A pair of Early 18th Century Antique Steel Fire-Dogs or Andirons

A pair of Early 18th Century Antique Steel Fire-Dogs or Andirons

Fire-dogs or Andirons were developed to help the efficiency of early fires, by raising the logs above the floor they would help increase the air circulation and allow cleaner burning with less smoke. Generally early andirons such as these would be forged from wrought iron and steel. As in this case the steel allowed for decorative touches to make a simple utilitarian object a statement of wealth and power.

More ornate fire dogs would include brass or bronze and increasingly they  became decorative items used to rest fire irons and implements on. With the development of fire baskets and grates these andirons would fall out of use in favour of more efficient and elaborate fire places. Used in conjunction with a cast iron fire back this set of steel and wrought iron fire dogs will make an attractive and traditional pairing in an open fire place surround.

DIMENSIONS:

H: 51 cm

W: 22 cm

D: 41 cm