Mathur Fireplace

Mathur Fireplace Kansas Limestone, Pennsylvania Black Slate 6'-6" x 5'-4" x 30"
Mathur Fireplace
Kansas Limestone, Pennsylvania Black Slate
6′-6″ x 5′-4″ x 30″

This enormous header required some extensive planning to install. Originally over three thousand pounds, I hollowed it out so that it was “only” 1200 pounds when we installed it.

Mathur Fireplace Kansas Limestone, Pennsylvania Black Slate 6'-6" x 5'-4" x 30"
Mathur Fireplace
Kansas Limestone, Pennsylvania Black Slate
6′-6″ x 5′-4″ x 30″

The header, seen before we installed it. I drilled a hole at exactly the balance point and passed a chain through so that it raised up level. I rehearsed the lift in the studio before I loaded it on the truck.

Mathur Fireplace Kansas Limestone, Pennsylvania Black Slate 6'-6" x 5'-4" x 30"
Mathur Fireplace
Kansas Limestone, Pennsylvania Black Slate
6′-6″ x 5′-4″ x 30″

We raised it up with a pulley and a gallows built on site, and rolled it into place on dowels under the gallows, after we’d lifted the piece above the legs.

Mathur Fireplace Kansas Limestone, Pennsylvania Black Slate 6'-6" x 5'-4" x 30"
Mathur Fireplace
Kansas Limestone, Pennsylvania Black Slate
6′-6″ x 5′-4″ x 30″

Heere is Joe, raising the mantle up to height, before we rolled it into place.

Mathur Fireplace Kansas Limestone, Pennsylvania Black Slate 6'-6" x 5'-4" x 30"
Mathur Fireplace
Kansas Limestone, Pennsylvania Black Slate
6′-6″ x 5′-4″ x 30″

The scrolls and thick legs were not easy to put in place either, but after a long time, one figures out how to do without damaging either floor or stone. Carefully.