Fire dogs or andirons? A DHN magazine article

Hello my friends,

This post is about Andirons. Also called fire dogs. They are the precursor for the firebaskets and grates that most modern fireplaces have since the end of the 18th century. These a dirons have two functons in a hearth. The horizontal bars help raise the fire off the floor. Thus improving airflow feeding the fire. Secondly the raised horizontal piece helps to stop burning logs rolling out of the fireplace. 

The rooms that I make for Huis ter Swinnendael will feature no less than 10 fireplaces and roughly the same number of pairs of firedogs.this gives the opportunity to make a some pairs in different styles while using all sort of materials.

For the article I made three pairs of andirons. The first is in a simple ballustre style that, in different forms, have been made from early renaissance into the Queen Anne period. And let us not forget the reincarnations of the late 19th century and early 20th century reproductions. 

All that is used is a pair of mini ballustres, a pair of finials, a popsicle stick and some black and gold paint. The finial can be replaced by a round bead or a pinecone shaped bead or something like that. All these shapes were customary at one point. From the popsicle stick the horizontal bar and the front foot of each firedog is cut out. 

And then it is simply a matter of gluing the pieces together and painting them. The vertical front is painted gold to mimic brass. But for a more modest interior it can just as easily be painted black to mimic cast iron.

But there is so much more possible. I think that most, if not every miniaturist, have some of those small resin or plastic vases lying around. I think these are half scale. I have seen these painted gold or teracotta ón the mantle shelf corners. Either filled with miniature plants or on either side of a clock as a garniture. Good ideas. But why not place them ínside the fireplace as andirons?

These louis XVI style andirons are cobbled togethervfrom simple pieces. The horizontal bars are cut from a popsicle stick. The front bars are pieces of a miniature picture frame. The round drums under the vases are beads. And the small blocks with the turned decorations are the sawn off tops of miniature spindles. All run of the mill items. Put together the produce fine andirons to help decorate a fireplace. 

The third pair are different grom the first two. If you follow this blog, dear reader, you may recognise the merman and mermaid andirons I showed you all on this blog before. You can read the post on how to make them here.

Still. All you need here is a pair of metal stampings or another pair of (plastic, resin, wood, plaster) ornaments of the right size and a popsicle stick for the horizontal bar at the back. You have a lot of freedom to chose what you like. Just make sure it fits in the style of the intended room. 

Huibrecht.