Andiron

By the eighteenth century classical forms with several mouldings, similar to those used for [[candlestick]]s and the like, predominate in pieces for the middle classes, and were imitated in the American colonies, often just in iron and rather more simply. Small figures at the front also became popular; in America cast flat "Hessian" soldiers were a long-lasting favourite.Plummer, 4-9 In Continental Europe, men such as [[Jean Bérain the Elder |Jean Berain]] (1640-1711), whose artistry was most especially applied to the ornamentation of [[André Charles Boulle| Boulle]] furniture, sometimes designed them. The [[Algardi Firedogs]] commissioned from the Roman sculptor [[Alessandro Algardi]] for [[Philip IV of Spain]] by [[Velázquez]] in 1650 were copied in several foundries.

By the eighteenth century classical forms with several mouldings, similar to those used for [[candlestick]]s and the like, predominate in pieces for the middle classes, and were imitated in the American colonies, often just in iron and rather more simply. Small figures at the front also became popular; in America cast flat "Hessian" soldiers were a long-lasting favourite.Plummer, 4-9 In Continental Europe, men such as [[Jean Bérain the Elder |Jean Berain]] (1640-1711), whose artistry was most especially applied to the ornamentation of [[André Charles Boulle| Boulle]] furniture, sometimes designed them. The [[Algardi Firedogs]] commissioned from the Roman sculptor [[Alessandro Algardi]] for [[Philip IV of Spain]] by [[Velázquez]] in 1650 were copied in several foundries.

The andiron reached its greatest artistic development under [[Louis XIV of France]] ({{reign | 1643 | 1715}}). From the eighteenth century, fireplaces increasingly had built-in metal grates to hold the firewood, or, increasingly, the coal, up off the floor and in place, thus largely removing the need for andirons. However, andirons were often still kept for decorative reasons, and sometimes as a place to rest pokers, tongs and other fire implements. In older periods people used andirons as a rest for a roasting [[Spit (cooking aide)|spit]]; they sometimes included a cup-shaped top to hold [[porridge]]. Sometimes, smaller pairs were placed between the main andirons for smaller fires. These are called "creepers".

The andiron reached its greatest artistic development under [[Louis XIV]] of France ({{reign | 1643 | 1715}}). From the eighteenth century, fireplaces increasingly had built-in metal grates to hold the firewood, or, increasingly, the coal, up off the floor and in place, thus largely removing the need for andirons. However, andirons were often still kept for decorative reasons, and sometimes as a place to rest pokers, tongs and other fire implements. In older periods people used andirons as a rest for a roasting [[Spit (cooking aide)|spit]]; they sometimes included a cup-shaped top to hold [[porridge]]. Sometimes, smaller pairs were placed between the main andirons for smaller fires. These are called "creepers".

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