How can I decorate the mantle over my family room fireplace?

Question

My family room has traditional British hunt scenes and I have a large oil painting centered on the wall over the fireplace. On one side of the mantle, I have 2 antique brass candlesticks and a cherry wood desk clock. I used to have a green plant in an old Limoges flowered pot on the other side, but it died. I would like to do something other than a plant, but it has to be at least 10 inches tall. The mantle is natural oak. Any idea?

Answer 1

How about a beautiful antique dinner plate in an ornate stand?  (perhaps brass or cherry wood.)  You can find all sorts of interesting souvenir transfer-ware plates on ebay or in antique stores, and they'd look great with the British paintings.  Maybe you could even find a plate featuring a special place, like your alma mater or a place you've vacationed.

Answer 2

How about some dried moss topiaries?  

Answer 3

Can't go wrong with a family photo in an ornate frame.