You have too much going on on the mantel. Use less on the mantel. Find a nice piece of wall art that is closer in size of the inset that one is too small. Change the sconces or the bulbs to a softer light

Remove the small ceramic pots. Simplify it. Move the birds down to the main mantle and group them on one side. Keep the clock. I would paint the brass doors a flat black to match you fireplace tools. Painting it black will make the firebox appear bigger because it will blend in better with the brick. Just make sure you use paint for metal and high temp.

Great suggestions from Claire and mmilos. Find some art that fits the inset and declutter the mantel. You don't want small items lined up across it like soldiers. Groupings work best and less is more.

Thank you all. Does anyone have a suggestion on artwork? As you can probably see, my taste is fairly traditional. I don't have anything here that would better fill that space, which is 42" w by 15" h. I put a few of my other things up there but I don't think any of them work.

I like your needlepoint best. You could perhaps try to find larger scale sconces so they make a bigger statement.

I would do a bit of looking to see what people are doing to update homes in your area. Unless your home is all classic / vintage and would appeal to buyers as is you might consider a quick and inexpensive update. Yes, paint the brass black be sure to use the right high temp paint. Clean off the mantel add a brighter piece of art work, new lamp shades, soft LED bulbs. If updates help move homes in your area consider white washing the brick and painting the mantel white (?).

For the recored I have a dark wooden mantel, but my room is brighter

I like what groveraxle did. You could tone down the brass doors with antique brass instead. I would do the sconces in the same color. The fireplace is dark (but very pretty with the arched opening) so I think staying with a little bit of lightness with the metals would be a good thing.

What about this? PS I am going to ask my stager if it is worth the cost of changing out the sconces, which I agree would be a nice improvement.

I like the pictures you've added, but maybe remove everything else besides the clock?

I like the pictures as well. I would eliminate the dark red objects, group the birds together on one side and the green and silver glass object on the other side. Both fairly close to the clock. If you don't want to change out the sconces, I would consider adding larger shades that come down a little lower on the candlestick portion of the sconces. The ones that are on there now are a bit small.

Get larger shades and remove everything except the framed pieces and the clock. This is plenty.

I like Grover's idea to overlay three pieces of art and larger sconces. Simple changes to update the mantel.

I would get a mirror big enough to go past the sconces and allow it be be tall enough that the mirror goes below the shade and to about the 3rd row of brick from the ceiling. That way light reflects and brightens the whole thing. Remove everything else. Keep is simple