Andiron (one of pair) c. 1938

Salvatore Borrazzo sketched this andiron, a tool to hold burning wood, sometime between 1855 and 1995. The object’s design blends functionality with an aesthetic aiming for grandeur. The andiron's finial is reminiscent of the orb and cross, a symbol of imperial power since ancient Rome. This motif, signaling dominion, was also found in religious contexts, representing Christ's rule over the world. Here, atop a mundane, domestic object, it suggests an aspiration to elevate the everyday, to imbue the home with a sense of dignity. Note the scrolled feet. Such baroque flourishes evoke a sense of movement and opulence, drawing a parallel to the dynamic forms seen in ancient acanthus leaf decorations. These design choices subtly connect the warmth of the hearth to broader ideas of civilization.