Andirons
19th Century Antique Andirons
Iron
1880s French Antique Andirons
Bronze
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Andirons
Steel, Iron
19th Century French Antique Andirons
Iron
1840s American American Empire Antique Andirons
Wrought Iron
Early 19th Century American American Classical Antique Andirons
Brass
1850s American American Empire Antique Andirons
Iron
19th Century French Antique Andirons
Iron
19th Century Adam Style Antique Andirons
Brass, Iron
Early 1800s American American Colonial Antique Andirons
Brass, Iron, Wire
1840s American American Empire Antique Andirons
Brass, Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century Colonial Revival Andirons
Iron
Late 19th Century Antique Andirons
Iron
1820s American American Empire Antique Andirons
Brass, Wrought Iron
1810s French Louis Philippe Antique Andirons
Brass, Wrought Iron
1920s Vintage Andirons
Iron, Tin
1810s English George III Antique Andirons
Brass, Steel, Iron
1810s American American Colonial Antique Andirons
Brass, Wire
19th Century French British Colonial Antique Andirons
Iron
1890s French Gothic Revival Antique Andirons
Iron
19th Century Louis XVI Antique Andirons
Bronze, Iron
Early 20th Century American Gothic Revival Andirons
Brass, Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century Federal Andirons
Brass, Wrought Iron
19th Century English Georgian Antique Andirons
Brass, Iron
Early 20th Century Art Deco Andirons
Steel
Mid-19th Century North American Victorian Antique Andirons
Iron
19th Century Antique Andirons
Wrought Iron
Mid-19th Century French Antique Andirons
Ormolu
Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Antique Andirons
Brass, Copper, Iron
Early 1800s American American Colonial Antique Andirons
Brass, Wrought Iron
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Andirons
Iron
Early 20th Century Folk Art Andirons
Brass
Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Andirons
Brass, Iron
Early 1800s American American Colonial Antique Andirons
Brass, Wire
19th Century American Federal Antique Andirons
Brass, Iron
1950s European Vintage Andirons
Iron
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Andirons
Iron
19th Century French Antique Andirons
Iron
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Andirons
Chrome, Iron
1810s American American Colonial Antique Andirons
Brass, Wrought Iron
1810s American American Colonial Antique Andirons
Brass, Wrought Iron
Late 19th Century American American Empire Antique Andirons
Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Andirons
Iron
19th Century French Gothic Antique Andirons
Bronze, Iron
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Andirons
Bronze
1920s Italian Art Deco Vintage Andirons
Wrought Iron
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Andirons
Iron
1880s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Andirons
Iron
1950s American Vintage Andirons
Iron
1950s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Andirons
Brass
1950s Federal Vintage Andirons
Brass, Iron
1810s American American Empire Antique Andirons
Brass, Wire
Mid-20th Century Louis XVI Andirons
Metal, Brass
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Andirons
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Andirons
Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Andirons
Iron
1880s French Gothic Antique Andirons
Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Andirons
Wrought Iron, Iron
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.