves.
The corners of the side jambs are finished with ornamental pillars of carved and
champfered wood or of other material as may be desired. The lower edge of the
breast is finished by a similar horizontal pillar. The shelves are finished by
ornamental beads, or champfered or carved wood, or other suitable material.
In order to protect the wood work from the heat of the fire, the inner surfaces of
the jambs and breast may be covered with plates of iron, stone, slate, or other
convenient noncombustible material.
I may however modify the construction in detail, though I always combine
therein the application of wooden parquetry.
And, for the clear understanding and carrying into effect of my Invention, I now
proceed to describe the Drawings annexed hereto, reference being had to the letters
and Figures marked thereon.
Figure is the general elevation of my improved mantel piece, in which the
faces of the two side jambs, the breast, and shelves are slabs of wooden
parquetry A.
The sides of these jambs and lower face of the breast are finished at the corners
by carved pillars B of oak or other suitable material. Upon these is fixed the
shelf C with beaded or champfered edges, which is supported by the ornamental
brackets D. Above this is fixed a second shelf E, with an intermediate backing of
parquetry A, terminated at the corners by carved pillars B, and supported by the
ornamental brackets F. Another or more shelves of this description may be added
if desired, and mirrors may be substituted for the parquetry backing.
Figure 2 shows details of the carved brackets D and F, also detail of a bracket G,
which may be used under the lower shelf at option.
Figure 3 gives details of the breast and upper shelf pillars B.
Figure 4 is a section of the manner in which the parquetry and the pillars are
attached.
Having now fully described the nature and object of my Invention, and the
mode of carrying the same into effect, be it known that what I claim as new and
desire to protect is,-
First. The application to the construction and ornamentation of mantel pieces of
wooden parquetry.

page_text: Second. The method of construction applied to the fitting of the parquetry to
the pillars, substantially as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Claude Wilmot Wyatt, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Third day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
In presence of
WALTER NEAME,
Forest Hill,
Oxon.
CLAUDE WILMOT WYATT. (L.S.)