Andirons c. 1790

These andirons, crafted from brass and iron, were made by an anonymous maker at an unknown date. Andirons like these were placed in fireplaces to support burning logs, becoming a decorative element in homes. Brass, valued for its golden appearance and resistance to corrosion, was a popular choice for household objects. Here, the brass is cast into elegant shapes, like the urn-shaped finial, the paw feet, and the fluted column. These would have required skilled casting, filing, and polishing to achieve their refined appearance. The ironwork, more functional in nature, provides sturdy support for the burning logs. The combination of these materials speaks to a society where fire was central to domestic life, and where even practical objects could reflect aspirations to beauty and status. The labor involved in creating such objects, from mining and smelting the metals to the skilled work of the brass founder, connects these andirons to larger economic networks and social hierarchies.