go with marble - it needs to go to its original glory.

How about historically appropriate tile which was originally there? White tile would definitely not work and would cheapen the mantle. Google Victorian fireplace tile for how it should really look. Here's an example: http://www.oldhouseliving.com/2006/12/13/fireplace-tiles-in-historic-houses/

How about cast iron, black would look great
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.britainsheritage.co.uk/images/fireplace/AOS%2520107_THUMB.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.britainsheritage.co.uk/antique-fireplaces/antique-wood.htm&usg=__NjXV1Fpr_rgbQ7pI_2vXM4VVSlg=&h=506&w=600&sz=31&hl=en&start=6&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=9A4OmwLcKBbRXM:&tbnh=114&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dvictorian%2Bwood%2Bfireplaces%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26tbs%3Disch:1

Marble would NOT have been there originally.

I would also recommend victorian-style tile. Also, I'd either paint the wood on the mantle/surround white or I'd strip the trim to match the wood.

I used to have a fireplace just like this in an apartment years ago. The surround was high-glazed ceramic tile in a deep burgundy with decorative tiles accenting the corners (sort of in the William Morris vein with squirrels and a tree motif). It was gorgeous and quite a conversation piece. The windows in the same place had a similar design in painted and stained glass Sadly, when some developer bought the house, he demo'ed all of it and replaced it with fugly Home Depot types of remodeling products. argh!

I'd go to the library and check a few books to see what would look nice. You don't have to be historically correct, but it would be nice if there were some semblance of it's former glory.

go to heath tile in sausalito.
depending on your budget-you can order tile or go to the back room to see their second which are a quarter of the price and there is a great selection of size, color and pattern

I immediately thought antique tile as well. I've seen some GORGEOUS things in old pubs in the UK. There's a site called victorianceramics.com that makes reproduction tiles for fireplaces.

I'd choose either Delft Tiles, or square Heath Tiles (no rectangles or mod shapes)

Deep colored ceramics!

I own a victorian home and frequent many others (Savannah) the idea of highly decorated tile around the fireplace is very overblown, what I and many others have is white subway tile.

Cast iron is a good suggestion because it will last a long time and looks great. Not sure of the price though.

Here are some examples of similar fireplaces from an AT house tour-

http://gallery.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/120208meghanshawntour/item/52998
http://gallery.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/120208meghanshawntour/item/53022

I think it would be beautiful painted white and then you could do anything with surround. If you keep the wood as is, do a light colored tile. I think small subway tiles would look good.
http://www.susanjablonmosaics.com/glass-tile/ninelewis-subway-fireplace.html

to marleyd: REALLY marble not original to the Victoria period??? We lived for 15 years in a Victoria house in Brooklyn Heights which had all the original features since the house was built in 1836 and the apartment had 3 fireplaces - 3 where entirely surrounded in white marble and only one, the one that was on the original foyer of the house was in tile (so the less important bit of the house) Wish I could attach a picture here of one of the fireplaces.

I should add for the benefit of the poster here that the one of the fireplaces in our old Victorian in Brooklyn did have a ceramic tile in a "subway tile" format in a deep terracota color.

Check out the patterned deep green tiles around the similar fireplace in this house tour:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/house-tours/ann-dabneys-splendid-blended-storefront-conversion-house-tour-109399

Carrera marble. Simple, classic and (despite what some are claiming) period appropriate. Tile vs marble was often a budget decision...even back in those days!

Craven Dunnill (one of the best original makers of fireplace tiles - exported them all over the world) are still going and still making the tiles.

They aren't cheap (still a lot of labour involved - you can go visit and watch and it is amazing), and with shipping to the US it would probably be a crazy price but...

you can look at their catalogue online and then try and match the style with something closer to hand? http://www.cravendunnill-jackfield.co.uk/index.html

small, rectangular tiles - white ceramic, marble, or porcelain...hexagonal tiles for the floor?

Marble would certainly have been used in this era, but probably was NOT used on this fireplace. I think the original tile would have been an encaustic/majolica, something like the examples here:

http://www.urbanremainschicago.com/default.aspx?pageID=24

You can find a surprisingly decent selection of these on ebay (look under Antiques--Architectural & Garden--Tiles); it's definitely worth checking out. Or check with a local antique dealer who specializes in that period, or in tile. Often they sell this in large lots from salvage jobs, so you might even be able to get enough to do the entire fireplace. If not, you could consider combining 2 different compatible styles, or using a different tile on the hearth.

The Art Nouveau examples others suggested would also be appropriate. If you decide to go with new reproduction tiles such as the Craven Dunnill, remember that decorative tiles were typically used as ACCENTS. A few will go a long way. Then you can fill in with lovely matching field tiles (which are less expensive).

If the period look is not for you, then I'd suggest a subtle update using Heath or some other lovely handmade tile in a solid or mottled color. If you go to a quality tile seller, you'll find LOTS of lovely things to choose from (the hardest part will be choosing just one!). As others noted, I'd keep it simple in design -- just one size/shape/color laid uniformly. The color/texture/glaze will be the star here; you don't need decoratives if you go with this option. And nothing too modern in shape. Keep with squares or smaller rectangles.

I also think it would be fabulous to design your fireplace using several different antique encaustic tile styles -- something really textural and colorful. Sort of a "crazy quilt" effect, but with a clear design/pattern. I love these old tiles! (But that's just me...)

victorian tile!!!

we redid ours using white penny tiles from overstock. it looks great and still keeps with the period look.

Highly glazed tile, in a solid but translucent colour. Look for one of the simpler styles in arroyo's link - many Victorian tiles are too fussy for modern tastes, but that doesn't mean that you can't be era-appropriate.

And at the risk of being pedantic, this fireplace isn't "vintage". At almost 120 years old, it's an "antique".

Green or teal-green hued field tile, or geometric black/white field tile. I think plain white would dress down that lovely wood- I'd approach that as a frame waiting to be filled with art.

I'd also scuttle that awful brass/black door for something nicer (those are really easy, if a little messy, to replace).

Like so:

http://www.craftsmanhome.com/_img/home-design/fireplace-2008.jpg (I'd skip the picture tiles)

http://www.recumbents.com/house/bigrock_fireplace.jpg

Some examples of historic-style tiles:

http://www.missiontilewest.com/styles/sinergy/1.html
http://www.originalmissiontile.com/
http://claysquared.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=FieldTiles-Tiles