Andirons
1790s English Georgian Antique Andirons
Steel, Iron
Early 19th Century Scottish Georgian Antique Andirons
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Andirons
Wrought Iron
2010s English Georgian Andirons
Iron
1970s Modern Vintage Andirons
Brass, Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Andirons
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Andirons
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Andirons
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Andirons
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Andirons
Steel
Late 19th Century Unknown Georgian Antique Andirons
Brass, Wrought Iron
Late 18th Century Georgian Antique Andirons
Brass, Iron
Early 19th Century Georgian Antique Andirons
Brass, Iron
1790s English Georgian Antique Andirons
Iron
Late 18th Century Georgian Antique Andirons
Brass, Iron
1940s French Modern Vintage Andirons
Brass, Wrought Iron
Late 20th Century English Georgian Andirons
Brass
1980s American Modern Vintage Andirons
Brass, Steel, Wrought Iron
18th Century Dutch Georgian Antique Andirons
Brass, Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Andirons
Steel
Early 1800s English George III Antique Andirons
Brass, Iron
1830s English George IV Antique Andirons
Iron, Brass
20th Century American Modern Andirons
Bronze, Iron
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Andirons
Brass, Iron
Early 20th Century American George III Andirons
Brass, Iron
Early 20th Century American George III Andirons
Brass, Iron
20th Century British Modern Andirons
Wrought Iron
Late 20th Century American Georgian Andirons
Brass, Iron
Late 20th Century American Georgian Andirons
Brass, Iron
2010s English Georgian Andirons
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Andirons
Brass, Enamel
1930s American Modern Vintage Andirons
Bronze
20th Century French Modern Andirons
Brass
Late 20th Century French Modern Andirons
Stainless Steel
1970s Unknown Modern Vintage Andirons
Steel, Chrome, Iron
Late 19th Century English Georgian Antique Andirons
Brass, Iron
1950s American Modern Vintage Andirons
Iron
Late 20th Century North American Modern Andirons
Nickel
Early 1800s English George III Antique Andirons
Brass, Wire
1780s English George III Antique Andirons
Brass, Steel
Early 20th Century American Georgian Andirons
Bronze, Wrought Iron
1830s English George IV Antique Andirons
Brass, Wrought Iron
19th Century English Georgian Antique Andirons
Brass, Iron
1810s English George III Antique Andirons
Brass, Steel, Iron
20th Century French Modern Andirons
Steel, Iron
1960s Georgian Vintage Andirons
Metal, Brass
20th Century French Modern Andirons
Iron
1790s English George III Antique Andirons
Brass, Iron
Early 19th Century English George IV Antique Andirons
Brass, Wrought Iron
19th Century French Georgian Antique Andirons
Bronze
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Andirons
Bronze, Iron
1970s French Modern Vintage Andirons
Chrome
Late 20th Century English Georgian Andirons
Iron
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Andirons
Gold Plate, Steel
19th Century English Georgian Antique Andirons
Brass, Steel
1970s American Modern Vintage Andirons
Onyx, Steel, Stainless Steel
1890s Georgian Antique Andirons
Brass
1780s English George III Antique Andirons
Wrought Iron, Brass, Steel, 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.