Equestrian Andirons
Vintage 1940s English Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Brass, Iron
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XIV Andirons
Bronze
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Antique Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Metalwork
Iron
Antique 19th Century British Colonial Prints
Paper
Antique Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Metalwork
Iron
Antique 19th Century French Animal Sculptures
Bronze
Antique Early 1900s English Rustic Table Lamps
Brass
Mid-20th Century English Victorian Doors and Gates
Brass
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Benches
Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 20th Century British Victorian Barware
Silver Plate
Antique 19th Century Russian Paintings
Canvas, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Indian Animal Sculptures
Bronze
Antique 1840s English Figurative Sculptures
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Late 20th Century British Victorian Barware
Silver Plate
Late 20th Century English Animal Sculptures
Porcelain
Late 20th Century English Animal Sculptures
Porcelain
Antique 19th Century French Romantic Animal Sculptures
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Antique Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Garden Ornaments
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Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Brass
Antique 19th Century English Andirons
Iron, Brass
Vintage 1950s American Andirons
20th Century American American Classical Andirons
Metal, Nickel
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Andirons
Brass
Vintage 1950s American Andirons
Brass, Iron
Vintage 1930s North American Andirons
Brass, Bronze, Iron
Vintage 1940s Andirons
20th Century American Art Deco Andirons
Bronze
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Andirons
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Brass, Iron
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Table Lamps
Bronze
20th Century American Andirons
Vintage 1940s American Andirons
Brass, Iron
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Andirons
Vintage 1940s American Andirons
Brass, Iron
Vintage 1940s American Andirons
Brass, Iron
Vintage 1940s American Andirons
Brass, Iron
Mid-20th Century Japanese American Classical Andirons
Brass, Iron
Mid-20th Century English Arts and Crafts Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots
Brass, Iron
Vintage 1930s Andirons
Vintage 1930s Andirons
Vintage 1950s American Andirons
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Andirons
Bronze, Aluminum, Iron
Vintage 1960s American Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots
Steel, Brass
Vintage 1950s American Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots
Steel, Brass
Vintage 1940s American Andirons
Brass, 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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