Skip to main content

Massive Andirons

Edgar Brandt, Pair of Massive Andirons in Iron, circa 1920
By Edgar Brandt
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of massive andirons, circa 1920 A pair of hammered wrought iron andirons, decorated with
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Andirons

Materials

Wrought Iron

Massive Pr. of Hand Forged Iron Andirons
Located in Water Mill, NY
Massive Pair of Hand Forged Early 20th Century Andirons with Removable Cross Bar -Hampton Location
Category

Early 20th Century American Andirons

Massive Pair of Cast Brass Chenet Andirons Mythological
Located in Lambertville, NJ
mirror image rest on elaborate bases with winged and scaled dragons with three paw feet. These andirons
Category

Mid-20th Century European Andirons

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Pair of Massive Baroque Style Solid Brass Andirons
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Triple lobed forms with ball finials, raised on scrolled legs. Curved footed arms at the back with finials and attached to long iron rods. Good patina.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Baroque Andirons

Materials

Brass

Massive Pair of Wrought Iron 18th Century Fire Dogs/ Andirons
Located in East Hampton, NY
These antique fire dogs/ andirons are in wonderful aged condition - featuring carved faces and
Category

Antique 1790s French Andirons

Materials

Iron

Massive Pair Renaissance Style Bronze Andirons by E. F. Caldwell
By Edward F. Caldwell & Co.
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
Pictured in the Caldwell archives at the Smithsonian, this important pair of enormous andirons are
Category

Antique 17th Century American Renaissance Andirons

Materials

Bronze

Massive Pair Wrought Iron and Brass Andirons Attributed to Samuel Yellin
By Samuel Yellin
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This large and impressive pair of wrought iron and brass andirons are attributed to the famous
Category

Antique Early 17th Century American Arts and Crafts Andirons

Materials

Wrought Iron

Pair Massive Bronze and Wrought Iron Andirons, Attributed to E. F. Caldwell
By Edward F. Caldwell & Co.
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This pair of classic Georgian style andirons are baronial in scale, and feature baluster form
Category

Early 20th Century American Georgian Andirons

Materials

Bronze, Wrought Iron

Pair of Massive Cast Iron Andirons in the Arts and Crafts Manner American
Located in San Francisco, CA
Impressive Pair of Arts and Crafts Cast Iron Andirons with silvered canon ball atop square column
Category

20th Century American Arts and Crafts Andirons

Materials

Iron

50" Pair of Hand-Forged Iron Andirons
Located in Water Mill, NY
Pair of massive hand-forged iron Andirons-Hampton location..
Category

Early 20th Century American Andirons

Materials

Iron

Wrought Iron Spiked Posts and Chained Dog Andirons
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A pair of massive wrought iron andirons with chained dogs on spiked tripod base posts.
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Andirons

Materials

Wrought Iron

Massive Pair of Wrought Iron Tudor Style Andirons
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Massive pair of wrought iron Tudor style andirons, each one standing 41" high x 16" wide x 28" deep
Category

Early 20th Century European Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots

Materials

Wrought Iron

Massive 1890's Andirons with Matching Fireplace Tools with Faces
Located in New York, NY
Stunning set of 1890's large andirons with matching fireplace tools, made of solid iron and bronze
Category

Antique 18th Century American American Empire Fireplace Tools and Chimne...

Materials

Bronze, Iron, Nickel

Huge Majestic 19th Century Victorian Cast Iron Gothic Revival Fire Grate-Basket
Located in Edinburgh, GB
pair of massive proudly standing bulbous andirons with orbed finials and female masks to the scrolled
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Gothic Revival Fireplaces and Mantels

Materials

Iron

People Also Browsed

Large, Elegant French Fireplace Screen, Handmade, 38" to 55" Wide, 24.6" Tall
Located in Amerongen, NL
Replica of an antique original. Produced exactly as it used to be made and they are thus difficult to distinguish from an old original. With a Classic handle. Important advantage ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Napoleon III Fireplace Tools and Ch...

Materials

Brass, Iron, Wrought Iron

Palatial Pair of English Baroque Style 19th Century Carved Marble Sitting Lions
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and palatial pair of English Baroque style 19th century carved marble sitting lions, the very realistic carved pair with fine attention to detail, each resting its front ...
Category

Antique 19th Century English Baroque Animal Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Meissen Porcelain Chinoiserie "Gold Dragon" Flower-Encrusted Garniture
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
A Meissen porcelain ‘Gold Dragon’ pattern three-piece garniture. A Meissen porcelain reticulated three-piece basket Garniture and stands. Late 1800s, blue crossed swords marks ...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century German Rococo Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Big Size Vintage Gilt Bronze Silver Sword from China Original Sword
Located in 景德镇市, CN
This antique Chinese bronze sword is very well preserved, it has excellent copper quality, fine structure, mellow patina, smooth, and sharp edge. The blade of this sword is longer; t...
Category

Antique 19th Century Metalwork

Materials

Bronze

Large Louis XV Style Cut-Glass Thirty-Light Cage Chandelier, circa 1870
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A large and important Louis XV style gilt bronze and cut-crystal thirty-light cage chandelier. French, circa 1870. This fine chandelier is of a grand scale at 223 cm high (88 ...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Bronze

French 19th Century Patinated Bronze Group "The Abduction of the Sabine Women"
By Pierre Loison 1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and Monumental French 19th century patinated bronze group Titled "The Abduction of the Sabine Women" after a model by Pierre Loison (French, 1816-1886), depicting a young...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Mannerist Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

La Chasse Au Lion, The Lion Hunt, Monumental Bronze Sculpture after Aime Millet
Located in New York, NY
"La Chasse Au Lion", "The Lion Hunt", A Monumental French Orientalist Bronze Sculpture after Aime Millet (1818–1891), circa late 19th century. This bronze sculpture of The Lion Hunt...
Category

Late 19th Century Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Important Monumental Art Nouveau Ormolu-Mounted Ceramic "Exhibition" Vase
By Charles Pillivuyt & Cie, Louis Chalon, Paul Louchet
Located in New York, NY
An Important and Monumental Art Nouveau Ormolu-Mounted Ceramic "Exhibition" Vase, C. 1895 This important and monumental vase was done by four different artists in the late 19th cent...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Vases

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

19th century portrait painted in St Petersburg in 1819
Located in London, GB
Signed, inscribed and dated, lower right: 'Geo Dawe RA St Petersburgh 1819', also signed with initials, lower centre: 'G D RA'; and signed and inscribed verso: 'Geo Dawe RA Pinxit 1...
Category

19th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Impressive Empire Style Malachite and Ormolu Center Table After Desmalter
By François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter
Located in New York, NY
An impressive empire style malachite and ormolu center table after the imperial model by Francois Honore Georges Jacob-Desmalter, 1770-1841. "AUX CARIATIDES", Empire style round m...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Center Tables

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

Cartier Art Deco Table Clock
By Cartier
Located in New Orleans, LA
This Art Deco period table clock by Cartier is an extremely rare find and in a class of its own. Crafted of black lacquer, no detail was spared by the famed firm in creating this hig...
Category

20th Century French Art Deco Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Silver, Brass

Cartier Art Deco Table Clock
Cartier Art Deco Table Clock
H 4.75 in W 4.25 in D 2.25 in
French 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze Crystal Chandelier Attr. Baccarat
By Cristalleries De Baccarat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and Palatial French 19th century Louis XV Style gilt bronze, crystal and cut-glass Twenty-Four-light chandelier, probably by Baccarat. The central molded cut-glass stem s...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Androgynous Figural Cast Iron Gueridon Table after Alberto Giacometti
By Alberto Giacometti
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Incredible mid 20th century Gueridon table cast in iron with gold enamel finish. Legs are androgynous figures standing on wheels in the style of Alberto Giacometti. Not signed or mar...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Gueridon

Materials

Iron

Pair of Royal Portraits of the Duke and Duchess of Burgundy
By Pierre Gobert
Located in New Orleans, LA
Follower of Pierre Gobert 18th century French The Duke and Duchess of Burgundy Oil on canvas Refinement and intricacy characterize these royal portraits of France’s Louis, Duke o...
Category

18th Century Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

19th Century Ormolu and Specimen Wood Pedestal after Riesener
By Jean-Henri Riesener, E. Kahn
Located in London, GB
A Pedestal by E. Kahn of Paris After a model by Jean-Henri Riesener Constructed in the Neo-Classical manner in fine specimen woods and high quality ormolu work; the incurved base, ...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Pedestals and Columns

Materials

Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

South American Presentation Sword
Located in New Orleans, LA
Believed to have originated from the collection of a South American diplomat, the exquisiteness of this presentation sword conveys its ownership by an individual of great importance....
Category

Antique 19th Century South American Other Arms, Armor and Weapons

Materials

Steel, Brass, Bronze

South American Presentation Sword
South American Presentation Sword
H 39.5 in W 3 in D 1 in

Recent Sales

Hand Forged Large Black Iron and Brass Andirons
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Hand forged in Los Angeles by J. Iron these massive black andirons are capped with large decorative
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots

Massive Andirons Attr. to Samuel Yellin
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
These quirky massive andirons are believed to be by Samuel Yellin aka "the devil with a hammer in
Category

Vintage 1930s American Andirons

Materials

Wrought Iron

Massive Iron Cannonball Andirons
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Black wrought iron, big and masculine andirons, circa 1910
Category

Antique 19th Century American Andirons

Materials

Iron

Massive Iron Cannonball Andirons
Massive Iron Cannonball Andirons
H 22 in W 13 in D 25 in
Massive pair of mission style andirons
Located in Pound Ridge, NY
Superb large scale forged iron andirons.
Category

Early 20th Century American Andirons

Materials

Iron

Massive Pair of Art Deco Andirons
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
One of the nicest sets of andirons I've ever had. Pair of 1930s brass and steel andirons with
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Andirons

Materials

Brass, Steel

Massive Pair of Art Deco Andirons
Massive Pair of Art Deco Andirons
H 23.5 in W 5 in D 5 in
Circa 1920s Massive Wrought Iron Andirons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These huge andirons measure 55 1/2" in height and 13" in depth from the back of the upright....the
Category

Early 20th Century American Andirons

Materials

Wrought Iron

Pair of Massive Gothic Inspired Andirons
Located in Dallas, TX
Monumental Gothic Inspired andirons with two swing arms. Graceful pealed petal motif in circle as
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Gothic Andirons

Materials

Iron

Pair of Massive Brass Engine Turned Andirons
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Hollywood Regency, large-scale brass andirons with ball/ claw feet.
Category

20th Century American Hollywood Regency Andirons

Massive Gothic Revival Andirons and Fireplace Tools
By Samuel Yellin, Yellin Ironworks
Located in Garnerville, NY
Exceptional and large set of Gothic Revival period andirons and tools. Heavy wrought iron hammered
Category

Antique 1880s American Gothic Revival Andirons

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

Massive Gothic Revival Andirons and Fireplace Tools
Located in Garnerville, NY
Exceptional set of Gothic Revival period andirons and tools. Heavy wrought iron hammered and worked
Category

Antique 1880s American Gothic Revival Andirons

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

Massive French Louis XV Gilt Bronze Andirons
Located in Stamford, CT
Fantastic pair of large-scale French Louis XV style bronze andirons. The bases depicting bare
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Andirons

Pair of Massive Arts & Crafts Hand Wrought Andirons
Located in Bellport, NY
An incredible pair of Arts & Crafts oversized hand wrought andirons. Good fine details.
Category

Early 20th Century American Andirons

Materials

Wrought Iron

Massive Black Wrought Iron Andirons, Hand-Forged, 1930's
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
Gorgeous pair of massive hand-forged blackened, wrought iron andiron set with floating center bar
Category

20th Century Unknown Revival Andirons

Materials

Wrought Iron

A Massive Pair of English Arts & Crafts Bronze Andirons
Located in San Francisco, CA
A massive pair of English arts and crafts bronze baluster-form andirons with bold spheroid finials
Category

Early 20th Century English Andirons

massive pair of english george III solid brass andirons
Located in San Francisco, CA
of robust baluster form, surmounted by a spheroid finial above a waisted mid-section terminating in scrolled feet
Category

Antique 19th Century English Andirons

Materials

Brass

Monumental Pair of Brass Andirons.
Located in Bellport, NY
Massive bulbous form brass Andirons.Black hand rought iron stretch with smaller bulbous form
Category

Vintage 1930s English Andirons

Materials

Brass, Iron

Monumental Pair of Brass Andirons.
Monumental Pair of Brass Andirons.
H 25 in W 12 in D 26 in
Pair of Modernist Andirons, France 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Massive iron pair of minimalist andirons
Category

Vintage 1970s French Andirons

Materials

Iron

Pair of Modernist Andirons, France 1970s
Pair of Modernist Andirons, France 1970s
H 11.03 in W 6.7 in D 18.51 in
Pair of 19th Century Monumental Neoclassical Dore Bronze Winged Dragon Andirons
Located in Stamford, CT
) bronze andirons. Each sitting on bracket feet leading to a pillow sitting atop a pedestal. The massive
Category

Early 20th Century Neoclassical Andirons

French 16th Century Cast Iron Andirons of Courtiers of Significant Size & Weight
Located in Wells, ME
French Francis the First Renaissance Period cast iron andirons in the shape of courtiers with their
Category

Antique 16th Century French Renaissance Andirons

Materials

Iron

Modernist Wrought Iron Fireplace Set, France, 1950s
Located in New York, NY
France, 1950s. A complete set of modernist fire tools and andirons in beautifully worked massive
Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Andirons

Materials

Wrought Iron

Massive 18th Century French Andirons
Located in Dallas, TX
This pair of antique French andirons from the 18th C. is hand forged, thick and with a pure and
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots

Massive 18th Century French Andirons
Massive 18th Century French Andirons
H 34.5 in W 14.6 in D 30 in
Massive Wrought Iron Andirons in the Style of James Mont
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Fantastic and stylish andirons in the manner of James Mont. Finished with gold leaf on the raw
Category

Vintage 1940s American Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots

Materials

Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf

Massive Antique Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland
Massive, solid antique cast-iron slab. This gothic tapered beauty is almost 2 inches (5 cm) thick
Category

Antique 17th Century European Gothic Architectural Elements

Materials

Iron

Massive Antique Fireback / Backsplash
Massive Antique Fireback / Backsplash
H 28.35 in W 43.71 in D 1.97 in
Momumental Pair of Brass Andirons
Located in Bellport, NY
Massive and majestic bulbous form Brass Andirons.Black wrought iron stretch with smaller bulbous
Category

20th Century English Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots

Materials

Brass, Iron

Momumental Pair  of Brass Andirons
Momumental Pair  of Brass Andirons
H 25 in W 12 in D 26 in
Pair of Very Large Nineteenth Century Iron and Copper Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This pair of large scale hand forged iron andirons were originally used in the massive stone
Category

Antique 19th Century French Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots

Materials

Copper, Iron

Massive Pair of Patinated and Gilt Wrought Iron Andirons
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
Impressive pair of very heavy gauge wrought iron andirons of baronial proportion.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Renaissance Andirons

Materials

Iron

Pair of Wrought Iron Cannonball Andirons
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Massive handcrafted pair of wrought iron cannonball andirons. Traditional style and very heavy with
Category

20th Century English Victorian Andirons

Materials

Wrought Iron

Monumental and Masculine Cannonball Iron Andirons
Located in Hopewell, NJ
ball finials on the back that echo the monumental ones in front. See how massive these are in size as
Category

Antique 19th Century American Andirons

Materials

Iron

Monumental and Masculine Cannonball Iron Andirons
Located in Hopewell, NJ
ball finials on the back that echo the monumental ones in front. See how massive these are in size as
Category

Antique 19th Century American Andirons

Materials

Iron

Massive Iron and Bronze Andirons
Located in New York, NY
Stunning pair of large 1920s forge iron with bronze detail and decorative ring andirons.
Category

20th Century American American Craftsman Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots

Materials

Bronze, Iron

Massive Iron and Bronze Andirons
Massive Iron and Bronze Andirons
H 35 in W 12.75 in D 24.5 in
Massive Antique Fireback
Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland
the finest accessories from early 17th century grated to mid century modern andirons. See all our
Category

Antique Early 18th Century French Louis XIV Fireplaces and Mantels

Materials

Iron

Massive Antique Fireback
Massive Antique Fireback
H 38.78 in W 39.97 in D 1.38 in
Oscar Bach, Arts & Crafts Gilt Wrought Iron and Marble Pedestal, 1900s
By Oscar Bruno Bach
Located in New York, NY
, torchéres, andirons, slab tables, mirrors, sconces, picture frames, humidors, chairs, bookends, children's
Category

Antique Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Wrought Iron

Oscar Bach, Arts & Crafts Gilt Bronze & Enamel-Painted Metal Wall Mirror, 1900s
By Oscar Bruno Bach
Located in New York, NY
, library lamps, footed bowls, card trays, planters, torchéres, andirons, slab tables, mirrors, sconces
Category

Antique Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Wall Mirrors

Materials

Bronze

Massive Pair Andirons
Located in Pasadena, CA
Large very intricately incised pair of very heavy andirons . All four sides are hand tooled. Large
Category

Early 20th Century American Andirons

Materials

Bronze

Massive Pair Andirons
Massive Pair Andirons
H 42 in D 34 in
Massive Arts & Crafts Andirons
Located in Hudson, NY
pair of massively wrought andirons hammered top on champhored post penny feet
Category

Antique 19th Century Andirons

Materials

Iron

Massive Arts & Crafts Andirons
Massive Arts & Crafts Andirons
H 27 in W 15 in D 29 in
Massive Pair of Arts and Crafts Andirons
Located in San Francisco, CA
Terrific pair of graphic Arts and Crafts andirons. Height: 21 1/2" Width: 12 1/2"
Category

Vintage 1930s American Andirons

Massive Pair of Arts and Crafts Andirons
Massive Pair of Arts and Crafts Andirons
H 21.5 in W 12.5 in D 21 in
Massive Pair of French Gilt Bronze Andirons
Located in San Francisco, CA
A huge pair of gilt bronze andirons done in the French Regence period style. Featuring cherubs
Category

Antique 19th Century French Andirons

Materials

Bronze, Iron

Pair of Mid-19th Century Massive Steel Andirons
Located in Peterborough, Northamptonshire
A pair of massive steel andirons of very strong construction. The bases with masks. An andiron
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Great Britain (UK) Andirons

Massive Wrought Iron Andirons, Fire Screen and Tools
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This massive Fireplace Set is from an old mansion in Bel Air. The Andirons are heavy and
Category

20th Century American Andirons

Materials

Wrought Iron

MONUMENTAL ANDIRONS
Located in BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY
MASSIVE SET OF ANDIRONS WITH GREAT CURLING AND DETAILS
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Andirons

Materials

Wrought Iron

Giant Iron Andirons
Located in Pasadena, CA
Massive renaissance style extremely detailed with incised markings. Large detailed crossbar with
Category

Early 20th Century American Andirons

Materials

Iron

Giant Iron Andirons
Giant Iron Andirons
H 48 in W 17 in D 48 in
Early 20th Century Italianate Andirons
Located in Pasadena, CA
This extra tall pair of hand forged andirons show very fine workmanship and attention to detail. A
Category

Early 20th Century American Andirons

Materials

Iron

Pair of French 18th Century Andirons
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Massive and impressive French andirons made of iron. The andirons are hand forged in a tradition
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Andirons

Pair of Massive Brass Fluted Columns, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Massive Brass Ionic Fluted Columns (Originally Fire Dogs), England, Late 19th
Category

Antique 19th Century English Andirons

Materials

Brass

Over 4FT Massive Wrought Iron Andirons
Located in Pasadena, CA
Impressive pair of wrought iron andirons with beautiful craftsmanship.
Category

Early 20th Century American Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots

Materials

Iron

Pair of Massive Early American Wrought Hand Forged Andirons
Located in New York, NY
's) andirons is the perfect accessory to the roaring fire in your fireplace. The square element is
Category

Antique Early 19th Century American Andirons

Materials

Iron

Grand Scale Cannon Ball Iron Andirons
Located in Summerland, CA
Massive in scale, Beautiful craftsmanship on this impressive hand made iron andirons. English
Category

Vintage 1930s English Andirons

Materials

Wrought Iron

Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Massive Andirons", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Massive Andirons For Sale on 1stDibs

An assortment of massive andirons is available at 1stDibs. The range of distinct massive andirons — often made from metal, iron and wrought iron — can elevate any home. Massive andirons have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century. Massive andirons bearing Arts and Crafts or Art Deco hallmarks are very popular at 1stDibs. Edgar Brandt and Edward F. Caldwell & Co. each produced beautiful massive andirons that are worth considering.

How Much are Massive Andirons?

Massive andirons can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $3,875, while the lowest priced sells for $597 and the highest can go for as much as $82,405.

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.