The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
$330 / item
Large Fireplace Grate for Andirons, Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Made of 1.4 cm (0.55") thick steel bars. All sizes of the fire grate of fireplace rack are outside sizes. Distance between the beams is 26.5 cm (10.44...
Steel
$270 / item
Large Fireplace Grate for Andirons, Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Made of 1.4 cm (0.55") thick steel bars. All sizes of the fire grate of fireplace rack are outside sizes. Distance between the beams is 26.5 cm (10.44...
Steel
$228 / item
Fireplace Grate for Andirons, Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Made of 1.4 cm (0.55") thick steel bars. All sizes of the fire grate of fireplace rack are outside sizes. Distance between the beams is 26.5 cm (10.44...
Steel
$234 / item
Fireplace Grate for Andirons, Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Made of 1.4 cm (0.55") thick steel bars. All sizes of the fire grate of fireplace rack are outside sizes. Distance between the beams is 26.5 cm (10.44...
Wrought Iron
Large Decorative Wrought Iron Andirons ca' 1930's
By Samuel Yellin
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of large scale, decorative andirons, ca' 1930's. Tall at 31" and heavy-wrought iron with interesting details, pine cone shape tops, etc...
Wrought Iron
Modernist Art Glass and Brass Andirons with Log Holder circa 1970
Located in Chicago, IL
Modernist brass fireplace andirons with egg-shaped art glass sculptures, circa 1970. Includes optional iron log holder.
Brass, Iron
$222 / item
Small Fireplace Grate for Andirons, Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Made of 1.4 cm (0.55") thick steel bars. All sizes of the fire grate of fireplace rack are outside sizes. Distance between the beams is 26.5 cm (10.44...
Steel
$2,240Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Hand-Wrought Iron Serpent Andirons, Early 20th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
They stopped us mid-stride—the way only true originals can. This pair of early–mid 20th century hand-wrought iron andirons—possibly French, possibly American—feel less like hearth to...
Wrought Iron
$6,500 / set
Modernist Bronze Andirons
Located in New York, NY
Modernist set of Bronzed andirons with a simplistic sinuous silhouette. Solid Metal.
Bronze
$3,000 / set
Samuel Marx Attributed Moderne Aluminum Andirons
By Samuel Marx
Located in Sharon, CT
In the manner of the Chicago Architect and Moderne Decor Master- Samuel Marx. A vertical rectangular shaft of aluminum horizontally punctured with a blackened solid copper cylinder. ...
Iron, Aluminum
$294 / item
Large Fireplace Grate for Andirons, Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Made of 1.4 cm (0.55") thick steel bars. All sizes of the fire grate of fireplace rack are outside sizes. Distance between the beams is 26.5 cm (10.44...
Steel
Pair of Custom Modernist Brushed Brass Cylindrical Andirons by High Style Deco
Located in New York, NY
These stunning pair of custom andirons were designed and realized exclusively for High Style Deco. They feature brushed brass cylindrical form bodies with black enamel supports. Hand...
Enamel, Brass
Pair of Modernist Chrome Andirons - Jean-Charles Créations - France 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Pair of modernist chrome andirons from Jean-Charles Créations - France, 1970s. In good vintage condition. These andirons will ship from France and can be returned to either France or...
Chrome
$6,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Chrome Fireplace Tool, Andirons and Fire-Screen by Maison Charles
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A rare polish chrome French fireplace set designed by Maison Charles in the 1970s. The set consists of fireplace tool set, andirons, gas key and fireplace screen. The fireplace scree...
Chrome
French Modernist Firedogs or Andirons, 20th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
20th century English andirons made of wrought iron. The style is Modernist. The condition is good.
Wrought Iron
$4,500 / set
French Adnet Style Brass Fire Tools
Located in New York, NY
French Modernist set of brass fire tools suspended on a glass frame, in the style of Jacques Adnet. Professionally polished.
Brass
Jean Charles Fireplace Set, France 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Rare matched set of Jean Charles andirons and firetools. Great original patina.
Stainless Steel
$4,840Sale Price / set|28% Off
Pair of French Modern Silvered Iron Andirons
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of French modern silvered iron andirons, each one a tall spiral resting on elongated pad feet. Each Andiron measures 16" W x 26.5" H x 23" D, the log leg measures 20.5 deep. ...
Iron
Custom Made Brueton Stainless Steel and Onyx Andirons, 1978
By Brueton
Located in Hamburg, PA
A monumental one-of-a-kind custom-made stainless steel and onyx andirons by Brueton. These magnificent andirons were custom designed for an executive's office in Pittsburgh, PA. The ...
Onyx, Steel, Stainless Steel
$1,800 / set
A Pair of Polished Scroll Brass Andirons
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of polished, heavy brass, scroll shaped andirons.
Brass, Wrought Iron
$3,600 / set
Raymond Subes Forged Steel Andirons
Located in New York, NY
French Art Deco hand forged steel andirons with a stylized flame design, blackened iron backs. Professionally cleaned.
Steel, Iron
$4,900 / set
Graceful Bronze Spire Andirons
Located in Greenwich, CT
Lovely pair of early 20th century bronze andirons having spired ball finials over balustrade stems and standing on arched feet with scrolled decoration.
Bronze
$3,600 / set
6pc Musical Note Fireplace Set
By Bennett Co.
Located in New York, NY
Modernist polished nickel fireplace set including a pair of andirons and fireplace tools. Andirons measure 17"T x 14"D x 8"W Tools measure 28.5"T x 14"W x 12"D.
Iron, Nickel
$354 / set
English Modernist Firedogs or Andirons
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
20th century English andirons made of wrought iron. The style is Modernist. The condition is good.
Wrought Iron
$2,600 / set
Modernist Polished Nickel Andirons
Located in New York, NY
Pair of midcentury graphic andirons in polished nickel finish with cast iron backs.
Iron, Nickel
$3,200 / set
Paul Evans Style Chrome, Brass Andirons
By Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
Pair of heavy skyscraper andirons made from solid brass and chrome-plated pieces with iron backs in the style of Paul Evans.
Brass, Stainless Steel
$7,800 / set
Samuel Marx Andirons
Pair of Modernist Curved Deco Inspired Nickel Andirons, Manner of Karl Springer
Located in New York, NY
Handmade by artisans in New York state, this pair of modernist andirons embody the old world craftsmanship and design aesthetic of a bygone era. With their skyscraper style construct...
Nickel
$1,950 / set
Pair Brass Geometric Andirons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of very handsome Brass Andirons. The pair are uniquely designed and are a modern translation, while many andirons are very period or gothic in style. A compliment to any fir...
Brass
$1,800 / set
Donald Deskey Style Nickel Plated Andirons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of modernist fireplace andirons in the style of Donald Deskey. The set features a minimal curved front design with a center circular disc. Each andiron sits a a curved front f...
Wrought Iron, Nickel
$2,160 / set
Pair of Moderniste Andirons, circa 1970
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
An pair of andirons in stainless steel and wrought iron, circa 1970.
Stainless Steel