While the accessories are frequently characterized by rich geometric angles and sculptural curves, attributes that we know of most Art Deco furniture, artisans of the period also looked to what was by then a long tradition of designing andirons in the shape of animals and reptiles.Īdding fashionable antique or vintage andirons will not only improve the quality of a fire but can also elevate your space as well as the fireside experience. Art Deco–era andirons are particularly exquisite. Pair Antique Brass Fire Dogs Ornate Fireplace Lions Vintage Salvage. And while people aren’t cooking in the fireplace anymore, andirons’ spit hooks offered an opportunity to roast meat or rest the pokers that you typically would’ve kept fireside.ĭuring the Renaissance, andirons became especially ornate and even figurative, taking on human forms as well as marine life such as dolphins. Today, andirons can be found in bronze and brass, too, which contrast wonderfully with a mantel carved from dark marble, for example, and add dimension to what might otherwise be a subdued space. Fire baskets, like the combination of andirons and a grate, afforded an opportunity to layer logs in a fire rather than delicately stacking them on andirons. Before iron became the material of choice, stone andirons did a suitable job of balancing the logs in a fire and adding a sense of symmetry to the hearth. They have been used broadly since at least the late Iron Age. Outwardly decorative andirons have become available since their debut because one should never underestimate the style quotient of an attractive hearth.Īndirons, which earned the nickname “firedogs” given their similarity in form to a pair of upright canines, are believed to be the oldest fireplace furnishings. Antique andirons are basically u-shaped brackets with a curved end that come in pairs and are largely quite simple in structure, but the design of this household necessity has improved over time. Think of these accessories as part of an upright metal support system to optimize your fire. Irish 19th Century Set of Brass Fire Irons and Dogs with Lions Masque. Category Antique 1890s English Late Victorian Andirons. Andirons also encourage ventilation and may also prevent smoke from working its way into your living room or bedroom. A pair of Victorian late 19th century, early 20th century brass fire irons or Andirons, possibly. Using andirons in a fireplace elevates the fire, ensuring more air can get to the logs thus keeping a fire burning longer. A set of antique or vintage andirons is a staple accessory, part of the fireplace tools you’ll want to collect for keeping a neat and elegant fireplace in your home.

Brass fire irons and dogs