Hobbies And Interests
Function
Two andirons stand at either end of an open hearth, supporting logs of wood between them. They hold the firewood an inch or two above the hearth, allowing the air to circulate easily beneath, so the fire burns more freely. Old-fashioned kitchen andirons have brackets to hold a spit for roasting joints of meat over an open fire.
Design
Andirons come in many shapes, sizes and styles. The basic design consists of a horizontal bar mounted on two or three short legs, often with an upright post to stop the logs rolling off the bar. When used in pairs and loaded with logs, andirons look a little like a dog, so they are sometimes known as "firedogs," or "dog irons."
Decoration
Generally made of iron, steel, brass, copper or bronze, antique andiron uprights were often cast in the form of ornate, decorated statues with human or animal faces. Scroll work with swirls and spirals was popular in times past, as were leaf and flower patterns.
History
Decorated andirons were widely in use before the 20th century, when open fires were still the dominant form of domestic heating. The Smithsonian Institution holds a fine collection of 19th century andirons, sporting heart-shapes, phoenix-heads, lions, serpents, dolphins and sunbursts. Open hearths are no longer common, but andirons remain highly prized. The Resources section of this article has advice for collectors on recognizing old andirons.
Appeal
The appeal of andirons may lie in their quirky decoration and evocation of a simpler, vanished way of life. The 1906 children's book "Andiron Tales" by John Kendrick Bangs sums up this nostalgic mood, as young hero Tom hears marvellous stories from the talking andirons in the fireplace, which look like "amiable sea serpents," but with cat-like faces and sunflowers for heads.