Andiron 1803 - 1828

These brass andirons were created in the early 19th century by James Davis. Davis was an artisan working during a period when the United States was grappling with its identity, both politically and culturally. The andirons, though functional objects designed to hold logs in a fireplace, also reflect the aspirations of the burgeoning American middle class. They were designed to evoke a sense of refinement and domesticity during the antebellum period in America. Consider that these items existed in a time of growing economic disparity, when enslaved people were being exploited for labor, so luxury items could be produced. As we gaze at these andirons, let's reflect on the fires they once held, the stories they might have silently witnessed, and the complex narratives woven into the fabric of everyday life in early America.