Fabulous Floral Andirons
This month we are pleased to present a pair of antique floral andirons that infuse as much joy into a room as a gigantic bouquet of actual flowers. These andirons are as functional as they are beautiful, having evolved from a centuries-old tradition establishing andirons as essential fireplace accessories. Ever since humans starting building fires in indoor fireplaces they have used firedogs – a pair of horizontal bars – to hold logs off the hearth, thereby improving air circulation for better burning and less smoke. Upright front guards were then added to the firedogs to prevent flaming logs from rolling forward.
The practical human impulse that led to the creation of andirons eventually led to the artistic human impulse to transform the front guards into beautiful ornaments. There are endless variations on the shapes of andirons which correspond with major design aesthetics of different historical periods – in America these include the simple but shapely wrought iron andirons of the Colonial period, elegant brass lemon-top andirons of the Federal period, and heavily proportioned andirons of the Arts and Crafts era.
Most decorative andirons are either cast iron, which are shaped with molten iron that is poured into molds, or wrought iron, which are hand shaped by a blacksmith. Most of the figural andirons we've bought and sold have been in the shape of animals, and are usually cast iron. Figural wrought iron andirons with such an elaborate floral, foliate and spiral tendril design as these are far less common.
These andirons also retain traces of their original polychrome paint decoration in shades of green, yellow/orange and red.
The supporting scrolled legs and the back dogs, which show signs of use (one is warped, but is strong and stable), are also hand forged.
Based on the quality and design of these andirons, we date them to circa 1900-1920. They were individually crafted by a blacksmith whose hand-finished details, incising, and subtle variations between the two andirons are evident. They were designed on a large enough scale to have a dramatic presence (each andiron is 25" high, 25" deep and 18" high), yet fit nicely in an average-size firebox.
Fireplace interiors can be dark and dingy spaces. Decorative andirons, especially these cheerful replicas of garden flowers, illuminate those spaces even when no fire is burning behind them. These andirons are a smile-evoking accessory that especially will enhance a home whose interior is already accented with reminders of the vibrancy of nature beyond its walls.
