Andirons are not just utilitarian

Since the first energy crisis, fireplaces have been considered by many to be a frivolous waste of energy. There are still those, however, who appreciate the warmth and beauty of the open fire, particularly those with old homes graced by several fireplaces. For the true lover of the open hearth, the andirons are the focus of a well-decorated room and not merely utilitarian log holders.

One of my first childhood experiences with antiques took me to a shop which specialized in fine brass andirons. I was shocked to see prices on some of the more decorative examples which exceeded those of a fine tea table. I was quick to learn about the intracacies of fine antique andirons and what characteristics distinguished the merely good from the truly outstanding.

Style and proportion are the prime determining factors when it comes to the relative value of brass andirons. While the design of andirons does fit loosely into general categories which can be roughly compared to the periods of furniture, determination of relative age can be much more difficult.

There are andirons which can be said to exhibit characteristics of the Chippendale or Hepplewhite style, but many of the stylistic motifs are mixed. It is often easier to describe andirons by the type of foot, leg, pillar or finial. These influences range from the classic simplicity and grace of the Adam and Federal styles to the less desirable combination of Queen Anne and Chippendale legs and feet with the cannonball-type top.

In most cases, a collector will see the grace and brilliance of a well- polished pair of andirons as the crowning touch to a well-decorated room. Although such factors as leg and foot will be considered when attempting to match periods, it is far more important to look at style and proportion.

The tall, Adam-style andirons topped with urn finials are considered to be the most desirable, and when these details are combined with any of several other factors such as delicately-shaped penny or slipper feet, prices tend to soar. Especially important in this formula is the shape and execution of the column and its plinth. The best andirons will have log stops mounted just behind the columns, and these often mirror the style of the top finial.

Some andirons, especially those of the Federal-style, were cast of alloys of brass which do not have the bright yellow finish that we are accustomed to seeing. These andirons are made of alloys similar to bell metal and they tend to take on a more silver-like polish. There are some examples from this period which appear to be more orange, due to a higher copper content. For the most part, the typical pair of mid-19th century ball-top andirons is made from yellow brass.

The more squat-style of andirons of the early 19th century tends to make them less sought after. These andirons combine ball or elliptical tops with columns made up from several sections which take on the appearance of turnings on Sheraton furniture. The redeeming factor in many of these andirons comes from the style of leg and foot. If the leg is graceful and is accentuated by fine, delicate spurs and terminates with a nice foot, it still possesses enough of the style of the period to be considered desirable.

Some of the best andirons of the late 18th and early 19th centuries were signed by their makers. Signed andirons are quite rare in rural New England, especially Maine, but there are those examples which were brought from Boston, New York or Philadelphia by prosperous settlers. It is always wise to look for dates, initials or stamped names on any andirons which are a little better than the ordinary.

The turned column, ball-topped andirons are probably most typical in Maine. Most of these date from the first quarter of the 19th century and are enhanced by such details as leg spurs, log stops and unusual height. The ball-topped brass andiron remained popular well into the midpoint of the 19th century, when the various revival styles in decorative arts resulted in a plethora of designs, using both iron and brass.

With the growth of the middle class leading to the construction of large houses, fireplaces became large and often fanciful expressions of some of the most creative revival styles. The andirons of this period reflect this creativity with a whole range of influences coming from the Middle East, medieval Europe and the Orient.

Some of these mid- and late- 19th century andirons are combinations of manufactureed elements and handcraftsmanship, and many are unusual as well as beautiful. Unfortunately, the size of some of these andirons makes them unwieldly in the most traditional fireplaces.

The basic brass ball and iron continued to be mass-produced throughout the 19th century and enjoyed a resurgence in popularity after the Colonial Revival of the early 20th century. Unfortunately, many of these late factory-made andirons are poorly proportioned and lack style. They are almost caricatures of their early 19th century cousins. My childhood friends in the andiron business called them “Pekingese” because of their squat appearance.

Some companies, such as Jackson in New York, produce fine quality reproductions of great grace and there are still good copies available today.