Andirons
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Andirons
Brass, Iron
Mid-20th Century Rococo Andirons
Bronze, Iron
1980s American Art Deco Vintage Andirons
Iron, Nickel
Late 20th Century North American Modern Andirons
Nickel
1950s American Art Deco Vintage Andirons
Brass, Iron
Mid-20th Century Dutch Baroque Andirons
Steel, Iron
1960s French Vintage Andirons
Metal
1930s American Vintage Andirons
Chrome
Mid-20th Century American Federal Andirons
Brass, Iron
1980s American Art Deco Vintage Andirons
Iron
1950s American Vintage Andirons
Brass
Mid-20th Century Andirons
Bronze, Iron
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Andirons
Iron
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Andirons
Metal
1950s Italian Brutalist Vintage Andirons
Iron
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Andirons
Wrought Iron
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Andirons
Iron
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Andirons
Brass
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Andirons
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Andirons
Brass
1950s French Vintage Andirons
Iron
Late 20th Century Minimalist Andirons
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Empire Andirons
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Andirons
Brass, Iron
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Wrought Iron
1950s American Federal Vintage Andirons
Brass, Iron
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Iron, Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century American Federal Andirons
Brass, Iron
1940s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Andirons
Iron
1940s American Vintage Andirons
Brass
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Andirons
Brass
Mid-20th Century Spanish Other Andirons
Brass, Iron, Bronze
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Andirons
Iron
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Andirons
Nickel, Iron
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Andirons
Brass, Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Iron
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Andirons
Steel, Iron
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Wrought Iron
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Andirons
Stainless Steel
Late 20th Century English Andirons
Brass, Steel
1950s Federal Vintage Andirons
Brass, Iron
1930s American Vintage Andirons
Wrought Iron
1950s American Vintage Andirons
Iron
Mid-20th Century English Empire Andirons
Brass, Iron
Mid-20th Century American Andirons
Wrought Iron
1950s European Vintage Andirons
Iron
1950s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Andirons
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Andirons
Bronze, Wrought Iron
1970s French Vintage Andirons
Stainless Steel, Wrought Iron
Late 20th Century English Georgian Andirons
Iron
1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Andirons
Iron, Brass, Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century European Other Andirons
Iron
Late 20th Century English Andirons
Brass, Steel
1970s American Modern Vintage Andirons
Onyx, Steel, Stainless Steel
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Andirons
Brass, Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century American Federal Andirons
Brass
Mid-20th Century Louis XVI Andirons
Metal, Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Andirons
Brass, Chrome
Antique and Vintage Andirons
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.