Andiron 1797 - 1800

This pair of andirons, crafted by Richard Wittingham between 1797 and 1800, are an example of American craftsmanship from the late 18th century. The andirons, currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, are made of iron and feature a distinctive design with a ball-shaped finial atop a pyramidal form and an elegant arched base. These andirons, once used to support logs in a fireplace, stand as a testament to the aesthetic sensibilities of the time.