Skip to main content

Lion Head Andiron

Pair Of Late 19th Century Brass Lion's Head Andirons
Located in Bradenton, FL
Great looking pair of late 19th century Lion's Head Andirons. Each features ornate designs on upper
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Baroque Andirons

Materials

Brass

Continental Baroque Wrought Iron Lion Head Andirons
Located in New York, NY
Continental 18th century pair of wrought iron andirons with finely detailed lion heads. The pair
Category

Antique 18th Century European Baroque Andirons

Materials

Wrought Iron

Mid 19th Century Cast Iron Figural Nude, Cherub and Lions Head Andirons
Located in San Francisco, CA
Mid 19th century cast iron figural nude, cherub and lions head andirons Outstanding cast iron
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots

Materials

Iron

Antique Neoclassical Styled Andirons with Brass Urns & Lion Head Accents
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
figural lion heads.
Category

Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Revival Andirons

Materials

Brass, Iron

Vintage Brass Lion Head Cannon Ball Claw Fireplace Andirons Firedogs 22"
Located in Dayton, OH
, lion's head with ring in it's mouth on the base, supporting a substantial cannonball baluster with turned
Category

Vintage 1970s Andirons

Materials

Brass, Iron

French 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Lions Head Fireplace Andirons
Located in Firenze, IT
ormolu chenets are extremely decorative each depicting a lion’s head crafted in relief surrounded by rich
Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Andirons

Materials

Wrought Iron, Bronze, Ormolu

Antique Empire Brass Cast Iron Lion Head Spiral Twist Paw Feet Andirons, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French empire style brass cast iron lion head spiral twist paw feet andirons - a pair. Item
Category

Mid-20th Century English Empire Andirons

Materials

Brass, Iron

Continental Antique Doré Bronze Andirons with Lion Motifs
Located in Essex, MA
. Created in a lustrous doré bronze, they feature lion head designs. The design adorns the center panel
Category

Antique 19th Century French Andirons

Materials

Metal

English Arts and Crafts Fireplace Set Lion Motif with Screen, Andirons and Tools
Located in Wells, ME
fireplace screen, pair of lion headed andirons, tool holder with lion head and three original tools: a brush
Category

Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots

Materials

Wrought Iron

Pair of 19th C. French Empire Neoclassical Flame & Lion Brass Paw Andirons & Bar
Located in Philadelphia, PA
. Set features an ornate pair of cast brass andirons with flame finials, mounted with lion heads and
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Andirons

Materials

Brass

Pair of French Brass and Wrought Iron Lion and Foliage Urn Andirons, Circa 1790
Located in Hollywood, SC
floral beading, squared plinths with figural lions head, circular corner medallions, and resting on step
Category

Antique 1790s French Louis XVI Andirons

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

English Regency Style Nickel Andirons
Located in New York, NY
Pair of stylish polished nickel andirons with lion's head with ring front details and tapering
Category

20th Century British Regency Revival Andirons

Materials

Nickel

English Regency Style Nickel Andirons
English Regency Style Nickel Andirons
H 21.5 in W 10 in D 8.5 in
Pair Louis XIV-Style Bronze Andirons
Located in Pasadena, CA
central lion head and hefty lion paw feet. The top of the andirons features a well-cast flame finial. The
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XIV Andirons

Materials

Bronze

Pair Louis XIV-Style Bronze Andirons
Pair Louis XIV-Style Bronze Andirons
H 30 in W 13.5 in D 20 in
Pair of Neo-Renaissance Ormolu Andirons
Located in BARSAC, FR
a roaring lion's head surmounted by an obelisk-shaped spire. The irons are thick and original
Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Andirons

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of Neo-Renaissance Ormolu Andirons
Pair of Neo-Renaissance Ormolu Andirons
H 27.56 in W 15.75 in D 23.63 in
Outstanding Set of French Gothic Andirons
Located in Atlanta, GA
Jesus, a winged angel - all atop lions head feet. The second andiron is decorated with an architectural
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier French Andirons

Materials

Iron

Outstanding Set of French Gothic Andirons
Outstanding Set of French Gothic Andirons
H 28.75 in W 10.63 in D 25.25 in
Oversized Georgian Style Andirons Brass & Cast Iron
Located in Miami, FL
Monumentally oversized Georgian style andirons, solid brass plated, with lion-footed feet and lion
Category

Vintage 1940s American Georgian Andirons

Materials

Brass, Iron

Mid 20th Century French Empire Brass Cannonball Chenets Andirons, a Pair
Located in Harlingen, TX
A vintage pair of French Empire style chenets or andirons. Heavy brass featuring neoclassical lion
Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Andirons

Materials

Brass

Pair of French 19th Century Renaissance Style Patinated Bronze Andirons
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Nemean lion. Each are seemingly supporting superb urns on their heads with masks and the eternal flame
Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Andirons

Materials

Bronze

True Pair Of French 19th Century Napoleon III Period Ormolu & Bronze Andirons
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
holding a draping piece of fabric that flanks a fierce lion head which is perched above a crowned crest
Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Andirons

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Georgian Gilt Bronze Fender
Located in New York, NY
Nineteenth century Georgian gilt bronze fire fender with lions head and swag sides united by
Category

Antique 19th Century English Georgian Andirons

Materials

Bronze, Gold Leaf

Georgian Gilt Bronze Fender
Georgian Gilt Bronze Fender
H 17.25 in W 44 in D 6 in
Pair Regency Andirons Brass Firedogs Lions Head
Located in Potters Bar, GB
the uprights, alongside lions heads and horses intricately cast at the bottom Bought from a private
Category

Vintage 1980s Regency Candelabras

Materials

Brass

19th Century Victorian Brass Fire Dogs, Andirons
Located in London, GB
A pair of 19th century Victorian polished brass lion head fire dogs andirons fine detail and good
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots

Materials

Brass

People Also Browsed

English Polished Cast Iron Fireplace Surround by Coalbrookdale
Located in Chicago, IL
Polished cast iron fireplace surround. Great design by Coalbrookdale with cherub heads and earns. Amazing casting.
Category

Antique 1880s English Fireplaces and Mantels

Materials

Iron

Antique English Victorian Cast Iron Round Marble Top Pub Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique English Victorian cast iron round marble top pub table. Item features lion heads, grape vine details, round marble top, heavy cast iron base, very nice antique item. Circa ea...
Category

Early 20th Century Victorian Side Tables

Materials

Marble, Iron

Antique Ophthalmometer Eye Machine by General Optical Company
Located in Norwalk, CT
This Antique Universal Ophthalmometer Eye Exam Machine by General Optical Company is stamped “Pat Oct 24th 1911”. This is an optical optometrist device to measure the curvature of th...
Category

Early 20th Century Scientific Instruments

French Cast Iron Lion Head Water Feature
Located in Hastings, GB
Dating to the latter 19th century this cast iron French wall mounted water feature is wonderfully detailed, the green paint, aged over the decades is sublime. All four fixing points ...
Category

Antique 1890s French Napoleon III Wall-mounted Sculptures

Materials

Iron

French Cast Iron Lion Head Water Feature
French Cast Iron Lion Head Water Feature
H 11.62 in W 11.82 in D 10.24 in
Paul Frankl Telechron American Moderne Deco Clock, 1928
By Paul Frankl
Located in Sharon, CT
The iconic American Deco Frankl 'Skyscraper' mantel clock. Polished silver over brass with black bakelite base. This rare 'top of line' deco item retains the original bevelled glass ...
Category

Vintage 1920s American Machine Age Mantel Clocks

Materials

Glass

Antique French Gilt Bronze and Cut Glass Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This beautiful three-piece clock set is designed in a French neoclassical style, popular in 19th century decorative arts. The set has been crafted from clear, cut glass and fine gilt...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Rare Art deco fireplace screen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
W46 D2 H33.5 Vintage ethced glass and brass fireplace screen in great condtion. Item shows no breaks or chips. Item shows no major scratches , brass feet show light patina.
Category

Vintage 1940s Art Deco Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Brass

Rare Art deco fireplace screen
Rare Art deco fireplace screen
H 33.5 in W 46 in D 2 in
Beautiful Cherub Angel Head Door Knocker, Cast Iron, German, 19th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 19th century German cherub angel head door knocker, made of heavy metal (maybe cast iron). Nice addition to your front door. Found at an estate sale in Germany. It is not mar...
Category

Antique 19th Century German Animal Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Arts & Crafts English Silver Tray
By W.G. Keight 1
Located in Pymble, NSW
An English Arts & Crafts silver tray hallmarked for Birmingham, 1904, maker is WGK, W. G. Keight, [active, 1901-1907]. Scene depicts a medieval woman with a large book under her lef...
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Arts and Crafts Platters and Serveware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Arts & Crafts English Silver Tray
Arts & Crafts English Silver Tray
H 0.4 in W 8.86 in D 12.01 in
Large Cast Iron Window Box
Located in Sheffield, MA
The vintage window box is made of welded and bolted straps of iron and will hold pots or containers for plants.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Georgian Planters and Jardinieres

Materials

Iron

Large Cast Iron Window Box
Large Cast Iron Window Box
H 12.5 in W 58.75 in D 9.5 in
French 19th Century Patinated Cast Iron Fountain, Signed Salin Fondeur
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful and most decorative French 19th century patinated Cast Iron fountain, signed Salin Fondeur. The two level fountain is raised on a hexagon base with Coeur de Rai designs b...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Fountains

Materials

Iron

Vintage Round Pedestal Dining or Conference Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
The vintage round mahogany dining or conference table with carved border has a centre pedestal base with four splayed feet. The pedestal is in the shape of an octagonal urn. The apro...
Category

Early 20th Century American Empire Dining Room Tables

Materials

Wood

Modernist Machine Age Chrome & Bakelite 1930s Cocktail/Drinks Table and Ashtray
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare, timeless and original Machine Age drinks table. The combination of the sleek design and the wonderful materials makes this rare table highly desirable. The black painted metal...
Category

Early 20th Century European Machine Age Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Antique Silver Plated Sugar Spoon
By Rogers & Bros.
Located in Sheffield, MA
The antique silver plated sugar spoon has a leaf-like bowl and a handle embellished with Victorian flowers, leaves and tassels. Stamped Rogers & Bro.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Late Victorian Tableware

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Silver Plated Sugar Spoon
Antique Silver Plated Sugar Spoon
H 1 in W 6 in D 1.25 in
Vintage Industrial Oak Printing Press Desk Design Hamilton Typesetters WorkShop
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Antique Hamilton of Two Rivers Wisconsin Industrial steel/oak type Ledge Worktable for Printers, Printmakers, or TypeSetting. Patina and wear to all surfaces. Many years of use has c...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Industrial and Work Tables

Materials

Steel

Captain Armchair Early-20th Century Wooden Desk Chair With Soft Seat
Located in Opole, PL
Captain Armchair - Early-20th Century Wooden Desk Chair With Soft Seat A wooden chair with a soft seat and a carved, arched backrest that transitions into armrests, ending with a he...
Category

Early 20th Century European Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Recent Sales

1800s Pr. Brass Steeple Finial Andirons- Lion Heads-Provenance
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Finial top andirons with ringed lion heads and lion paw and ball foot Base-iron log holder with brass
Category

Antique 19th Century English Andirons

Materials

Brass

ANTIQUE PAIR OF BRONZE BRASS ANDIRONS WITH LION HEAD, CLAW FEET
Located in New York, NY
ANTIQUE PAIR OF BRONZE BRASS ANDIRONS WITH LION HEAD, CLAW FEET AND ROCOCO STYLE LEAVES AND
Category

Antique 19th Century Andirons

French Empire Steel and Bronze Dore Andirons
Located in Stamford, CT
A striking pair of French silvered steel and bronze dore Empire andirons with lions head finials
Category

Antique 19th Century French Andirons

Materials

Steel, Bronze

Pair of English Brass Monumental Andirons, circa 1830
Located in Werkendam, NL
patina, circa 1830, with turned bulbous decorative plinths over lions head, original log stops and
Category

Antique 1830s Great Britain (UK) George IV Andirons

Materials

Brass, Iron

Pair of English Brass Monumental Andirons, circa 1830
Pair of English Brass Monumental Andirons, circa 1830
Free Shipping
H 21.66 in W 9.85 in D 13.78 in
Pair of 19th Century Italian Sculptural Andirons Featuring Hercules in Bronze
Located in Farmers Branch, TX
The triumphant figure depicted in this magnificent pair of large bronze andirons is the Roman hero
Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Andirons

Materials

Bronze

Heavy 19th Century English Brass and Nickel Fireplace Set
Located in Woodbury, CT
with this classical set of ball top firedogs with ringed lion’s heads and matching tools. In very heavy
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots

Materials

Brass, Nickel

Pair of Monumental English Brass Andirons
Located in Rio Vista, CA
flame finials. Each andiron flanked by winged seahorses and centered by a lion's head with a ring motif
Category

Antique 19th Century English George IV Andirons

Materials

Brass

French Empire Steel and Bronze Dore Andirons
Located in Stamford, CT
A striking pair of French silvered steel and bronze dore Empire andirons with lions head finials
Category

Antique 19th Century French Andirons

Materials

Steel, Bronze

Monumental Pair of Louis XIV Style Bronze Andirons
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This splendid pair of andirons in the 'Old French' style feature lion heads, hairy paw feet, and
Category

Antique Late 17th Century French Baroque Andirons

Materials

Bronze

Pair of English Brass Monumental Andirons. Circa 1830
Located in Hollywood, SC
Pair of English brass monumental andirons with urn and turned bulbous decorative plinths over lions
Category

Antique 19th Century British Andirons

Pair of Mid-19th Century French Brass Andirons
Located in West Hartford, CT
andirons with circular tops, lion heads and carved shield fronts. Heavy patina throughout due to age but
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Andirons

Materials

Brass

Fireplace Screen with a Pair of Chenets or Andirons
Located in Savannah, GA
Early 19th Century Pair of Chenets or Andirons Beautifully Decorated with Lion's head, Fleur de Lys
Category

Antique 19th Century French Andirons

Materials

Brass

19th Century Cast Iron French Fire Dogs Andirons Country House
Located in Southampton, GB
Amazing pair of French, 19th century Fire Dogs depicting Lion heads holding a bone. These would
Category

Antique 19th Century French Andirons

Materials

Iron

Grand 19th Century Bronze French Baroque Andirons with Pegasus Winged Horses
Located in Dallas, TX
This pair of impressive and grand 19th century bronze French Baroque andirons feature lions' heads
Category

Antique 1860s French Baroque Andirons

Pair of Monumental American Brass Floral Andirons, NY Circa 1906 Signed Jackson
Located in Hollywood, SC
Pair of monumental American brass floral andirons with lions head motif and original log stops
Category

Early 20th Century American American Empire Andirons

Materials

Brass, Iron

English Brass Ball Top Hand Chased & Pierced Sea Horse Andirons , Circa 1830
Located in Hollywood, SC
, lions head with centered ring , and terminating on ball and claw feet. Early 19th Century
Category

Antique 1830s English George IV Andirons

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Pair of French Brass Flanking Cherub Fruit Shell Andirons with Paw Feet C. 1815
Located in Hollywood, SC
with decorative gadrooned molded edges, centered scrolled lions heads, and terminating on acanthus
Category

Antique 1810s French Louis Philippe Andirons

Materials

Iron, Brass

19th Century French Cast Iron Painted Andirons or Bookends
Located in Dallas, TX
, each intricately cast with scrollwork, a pair of flowers, and a bronze lion's head, this pair will make
Category

Antique 1870s French Baroque Revival Bookends

Exceptional Gilbert Poillerat wrought iron & glass dining table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
the Hydra; - Hercules battling the three headed dog Cerberus, guard of the underworld;
Category

Vintage 1940s French Dining Room Tables

Materials

Wrought Iron

Pair of Old Reprod, Heavy Solid Cast Brass Federal Style "Lion's Head" Andirons
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of heavy solid cast brass Federal style continental lion's head andirons with cast iron
Category

Mid-20th Century English Federal Andirons

Pair of 1950s Regency Style Andirons with Stylized Lion Heads
Located in New York, NY
lion heads.
Category

Vintage 1950s English Regency Revival Andirons

Materials

Nickel

1920s Pair of Gilded French Figural Ornate Bronze Lion Head and Shield Andirons
Located in New York, NY
1920s French figural andirons with shield and lion head detail in gilded bronze. Priced as a pair
Category

Vintage 1920s French Andirons

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Monumental Late 19th Century English Solid Brass Lion Pull Andirons
Located in Bellport, NY
and spiral top, well detailed lion head pulls and feet. Immaculate condition.
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Edwardian Andirons

Materials

Brass

Pair of Antique French Louis XVI 19th Century Andirons / Chenets Marble Lions
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
minutes from Paris. Amazing details with the green marble spheres decorated with 2 lion heads each
Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Andirons

Materials

Marble

English Regency Style Nickel Andirons
Located in New York, NY
Pair of stylish polished nickel andirons with a lion's head with ring front and tapering spire with
Category

20th Century British Regency Revival Andirons

Materials

Nickel

English Regency Style Nickel Andirons
English Regency Style Nickel Andirons
H 21.5 in W 10 in D 8.5 in
English Regency Style Nickel Andirons
Located in New York, NY
Pair of stylish polished nickel andirons with lion's head with ring front details and tapering
Category

20th Century British Regency Revival Andirons

Materials

Nickel

English Regency Style Nickel Andirons
English Regency Style Nickel Andirons
H 21.5 in W 10 in D 8.5 in
Pair of Solid Brass Andirons, circa 1900
Located in Lambertville, NJ
decorated spheres and spiral finial resting on lion head ball and claw feet. The shanks are cast iron
Category

Early 20th Century American Georgian Andirons

Materials

Brass

Edwardian Pair of Georgian Style Brass Andirons
Located in Hudson, NY
elongated finial and rests on a flared socle top and lions head decorated standard set off by acanthus leaf
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Andirons

Materials

Brass, Iron

French Pair of Cast Bronze Andirons from Bourbons Family
Located in Austin, TX
Splendid French 19th century pair of andirons in cast bronze with lion's heads and fleur-de-lis
Category

Antique 19th Century French Andirons

Materials

Bronze

Empire Patinated and Gilt-Bronze Fire Place Fender or Andirons
Located in Berlin, DE
Empire patinated and gilt bronze fire place fender with beautifully recumbent lions facing each
Category

Antique 1810s French Empire Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots

Materials

Bronze

Pair of 19th Century Bronze Dore Andirons with Fleurs-de-Lys and Horse Decor
Located in Dallas, TX
lion head figure. The tall stem is decorated with two round spheres embellished with fleurs-de-Lys
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XIV Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots

Materials

Bronze

Louis XVI-Style Chenets
Located in New Orleans, LA
adorned with swags and lion heads of patinated bronze, circa 1840 15 1/2” wide x 14 1/2” high.
Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots

Materials

Bronze

Louis XVI-Style Chenets
Louis XVI-Style Chenets
H 14.5 in W 15.5 in D 3 in
Pair of antique Neoclassical style gilt bronze chenets
Located in London, GB
surmounted with small, lidded vases, whilst the larger outward facing pedestals feature mounted lion head
Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of Vintage Brass Lion Head Andirons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of aged brass lion head andirons. Beautiful patina. These andirons are quite shallow/petite
Category

Early 20th Century Andirons

Pair of Vintage Brass Lion Head Andirons
Pair of Vintage Brass Lion Head Andirons
H 10.5 in W 5.5 in D 6.5 in
Cast Iron Lion Head Andirons
Located in New York, NY
With unusual, rectangular log supports.
Category

Antique 19th Century French Andirons

Materials

Iron

Cast Iron Lion Head Andirons
Cast Iron Lion Head Andirons
H 7.5 in W 6.5 in D 16 in
Monumental Flemish Andirons Brass and Splayed Legs Iron Rods Detailed Lions Pa
By Jules Wabbes
Located in Westport, CT
the detail in this pair of Andirons, Fleur de LIs, lions head with wrought iron rings, lion's paw
Category

Vintage 1930s Belgian Hollywood Regency Andirons

Large Pair of Brass Andirons
Located in Wainscott, NY
Heavy Pair of Large Brass Andirons with Lions Heads
Category

20th Century Andirons

Large Pair of Brass Andirons
Large Pair of Brass Andirons
H 22.5 in W 10 in D 24 in
Pair of Bronze Heraldry Andirons
Located in Salt Lake City, UT
, surmounting the carved head of Bacchus, which is flanked by winged dragon heads on lion paw feet. The detail
Category

Antique 19th Century Andirons

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Bronze Heraldry Andirons
Pair of Bronze Heraldry Andirons
H 34 in W 22.5 in D 9 in
Pair of 18th Century Brass Andirons
Located in London, west Sussex
A striking and imposing pair of 18th c. brass andirons. They feature a lions’ head in the base
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier British Andirons

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Pair of 18th Century Brass Andirons
Pair of 18th Century Brass Andirons
H 28 in W 16.5 in D 16.5 in
Pair of Monumental Brass Figural Andirons
Located in Salt Lake City, UT
upturned heads, a central column of masks, putti, grape clusters, lion-paw feet and each andiron topped
Category

Antique 19th Century English Andirons

Materials

Brass

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Style Pair of Ormolu Chenets/Fire Dogs
Located in Suffolk, GB
a column with a lions head to the base. There is a pierced curved balustrade also decorated with
Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Andirons

Unique Pair of DecorativeTall Andirons
Located in Wainscott, NY
Horse Shoe Fronts, Lion Heads and Figure
Category

Antique 19th Century Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots

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

Lion Head Andiron For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the lion head andiron you’re looking for at 1stDibs. A lion head andiron — often made from metal, iron and bronze — can elevate any home. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer lion head andiron, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. A lion head andiron is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Baroque and Louis XV styles are sought with frequency.

How Much is a Lion Head Andiron?

Prices for a lion head andiron start at $600 and top out at $12,500 with the average selling for $2,200.

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.