Illustrated catalogue of builders goods manufactured and sold by O’Brien, Thomas and Company, Jan. 1893

This image shows a stove featured in the trade catalogue for London-based manufacturer O’Brien, Thomas and Co, published in 1893. Highly decorative stoves such as this were popular in reception rooms in the late 19th century. Colourful patterned tiles used to decorate surrounds were available in a wide variety of designs, allowing consumers to create an individual look for their homes. Fireplaces in less public rooms such as bedrooms and nurseries were usually smaller and had a plainer design.