In a message dated 2/22/2002 9:32:49 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< The surviving marble has been much damaged.  Would such a marble piece, in
 the late 19th century, have been polished to a very high gloss (a la Donald
 Trump)?  Or would it have been a lower-gloss polish, or even a "fine
 sandpaper" finish? >>

I'd agree with Ralph. Most late 19th c. fireplaces I've seen have a smooth
shiny finish, but I would not characterize them as being "highly" polished.
Certainly less than what you'd see in, say, a new granite countertop. More
like the finish that you'd get from a rock polisher. They are often
handsomely decorated with incised designs picked out in gold.

-Heidi

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