Cast Iron Hessian Soldier Andirons
Early 20th Century Federal Andirons
Iron
Antique 19th Century American Andirons
Iron
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots
Iron
People Also Browsed
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American American Classical Sofas
Vintage 1940s Italian Andirons
Bronze, Iron
Early 20th Century Arts and Crafts Andirons
Iron
Antique 1870s American American Classical Rocking Chairs
Rush, Walnut
Vintage 1960s American Art Deco Andirons
Brass, Iron
Late 20th Century American Georgian Andirons
Brass, Iron
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Andirons
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century American Chippendale Andirons
Brass, Iron
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Andirons
Wrought Iron
Antique Late 19th Century British Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots
Iron
Early 20th Century Federal Andirons
Brass, Iron
Late 20th Century American Art Nouveau Andirons
Brass, Iron, Nickel
Antique 19th Century French Andirons
Wrought Iron
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Andirons
Brass, Wrought Iron
20th Century French Andirons
Wrought Iron
Antique Late 18th Century French Andirons
Wrought Iron
Recent Sales
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Andirons
Iron
Early 20th Century Andirons
Iron
Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Andirons
Iron
Antique 19th Century American Andirons
Iron
Antique 19th Century American Andirons
Iron
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Antique 19th Century American Andirons
Iron
Antique Early 1900s Andirons
Early 20th Century American Andirons
Iron
Antique Mid-19th Century American Andirons
Bronze, Iron
Antique 19th Century English American Colonial Fireplace Tools and Chimn...
Iron
Early 20th Century American Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots
Iron
Antique 19th Century American Andirons
Iron
Antique 19th Century American Andirons
Iron
Antique 19th Century Andirons
Iron
Finding the Right andirons for You
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.
Using andirons in a fireplace elevates the fire, ensuring more air can get to the logs thus keeping a fire burning longer. Andirons also encourage ventilation and may also prevent smoke from working its way into your living room or bedroom.
Think of these accessories as part of an upright metal support system to optimize your fire. 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. Outwardly decorative andirons have become available since their debut because one should never underestimate the style quotient of an attractive hearth.
Andirons, which earned the nickname “firedogs” given their similarity in form to a pair of upright canines, are believed to be the oldest fireplace furnishings. They have been used broadly since at least the late Iron Age. 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. 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.
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. 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.
During the Renaissance, andirons became especially ornate and even figurative, taking on human forms as well as marine life such as dolphins. Art Deco–era andirons are particularly exquisite. 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.
Adding 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. Find modern andirons, Art Nouveau andirons and other varieties today on 1stDibs.
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