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Block and Stack “Revival” Limestone Fireplace
Mazomanie, WI
(See last two pictures on this page.)Around 1850 early settlers from Germany and Switzerland brought their European stone masonry skills to south central Wisconsin for construction of their homes, churches and barn foundations. Local limestone was quarried to minimize travel hauling the heavy rock by horse and wagon. The German and Swiss stone masons employed a technique referred to as “Block and Stack” masonry. The term refers to a structural technique for stacking rock as well as creating a pattern.

The pattern in the “revival” limestone fireplace can be easily identified on homes and churches in communities just North and West of Madison. The client requested the crane design to reflect the abundance of cranes that can be seen along the rural highways in this area. The International Crane Foundation is also located in this region, so it seemed to be a “fitter” for the fireplace design.

I was unable to access the gold limestone quarries which are still visible in the region, so I purchased a gold limestone identical in color from Mankato, Minnesota to execute the block and stack pattern. I made the hand-thrown planters beneath the cranes on a potters wheel, utilizing local clay from Paoli, Wisconsin. The fireplace measures 17’ high by 9’ wide and employs a high efficiency fireplace insert for combustion of wood.

STONE & TILE MOSAICS
Artist Eric Rattan
FIREPLACES

Crane Dreams Fireplace

Crane Dreams

Crane Dreams Close-up

Limestone Fireplace

Limestone Arch Fireplace Leaf Tile Hearth
2 feet x 6 feet

Crane Limestone Fireplace

Block & Stack “Revival”
Mankato Limestone Crane Fireplace
17 Feet x 9 Feet (See left text.)

Mantel Detail

Mantel Detail

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STONE & TILE MOSAICS Artist Eric Rattan FIREPLACES

STONE & TILE MOSAICS
Artist Eric Rattan
FIREPLACES