The Skinny on Andirons
Andirons, once an absolute necessity to heat dinner and hold logs in the cold winter months of yesteryear, are now a decorative and functional option to help warm your home, luxuriously.
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THE HISTORY OF ANDIRONS
Deriving from the colloquial term, firedogs (because their upright form resembles an eager dog on alert), andirons were made with elaborate decorations with animals as a common motif. Although created with heavy decorative elements, the intent of andirons was to create airflow around the logs placed on top of the starter fire.
They were originally made from wrought iron and had ratcheting attachments and hooks where you can hang rotisserie spits, pots and other cooking tools. Come medieval times, blacksmiths started adding minor decorative elements that turned the andiron from a functional piece to a decorative one; this was most likely because fireplaces were an important part of the home throughout history as a source of heat and served as something similar to a stove.
As time went by, andirons became less of a function and more decorative, especially during the Renaissance (when ancient Greek and Roman statuesque designs became popular). However, these royal types of andirons were far from the norm—most andirons were still usually made of iron, and relatively simple. Higher-end andirons were often made out of brass, and were highly decorative even if they weren’t sculptural.
ANDIRONS TODAY
Although andirons are not in typical use today, especially as a spit for your dinner meat, they have become antiques that are plentiful and often inexpensive at flea markets and auctions. You can decorate with andirons as a subtle and charming way to reference the past in a space where friends and family often gather—around the fireplace!
3 Ways to Decorate with Andirons
1. Make Andirons a Focal Point
Use figurative andirons to attract attention and become a central conversation piece in your home. You already get together in the living room with friends and family so why not add some interest to this space with some andirons?
2. Add a Fireplace Screen
You can still make andirons the focal point by making your whole fireplace hearth something to talk about with a beautiful fireplace screen. Have your architectural andirons like massive neo-classical andirons make a statement by peeking through your delicately designed screen or use a heavy screen to hide gilded andirons. Contrast elements to make andirons work with your screen so that they don’t blend into each other in design.
OWS Amhurst Cast Stone Fireplace Mantel
3. Display Coordinated Fireplace Tools
Choose antique or vintage fireplace tools that coordinate with your andirons and match metal accents in your rooms for a harmonious effect
OWS Normandy Cast Stone Fireplace
Regardless of how you choose to decorate with andirons, they are certainly an easy and functional way to personalize your fireplace. You can expect that andirons will add a wonderful enhancement to your high-end fireplace from Old World Stoneworks.