Cat Andirons
Vintage 1930s British Anglo-Japanese Andirons
Iron
Early 20th Century Folk Art Andirons
Brass
Antique 1850s French Louis XVI Andirons
Bronze
Recent Sales
Early 20th Century American Andirons
Brass, Iron
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Vintage 1950s Andirons
Brass, Iron
Early 20th Century American Andirons
Iron
Vintage 1940s American Andirons
Brass
Vintage 1950s American Andirons
Nickel, Brass
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Brass
Vintage 1940s French Andirons
Iron, Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Andirons
Glass
Vintage 1950s American Animal Sculptures
Brass
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Brass
Vintage 1960s American Animal Sculptures
Brass, Iron
20th Century American Animal Sculptures
Iron
Vintage 1950s Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots
Brass, Metal
Antique 19th Century American Andirons
Bronze, Brass, Iron
Vintage 1940s French Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots
Metal, Brass
Vintage 1940s American Table Lamps
Iron
Vintage 1950s American Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots
Metal, Brass
Early 20th Century Andirons
Vintage 1940s American Andirons
Brass
Antique 1850s American American Empire Andirons
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Antique Late 19th Century American Late Victorian Andirons
Iron
Antique 1890s American Arts and Crafts Andirons
Iron
Vintage 1950s American Andirons
Iron, Steel
Antique 19th Century Victorian Andirons
Iron
Antique 19th Century Belgian Other Fireplaces and Mantels
Iron
Antique 1880s French Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots
Metal, Brass
Vintage 1970s Japanese Hollywood Regency Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots
Brass, Iron
Vintage 1930s American Andirons
Iron
Vintage 1940s American Andirons
Brass
Early 20th Century American Andirons
Vintage 1940s American Andirons
Early 20th Century American Andirons
Iron
Antique 19th Century American Andirons
Iron
Vintage 1950s American Andirons
Brass
Early 20th Century American Andirons
Iron
Antique 19th Century American Andirons
Iron
Vintage 1940s Andirons
20th Century American Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots
Early 20th Century American Andirons
Brass, Iron
20th Century Table Lamps
20th Century American Modern Andirons
Antique 1890s Unknown Late Victorian Andirons
Brass
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Oak
Antique 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Center Tables
Marble
Antique 19th Century Unknown Empire Cabinets
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Stairs
Walnut
19th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Oil, Canvas
Early 18th Century Baroque Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Antique Late 19th Century Austrian Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Rock Crystal, Silver
Antique Late 19th Century Russian Neoclassical Center Tables
Malachite, Silver
1860s Portrait Paintings
Canvas, Oil
18th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables
Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Game Tables
Bronze
Antique Early 1800s French Empire Busts
Bronze
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Tea Caddies
Silver
Antique Early 19th Century Russian Neoclassical Vases
Metal, Ormolu
Antique 19th Century English Renaissance Revival Panelling
Wood, Pine
Cat Andirons For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Cat Andirons?
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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